Corporal Edward Dwyer's commemorative stone
A Fulham soldier awarded the highest medal for bravery when he was a teenager has had a commemorative stone set down in his memory.
The paving slab was laid next to the war memorial in Vicarage Gardens, Church Gate on Monday, April 20, 100 years to the day since Corporal Edward Dwyer’s remarkable act of valour.
Members of the public gathered in the gardens along with members of the Registered Association of the East Surrey Regiment, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Yeomanry as well as local schoolchildren and musicians from the HQ Household Division.
“Edward Dwyer was one of the borough’s true heroes and this commemorative stone is a worthy way of maintaining his legacy for current and future generations,” said H&F Council Chief Executive, Nigel Pallace.
“It will also act as a way of connecting the community with those events of the past and serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made and bravery shown.”
Edward Dwyer, was born in Cassidy Road in 1895. He served with the East Surrey Regiment during the First World War, where he was awarded the VC for his gallantry while under fire on Hill 60, in Zwartaleen, Belgium, on April 20, 1915. At time of the award, he was 19 – the youngest ever recipient.
At Hill 60, Dwyer, then ranked as private, left his trench during heavy shell fire to bandage wounded comrades. Later, when the trench was under attack from a hail of German grenades, despite the danger, he climbed the parapet and used his own hand grenades to successfully disperse the enemy.
A total of 628 VCs were awarded during the First World War, with 85 of those given to people born in London.
Corporal Dwyer was killed in action on September 3, 1916 in the Somme and was buried in France. There is a memorial to him at Fulham Library.
