A Whittlesey soldier who died 100 years ago was remembered in a special tribute on Sunday.

The town’s army cadets paraded at the churchyard along with Royal British Legion Standards for a formal tribute to Private John William Hutchcraft, who died exactly 100 years ago to the day on July 26 2015.

A century later, as part of ‘Cambs 876 Remembered’ Project, Glenn Green and the former servicemen of the Riders Branch Royal British Legion organised the salute to this all but forgotten soldier. Pte Hutchcraft is buried in the churchyard with a Cambridgeshire Regiment cap badge on his headstone and surrounded by other soldiers who also lost their lives in World War One.

Cambridgeshire Regiment Association Standards joined those of the Royal British Legion.

The service was conducted by the Rev Nigel Whitehouse, prayers by the Rev Brian Smithman and the reading of the Regimental Collect was given by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Tony Slater.

Lt Col Slater said “It was a very moving occasion to honour a local Whittlesey man who served in our local regiment and who gave his life for this country. Nobody alive now can recall the fallen personally, but through the dedication, research and passion of the riders branch, at least for one day this and the other 876 Cambridgeshire boys will be remembered.”

Afterwards refreshments were served at the Whittlesey Ivy Leaf Club courtesy of the Whittlesey Royal British Legion.