Captain Tom Wilde, Padre to the 2nd Battalion, and Lieutenant Jack Rice also of the Poachers joined a party from The Rifles in France 20-23 June close to Arras and Amiens for the rededication of the graves of two of our Fallen. Second Lieutenant Ernest Lockett Cole of the 8th Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment, KIA 27 September 1916, was interred at Ovillers Military Cemetery, and Serjeant Ernest Edward Harris of the 10th Battalion, The Essex Regiment, KIA 8 August 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery. Also it was good to see in attendance a fit and well Peter Williamson in his role as a Trustee of the Essex Museum.
Padre Tom conducted the services and commented: “ It has been a huge honour to conduct the services of 2nd Lieutenant Ernest Lockett Cole and Sergeant Ernest Edward Harris.
During the services I spoke about the importance of a name and how wonderful it is when the names of our unknown fallen are found. With finding a name the person is brought to life through their history, their story and their endeavours. A family is often found which can bring even more life to the serviceman and we had the great privilege to have family members from both 2bd Lieutentan Cole and Sergeant Harris joining us. Their names now get to live on through their families”.
