Edmund De Wind was born on 11 December 1883 in Comber, Northern Ireland, and his family emigrated to Canada before the outbreak of the First World War.

He served with the 31st Battalion of the CEF, and took part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. In September 1917, De Wind was appointed a commission in the British Army and joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

Second Lieutenant de Wind was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 21 March 1918 at Grugies, France.

Second Lieutenant De Wind’s body was never recovered and he is remembered at the Pozières Memorial, near the Somme. Mount De Wind in Alberta was renamed in his honour.

For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Grugies. 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.

- London Gazzette, no.31338, 13 May 1919