Lives of the First World War

known 30th April 1915

'Military funeral at Whittlesford - Much sympathy is felt in Whittlesford and district with Mr and Mrs Wm Andrews, of Wells Farm, Whittlesford, in the death of their only son, Pte Reginald Rupert Andrews of the 2nd/1st Battalion Cambs. Regiment, which took place in the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, on Monday week. Pte Andrews, who was greatly liked and respected by all who knew him, joined the Cambs. Territorials on September 24th last year. He was formerly for several years a member of the Whittlesford and Sawston Troop of Boy Scouts, and was also one of the Whittlesford Parish Council bellringers for four or five years. Before joining the Territorials he worked with his father at Wells Farm for Mr Jos. Fordham, of Little Shelford. He was taken ill about a couple of months ago, and lay in hospital some six weeks before he died. The cause of death was cerebrospinal meningitis. The funeral took place with full military honours at Whittlesford Parish Church on Thursday afternoon. Striking testimony of the esteem in which the young soldier - he would have been 22 had he lived until Friday - was held was afforded by the number of persons who attended the funeral. The churchyard was crowded, and it is estimated that there must have been between 300 and 600 persons present. The Officer commanding the depot of the Cambs. Regiment at Cambridge kindly provided a firing party of ten men of the 3rd/1st Batt. Cambs. Reg. under Sergt. Lawrence and Corpl. Hutchings (of Sawston). The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, upon which were placed the young soldier's cap, belt and side-arms, was borne from the 1st Eastern General Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station upon a gun carriage, and was escorted by the firing party, marching with arms reversed. At Whittlesford Station the coffin was placed upon a wheeled bier, and removed to the parish church, where the service was conducted, in the absence of the vicar through illness, by the Rev A.C.V. de Candole, vicar of Pampisford. The bearers were Ptes Badcock, Hatchman, Hibbert and Smee. At the close of the service the firing party fired the customary three volleys into the air over the grave, and the bugler sounded the 'Last Post'.'

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