Richard Hildreth

Aug 1, 2017History0 comments

A century after his untimely death, Helen Cooke, Richard's great niece, tells the story of the family's memorial to Richard

Richard Hildreth (my great uncle) was born in 1898, one of 11 children, and lived in Church Street when he volunteered and enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment in March 1917.

As the family moved to Diamond Farm on Low Street (sadly demolished in the late ‘70s as it had become derelict and unsafe), Richard was transferred to the Middlesex Regiment and posted to France on 10th July 1917.

He was killed just 22 days later at the age of 19 on 1st August on the France Belgium border. In his memory, his parents (my great grandparents) planted the beech tree on Low Street that has grown strong for over a hundred years. It is legally protected; long may it live in memory of Richard.

Chris and Alison Cooke (Richard’s great nephew and niece) visited his grave at Godewaersverde on the France Belgium border in 2005, and were delighted to find another copper beech tree in the cemetery.

Helen Cooke

Gallery

And more images…

The Nunnington Copper Beech

Now over 100 years old, this magnificent tree was planted in memory of Richard

Chris and Alison Cooke at Godewaersverde

Chris and Alison at Godewaersverde in 2005, delighted to find a similar copper beech tree at the cemetary

Godewaersverde Military Cemetery

The resting place of Richard and many, many others who lost their lives in the Great War

Ricard Hildreth's headstone

Leaves

The leaves of the Low Street beech, just turning at the time the photo was taken.

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