March 2017
Sergeant 34526 Edward George ROSSITER MM
120th Bty 27th Bde Royal Field Artillery
Birmingham City Police ’B’ Division
Died France 22nd April 1917 aged 29
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards ancestry.com
Police Service History
Edward is referred to within the military as Edward George ROSSITER but on the Roll of Honour he is named as E J ROSSITER and Birmingham City Police records refer to him as Edwin George Rossiter
10th June 1912 Edward joined Birmingham City Police as a 24 year old, ex soldier. He was issued with warrant number 8237 and posted to the ‘B’ Division
4th August 1914 Edward was recalled to HM Forces and served with the Royal Field Artillery
25th June 1917 Police records record the death of PC Edwin George Rossiter and state he was married at the time of his death
A Service was held at The Parish Church, Birmingham
Sunday 5th December 1920 3.30pm
Remembering those police constables Killed in action, those who died on active service and those who died from illness due to war service
War Service History
6th June 1904 Edward enlisted in Bournemouth into the Royal Field Artillery
5th June 1912 Edward was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve
17th August 1914 Edward embarked for France
6th March 1915 Edward was promoted to bombardier
July 1915 Edward was promoted to corporal
15th September 1916 was promoted to sergeant in the field
November 1916 Edward was awarded the Military Medal as a corporal during the Battle of the Somme
4th December 1916 Newspaper Birmingham Daily Post stated “Edwin George Rossiter of the ‘B’ Division promoted Sergeant in the battleground. He had twice been mentioned in despatches for repairing wires and keeping up the communications during a heavy fire. He is a member of the Royal Field Artillery
21st April 1917 His casualty form shows he was wounded in action with a SW (shrapnel wound) to his abdomen and back. He was taken to Casualty Clearing station 42 in Aubugny, where he died the following day.
April 1917 Edward’s battery was situated at Vimy, the War Diary containing the notable entries,
"15/16 April (8am to 8am) - Wet ‘Batteries unable to register owing to the mist’ Major lines moved in Aux Rietz. All rations and communication have to come up on pack animals, the roads are too bad.
17/18 April (8am to 8am) - Windy and wet About 3 Infantry Brigades are working on the roads trying to make them passable. The Huns are constantly shelling the roads through Vimy.
19/20 April (8am to 8am) - Fine day Hun shelling all around Brigade HQ and the batteries. The Colonel's servant wounded.
22/23 April (8am to 8am) - Fine, cold. Fairly quiet but the packhorses with ammunition got very heavily shelled and they are now stopped coming up until dark.
2/4/17 to 30/4/17 Casualties - 3 officers and 5 other ranks killed, 24 other ranks wounded."
Edward’s War Service records have survive, a few examples are as follows
Dated 19th September 1917
A war form stating that all of the personal effects and medals held by RFA for Gunner Edward George Rossiter are to be forwarded to Mrs Alice Miriam Rossiter 7 The Dell Daisy Road Edgbaston which is confirmed by hand below
British Army WW1 service Recordsancestry.com
Sir, The writer would be obliged if you would forward the personal belongings of the late 34526 Sergt E G Rossiter 120 Batt 27 Brigade RFA to 7 The Dell, Daisy Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
September 24th 1917 to the officer in charge
British Army WW1 service Recordsancestry.com
Receipt of the Military Medal dated 3rd October 1917,
Awarded to E G Rossiter signed for by Mrs A M Rossiter
British Army WW1 service Recordsancestry.com
Casualty Form Gunner 34526 Edward George ROSSITER
Enlisted 6th June 1904
6th June 1904 Edward enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery
17th August 1914 Edward embarked for France
6th March 1915 Edward was promoted to bombardier
July 1915 Edward was promoted to corporal
15th September 1916 was promoted to sergeant in the field
November 1916 Edward was awarded the Military Medal
15th September 1916 Edward was promoted to Sergeant in the field
21st April 1917 Edward was wounded in action
22nd April 1917 Edward died of his wounds
British Army WW1 service Recordsancestry.com
Army Register Edward’s effects that were forwarded to his Widow Alice
Buried Grave II B 49
AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION,
Pas de Calais, France
Inmemories.com
Edward’s widow Alice Miriam Rossiter of 7 The Dell, Dairy Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, instructed the following engraving for Edward’s headstone
God takes our loved ones from our homes but never from our hearts
Antecedents of Edward George ROSSITER MM
· Native of Westbourne, Bournemouth
· Son of the late Mr E. and the late Mrs. Rossiter;
· Husband of Alice Miriam Rossiter, of 7, The Dell, Dairy Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham