Lives of the First World War

known 30th October 1914

From The Cambridge Chronicle 30 Oct 1914: Captain Pemberton Killed at the Front First Cambs. Officer to Fall Deep regret has been caused throughout Cambridgeshire by the official news that Captain Francis Percy Campbell Pemberton, of the 2nd Life Guards, only son of Canon and Mrs Pemberton, of Trumpington Hall, was killed in action near Roulers on Monday October 19th. The news was conveyed to members of the deceased officer’s family on Friday evening. His Majesty the King, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, and Her Majesty the Queen, have telegraphed their deepest sympathy to Canon and Mrs Pemberton. Captain Pemberton, who was 29 years of age, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He entered the Army in 1907, and received his captaincy in August last. In May 1912 he was seconded from his regiment (the 2nd Life Guards) to take up duties of cavalry instructor to the Oxford and Cambridge Officers’ Training Corps. The appointment would have expired next March, but on the declaration of war he was recalled to his regiment. Capt. Pemberton was extremely popular and both at Oxford and Cambridge had a large circle of friends. Widespread sympathy is felt with Canon, Mrs Pemberton, Miss Pemberton and the widow in their great loss. The news was received with the deepest regret in Trumpington, where Capt. Pemberton was much beloved. He was a fine all-round sportsman, a splendid cricketer, a keen huntsman, and an extraordinary good shot. He was a member of the County Cricket Club, a vice-president and member of the Trumpington Cricket Club. Shortly before the declaration of war he played for the village club in their county cup tie with New Chesterton Institute. He had a great natural gift for music. Capt. Pemberton is the first Trumpington man who has fallen in the war. He is also the first Cambridgeshire officer who has died for his country in this great struggle. Captain Pemberton married on April 30th 1912, Miss Winifred Mary Worsley, eldest daughter of Sir William Worsley, Bart., and Lady Worsley, of Hovingham Hall, Yorkshire. The wedding took place at All Saints’, Hovingham. The Trumpington estate has been in the Pemberton family since 1675, when it was bought by Francis Pemberton, who became Lord Chief Justice of England, and presided at the State trial of Lord Russell. From Francis Pemberton the Trumpington estate has come down in the direct line to Capt. Pemberton’s mother. Pulpit reference at Trumpington Church At the Trumpington Parish Church on Sunday, special mention was made by the Vicar (the Rev. R. G. Bury) to the sad loss the village had sustained, whilst at the conclusion of both morning and evening services the organist (Mr Hutt) gave an effective rendering of the Dead March in “Saul”, the congregation standing. Dr Bury, in the course of his sermon on Sunday morning, spoke as follows:- “On the battlefields in France today our soldiers are dying. In a hundred homes in England hearts are sorrowing. How shall we nerve ourselves to bear it all unless by faith – faith in God’s righteousness at our cause, faith in the blessedness of sacrifice for the sake of honour and truth and right? Today, as we meet in God’s house fresh from hearing the sad news of how the first of our Trumpington soldiers has shed his blood on the field of glory. Though our first thought is of deepest sorrow and most heartfelt sympathy for those who mourn a husband and a son; yet must not our last thought be one of pride; that he whom we knew and loved so well should have given his life an offering on the altar of his country and won for himself a never-dying name? Today, on the anniversary of the memorable day of Agincourt, we salute the memory of Captain Francis Pemberton, as one who drew his sword in defence of England’s honour and the liberties of Europe – a gallant officer who fought in one of the greatest of all fights that history records, and who died a soldier’s death. Requiescat in pace.” Memorial Service A memorial service will be held at Trumpington Church next Wednesday, November 4th, at 3 o’clock.

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