Leonard Mindham Edwards

Private Leonard Mindham "Len" Edwards
18 Jul 1914 - 29 Sep 2005
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Biography

Born in Kings Lynn he was the son of John and Violet. He married Violet M A Madle in 1939.

His service record notes he was 5 foot 7 inches tall with blue eyes and dark brown hair.

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Middleton Patrol (Norfolk) Patrol member Unknown 03 Sep 1942
National ID
TQEN 286/3
Military number
14272023
Occupation

Baker

Career

His service record can be seen here.

3 Sept 1942 - Called up under National Service. Initially enlisted into the General Service Corps. 

3-7 Sept 1942 - Completed induction and reception procedures. 

8 Sept 1942 - 13 April 1943 - Undertook wireless training under Class W(T), preparing for communications duties. 

14 April 1943 - Transferred to the Royal Corps of Signals. Posted to 280 Training Battalion, Royal Signals. Qualified as Operator Key B III, a recognised Morse wireless operator qualification. 

April 1943 - June 1944 - Continued Royal Signals training and service within the United Kingdom. 

26 June 1944 - Released to Class W(T) Reserve. 

18 Oct 1944 - Returned to active service. 

Late 1944 - Early 1945 Royal Signals Included various administrative postings. Entries include RMAFO, HQ Advance Base and X(ii) List. 

15 April 1945- Embarked for India. 

9 May 1945 - Disembarked at Bombay, India. 

June 1945 - Oct 1946 - He has been employed in the Army high speed wireless centre, New Delhi since June 1945 as a High Speed Wireless Operator. His commanding officers describe him as reliable and industrious and noted he was a steady going soldier of good habits and manner. Conduct Exemplary.

11 October 1946 Release documentation completed in New Delhi. Rank: Signalman Corps: Royal Signals 

21 Nov 1946 Returned to the United Kingdom via Military Disembarkation Camp, Aldershot. 

2 Feb 1947 - Released under Class A demobilisation and transferred to reserve service. 

30 Jan 1954 - Transferred to Army General Reserve - Group D. 

30 June 1959 - Final discharge from all military liability. 

Address
43, Guanock Terrace, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Other information

Len's son, John, remembers being told he went to Coleshill for training and about having to first report to the Post Office. Len said they used to get into Marham Aerodrome and play noughts and crosses on the planes for practice. He used to practice fire at rabbits with a machine gun.

John also recalled Len saying they kidnapped on Officer from a country house, once again for practice.

On initially being called up he had to report to the Isle of White. He was called into the Commanding Officers office to told he had to return home and did not know why. This is recorded as happening to other Auxiliers who were called up and returned home once their role in Auxiliary Units was known.

Other pictures
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Caption & credit
Len Edwards (from son John)
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Len Edwards Royal Signals far right top row (from son John)
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Caption & credit
Leonard Edwards middle (from son John)
References

TNA ref WO199/3389

1939 Register

Son - John Edwards