A TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE NEIL CLARKE

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I believe that I should shed some light on how and why Pte Neil Clarke was laid to rest in the Shorncliffe Military Cemetery . Neil’s family requested that their son should be buried with full military honours, being that was killed in action. The task of organising and carrying out the funeral was passed to the Depot of the Queen’s Division at Bassingbourne by the Headquarters of the Queen’s Regiment at Canterbury. I was the senior Queen’s Regiment warrant officer at the depot, so the task of carrying out the family’s wishes fall to myself and members of the Queen’s Regiment at Bassingbourne to provide the funeral requirements. Every Queensman at the Depot volunteered to take part , even though it meant loosing part of their Easter leave. I had enough NCOs and soldiers to provide the coffins bearer party, a firing party and rout liners for the occasion. We moved to Shorncliffe 3 days prior to the funeral to rehearse on the ground that the funeral was to take place. I was very fortunate to have sergeant Dave Hills with me who took charge of the firing party. The funeral took place on a beautiful day, and I remember thinking that all was well in Gods heaven to receive our fellow Queensman, who we laid to rest with the full military honours that he so richly deserved . When the silence was broken by the rifle volleys and the pipers playing Flowers of the Forest echoed over the valley of the cemetery, a shiver ran down my spine. I was so proud of every Queensman from the Depot who carried out our somber duty with great dignity and pride, to ensure that our brother, Private Neil Clarke went to his God like a soldier . Unfortunately, myself and my soldiers never received any thanks or praise from the headquarters of the Queen’s Regiment for upholding the Regiment’s pride in showing how we honour our dead with great Regimental pride. On reflection, we did not need anybody’s thanks, because the honour was all ours. Rest in peace Neil, in the knowledge that your fellow soldiers appreciate that you gave your all for our Regiment.

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RIP