I am a committee member on the Cambs 876 Remembered a commemorative project devised and being conducted by Eastern region members of the Riders Branch, Royal British Legion.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) records show that 876 officers and soldiers of the Cambridgeshire Regiment, who were killed during WW1, have memorials at home and abroad.

The fallen are named in 208 cemeteries across six countries: UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Tanzania. The first man fell in 1914 and the last man died in 1921.

The intention of the Riders is to honour all 876, as a part of the National WW1 centenary commemorations and to that end we will be making regular visits to France and Belgium.

Many local men joined the Cambridgeshire Regiment and there is a standing offer from the Riders to place a cross or other suitable item on the graves on behalf of surviving families.

However, I also have an interest in Private John Edgley (or Edgely), known as Jack, who lived at Pound Road, Chatteris. He was my Great Uncle. He joined the army aged 30 in 1916, initially in the Cambridgeshire Regiment, but had been posted to the Norfolk Regiment when he was killed at the battle of Cambrai in 1917. Fortunately most of his service record survives and it makes very poignant reading as it contains the details of his death at a field hospital and the official letters to his mother.

In October 2016 I will be visiting his grave at Manancourt British cemetery and would like to hear from anyone who has any information on Jack or any memorabilia such as photographs so I can build as complete picture as possible.

I would also be pleased to place any suitable tokens on behalf of anyone else.

SPIKE RAY

spk66@btinternet.com