As we approach the observances for Remembrance, Fordham historian John Pryke remembers those from the village who made the ultimate sacrifice.

World War One  saw 190 Fordham men called into action. Forty of those made the ultimate sacrifice. Many suffered, no more so than one family who lost three sons, two aged just 17 years old.

Two of the brothers were killed in action in 1915 & 1917 respectively.

The remaining sibling came home from France along with 800 other ill or wounded soldiers. They were billeted at a camp in the Midlands, where conditions were appalling. Sadly after surviving in Battle, the third brother succumbed to illness and died on 13/04/1919.

A cousin of the family also perished. He was also just 17 years old.

A memorial to the fallen was unveiled in the village on August 17, 1921 in front of a large gathering. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

During WW2, bombs fell in Fordham, including one at Larkhall and another on the Chippenham Road.

Ely Standard: A bomb fell on Webbs land at Larkhall in 1944. Photo shows the Webb family members and village policeman PC Parminter inspecting the damage.A bomb fell on Webbs land at Larkhall in 1944. Photo shows the Webb family members and village policeman PC Parminter inspecting the damage. (Image: JOHN PRYKE)

A Stirling Bomber, limping home to RAF Mildenhall, crashed in trees on land at Isleham Road. Sadly the rear gunner was the only survivor.

The Scottish Regiment, The Cameronians were based at Fordham Abbey and the village formed a 50 strong home guard, with some members keeping watch from the church tower during the night following drill sessions.

A group of special constables also assisted the Army with traffic checks, carrying out these duties in addition to their regular work.

Many evacuees came to Fordham, mainly from the East End of London.

Fourteen Fordham men lost their lives in WW2. The first casualties were two brothers who were killed in 1940, during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Some of the fallen were laid to rest in Fordham. One poignant inscription on an Airman’s headstone reads’ Forget not the Sons, who in the Flower of Youth, passed into God’s keeping’. This flyer was just 22 years old.

The village also laid a memorial stone in honour of eight Far East POW’s.

As Remembrance weekend approaches let us remember the fallen and all those who suffered.