THE quiet bustle of tourists walking around Christ Church Cathedral fell silent over the weekend as soldiers from Oxfordshire’s two regiments were remembered.

Five names of county soldiers from each of the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars and the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who fought and died in each of the world wars, were read out in the regular Turning the Pages ceremony on Saturday.

Witney Gazette:

Robert Drummond-Hay

The names of those in the Ox and Bucks were read out by Robert Drummond-Hay, chairman of the Friends of the Ox and Bucks.

He said: “It is a short but moving ceremony to help us remember the people who died in the two world wars and that is more important with the anniversary of the First World War approaching.”

The ceremony is held four times a year and began in 1996 and will continue until all the names of those killed are eventually read out.

Jim Lewendon, the county chairman of the Royal British Legion, said he more people were now attending the ceremonies.

He said: “There were more people there on Saturday, it was a very good turnout. I think people are more aware of what’s going on at Christ Church Cathedral and a lot of the preparations to commemorate the First World War will obviously bring a few more out.

“I have been going ever since it started and it is something I like to do.”

The ceremony usually attracts just 30 to 40 people but at its peak, on Remembrance Sunday, up to 150 people congregated at the cathedral’s military chapel.

The Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars was a Yeomanry regiment formed in 1888 but can trace its roots back to 1794. It fought in the Boer War and both world wars before being reformed as the 387 Field Regiment Royal Artillery (TA).

The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was formed in 1881 and it boasted two Victoria Cross recipients, Lance-Corporal Alfred Wilcox and Company Sergeant Major Edward Brooks, who were given the award for their bravery in the First World War.

Witney Gazette:

Major Jeremy Burnan, of 142 Vehicle Squadron of the Royal Logistic Corps, reads the names of the fallen who served in the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars

Roll of Honour

Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars 

First World War: Charles James Partridge, Raymond Payne, Albert James Podbury, Ernest Harold Price, Richard Cecil Quinion.

Second World War: George Cross, Bernard Austin Freeman, James Gee, Victor Lewis Green, Richard Cecil Brooke Greville.

Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

First World War: Rosslyn Curzon Evelegh, Christopher Fowler Murphy, Arthur Richard Allsworth, Thomas Bates, Alfred Day.

Second World War: Robert Howard, Harold Kirkby, William Frederick Price, Cecil Walter Thomas, William Wickson.

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