Harold Leslie Edwards DFC MM (28 April 1893 – 15 June 1951) was a Canadian World War I flying ace gunner, who in conjunction with his pilots, was officially credited with 21 victories.

When he enlisted in the 130th Battalion, CEF on 16 December 1915 at Perth, Ontario, he was five feet eleven inches tall, weighed 168 pounds, and was swarthy with dark blue eyes.

As was customary for Canadians in those days, he swore allegiance to the King of England, and contracted to serve for the duration of the war.

[2] He embarked to England on the troopship SS Lapland, arriving in October 1916, and serving with the 38th Battln.

CEF and received a field promotion to corporal in November 1916, before being wounded on 8 April 1917.

Edwards was transferred to No 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne with what was reported as shrapnel or gunshot wounds to the leg and shoulder.

He was evacuated to England and taken on strength at the Endell Street Military Hospital, Seaforth on 12 April 1917.

Pilots Edwards flew in action with include aces Paul Iaccaci and Captain Horace Percy Lale, Lt. William McKenzie Thomson, and Capt.

[2] He was wounded in the lung on 21 October 1918[2] and returned to Canada on the S.S. Minnedosa in January 1919 and spent considerable time in St. Andrews Military Hospital in Toronto.

(FRANCE) When on offensive patrol, during 16 September, this officer with nine other machines, engaged twelve enemy scouts.

In all 2nd Lieutenant Edwards has accounted for nine enemy machines, setting an excellent example of gallantry worthy of high praise.

Their prompt and gallant action undoubtedly saved the loss of 10 of their comrades and it is considered that they are fully deserving of an Immediate Reward.

Mrs. Raynolds, on pinning the coveted medals on the men’s breasts, in a few well-chosen words, expressed the pride and pleasure which all those connected with Kingswood experienced in having such brave men in the Home, and in hearing of their noble deeds.

The brave deed which merited even a higher distinction for Corporal Edwards, is worthy of mention.

During the desperate fighting at Vimy Ridge on the memorable ninth of April, the advance of his company was held up by a well-handled machine-gun and its crew of six Germans.

The gun and its crew were well sheltered in a large shell crater, protected in front by barbed wire entanglements.

Five separate attempts to advance in front and capture the gun were made by parties of volunteers, two at a time, but they fell one by one.

Corporal Edwards and a comrade then worked their way round the flank, taking cover over the uneven shell-pitted ground, took the Germans by surprise, disposed of five by rifle, bayonet and revolver, and carried back the gun and the remaining German as a prisoner.

Corporal Edwards and his comrade immediately made good use of the captured machine gun against other bodies of German troops.

[citation needed] Whilst on Offensive Patrol with 9 Bristol Fighters, 12 Fokker Bi-planes were attacked on the same level over ST.QUENTIN.

falling past him, obviously out of control, and, diving on it, fired about 100 rounds at point blank range.

on the same level, three of which were engaged by the Observer, who put about 100 rounds into one, at 150 yards range; this E.A turned off and dived down, leaving a heavy trail of black smoke and eventually crashed near OMISSY.