To commemorate two students of the Newton Rigg College founded in 1896, who lost their lives in the Second World War, former students, lecturers, members of the Newton Rigg Society which upholds the memory of this important agricultural college, and representatives of the Leo Group and A.W. Jenkinson, joint co-owners of what is now Newton Rigg Estate, will come together on 11 November for a special Remembrance Ceremony.
Newton Rigg Society Life Vice President John Rigg, a previous student and later teacher at Newton Rigg College and a veteran himself, identified the two former students and instigated this ceremony to remember the lives of Lance Bombardier Jack Davidson, who did not return from Dunkirk in 1940, and Flight Sergeant John Clark, who was reported missing in action during an air raid on Germany in May 1943.
John Rigg commented: "Unfortunately we have not been able to trace any more names so far, but it is almost inevitable that there will be others. It is also very likely that the two students were from Cumberland, and unfortunately we have not yet received any information about Westmorland service personnel. It is hoped that by releasing all this information others will be identified."
The ceremony will take place at 12.30pm in the Newton Rigg Society Memorial Garden in Newton Rigg Estate. The Reverent David Sargent, Minister of St Andrew's Church Penrith, will hold a service of remembrance, followed by the sounding of the Last Post and a two-minute silence.
The Leo Group will be represented by Sonia Dean, sister of Danny Sawrij, owner of the Leo Group, whose parents came to England from the Ukraine after the Second World War. Sonia Dean will lay a wreath on behalf of the Leo Group and another wreath in the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow to commemorate those killed in the current war in Ukraine.
Sonia Dean said: "We are humbled to have been asked to take part in this commemoration to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and to acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought so hard for."
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