Saturday, October 11, 2014

Vale Pete Edmanson

We'll miss you, Pete
It was with much shock and disbelief that the NWA Napoleonics chaps learned today that we have lost one of our own way too soon. Pete Edmanson died suddenly in his sleep on Tuesday night.

Pete was a stalwart in the Napoleonics group who often faced my French with his Austrians, Prussians or Russians, but also played in the Pirate events and had a sizeable Dark Ages collection in 15mm and 28mm, partnering Darren and me recently into our SAGA forays with his Normans. He was renowned as 'Pistol' Pete after our Wagram game where he killed several generals (including mine!). His uncanny ability to knock down his opponent's commanders continued after that in the weekly club games to the extent that you expected to have your generals bumped off at some stage, no matter how the game was going!

As well as being a wargamer, Pete was a keen angler having traveled the nation and internationally in pursuit of the perfect catch. Pete also was a knowledgeable ornithologist, too. He could identify just about any bird you could find, and many was the time down at Drouin during our January games that Pete would look up into the trees surrounding Tim's property and point out the birdlife, identifying not only the species but the gender of the bird, whether it was a juvenile etc. etc. He was mine of information.

He is survived by his wife Claire and his children and grandchildren, of whom he was very proud.

His quiet, gentle manner will be sorely missed. Pete, you were a scholar and gentleman.

16 comments:

  1. Touching tribute to one of your fallen comrades. My condolences.

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  2. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he know peace. A sad loss old son. Our condolences.

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  3. How sad - rolling dice with Don Featherstone and Peter Gilder now in Wargaming Valhalla ? , Tony

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  4. That is a shock Ben. I feel honoured that I was able to meet Peter, all the more so since it was at the NWA's annual wargaming weekend and for such a momentous occasion as your marvellous Borodino refight. I enjoyed his wit, his stories and the fine manner in which he played the game—a true gentleman, as you say. I shall treasure those memories all the more.

    Please pass on my condolences to his family and to his many friends at the NWA.

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  5. Sad news, sounds as if you have some great gaming memories! Best wishes.

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  6. Thanks for all the good wishes, chaps. I'll be sure to pass on the condolences of the International Brotherhood of Wargamers to Pete's wife and family.

    James, it's going to be tough going to next year's January game without him! I'm sure he'll be in everyone's thoughts. There's talk of having a big(-ish) annual game at the club annually in October where two teams battle it out for the honour of winning the Pete Ed. Memorial Cup. A fitting way to keep his memory alive, I reckon

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    1. An annual, commemorative competition sounds like a marvellous idea. It will be an emotional weekend in January, I'm sure. You'll have to have his favourite stool at the end of the shed (I presume that was common to several of your games and not merely last year?). At least it will be an opportunity to recall shared, fond memories at length—laugh, smile and remember the man.

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  7. Pistol Pete was always cheerful and enjoyed every game. He never played for "Sheep Stations". If you won, he would say "Well Played" and if he won, he was always humble. A lovely man and one of the many reasons that I drive 2 1/2 hours to the Club. I will miss him very much.
    Paul Freeman

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    1. You and me both, Paul. And a lot of other people too, I suspect.

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  8. So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, my condolences to you and his family.

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  9. Hello Johnny,
    I am very sorry for the bad news.
    I think you've made ​​a touching portrait of your friend and I agree with your thoughts.
    My condolences to the family of Pete and you.
    Simone

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