Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-

Edward was one of seven children of Cumbrian miner Edward and his Durham born wife Ann Cain, whom he had married in Houghton-le-Spring early in 1884. Young Edward was born on 21st February 1894 and he and his four older siblings, Catherine, Nora, Rosina and John Thomas, were born in Howden-le-Wear, whilst his two younger brothers, Peter and Henry, were born in North Bitchburn. By 1901 the family were living in Valley Terrace, Witton-le-Wear, and ten years later Edward and Anne and the five youngest children were living in Stanley Street, Houghton-le-Spring, where young Edward was working as a butcher, whilst his father was still a miner.

In August 1914 Edward, aged 20, left home and sailed on the SS Megantic to Canada where he intended to follow his trade as a butcher in Verdun, Ontario, where his older brother John Thomas had settled the previous year. Seven months later he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Montreal becoming Private 418550 in D Company, 42nd Battalion, giving his mother now living in Fencehouses, as his next of kin.

Arriving in Plymouth with the Battalion on board the SS Hesperian on 19th June 1915 they were posted to St. Martin’s Plain, Shorncliffe. Four months later, after more training, the Battalion proceeded to France as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. Attached for duty with the Control Post at Kemmel early in 1916, in May Edward was given 5 days Field Punishment 1 for using obscene language in the ranks.

In the fighting at Ypres in June 1916 Edward was wounded in the skull and left leg at Sanctuary Wood and after being treated at hospital in Etaples was invalided to England aboard HA Stad Antwerpen. Admitted to 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford, followed by convalescence at Bearwood and Epsom, Edward was found fit for duty at the end of July and was posted firstly to the 92nd Battalion and then the 5th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling.

Posted back to the 42nd Battalion Private 418550 re-joined them at Dumbell Camp, Villers-au-Bois on 3rd April 1917 and six days later was killed in action during an attack west of Vimy Ridge.

Edward McGrath is remembered in Houghton-le-Spring on H132.09 and H132.11, and at Newbottle on N59.01 and N59.02

He is also remembered in Canada on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance.

Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
The CWGC entry for Private McGrath