Greg Hands this week attended a memorial service in Fulham to mark the awarding of the Victoria Cross in 1915 to Private Edward Dwyer, a former resident of Fulham.
Edward Dwyer was born in Cassidy Road on 25th November 1895. After an education of St Thomas of Canterbury School in Estcourt Road, Fulham, he joined the 1st Battalion, East Surry Regiment.
In 1914 he took park in the retreat from Mons. In April the following year, when Dwyer was 19 years old, he was involved in action at Hill Sixty, in Belgium, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 20 April 1915.
London Gazette described the action and his awarding of the VC as follows: “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at "Hill 60" on the 20th April, 1915. When his trench was heavily attacked by German grenade throwers he climbed on to the parapet, and, although subjected to a hail of bombs at close quarters, succeeded in dispersing the enemy by the effective use of his hand grenades. Private Dwyer displayed great gallantry earlier on this day in leaving his trench, under heavy shell fire, to bandage his wounded comrades.”
Private Dwyer received his medal from King George at Buckingham Palace on 15th June 1915. At the time he was the youngest recipient of the VC in the First World War. After being promoted to Lance Corporal he then spent six months helping with the national recruitment drive.
Dwyer was also awarded the Cross of St. George by Russia. He later achieved the rank of corporal. He was killed in action at Guillemont, France on 3 September 1916. His grave is located at Flatiron Copse Military Cemetery, France.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queens and Royal Hampshires) Museum located in Dover Castle, Kent.
The memorial service was held on Monday 20 April 100 years to the day from the day of action for which Private Dwyer was awarded the VC.
The service took place took place at the Fulham Memorial, Vicarage Gardens, Church Gate, Fulham SW6 and was led by Rev Dennis Touw Tempelmans-Plat, of St Thomas Church, Fulham and Rev. Canon Joseph Hawes, of All Saints, Fulham.
The service included prayers, hymns, and the unveiling of a commemorative stone. This was followed by a sounding of the Last Post and a moment of silence for reflection by the congregation.
Greg Hands said “It is important we remember heroes like Private Dwyer, and the sacrifice of all of those involved in the Great War. They remind us how fortunate we are to live in a time of relative peace. I am proud to be a member of a Government which has made available funding for these commemorative stones.
“It is good to be able to commemorate the bravery of a local Fulham man, whose actions are made even more remarkable by the fact he was just 19 years of age. It was a beautiful and fitting service.”