Edwards | John Burnard | | Captain | EDWARDS, JOHN BURNARD, Captain, was born at Saharanpore 6 May 1857, son of R M Edwards. He was educated at Haileybury and Sandhurst, and joined the 13th Foot 30 January 1878, and the 8th Foot 24 July 1878. He served in the Afghan War, 1875-80, and was present at the action of 28 November 1878, in Kurram Valley, and in the battle and capture of Peiwar Kotal (Medal with clasp). He became Lieutenant, Liverpool Regiment, 11 March 1880, and Bengal Staff Corps 27 November 1881. He became Captain, Indian Staff Corps, 30 January 1889; was Inspecting Officer, Imperial Service Cavalry, in Central India, 1891-96. Captain Edwards served in the Chitral Campaign in 1895, with the Relief Force, in charge of the Imperial Service Gwalior Transport Corps; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 15 November 1895]; received the Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 21 January 1896]: "John Burnard Edwards, Captain, Indian Staff Corps. In recognition of his services during the recent operations in Chitral". The Insignia were presented 2 May 1896. He acted as Staff Officer from the Indian Army to the Duke of Clarence during the Duke's Indian tour. He became Major, Indian Army, 30 January 1898; Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army, 30 January 1904; was given the Brevet of Colonel 12 February 1907, and became Colonel 1 March 1908; was Inspecting Officer of Imperial Service Cavalry in Central India, 1908-13, retiring 31 January 1913. Colonel Edwards served in the European War from 1914, as a Mounted Brigade Commander, and was appointed Honorary Brigadier General. He joined the BEF, France, in July 1916, in command of the 19th Labour Battalion Scottish Rifles, and was transferred to the Labour Corps; was mentioned in Despatches and created a CB. Brigadier General J B Edwards married, in 1896, Mildred Amy Lilian, daughter of P J White, ICS.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |