Respects were paid to Chatteris soldiers who fell during the Great War when more than 40 members and friends of the Chatteris Royal British Legion visited the battlefields of the Somme and Belgian Flanders.

Cambs Times: RBL Menin Gate wreath bearersRBL Menin Gate wreath bearers (Image: Kev Gregory)

The visit included trips to various British cemeteries in the area, including the British Memorial at Thiepval, Pozieres, Heilly Station and Tyne Cot Cemetery.

A wreath laying ceremony was held at Louverval Cemetery to commemorate Private George Clare VC.

Chatteris soldier, George, was awarded the Victoria Cross in August 1917, for his heroic deeds in retrieving wounded soldiers under fire and bringing them back to their own lines.

Sadly George lost his own life in this action but not before he demonstrated outstanding bravery beyond the call of duty.

The highlight of the weekend was taking part in the last post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres on Saturday evening.

There, two youth members along with branch standard bearer Rob Lake and branch chairman Norman Larke laid wreaths on behalf of the Chatteris RBL, watched by nearly two hundred onlookers.

This is the first time Chatteris RBL have attended this very well known ceremony which has been held continuously since 1928 with the buglers being members of the Ypres volunteer fire service whose bugles are funded by the Royal Logistic Corps.

It was originally funded by the Royal Army Service Corps who are no longer in existence.

The mayor of Chatteris, Cllr James Carney, presented the deputy mayor of Ypres Jan Delie, with a plaque on behalf of the people of Chatteris following a short reception that included Norman and Yvonne Larke, the mayoress Amy Carney and the trip organiser Leah Templeman.

Tribute was also paid to the Canadian service members who served alongside the British forces with a visit to the Vimy Ridge memorial en route back to the UK.