Charles Edgar Edgett (1883 - 1947)

Charles Edgar Edgett. Photo courtesy Vancouver Police Department Centennial Museum.

Born on September 25, 1883 in Moncton, New Brunswick to parents Charles Edgett and Mary Carney, Charles Edgar Edgett served with the Royal North-Western Mounted Police (later the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) from 1900 to 1912, ending his service as Inspector.

When war broke out in 1914, Edgett enlisted for active service and enjoyed a distinguished career, winning the DSO for distinguished service at Vimy Ridge in 1917. He retired from the army as a Lieutenant Colonel and moved to Vernon, British Columbia, where he became active in returned soldiers' organizations.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgett was appointed Warden of the British Columbia Penitentiary in June 1929, and held the position from 1929 to 1931. Jack David Scott writes that Edgett was "thought of by his subordinates ... as being a pleasant man but one who, having no prison experience, had to rely overmuch on his staff".

In November 1931 Edgett was appointed Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department, a position he held for two years, from 1931 - 1933. He died on January 9, 1947 at the age of 63. At the time of his death Edgett was Manager of the Industrial Association of British Columbia. He was survived by his wife Cora Estella, two sons William and James, and two daughters, Joy and Mrs. Bo Johnson.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgett is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver.

Sources

1. "Former Warden Edgett, 64, Dies", the British Columbian, January 13, 1947, p. 1.
2. "New Warden", the Vancouver Sun, June 20, 1929, p.1.
3. Jack David Scott, Four Walls in the West, 1984, p. 61.
4. BC Vital Event Death Registration Call Number 1947-09-001075, Roll B13192.