Cadets from Wisbech detachment paraded at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Wisbech for a formal tribute to two Cambridgeshire Regiment soldiers, Private George Cook and Private William Clarke who died 100 years ago on September 14, 1915 and October 12, 1915 respectively.
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 when formal tributes were once again bestowed.
No 2091 Pte George Cook died aged 18 years. Son of George Cook of No.19 Leverington Road, Leverington he was a corporation labourer before the war.
George was machine gunner in the Wisbech Company 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded on June 20, 1915 he spent three weeks in hospital before being transferred back to the UK to Birmingham. Sadly, although recovered from his wounds he died of cerebra-spinal meningitis.
No 2900 Private William Cooke was the son of Mr B Clarke of 8 Park Street, Walsoken, Wisbech. A stableman before the war, he contracted meningitis and died three days later at Newmarket.
The Army Cadet Force Standard was along side those of the Royal British Legion and others. A Guard of Honour was formed to greet the riders as they drove through on their motorcycles. Attendance was swelled by the presence of Richard Barnwell, Deputy Lord Lieutenant along with the Mayor of Wisbech, Councillor David Hodgson, and some 20 or so other individuals with an interest.
After a short service given by Rev Neil Gardiner of St Augustine’s Church, Last Post and Reveille was player before poppy crosses were laid at the soldiers’ memorial in the cemetery. Two cadets from Wisbech detachment carried out the task with due respect and dignity.
Lt Col (Rtd) David Denson TD, Royal Anglian Regt-Cambridgeshire said: “It was a moving service to remember these two Cambridgeshire Regt soldiers.
“It was pleasing to see so many including members of the army cadet force and air training corp. It is important that the memory of those who died in World War 1 lives on”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here