Young P.C. John Edwards

We were deeply saddened to read of the passing of former Sergeant John Edwards in this morning's Royal Gazette (25th Feb 2021). CLICK HERE for his obituary.

John was originally from Wales and he served in the Royal Navy from 1955 - 1957, then in the Herefordshire Constabulary for 3 years prior to joining the Bermuda Police in January 1960.  

John served in Central Division (Hamilton) for almost a year and was then transferred to Operations, Traffic Department. He also had a spell in Parishes before being promoted to Sergeant in May 1968.  He was very well liked by his colleagues.   John resigned in June 1969 to go into private business.  

He was a familiar sight on Bermuda's roads for many years having developed a passion for road running  -  after giving up smoking!  John took his running seriously and ran in the annual May 24th half marathon for some 25 years and also competed in the New York Marathon. John would often be seen in the Devonshire, Smith's Parish area as a regular running partner with Mike "Dagwood" Rickards.

We understand that John had been unwell for several years and that he passed away peacefully at his home in Smith's Parish.

We offer our sincere condolences to his wife  Rhynda, daughter Wendy Edwards (Alberto) and stepchildren Rebecca Latham and Martin Shaffer (Susan), his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his sister and two brothers in Wales. 

We understand that a private graveside service will be held at St. Mark's Cemetery on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 at 11.00am. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Action on Alzheimer's & Dementia, PO Box FL88, Flatts, FLBX or online payments via Clarien Bank, Action on Alzheimer's & Dementia acc# 6000065060 BD$ in memory of John Edwards, AMIS Memorial Chapel & Crematory.

2nd March 2021

The graveside funeral for John was held on 2nd March 2021, and the following Eulogy was given:-

"John was born in the village of Llyswen on the River Wye in Wales on 2nd April 1937, the third child of Frank and Rose Edwards.  His father was a farmer and he attended the small school in the village. He vividly remembered the "Dam Busters" practicing over the River Wye Valley toward the end of World War II.

This gave him a great interest in flying and he joined the Air Training Corpos as a teenager and thoroughly enjoyed all he learned.  When he went along for his "join up" for National Sevice, he joined the Royal Navy!!

After service in the Navy, John joined the Herefordshire Constabulary in 1958. He then answered an advertisement for serving overseas and eventually came to Bermuda in 1960.  John loved Bermuda and lived a long and happy life here.  He loved his children and grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them."