Photo: Alan Wallace
Photo: Brian Chandler
The family headstone reads:
Here rests the body of
Lancelot Borrell
2nd Lieut. 12th N.F.
Wounded at Fricourt
while leading an attack
July 3rd 1916
Died at Oxford
July 10th 1916
aged 22 years
A good son
A gallant soldier
Foremost in the Fight
Till He come.
"Greater love hath no man
than this"
The Alnwick and County Gazette 22/07/1916 page 5 reports:
Military Funeral.
The funeral of Lieutenant L. Borrell of South Charlton who died of wounds in military hospital, Oxford, took place on Friday afternoon, last and was an impressive one. The brave young officer was given full military honours. A firing party under Lieutenant Jennings, four buglers and a band of pipers and drummers were conveyed from Alnwick camp by motor to South Charlton. At 3.00pm the soldiers were ranged up outside the house of the deceased and they presented arms as the coffin was borne out covered with a Union Jack on which were placed the cap, sword and gloves of the late Lieutenant. It was carried to the church gate followed by a large cortège of soldiers, relatives and friends and was met at the entrance to the churchyard by Bishop Ormsby, Rev. R. W. Fairclough (Vicar of the parish) and the Rev. Mr. Bluche (Chaplain of Alnwick Camp) who led the way to church. The coffin was laid at the alter where the hymn ‘Rock Of Ages Cleft For Me’ was sung. Then followed Psalm 39.
Bishop Ormsby said a few words couched in very affectionate terms. After the Bishop had spoken there was another hymn ‘My God My Father While I Stray’ and finally while the Nunc Dimittis was being sung the coffin was carried out to the place of burial.
The farewell shots were fired over the grave and the buglers sounded the last call.
There was a large crowd assembled one of whom was Colonel Broome Giles C.B and some officers of Alnwick camp. The chief mourners were Lance Corporal Borrell (father of the deceased) and family.
Many wreathes were brought by various friends of the deceased.
Information and photos: Alan Wallace
Lancellot Borrell is remembered at South Charlton on S39.01, Alnwick Duke's School A11.16, Alnwick Gazette page 64 A11.56 and in Rock Church R20.02
