Godfried Reinardts • Histon

A Belgian war grave in Histon cemetery. 

Godfried Willem Reinardts was born in Aldeneik, Maaseik on 16th December, 1888. His funeral card states that he died in Iliston (Histon), England on 26th December, 1917, however the headstone shows he died on December 22nd.

I don't know how he came to be in England, or his cause of death. His headstone says

 'Born in Maseyck

Died for Belgium'

He was 29 years old.

///cleanest.surveyed.absorbing

GRID REF : TL 44204 63801

Dovecote • Ely

This Grade I listed dovecote forms part of the St John's Farm complex, which sits on the site of the former Hospital of St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdelene.

Once two separate hospitals, institutions established to care for the infirm poor, St John's and St Mary Magdelene were merged in around 1251. This farm is thought to be built on the site of St Mary Magdelene, which was first mentioned in 1225. 

The buildings here today, including the dovecote, date from the 17th century, though are thought to contain reused materials from the 13th century. 

Although Grade I listed, they appear to be in relatively poor condition at the time of writing, with visible damage to masonry and roof on both the main farmhouse and outbuildings. 

In 1975 my grandfather visited, while researching for his book 'Dovecotes of Cambridgeshire' and noted then it was also in poor condition. The dovecote had 700+ pigeon holes and at that time also seemed to have a lean-to up against it.

The site today is very well shrouded in trees and not visible from the road. It sits on private property. However, what is visible from the road is a large barn which was also part of the complex. 

This building contains early 13th century materials and could have started life as one of the original hospital buildings, before finding other uses after the religious foundation fell to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This building is also Grade I listed.

A more in depth account of the site and the other building in the complex can be found on the Historic England website HERE 

///freely.airless.telephone

GRID REF:TL 53528 80198

Albert Peppercorn • Histon

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. 

///genius.enchanted.deform

GRID REF: TL 44204 63804