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navigated the aircraft over 200 miles of sea to the target area, skilfully attacked and scored hits on a large vessel and an escorting destroyer. Two days later Flight Lieutenant Edmunds with his same observer, led a low flying attack in Navarini Bay. Despite intense fire from the shore several hits were scored on a 6000 ton tanker which was set on fire. The skill and determination shown by Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, together with his observer's skilful and accurate navigation, were responsible for the success achieved".
On December 11th, 1941, F/L. Edmunds was reported missing on air operations. Information was later received from the International Red Cross Committee that his body had been found at sea and buried at Argostoli, Greece. In consequence he was reclassified to missing believed killed.
After the cessation of hostilities information received from the Graves Registration Unit stated that F/L. Edmunds had been re-interred in the Taliron Military Cemetary, Athens.
5/2/2698 AS2. 227 hrs. as pilot.
Mr. E.E. Edmunds (F) 55 Hector St. Seatoun, WELLINGTON.
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41642 : Flight Sergeant Allen James EDWARDS.
FATHER : Mr. L. J. Edwards of Dunedin.
Allan Edwards was born at Dunedin on the 12th April, 1920. He received his secondary education at Otago Boys' High School, where he passed the Matriculation examination and gained a School Certificate. He later studied at University classes for his Accountancy Professional examination and B. Com. Degree. He played cricket and football at school and was captain of his school XI, and also a member of the gymnastic eight. After leaving school he was employed by W.E.C. Reid & Co., Dunedin, in general accountancy and auditing work and was still employed there at the time of making application for aircrew on the 6th June, 1940.
Flight Sergeant Edwards was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 19th January, 1941, and posted to No.1 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth, on the 1st March to undergo his elementary flying training, after which he embarked on the 29th April for Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme.
F/Sgt. Edwards arrived in Canada on the 14th May, 1941, and on the 27th of the same month was posted to No. 32 Service Flying Training School, Moose Jaw. Saskatchewan, where - on the 8th August, 1941 - he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 1st July, 1942. Meanwhile on the 16th August, 1941, he proceeed to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.
F/Sgt. Edwards arrived on No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 15th September and on the 30th of the month was posted to No. 61, Operational Training Unit, Heston, Middlesex, where he converted to and completed his training on Spitfire aircraft. On the 13th January, 1942, he was posted to No. 129 (Mysore) Squadron, at Tangmere, Sussex, and with this squadron, first from Tangmere and
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A. J. EDWARDS.
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later from Debden, Essex, again at Tangmere and afterwards at Thorney Island, Hampshire, as pilot of Spitfire aircraft, he took part in 105 operational flights, being convoy patrols for shipping off Selsey Bill and Beachy Head, scrambles, escort for destroyers, motor torpedo boats and aircraft formations, proceeding on operations to Caen, Le Havre, Boulogne, Rouen, Abbeville, in France, and Flushing, in Holland; offensive sweeps in the area of Haysbrouck, Le Touquet, Boulogne, Calais, Hardelot, Cape Gris Ney and Bruges, in France; shipping reconnaissance flights and air/sea rescue escort duties. On the 5th June F/Sgt. Edwards was shot down off the French Coast and picked up by an air/sea rescue service Walrus aircraft after 45 minutes on a dinghy.
F/Sgt. Edwards was the pilot of a Spitfire aircraft engaged on an air/sea rescue interception off Cherbourt, France. The aircraft failed to return and F/Sgt. Edwards was classified as missing. A few days later his dead body was recovered from a dinghy by a destroyer and he was buried in the Cemetery at Felixstowe.
4/2/6367 AS2 432 hrs. as pilot
Mr. L.J. Edwards (F) 23 Lochend Street DUNEDIN. E.1.
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405515 Sergeant Denis Henry EDWARDS PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Edwards of Hastings
Denis Edwards was born at Dannevirke on the 7th September, 1919. He received his secondary education at the Hastings High School, afterwards taking up employment as a cycle mechanic with Mr. F. R. Garton of Hastings. Sergeant Edwards was enlisted at the Inital Training Wing, Levin, on the 21st December, 1940, and embarked for Canada on the 27th February, 1941, to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.
Shortly after arrival in Canada he was posted to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, and then on the 4th August to No. 6 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ontario. Here, on the 1st September he was awarded the Wireless Operator Air Gunner's Badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant, afterwards proceeding on the 7th of the same month to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.
Sergeant Edwards arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 29th September, and commenced a refresher course at No. 2 Signals School, Yatesbury, Wiltshire, on the 31st October. He was then posted to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, on the 3rd March and to No. 22 Operational Training Unit, Wellsbourne, Mountford, Warwickshire on the 19th May. Here, he crewed up and completed his training on Wellington Bomber aircraft.
Sergeant Edwards was the bomb aimer of a Wellington Bomber aircraft engaged during the night of the 30/31st May, 1942 in an attack on Cologne in Germany. The aircraft failed to return to its base and all the crew, including Sergeant Edwards were classified as missing. In due course his death was officially presumed to have occurred on the 31st May 1942, as the result of Air Operations.
Mrs. L.G.E. Edwards (M) 404 Alexandra Street, HASTINGS
5/3/2034 AS2
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JC/NF 422378 : Flight Sergeant Ernest Frank EDWARDS. FATHER : Mr. A.W. Edwards of Alexandra.
Ernest Edwards was born at Wakefield, on the 23rd April, 1917, and received his secondary education at Nelson College, where he gained his Senior Free Place. He was a member of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. Prior to his enlistment he was employed as a orchard and garden worker by R.P. Ralfe, Redwoods Valley, Nelson. Early in March, 1941, he applied for enlistment in the ground staff, and on the 6th March, for aircrew training.
Flight Sergeant Edwards was enlisted on the 27th March, 1942, reporting at Rongotai. He was engaged on ground duties at this station until early in July, 1942, when he was remustered to air observer and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua for his initial training. On the 2nd October, 1942, he embarked for Canada to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme. F/Sgt. Edwards arrived in Canada on the 19th October, 1942, and was posted to No. 5 Air Observers' School, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on the 7th November. At this station he was awarded his air observer's badge, and promoted to Sergeant on the 5th March, 1943. Six months later he was promoted to Flight Sergeant. Late in March, 1943, he embarked for the United Kingdom.
F/Sgt. Edwards arrived at No. 11 Personnel Despatch and Receiving Centre, Bournemouth, on the 5th April, 1943, and early the following month was posted to No. 62 Operational Training Unit, Usworth, Durham, for a Radio Observer Course, on the completion of which, he proceeded early in June, 1943, to No. 54 Operational Training Unit, Charterhall, Berwickshire, where he trained on Beaufighter aircraft. On the 1st June, 1943, he was remustered to navigator. On the 27th July, 1943, F/Sgt. Edwards received