Grave of a First World War soldier is snapped and broken at Chatteris

The grave of a corporal from Chatteris who died in the First World War has been snapped and broken.

Leah Templeman, youth officer for the Chatteris branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It could have been an accident but it may have been vandalism we are not sure. It certainly hasn’t been reported.

“It was fine at the end of the summer when I last checked that area.”

The gravestone is a Commonwealth war grave made of Portland white stone belonging to 26 year old Corporal Ernest Barnes who died in combat in September 1917 who has relatives living locally.

The youth section have begun a project of restoration on war graves but are now waiting to hear from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to see if funding will be given to help with this one.

The graves of local soldiers are in the spotlight after the youth section decided to hold a memorial service for all of the men who died during battle during the First World War.

They are holding an individual service for each of the 160 soldiers on the centenary of their death.

The fourth service takes place on November 26 at Chatteris War Memorial.

“It is heartening to see young people remember the fallen as it means the past will be remembered for the future,” said Ms Templeman.