From the News

Dated: June 28, 1919

It is not generally known Second-Lieut. Edmund Second-Lieut. De Wind, who had a number of friends in Calgary, and who before the war was a member of the staff of the Bank of Commerce, at Edmonton, was posthumously awarded the V.C.  Such, however, is the case.  The fact that this was not known earlier is owing to this gallant young soldier having transferred into the 15th Battalion “Royal Irish rifles”.

The official record of the deed which won for the late officer the highest award it is within the power of the British government to bestow is as follows:

“For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on March 21, 1918 at the Racecourse Redoubt near Groagle.  For seven hours he held this most important post and though twice wounded and practically single-handed he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help.  On two occasions, with two N.C.O.s only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many.  He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order.”

Son of Engineer

Second-Lieut. De Wind was the youngest son of the late A. H. De Wind a well-known civil engineer in Belfast Ireland. His mother is at present residing at Kinvara, Comber, Ireland.  He was born on December 11, 1883 and entered the Campbell College, Belfast in 1895, remaining a pupil at that school for 4 1/2 years he subsequently joined the staff of the Bank of Ireland being attached to the branch at Caven. On November 1, 1911 he went to the Bank of Commerce, Edmonton, and enlisted in the northern city in 1915.

After considerable service at the front he qualified for a commission being posted to the 17th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Dundalk on September 26, 1917. In the December following he returned to the front and joined the 15th (North Belfast) Battalion of the rifles serving in the St. Quentin area until the great retreat, during which the unit suffered severely.

Second-Lieut. De Wind was at first reported missing after the retreat. Later news was subsequently received that he had been killed in action.