John Hammond Edgar, was born in Dromore County Down on the 23rd October 1879, only son of Robert Smyth Edgar of “The Rock, Ballynahinch” and Elizabeth Edgar nee Jardine. John was the Grandson of the Rev David Edgar of Second Ballynahinch Presbyterian and the Great Grandson of the Rev Samuel Edgar. Educated at Campbell College, Queen’s College and the Royal University of Ireland John excelled in his studies and was called to the bar in 1904, settling in Newcastle-on-Tyne where he practiced law.
Having received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 November 1914 John was soon promoted to Lieutenant and went to France in May 1915. Sadly John was killed in action on 24th February 1916 after he was struck in the head by shrapnel from a shell. Fatally injured he never regained consciousness and passed away 9 hours later. Having only returned from leave a few hours before being injured, John was standing outside his dug-out talking to another officer when he was struck by the shrapnel. Lieutenant-Colonel Henderson wrote “ He was a good and careful officer, kindly to all under his command and greatly respected by all. We shall miss him very much”
John is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm)
Any additional information on John, others named on the War Memorial or anyone listed on our website would be gratefully received