Graham Thomas George Edwards CB

Graham Thomas George Edwards was born in 1864 and commissioned on 29 Aug 1885 as a lieutenant in the 20th Hussars. He served in the South African War 1901-02 in command of Yeomanry.' He assumed command of the 20th on 9 Sep 1911. Lieutenant-Colonel Edwards was in command of the 20th Hussars at the beginning of World War One. The regiment was ordered to mobilise on 4 Aug 1914 and as part of 5th Cavalry Brigade, crossed the Channel on 17 Aug. He led an attack on German artillery at St Quentin and when the brigade withdrew the 20th covered the withdrawal. When the BEF retreated across the Marne on 3 Sep, the 20th were located west of Avernes and the brigade had to hold off the German advance long enough for the infantry to cross the river. The crossing was fraught with danger but the last man across was Colonel Edwards. The regiment fought at Gheluvelt in October, and Neuve Chapelle, and as a dismounted unit at St Julien in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. He was mentioned in General French's despatches, and in Feb 1915 was gazetted for his award of the CB. He was promoted to Brigadier-General and commanded 154th Infantry Brigade in the 51st Division from October to December 1915. In 1916 he commanded the 164th Infantry Brigade in the 55th Division from Jan to Sep. He survived the war, and the Times of 5 June 1935 reported that he attended' a 20th Hussar regimental dinner at the Savoy in London. He died in 1943.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers