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(17-05-43)
Twelve new pilots joined the squadron today F/Sgt C.J Edwards included. Squadron moved from Monastir on the 29th to La Sebala ll landing ground 30km from Tunis.
(06-07-43)
The beginning of June the first Spitfires started to arrive.
(08-07-43)
Today six of our pilots led by F/Lt. Wells flying Hurricanes proceeded to Malta. The detachment which was pilots & only aircrafts alone. There expecting to be away for only a few days, in which they will carry out a very important job. The other five pilots are F/Lt Mills, P/O Marsh, P/O Martain, F/Sgt Bramley & F/Sgt Edward's (all having their night rating).
(09-07-43)
Flying Hurricane HW242
Flying from Luqa in Malta on (night) intruder anti searchlight patrols of the landing area in Sicily strafing searchlights & A.A positions.
F/Sgt Edward's was the first of the missing pilots to go on patrol. After returning to Malta, circled the island and disappeared.
(12-07-43)
The night was the last night of our Hurricanes detachment operations from Malta this being the 3rd and most successful one.
(14-07-43)
Returned to Sebala ll. The pilots enjoyed their short stay at Malta and would of liked to stay much longer. Some of them met W/Cmr Selby D.S.O , D.F.C who commanded our squadron previously.
(19-07-43)
It was today that I learned that F/Sgt Edward's C.J.A who disappeared near Malta on the night of 9th has been picked up in his dinghy on the 18th. He was in a very weak condition but otherwise unharmed and was taken to 45th General hospital Malta, where he was making satisfactory progress. He had spent 9 nights in the dinghy and as his supply of drinking water had given out, he begun to loose hope of survival. He had to rationed himself to 3 sips of water and 2 Horlicks milk tablets per day and drifted to within 50 miles of the Tunisian coast before being sighted by a Baltimore, flying over to Malta at 15,000ft. A speedy rescue followed and all ended happily.
Didn't return to 73 squadron.
Died 1993 age 68
