HRH Duke of Gloucester visits Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech

A member of the royal family paid a visit to one of the town's historic buildings.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech on Thursday to mark Octavia’s legacy from 1889 when she established the first Independent Army Cadet Unit.

Born in Wisbech in 1838, Octavia’s pioneering work in Southwark, London with youngsters in 1889 led the way to the modern-day Army Cadet Force.

She was a well-known social reformer, one of the three founders of the National Trust, and a campaigner for open spaces but is largely unknown for her work with the Army Cadets.

The Cambridgeshire Army Cadets Corps of Drums played as the Duke inspected a Guard of Honour made up of the local Wisbech Army Cadet Force Detachment.

Trustees, volunteers, and guests had the opportunity to meet the Duke.

The Duke was given a presentation by retired Col Mark Knight MBE DL on the history of the birthplace house before touring the National Army Cadet Force Museum, opened in 2023 by WO2 Johnston Beharry VC COG, along with a tour of other rooms in the House.

Children from nearby Cambian Wisbech School had the opportunity to watch and meet the Duke on Centenary Green.

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