The grave of Albert Peppercorn in Histon cemetery.
The inscription reads:
In
Loving memory of
ALBERT PEPPERCORN
Accidentally killed at
Althorp Park
10th June 1905
Aged 26 years
'In the midst of life we are in death
Lord all pitying Jesu blest
Grant him thy eternal rest'
Albert was born in the nearby village of Lolworth in July 1879.
He was trained as a butcher, but at the age of 22 he enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry. He served with 44th Coy, and between March 1900 and 17th May 1901 he was in South Africa, taking part in the Battle of Rhenosterkop on 29th November 1900.
He was discharged the following Summer, but soon re-enlisted where he would serve in the 25th Regiment for another year, going back to fight in South Africa.
Again he was discharged and again he later re-enlisted.
On June 10th 1905 he was a Lance Corporal of the Peterborough Division, Northamptonshire Imperial Yeomanry. During a two week training camp at Althorp Park he took out a horse on exercise, it is said, in preparation for the Whit Monday races.
The animal was spooked and bolted, and Arthur collided with a tree. Badly injured and his skull fractured, he died instantly.
His body was returned to Histon where he was buried.
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