Edwin's Story
Lance Sergeant Edwin Egbert Scriven Somerset Light Infantry & Royal Artillery
Edwin Egbert Scriven
The Man Edwin Egbert Scriven was born in Medway on 4th March 1899. He attested and embodied into the Army on 1st April 1915 aged 16, and it seems he may have initially joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, but later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Prince Albert’s Somerset Light Infantry with service number 203938. During World War 1, Edwin served in India during which he was awarded a Third Class Certificate of Education, in Arithmetic, Writing from Dictation and Composition, authorised by the Adjutant General in India. Edwin was discharged from the Army and disembodied on 8th January 1920 in Exeter, with medical category A and awarded the1914-18 British War Medal and India General Service Medal, with clasp ‘Afghanistan North West Frontier 1919’. Little detail is known about Edwin between the Wars, except that his job was given as a Labourer in the Civil Service and that he enlisted into the Royal Artillery, Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Territorial Army, as 875837 Bombardier Scriven and rising to the rank of local Lance Sergeant. He also married Emily Francis during this period of his life.Edwin was once again called up for military service on 24th August 1939 just before the start of World War 2, serving throughout the conflict and being discharged from the 162 (Mixed) Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, after leave on 1st September 1945 at Guildford.
1914-18 British War Medal. India General Srvice Medal 'AfghanistanNWF 1919'. 1939-45 Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Imperial Service Medal. Efficiency Medal 'Territorial'.
His military conduct was given as exemplary, and his Commanding Officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, said of him
"A most serious and industrious NCO who has always performed his actions with complete satisfaction and set an excellent example to the troops under his control. Has served in two wars”.
Edwin was awarded the 1939-45Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 for his service, followed by the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ on 31st October 1945. He returned to his civilian job and in August 1960, aged 61 retired from the War Office as a Painter and awarded the Imperial Service Medal. Edwin died on 4th March 1963 on his 64th Birthday at Buckland Hospital, Dover, and was living at 14 Chilham Road, Folkestone at the time. His effects came to £502. 4s and he was survived by Emily.
"A most serious and industrious NCO who has always performed his actions with complete satisfaction and set an excellent example to the troops under his control. Has served in two wars”.
Edwin was awarded the 1939-45Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 for his service, followed by the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ on 31st October 1945. He returned to his civilian job and in August 1960, aged 61 retired from the War Office as a Painter and awarded the Imperial Service Medal. Edwin died on 4th March 1963 on his 64th Birthday at Buckland Hospital, Dover, and was living at 14 Chilham Road, Folkestone at the time. His effects came to £502. 4s and he was survived by Emily.
Edwin Scriven's World War 1 Medal Index Card showing award of British War & India General Service Medals.
The Story The interesting group of medals awarded to Edwin Scriven were won following a bid at Wellington Auctions in September 2012. The group attracted attention due to the lack of a Victory Medal, but inclusion of an India General Service Medal, the Imperial Service, Efficiency Medal combination, photographs and paperwork. From the documents with the medals, Ancestry.UK and the London Gazette a brief biography of Edwin’s life could be built up enabling his story to be preserved for history.
Edwin's Certificate of Education
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Edwin's award of the Imperial Service Medal.
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Medal Details:
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 203938 PTE.E.SCRIVEN. SOM.L.I.
- India General Service Medal: 203938 PTE.E.SCRIVEN. SOM.L.I.
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: EDWIN EGBERT SCRIVEN
- Efficiency Medal: 875837 BDR.E.SCRIVEN. R.A.
