Harold John Martin's Story.
Harold Edgar was born in 1881 in Birkenhead the son of John and Mary EdgarIn 1901 Harold was living with his parents, John a ship owner Mary, his mother and two brothers at 6 Kingsmead Road North. The family employed a cook and a domestic servant.
In 1911 the family are at the same address. Harold was educated at Birkenhead school where he was a member of the football XV, he left school in 1897. Afterwards he played for Birkenhead Park and Cheshire XVs. He also rowed for the Mersey rowing club.
After leaving school he joined the British and Foreign Marine Insurance Co being posted to New York where he became company secretary of the New York office. At the outbreak of war he immediately returned from New York and obtained a commission in the Royal Naval Division.
He was killed at Gallipoli in the tranches by a sniper whilst in command of his company.
Lieutenant Edgar is remembered on the Birkenhead War Memorial, Birkenhead Park Rugby Club WW1 War Memorial and on the memorial outside Trinity with Palm Grove Church, Oxton (also on a memorial inside the church).
Birkenhead News 15 May 1915
Lieut. H. J. M. Edgar Killed in Action
In the Dardanelles
We announce with great regret the death of Lieut. H. J. M. Edgar, who was killed in action in the Dardanelles on the 12th inst. The deceased officer was the second son of Mr. John Edgar, shipowner, of Kingsmead Road, Oxton, and had two brothers serving with the forces, Lieut. H. J. Edgar with the 4th Cheshires and M. G. Edgar with the Liverpool Scottish.
The engagement in which Lieut. Edgar lost his life took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Lieutenant at the time when he was struck down was leading his section of the Royal Naval Division (Drake Battalion). The force is a land one, and co-operates with the Royal Marines, practically one body, and one which was storming the position of the enemy.
Lieut. Edgar had some previous experience in military affairs, having been a lieutenant in the 4th Cheshire Territorial. He was educated at the Birkenhead School, starting his business career with the British and Foreign Marine Insurance Company. On the outbreak of war he obtained permission to leave his position, and journeyed to England, where he joined the Royal Naval Division, he having previously resigned his commission in the 4th Cheshire Territorials. He was despatched to various quarters to do duty. He was at Dover, Deal, in Scotland, and Blandford, Dorsetshire, with his division. Two or three months ago he was ordered to the Dardanelles.
The following is a tribute to Lieut. Edgar published in the same edition of the Birkenhead News.
The report that Lieut. Harold Edgar, R.N., has been killed in action in the Dardanelles adds another great loss to those already sustained by the Birkenhead Park Football Club. I knew this fine fellow intimately, and his was one of nature’s own gentlemen. A kindlier man never breathed the air of peace, or the spirit of war, and his death, although glorious in its nature, is nevertheless regrettable. Educated at Birkenhead School, he played Rugger and got his colours. At Birkenhead Park he passed through the junior teams and became a regular member of the 1st XV. His progress was commensurate with his ambition, and on being selected for Cheshire County - for whom he played a in score or more games – he maintained a high standard of excellence, and he was one of our leading forwards. His brother Charles had gone far before him playing for the North and England, but Harold was barely hefty enough for the English trials, which in these days demanded weight as well as cleverness. As a Mersey rowing man Lieut. Edgar was in the top flight, contemporary with James Baxter, and other famous oarsmen. On the outbreak of war he hastened from New York to take up service for his King and country. Today he lies low. And yet he himself would not have wished for a nobler end. The blow is a heavy one to his family, and a host of friends, but he fought in the highest cause, that of humanity. Harold Edgar has fallen, but the manner of his death is glorious, and we shall remember and honour the name and memory of one who ungrudgingly placed everything before himself, and gave his life to a service consecrated on the altar of freedom and the maintenance of his race. CLIFFORD COLLARD
Harold as a member of Birkenhead Park Rugby Club
Research, photographs and newspaper article by Chris Booth. Photograph of Harold above courtesy of Birkenhead Park Rugby Club.