In Loving Memory of Reginald Ellis Edwards (Eddie)
Friday 4th March 2022
3pm
Reginald Edwards, fondly known and referred to as Eddie, was born in an upstairs flat in East Ham, London on the 3rd of July 1922. Eddie’s father, Edward Ellis Edwards was a police constable, and his mother, Cissie Emily was a housewife. He was the middle child with an older sister, Philippa Frances and a younger sister, Audrey Joyce. Life was not easy as he grew up in London as England was trying to repair itself from WWI. However, he found happiness in the simple things and comfort in knowing he was loved and had friends around in similar circumstances.
Eddie enjoyed playing with a model ford, toy soldiers, a train set, “skatesy-on” with cigarette cards, and marbles in the gutter. A rather active young boy, who loved to play cricket, football, rounders and spent quite a bit of time concentrating on sprinting, hurdles and long jump. Thanks to those long legs of his. Which also proved to be problematic with door frames and any low ceilings.
At school he thrived in history, geography and math. His penchant for remembering dates and events, had many people in his life in awe along with his ability to do large math calculations in his head.
There was a playful mischievous side to Eddie that started early-on, when he and a childhood friend would knock on doors and run away. This behaviour continued throughout his life. One of the most rewarding mischievous acts that he engaged in, was when another gentleman was interested in Freda, his wife to be, and he let the air out of his bicycle tyres. He let the air out, so he could be the one to walk her home after work. He was forever connected with the only woman he ever dated, the love of his life and soulmate. Eddie adored Freda.
Eddie and Freda, spent much of their first few years apart as WWII raged around them. Like many at that time, Eddie had to alter his dream of having a career in athletics to becoming a fighter pilot. However, he became a navigator as his gifts for math and memorization were needed by the RAF. After training in Canada, he joined Ferry Command, ferrying planes between Cairo, Oujda, India, Burma and other locations, during which he wrote 100s upon 100s of letters to Freda.
Marrying April 19, 1947 – 6 years 364 days after the first time Eddie laid eyes on Freda and then bringing their daughter, Diana into the world – 5 years 352 days later. They built a life in Reigate, where Eddie returned to Bray Gibb after the war and moved his way through the organization into a senior management position. Their favourite past-times were playing tennis, sequence dancing, working on the daily crossword, Scrabble, Bridge and so much more.
Eddie enjoyed traveling with his family and friends on occasion. Some favourite places were Rottingdean, Switzerland, Hebridean Islands, Guernsey, Venice, Orient Express, Norway and many others. When asked what he had been most proud of he always responded marrying Freda. They were married for 70 years. In his later years, Eddie moved to Abbeyfield, where he felt welcomed and it became his new home. It was filled with laughter, playing Scrabble, going out for lunch, enjoying an afternoon sherry, and reading the paper.
Eddie has touched many lives over the years in so many different ways, building long lasting friendships with fellow veterans, colleagues, neighbours, friends and family. And just as much as he touched those lives, he felt rewarded and honoured to have each of those individuals in his life as well, as many of them have cared very deeply for him. Thank you for being one of those people.