Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Cheaney a groom, born 1853 in Walcote, Leics., and his wife Jane, born 1853 in Wiggington, Staffs. Edward James was born in 1879 in Wiggington, Staffs., he had one sibling, a sister Emma E., born 1876 in Wiggington, Staffs., in April 1881 he was residing at 26, Wiggington, Staffs., this being the family home of his maternal grandfather James Statham an agricultural labourer, born 1811 in Wiggington, Staffs. In April 1891 Edward was residing in the family home at the Cottage, Watling Street, Mancetter, Oldbury, Warwks., together with his parents. In March 1901 Edward was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 1, Jodrell Street, Prospect Terrace, Nuneaton, Warwks., together with his wife, Annie Maria, born 1880 in Hinckley, Leics., and their son Albert E. C., born 1901 in Nuneaton, Warwks. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 37, London Road, Hinckley, Leics., together with his wife and daughter, Elsie May, born 1905 in Nuneaton, Warwks.