2nd Lt Piers Richard Edgcumbe was born on 22 October 1914 at Hafield Place, Hertfordshire. He attended Eton college from 1928 – 1933 and was described as blessed with considerable gifts both intellectual and athletic. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps at Eton College and later at Cambridge University where he achieved a degree in Engineering. He was employed as an Electrical Engineer joining his father’s electrical engineering works prior to his Commissioning and enlisted into the 12th Royal Lancers in March 1939. 

2nd Lt Edgcumbe was traveling in an armoured vehicle, tasked with a dangerous role to conduct a reconnaissance mission and scout out enemy positions during the huge, allied evacuation to Dunkirk in May 1940. 2nd Lt Edgcumbe was killed alongside his Lance Corporal when a German tank opened fire on them.

His Commanding Officer wrote of him: “I have seldom met an officer who was so cool and brave under fire: he was adored by his men who would have followed him anywhere.”

The Eton College obituary wrote: “It is impossible in a short memorial notice to give to those who did not know him any impression of his modesty, his charm of manner, his loveable nature, or his consideration for all whether old or young.”

2nd Lt Edgcumbe was commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial and research was undertaken by many researchers and members of the family to try and identify 2nd Lt Edgcumbe’s final resting place. Following further research conducted by CWGC, the National Army Museum and JCCC, the identification was confirmed. 

His grave in CWGC Esquelbecq Military Cemetery near Dunkirk was rededicated in a service on the 27th May 2022 and is marked by an engraved CWGC headstone which is cared for in perpetuity.