Edgar died on 17 July 2000, aged 80.
He enlisted at Euston, London, on 29 April 1940 into the Pioneer Corps, as did many of the refugees from the NAZI regime.
They were splendid chaps who were doing their bit for their adopted country. The 8th Hussars were fortunate in having quite a few serving with them in the North West European campaign, and they were especially appreciated when the Regiment entered Germany.
In August 1943 he transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps. He joined the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars prior to the Normandy landings and served with them as driver/mechanic and interpreter until October 1945. He took part in the victory parade in Berlin on 21 July 1945.
He took his release on 19 February 1946.
In civilian life, he had trained as a chef in the Park Lane Hotel, London and spent a short time working in his father’s food canning factory before joining up.
After the war, he again worked in the canning factory and became managing director when his father retired. He moved the factory from London to Letchworth Garden City into a modern building to comply with the high standards now required for the food industry.
In 1975, declining health caused him to sell the business to an American company, but two years later, having recovered from two operations, he started another business with two partners, this time in the engineering industry and worked there for another ten years.
Though physically strong he was dogged by ill health in later years but his fighting spirit, courage and determination to overcome his disabilities helped him to lead an active life. Throughout these years he was always cheerful and forward-looking, hard-working and devoted to his family. In 1998, then severely disabled, he moved with his wife into a retirement flat in Cambridge.
He is survived by his wife, Anneliese, two daughters, a son, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
He was a loyal Regiment Association member but for the past five years or so was unable to attend Association events. He remained interested in the Regiment and the Association to the end and was proud to have served with the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars in the North West European campaign.
