Edward Warner

He led men back into gas to hold the endangered trench again

Edward Warner was born at St Albans, Hertfordshire, on 18 November 1883. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment and served with its 1st Battalion. When the First World War began, he returned from the reserve and went to France on 16 August 1914.

On 1 May 1915, near Hill 60 at Ypres, German gas forced British troops out of Trench 46. Warner entered the abandoned trench alone to prevent the enemy occupying it. The gas stopped reinforcements reaching him, so he went back and brought more men forward. Although exhausted, he helped hold the trench until the enemy attack ended.

Warner died from the effects of gas on 2 May. He had no later military or civilian career. His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. King George V formally presented his posthumous Victoria Cross to his mother at Buckingham Palace on 16 November 1916. His decorations also included the 1914 Star with clasp, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery near “Hill 60” on 1st May, 1915. After Trench 46 had been vacated by our troops, consequent on a gas attack, Private Warner entered it single-handed in order to prevent the enemy taking possession. Reinforcements were sent to Private Warner, but could not reach him owing to the gas. He then came back and brought up more men, by which time he was completely exhausted, but the trench was held until the enemy’s attack ceased. This very gallant soldier died shortly afterwards from the effects of gas poisoning.

The London Gazette of 29 June 1915, Numb. 29210, p. 6270