Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Pollard, an agricultural labourer, born 1855 in Market Overton, Rutland and his wife Ann Pollard (nee Royce, married in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1856 in Exton, Rutland. Edward was born on the 29th February 1888 in Market Overton, and baptised on the 22nd July 1888 in Market Overton Parish Church, his siblings were Susannah, a schoolgirl, born on the 13th September 1879 in Market Overton, baptised on the 12th October 1879 in Market Overton Parish Church, John William, a schoolboy, born 1881 in Barrow, Rutland, Mary Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1883 in Cottesmore, Rutland and Peter Cyril, born on the 27th February 1890 in Market Overton, baptised on the 11th May 1890 in Market Overton Parish Church also residing in the family home was Edward’s paternal Uncle, William Pollard, a road labourer, born 1846 in Market Overton, and also Edward’s cousin, John Pollard, a schoolboy, born 1880 in Middlesex, in April 1891 the family home was at Clarkes Row, Thistleton Road, Market Overton. In March 1901 Edward was residing in the family home at The Three Horse Shoes, Market Overton, together with his father, an ordinary agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Evelyn Alice, born 1892, baptised on the 7th August 1892 in Market Overton Parish Church and Harry, born on the 26th September 1894, baptised on the 27th January 1895 in Market Overton Parish Church, both siblings were born in Market Overton. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at Wymondham, Leicestershire, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a general labourer, born 1st March 1886 in Market Overton, baptised on the 23rd May 1886 in Market Overton Parish Church and Harry, an apprentice baker. His younger brother Harry fell in action in May 1918.
Edward attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 10th December 1915 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. He gave his address as 10, Derby Street, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, his age as 28 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as labourer to carrier. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Joseph Pollard of Wymondham, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¾ inches in height, weighed 119 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 36 inches. It was noted that he had a cut at sect. of thumb of left hand. His physical development was described as good. After attestation on the 10/12/15 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire he was transferred as Private, service number 51626 to the Army Reserve on the 11/12/15. Mobilized on the 10/6/16. Posted to the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) Depot on the 10/6/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment on the 16/6/16. Transferred to the 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment and allotted new number 40698 under A.O.I. 1409 of 1916, on the 2/12/16. Admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg and arm, on the 5/10/17. Transferred to the 2nd Australian Hospital, Wimereux on the 5/10/17. Transferred to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Calais on the 20/10/17. Killed in action on the 12/4/18. A summary of his service records: Reserve, 10/12/15 – 9/6/16, 182 days. Home Service, 10/6/16 – 12/11/16, 150 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 13/11/16 – 12/4/18, 1 year 157 days. Total service 2 years 124 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Edward’s father Joseph Pollard on the 12th June 1920, and was witnessed and signed by F. B. A. Williams, Clerk in Holy Orders, Wymondham Rectory, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Joseph Pollard. Mother of soldier, Ann Pollard. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Pollard, age 38 of 9, Duke Street, Chesterfield. Alfred Pollard, age 34 of 9, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray. Cyril Pollard, age 32 of 22, Derwent Street, Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Pollard, age 36 of 21, Framland Street, Leicester. Evelyn Pollard, age 26 of 9, Kent Street, Leicester. Edward’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 9 Apr-18 – WULVERGHEM. Orders for relief of 8th GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in right sector which was to take place that night were cancelled at 12.00 noon and Battalion ordered to stand by ready to move at short notice. Later news was received that the enemy had broken through on the LAVENTIE front and 19th Division was ordered to concentrate in RAVELSBERG area. Major MARTIN went to Divisional Headquarters as Liaison Officer, but later the Commanding Officer was sent for to Command 56th Brigade and Major MARTIN was recalled to Command the Battalion.
The War Diary records: 10 Apr-18 – WULVERGHEM. Operation orders were issued at 3.00 am for the Battalion to move off to ALDERSHOT CAMP at 5.15 am but about 4.00 am orders came through that the enemy was attacking on our front and Battalion was ordered to stand by awaiting further orders. About 8.30 am 57th Brigade issued orders for two of our Companies to move up at once and occupy the Corps front and support lines in front of MESSINES and “A” and “B” Companies moved off to do so. “B” front line – “A” support.
The enemy however had by this time occupied the Eastern edge of MESSINES and these two Companies after making a very good attempt to go through the village were obliged to occupy a line running North through the HOSPICE in U.2.a. “C” and “D” Companies meantime had moved up to occupy O.G. front line in T.6.b and Battalion Headquarters was established in dug-out at T.6.c.4.6.
Situation on flanks was obscure and about 2.00 pm “C” and “D” Companies moved up into line, and position front right to left was roughly “C,” “A,” “B,” “D” with centre on road at HOSPICE which situation remained the same throughout the night.
A SOUTH AFRICAN Brigade counter-attacked MESSINES at about 7.00 pm with success but was unable to hold on and withdrew to our line.
On this day the Battalion suffered heavy casualties:- Captain MEIR and 2nd Lieutenant LUCAS being killed and Lieutenant’s DEANS, THORLEY and WARE wounded and about 150 other ranks killed and wounded.
The War Diary records: 11 Apr-18 – WULVERGHEM. During the morning enemy attacked 25th Division on our right, and made progress towards HILL 63. The left was secure. In the afternoon a heavy barrage was put down on our front and enemy attacked from right of MESSINES but was repulsed. The pressure on the right however was increasing and orders were issued that a withdrawal was probable and the Battalion was to concentrate at SPY FARM. About 8.00 pm withdrawal commenced from the right, and elements of “A,” “C” and “B” Companies commenced to withdraw through WULVERGHEM, but this was stopped and line restored. At 11.00 pm definite orders were received and issued that line was to commence to withdraw at 1.00 am 12th and Battalion was to make for SPY FARM. Captain EATON was wounded during the evening.
The War Diary records: 12 Apr-18 – WULVERGHEM. Commencing at 1.00 am Battalion moved via WULVERGHEM, DAYLIGHT CORNER to LINDENHOEK, receiving en route the orders that they were to hold the army line North of LINDENHOEK and not SPY FARM, and eventually dispositions were as follows:- Right Boundary LINDENHOEK – WYTSCHAETE Road at N.27.d.2.8. Left Boundary KEMMEL – WYTSCHAETE Road at N.21.d.7.3 with all Companies in line from Right to Left – “C,” “D,” “A,” “B” which dispositions remained throughout the day.
57th Brigade on right and Composite Battalion of 58th Brigade on left towards VIERSTRAAT. Battalion Headquarters at N.27.c.2.9. Companies were commanded by “A” Company 2nd Lieutenant PARR – “B” Company 2nd Lieutenant JARVIS – “C” Company 2nd Lieutenant STONEMAN – “D” Company 2nd Lieutenant JONES.
In the afternoon 2nd Lieutenant ROBERTS joined the Battalion and was posted to “B” Company.
Later the Officer Commanding took command of the Battalion and Major MARTIN went back to 5th Brigade. Transport, during the day had moved to WESTOUTRE – BERTHEN Road and 56th Brigade to WESTOUTRE.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WYMONDHAM.” – KILLED IN FRANCE. We much regret to record yet another death in action of a Wymondham soldier. The only intimation yet received is the following letter to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pollard: - “B.E.F., 24th April, 1918. Dear Mrs. Pollard, It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of your son in action on the 9th April. He was killed whilst carrying out his duties as stretcher bearer, and bravely endeavouring to bring comfort to his wounded comrades. He was buried after the action by his friends. His death is a loss to the company which is felt by all ranks. The officers of the company offer you their sincere condolences. Faithfully yours, William Nugent, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased was the 3rd son of Mr. Joseph Pollard, who came to reside in the village from Market Overton, being a native of that village. He was 30 years of age and enlisted about two years back, having been in France the greater part of that time. He was wounded last November. Before joining up he carried on a business for a widow at Beeston, Notts. He has two brothers serving.