Born into a highly musical family, Algar was named after the German composer. He also had a brother named Haydn, who served in the Second Reserves during World War 1. His brother Eric, named as Beet's next-of-kin on enlistment, served in the First Reserves.

At 13, Algar had a disagreement with his father that led to his running away to Masterton, where he obtained a job at a hotel.

He played a few games of rugby for Wellington before enlisting in 1915.

After arriving in Egypt, he quickly grew bored with the constant patrolling, so when he was given the chance to join a New Zealand company with the Imperial Camel Corps, he took it eagerly.

He eventually was promoted to Sergeant with the Camel Corps.

At one point he was chosen to be a member of TE Lawrence's escort for two to three weeks. He found the famous Lawrence of Arabia to be rather aloof.

Algar was involved in all three battles for Gaza in 1918. During the third he was wounded and shipped back to Cairo before returning to New Zealand.

Algar returned to playing rugby after the war and represented New Zealand in the All Blacks in 1920-21. He captained the team for one game.

In 1920 he married Kathleen Norman. They had two sons and two daughters.

He became a builder with one of his brothers, and they built the first 36 houses in the Miramar suburb of Wellington before the Depression hit and they were forced to close their business.

Photographs in the 2005 article AWMM