John Edwards, 1920 -- 2007
Born in England and orphaned at a young age, John Edwards grew up in France . In 1939, at only 17, he joined the British Army. It was almost as if he could sense what was to come.
Being very bright, a quick learner and able to speak three languages, he was promoted to Sergeant – Chief Interpreter to the Chief Paymaster of the British Forces in France. John's facility with language would lead him to many other interesting and exciting assignments within the British Forces.
Early on in the war against Germany , John had a taste of the nastiness of the enemy. He came perilously close to death when the ill-fated HMT Lancastria was attacked and sunk by German aircraft while evacuating British troops and civilians from France on June 17, 1940. Up to 5,000 people perished that day. Only about 2,500 survived. John was one of the lucky ones.
In 1943, he was transferred to British Military Intelligence as a Warrant Officer. After D-Day he was back in France . His job: Special Interrogator, interrogating German prisoners.
Once, near the end of the war, John was traveling alone on a motorcycle in what was thought to be unoccupied territory. Suddenly, he encountered a German patrol. Somewhat fearful, but courageous nonetheless, he dismounted his motorcycle, expecting to be taken prisoner. The German patrol lowered their weapons and surrendered to him. The Germans knew they were only days away from the end of the war. He took control of the situation and marched the enemy soldiers to the nearest Allied unit.
A dashing and handsome young man, John met his match while on leave in England . Her name was Peggy. Although they were both engaged to others at the time, they fell in love, breaking two other hearts! They married in 1942. That was just the beginning of a 65-year romance.
Immediately following the war, John was assigned to British Counter-Intelligence. With a team of 10 British, French and American interrogators, he began counter-espionage against the Russians. His life to this point was as exciting and adventurous as that of Intrepid himself, William Stephenson.
John and Peggy moved to Canada in 1953, in search of a better life with their son, Geoff. John started a business career as a door-to-door salesman for Singer Sewing Machines in Hamilton , Ontario . In 18 months, he became store manager. Over the years John worked in a variety of sales environments in Canada , as well as a temporary stint back in England . He was always a success.
In 1979, even though he had never smoked, John had his first bout of throat cancer. As with the Lancastria, he survived. In 1981, he and Peggy moved to Victoria, BC, for her health. At age 61, John started a new business selling name badges, wall plaques and signs. They later moved their business to Richmond , BC , where it continued to flourish. They retired and sold the business in 1990.
Retirement really never suited John. Both he and Peggy joined the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 44, in 1994. They also became members of the Tuberculous and Chest Disabled Veterans Association (TB Vets). He participated in many activities and offices of both Branch 44 and TB Vets. He served as a TB Vets director from 2002 to 2004 and as the Board Chair in 2004.
Over the past several years John and Peggy participated in the Dominion Institute's Memory Project. They went to high schools throughout the Lower Mainland and spoke to students about horror of WWII. Neither ever believed that wars solved anything. They have spoken to over 3,000 young people while working for the Memory Project.
John was a very passionate man and while he had many passions throughout the years, three stand out as significant:
Both John and Peggy became avid Toastmasters and promoted the organization to anyone who needed help speaking well and developing leadership skills. John mentored many people both inside and outside the Toastmasters organization. John drew on his speaking skills for the Memory Project. John never missed an opportunity to speak in public about the Memory Project or his second passion, TB Vets.
He was a true ambassador for TB Vets. When he met a stranger, he would pull his keys from his pocket and demand, “Do you know what this is? And do you have one?” It was a conversation starter that worked every time. He showed off the TB Vets Keytag, which was produced originally by World War II veterans and more recently by people with disabilities. He was proud of the organization and all of the people employed there. He constantly encouraged people to get a Keytag and make a donation.
His greatest passion of all was his wife and family. Married for 65 years, John and Peggy were constantly together – in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. They both had many health problems over the years. John had to endure many rounds of chemo. No matter what life threw at them, they faced it together.
John passed away on August 8, 2007, at age 87. He left behind Peggy, their son Geoff and their seven grandchildren. Not to mention his thousands and thousands of friends! John will be missed.
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