Tribute to honour Great War battle heroes
The great-grandson of a soldier killed in the Great War will unveil a plaque in Belgium in honour of his relative's fallen comrades.
Colonel Robert Boyle, from Uppingham, will travel to Ypres later this month to take part in a service commemorating the Leicestershire and Rutland yeomen who died at the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge, in May 1915.
He will be joined by members of the Territorial Army and the Leicestershire Yeomanry Comrades' Association.
Col Boyle's great-grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Percy Cecil Evans-Freke, was killed in action on May 13, 1915, aged 44.
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The decision to have a plaque erected was made by Col Boyle, 54, after he visited the battle site and a nearby church to find there was no lasting memorial.
He said: "My feeling was it was something that was very important to address so that the history of a fine county Yeomanry regiment should not be lost in the mists of time."
Lt Col Evans-Freke was struck first by shrapnel in the arm then, within three yards of support trenches, was hit by a bullet, which penetrated his breast, killing him instantly.
Of the 272 officers and men from the regiment, 181 were killed, wounded or registered missing after just 24 hours of fighting.
Col Boyle will be joined by families of other officers and soldiers who fought in the battle, which was part of the second Battle of Ypres.
The plaque will be unveiled at St George's Church, in Ypres, about five miles west of the battlefield, on Saturday, May 16.
Col Boyle said: "It will be a very humbling experience, but a huge honour.
"I think, knowing that the Yeomanry on the day did a job well, their names and their record of service need to be remembered in perpetuity."
The 14in by 10in brass plaque, which was made in Belgium, and bears the badge of the Leicestershire Yeomanry, is inscribed with the words: "The Leicestershire (Prince Albert's Own) Yeomanry. To the memory of those who fell holding the line. Frezenberg Ridge. 13th May 1915."
During the trip, between May 15 and 17, the TA soldiers will also play a part in the daily Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial, in Ypres, where they will parade and lay wreaths.
Captain Nigel Benner, from the Territorial Army's B Squadron Royal Yeomanry, based at Tigers Road, Wigston, said: "We are quite honoured. It's not every year we get to take part in the Menin Gate ceremony. It is good for the soldiers as well as it helps to put history into perspective and the role of their forebears."
Traditionally, the Battle of Frezenberg is commemorated in mid-May with a parade and service at the Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert's Own) Regiment Memorial in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire.
A small rear party from B (LDY) Squadron will conduct a parade simultaneously on Sunday, May 17, at the memorial.
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