At the time of his election to Parliament, Edwards was described as a schoolmaster who had served four years in the Army during the First World War, reaching the rank of Major and seeing much active service.

Ramsay MacDonald, who served as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, replaced him as Aberavon's MP.

[3] During the First World War, Edwards joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers earning the Distinguished Service Order in 1918 and being twice mentioned in despatches.

[4] After his defeat at Aberavon in 1922, Edwards sought re-election to the House of Commons as an Independent Liberal for the University of Wales seat at the 1923 general election but in a tight contest, with three candidates each getting about one third of the vote, he finished bottom of the poll.

[4] Edwards took an active interest in Welsh drama and in 1925 he published a book, The Call of the Sea.