221781 Pte. Joseph Edwards Eddon British Army 7th Battalion East Kent Regiment from:Thornaby-on-Tees (d.2nd October 1916) Joseph Eddon was my great uncle. He first enlisted in Stockton-on- Tees on 22nd June 1915 into the Royal Fusiliers. This regiment together with the 11th were bought into the Buffs. I think the losses were so great these men transferred to keep numbers up. Thanks to the Imperial War Museum I have been able to find out about Jo's short life in the army. Joe landed in Boulogne in July 1915 where his training continued.
First day of the Battle of the Somme. Joe's battalion were given the task of clearing the Carnoy Craters. He would have seen heavy fighting many were later found coupled together with a German, each man transfixed by the others bayonet. Jo's battalion continued to fight & on the 26th September were involved in the capture of Thiepval village & Schwabon Redoubt.
The 7th battalion relieved the East Surreys. For the next few days until 5th October it was impossible to describe what took place in this disputed area. There were heavy bombing attacks from both sides. The Germans made use of both gas & flame guns. The trenches were knee deep in slimy mud with British & German dead. It took 10 hours to get rations from just 3000 yards away.
On the 2nd of October 1916, the Germans attacked, but with the skilfully placed Lewis gun & the bravery of the 7th, they were held back. The ground was so torn & shattered almost every land mark had disappeared. Shelling continued day & night together with the constant rain half of the 7th were killed or wounded. Joseph never returned & was posted missing presumed dead. His body has never been found & his name is on the Thiepval Momument.
Joe was just 22 years old.
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