Horningsham Churchyard
Photograph and text by Tim Hill
PELEGRIN Jacques 2e Jagers te Voet 30/11/1914
DEATH OF A BELGIAN SOLDIER
Military Funeral at Horningsham
The death took place at the temporary hospital at Longleat, on Monday, of Jacques Pelegrin, a private soldier in the Belgian Army. The deceased, who was only twenty-four years of age, was, about a month ago, taken to Longleat with thirty other soldiers who were wounded. He had contracted an illness which was probably brought on by exposure while bravely resisting the invaders of his native country and from which he did not recover.
A sad feature was that the dying soldier’s wife could not be found. With thousands of other refugees she had fled from her home before the German advance, and in spite of enquiries and advertisements, which were freely inserted in papers circulating both in this country and on the Continent, she was not found until a few days ago. She arrived in Warminster from France on Sunday afternoon by train and was conveyed to Longleat only a few hours before her husband passes away.
The gallant Belgian soldier was buried with full military honours in the churchyard at Horningsham on Wednesday morning, and the ceremony was of a very impressive character.
The first part of the service, which was conducted by the Rev. Father Locargan, of Frome, and a Belgian priest, took place in the chapel at Longleat. The cortege then proceeded to the
churchyard, headed by the band of the 4th Wilts Regiment, under Bandmaster Carter, which played the Dead March in “Saul”.
The school children were lined up by their headmaster, Mr T. Welborn, on each side of the road at the church and reverently saluted as the coffin, which was covered by the Belgian flag, was borne into the churchyard.
At the conclusion of the service the firing party from the Wilts Regiment, under Major Clark, fired three volleys over the grave and this was followed by the sounding of the “Last Post” by the buglers, under Corporal Pullin.
In addition to the widow there were also present at the graveside Lord Bath, the Rev. A. S. Murray (Vicar of Horningsham), nurses from the hospital at Longleat, and a large number of Belgian refugees and villagers.
Some magnificent wreaths were laid upon the grave. One was tied with the Belgian colours, while a large bunch of white flowers was entwined with red, white, and blue ribbon.
There was a large cross sent by the Marquis of Bath, the Marchioness of Bath, Lady Kathleen Thynne, and Lady Emma Thynne, while another beautiful wreath was signed by Major-General Mackenzie-Kennedy, Indian Army, commanding the 26th Division.
Warminster & Westbury Journal 4th December 1914