William Alexander ‘Lexi’ Edgar

Born in Patrick Street in the city, Mr Edgar was a pupil at the Model Primary School and sang in the choir of the St John Ambulance. During his lifetime he held the distinction of being the longest serving volunteer in St John Ambulance, and a first recipient of the Laurel Leaf. The gilt Laurel Leaf is presented to members with 50 years’ service.

Mr Edgar joined the St John Ambulance Brigade in 1940. He was at first an ambulance member and then became a nursing officer with the Londonderry Ambulance Division. He became qualified as a State Registered nurse and later as a State Registered mental nurse. Initially, he served his time in the Old Strand Road Mental Hospital and later in Gransha Hospital, and rose to the rank of charge nurse.

During the Second World War Mr Edgar was one of the St John Ambulance team to render first aid to the injured sailors and soldiers arriving at the docks in the city on board ships that had taken part in the Battle of the Atlantic.

In the post war years he served the St John Brigade in many capacities, working under seven area commissioners and he took over as the Area Staff Officer of the Londonderry area in the 1960s. His last role was as Area Vice President of the Western Area. He retired from active service in 1995. Mr Edgar was also chairman of the St John Hall committee for many years.

Mr Edgar was admitted to the Order in 1961, ws promoted to officer rank in 1978 and, in recognition of his outstanding service to St John, was made a Commander in 1998. He was awarded a BEM in 1992 for his services to St John.

In his time Mr Edgar served as the North West FAW instructor from 1978 until the 1990s, and his classes in the St John Hall in Hawkin Street were well supported.

A founder member of the Londonderry Fellowship branch in 1987, Mr Edgar was chairman at the time of his death.

Mr Edgar had an outgoing personality and was always impeccably dressed.

He died on March 5, and a large number of St John members are expected to attended the Service of Thanksgiving in Christ Church on April 28 at 5pm.