Edgar was born in 1893 in Road Hill, near Bath to David and Elizabeth Propert. The 1911 census shows that the Properts by then had been married for 32 years and had ten children all of who were living. David farmed Chancefield Farm at Road Hill and employed Edgar on the farm.
Edgar enlisted at Chelmsford and joined the Essex Yeomanry, a cavalry regiment and at the time he was living at Little Waltham, Essex. His regimental number 990 suggests that he enlisted around 1913/14. According to his medal record Edgar arrived in France on 20th January 1915 the regiment having been sent there 1st December 1914 and Edgar formed part of a further draft of men who joined them on 29th January.
The Chronicle gives an account of the Yeomanry’s first engagement, a bayonet attack at Frezenburg Ridge, second Battle of Ypres that the Yeomanry took part in on foot, in pouring rain, to retake some trenches having to cover over 1000 yards. 300 men took part in the charge and had to endure an enfilading fire which caused the heavy losses (30 killed, 20 missing and 118 wounded) some 56% casualties. The war diary gives slightly different figures killed 33, wounded 100, wounded and missing 16 and missing 11. Brigadier General B Johnson described the charge as the finest thing he had ever seen (The Essex County Chronicle Friday, May 21st 1915). The event was described as “The Black Day for Essex”
The regiment’s war diary for the time reads
13/5/15 Retired from digging the GHQ line of trenches E of Potijze strength of Regiment in trenches 302 all ranks including 17 officers. Very heavily shelled from dawn to 6am. Part of 7th Brigade holding advanced trenches shelled out during morning 8th Brigade ordered to make a counter attack and retake them. Started 2.15pm. 10th Hussars on left EY centre Blues on right. EY and 10th doubled all the way to enemy trenches about 1000 yards distant. Germans retired before Brigade reached trenches. Regiment could not get into touch with Blues on right. Germans bombarded retaken trench until dark. 10th and EY less B Sqn retired to line of dugouts in front of GHQ line about 6pm thence to GHQ lines after dark. Capt R Brise and Lt Thompson with about 10 men held advanced position by ruined houses lying in shell holes till after dark. They kept back the German infantry the whole afternoon retiring after dark to rejoin rest of Regiment. Regiment held GHQ trenches during night in conjunction with company of Durham Light Infantry. Remainder of A echelon went up from Le Croquet to join Lieut Wedd's command.
14/5/15 Occupied GHQ trenches until relieved at 9pm by 2nd Cav Div to A Huts S of Vlamertinghe arriving about11.30pm.
Casualties May13th/14th
Killed Wounded Wounded & Missing Missing
Officers 4 5 1 -
Men 29 95 15 11
Total 33 100 16 11
Total all ranks= 160
The list of casualties included Trooper 990 Propert E. M. Woodham Ferrers and the date of death is given as 14th May. Edgar was one of the missing and is remembered at the Menin Gate in Ypres. He was subsequently awarded the 1914-15 Star, The Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Woodham Ferrers war memorial has two of Edgar’s brothers mentioned who served and survived.
Staff Sergeant 54901 Albert Mortimer Propert Royal Horse Artillery and Walter Propert 16th Lancers.
The family also lost another brother to the war Francis Propert who died of wounds 24th July 1916 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and who is remembered on the war memorial at Little Waltham.