Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the Bridgnorth area who died during the two World Wars.

Edward Poyner (1894 - 1917)

Edward Poyner was born at Willey in 1894. He was the son of James Poyner, blacksmith, and his wife, Edith. The family lived at Posenhall Smithy, Benthall.

Edward served five years of an apprenticeship with his father but had to move to Bridgnorth to find work when trade declined at Posenhall. He married Alice May Griffin Bate at St Julian, Shrewsbury. The couple lived at 53 West Castle Street, Bridgnorth then at Eversley Cottage, Oldbury. They had one child, Edward Owen Thomas Poyner who was born on 15th January, 1916.

Edward enlisted at Ironbridge as a shoeing smith. Unfortunately he failed the trade test and was transferred to the Mechanical Section, ASC, as a learner driver. He was transferred to the 14th Battalion Welsh Regiment and went to France on 11th June, 1917. He was killed in action, dying of gunshot wounds on 2nd August, 1917 - during the Battle of Pilkem (the first Phase of 3rd Ypres - Passchendaele.)

Private Edward Poyner was awarded the Victory and British medals.

This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.