Signalman Edward Southward, son of Harold and Elizabeth Southward, of Orrell, Lancashire, volunteered for Airborne Forces in 1942. He passed Parachute Course 31 in Oct 1942 and saw service in North Africa and Sicily, serving with J Section, 2 Company of 1st Airborne Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals.

He took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden.

Signalman Southward died on 20 September 1944, aged 21 years old. He is now buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.