Cadets get together to plant six trees to remember lives lost in World War One

Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force (LNR ACF) teamed up with the Woodland Trust at Yardley Chase Cadet Training Centre to remember young people from the county who lost their lives during battle.

LNR ACF’s A Company paraded during the tree planting while a bugler played the Last Post during the ceremony, which was organised in memory of five 16-year-old soldiers and one 15-year-old who served with the Northamptonshire Regiment in World War One and lost their lives.

Lieutenant Colonel Sean Smales, a senior adult volunteer and Deputy Commandant of LNR ACF, said: “The garden memorial was officially planted on Saturday by a cadet and the High Sheriff of Northampton, Mrs Caroline Brocklehurst, with a further six 16-year-olds uncovering the six new white memorials on site at Yardley Chase Cadet Centre.

“I am proud of both LNR ACF’s cadets and adult volunteers in how they came up with an idea and have turned the memorial in to reality. I would like to thank everyone for their support, it will be a very poignant and lasting reminder to all cadets that 100 years ago boys of their age were dying for their country.”

The event, which took place on Saturday, November 5, saw the High Sheriff of Northampton, Mrs Caroline Brocklehurst, planting a tree as part of the event.

David Mackintosh MP also attended the tree planting event, as well as a number of adult volunteers and cadets from across LNR ACF.

Spokesperson for the Woodland Trust Daniel Routt said: “As part of our Centenary Woods project and Cadet Forces partnership we’re working with cadets across Northamptonshire to commemorate the six soldiers who sadly gave their life in conflict during the First World War.

“As part of Op Reflect we’re creating a living legacy by planting six oak trees at Yardley Chase, which will act as a constant reminder to today’s generation of cadets of the sacrifices these brave young men made.”