Born: 1897, Yeadon
Died: 21 March 1918
Buried: NKG
Address: 22 Wharncliffe Road, Eccleshill
Parents: Charles and Ada, nee Medley
Spouse: Amy, Etty, Arthur, Charles
Siblings:
Occupation: Mule piecer
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park & St Luke’s
Children:
Regiment: Seaforth Highlanders
(John) Edward Firth
Edward Firth, registered
as John Edward, was born
in 1897 in Yeadon, the
fifth child of Charles Firth
and Ada, nee Medley.
By 1901 the family were
living in Oakworth at 35
Brook Row they finally
settled in Eccleshill and in
1911 were living at 94
Wharncliffe Drive.
Edward, at 13 years, is employed as
a mule piecer with part time school.
When Edward enlisted he was
living at No. 22 Wharncliffe Road.
He enlisted on the 15th of
November 1915 as a Private
(number not known) in the 4th
Battalion of the Seaforth
Highlanders.
Edward’s Battalion was
engaged in the Battles of
the Somme 1916 at High
Wood and then at the
Battle of the Ancre
capturing Beaumont
Hamel.
In 1917 the Battalion took
part in the Arras Offensive
and remained in the Cambrai area
until the 21st March 1918 when the
enemy launched an overwhelming
attack and the Division engaged in
the fighting withdrawal back to
Bapaume.
Edward was reported missing on
the 21st of March 1918. He was
20 years of age.
Further records for Edward Firth or
John Edward Firth do not exist.
The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission have been contacted
and they have shown concern for
the fact that his grave or memorial
is not recorded.
There do not appear to be any
Army records and the only place
that his death is recorded is on the
two Memorials in Eccleshill.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
