'˜He was something special in this town'

More than 300 people packed St Oswald’s Church in Filey on Friday March 11, coming together to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Edward Temple, known as Eddie, who sadly passed away aged 73 
after a short illness.

A big and respected character, Eddie was best known as one of the founders of Filey Sea Cadets in 1983, of which he went on to be the Commanding Officer for 20 years.

Friend Richard Cowling worked with him from the beginning and has always been “blown away” by the wonderful work he did for the youths in the town.

He said: “He was a very, very special person and it’s been an honour to work with him from the beginning at the unit. He has been a really good friend.

“I don’t suppose I’ll ever come across anyone as special as him in the rest of my life. The way he worked children - he could always get the best out of people.”

Eddie was deeply respected by everyone who knew him, and Richard was overwhelmed by the number of sea cadets, young and old, who turned out to say goodbye to Eddie.

Eddie’s brother, Matt Temple said: “He was a top man, he was something special in this town. Facebook was just a complete mass of people sending tributes and messages from all over the world.

“There are so many people that admire him, so many people that he helped and touched.”

In 1989, Filey Sea Cadets, out of about 400 units nationally, became the best in the UK, just six years after it was founded.

When the Sea Cadets were founded, in 1983, they had so many boys join up they needed a permanent home. Eddie and his supporters decided upon the Southdene Pavilion, a derelict concert hall, and fundraised to renovate the building. He organised events such as the 24-hour sponsored run on the seafront, The Moonlight Market and an incredible number of sponsored runs across the UK.

Over the years, Eddie received many accolades for his leadership including the Ross McWhirter award in 1996 for his work with the youth of Filey, in 2005 he was awarded the MBE for outstanding contribution to the local community and in 2014 he was made an honorary citizen of Filey.

In his younger years, Eddie signed up for nine years in the Royal Navy at the age of 16.

Following his basic training on the HMS Pembroke he trained as a Naval chef at HMS Raleigh before joining his first fleet the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious.

After meeting a bunch of submariners in the Far East, he decided to join the submarine service and managed to transfer in 1962.

A Filey man born and bred, Eddie would return whilst on leave and pop to the local chemist shop for a new toothbrush, regardless if he needed one or not, to speak to the assistant, Pauline. In April 1963, both aged 20, they married at St Oswald’s and Pauline travelled with him to be based in Singapore.

The couple were married for more than 50 years and had two children, Tracey and Paul. Pauline has been described as Eddie’s “rock” and they supported each other through all their endeavours.

Eddie worked his way up the ranks from a Swim Boy to an Escape Coxswain, in charge of Submarine escape at the base, and by the time he retired from active service in 1982 he was Chief Petty Officer.

Revd Allington said: “Even in his final days, any time he felt a little energy return, he would be trying to plan and organise things for the Sea Cadets, like he could go on forever.” He saluted Eddie for his “fine qualities of energy, enthusiasm, drive, 100 per cent commitment and 
determination along with your gregarious, outgoing nature, which together have produced a person who has made a 
positive difference to so many young lives in Filey.”