ANZAC Day 25 April 2026

2 May 2026

Our branch held its traditional Dawn Service today, ANZAC Day, at the CWGC Dominions Plot, Newmarket Rd Cemetery in Cambridge. This year we were joined by an Australian family, the Dargavilles, currently living in St Neots and it was tremendous to meet and chat with them. John Garfield from our branch read the list of casualties, and Mrs Dargaville read The Exhortation before Hillary, William & Philippa laid a wreath on our behalf. A two minute silence was observed before those assembled enjoyed tea & homemade ANZAC biscuits (generously provided by the Colley family), hearing accounts of ANZAC Day from our Australian guests. Emrys Jones, our Chair, said "it made for an emotional moment, at dawn on ANZAC Day to be joined by Australian guests who were most welcome".

Following the morning service at Cambridge Branch Member John Garfield went to St Neots cemetery in the afternoon and spent 15mins with Sgt Ronald Rankin, 37th Batt AIF. He suffered gunshot wounds to his legs on the 25th August 1918, eventually being sent to Blighty for treatment he was recovering from his wounds and released from the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, Southampton on the 11th October to convalesce with family in St Neots, where he arrived with a slight cough which quickly developed into a serious case of influenza and eventually pneumonia of which he died on the 21st October 1918. He was buried with full military honours at St Neots.

On ANZAC Day in Peterborough Broadway Cemetery saw a good turnout to pay tribute to the men and women from Australia and New Zealand who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. The event was held at the graveside of Sgt Thomas Hunter – known as the Lonely ANZAC – who died in 1916 in a hospital in Peterborough.

That hospital is now Peterborough Museum. The afternoon event was held in glorious spring sunshine; the Cemetery was quiet enough that birdsong was audible. On behalf of our Branch Matt Colley laid a wreath. He was accompanied in the laying of wreaths by Flight Lieutenant Liam Bone of the Australian Defence Force, the Deputy Mayor of Peterborough Councillor Peter Hillier and the Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Brigadier Tim Seal.

Thomas Hunter is also commemorated in Peterborough Cathedral.