WW1 soldier laid to rest after ID mystery solved by 'war detectives'
A First World War soldier has finally been laid to rest five years after his remains were discovered during construction works in France and DNA testing and fastidious work by a team of experts helped confirm his identity.
Private Joe Stevenson, 34, of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, has finally been buried, more than a century after his death, with full military honours alongside an unknown soldier from his regiment and another unknown British soldier.
DNA from the remains, discovered after construction work in 2018 in the village of Fampoux, France, and items found with the body, helped identify Pte Stevenson.
The burial ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre – a group of historical research experts known as the 'MOD War Detectives' – was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France, on 21 June.
Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) case lead Nicola Nash said: "We are thrilled to finally lay Pte Stevenson to rest.
"The Battle of Arras is best known for the action at Vimy Ridge but just a few miles down the line, during the British capture of the village of Fampoux, Pte Stevenson and these two unknown soldiers tragically lost their lives.
"Today, we honour their sacrifice and pay tribute to their memory."
She added that the team were disappointed to not be able to name all three men.
Pte Stevenson was reported missing on 10 April 1917, at the beginning of the fierce and deadly Battle of Arras but, with no remains recovered at the time of his death, he was simply commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
When remains were discovered during construction work in 2018, the team also found various regimental insignia of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and a partial ID tag bearing the name 'Stevens...'.
Thorough JCCC research and DNA testing identified one set of remains as Pte Stevenson.
Despite extensive additional testing, the other two men were not able to be identified so have been buried as unknown soldiers, one of them being linked to the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Members of 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment travelled from Cyprus to lay their comrades to rest.
"It was an honour to take part in this burial," said Kingsman Cumming, 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. "Seeing the huge numbers that died was very humbling.
"This will stand out as one of the highlights of my career."
The service was conducted by the Reverend Paul Van Sittert, 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. He said: "It has been a humbling experience for all of us that have been part of these burial services remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"For me, it has been an incredible privilege and honour to have played a part.
"So many have paid the ultimate price, named and unnamed, yet their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
"We will remember them."
The graves of Pte Stevenson and the two unknown soldiers will now be cared for in perpetuity by the CWGC.
Founded by Royal Charter in 1917, the CWGC works on behalf of the governments of the UK, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa to commemorate the 1.7 million men and women from the Commonwealth who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Mel Donnelly, head of commemorations casework at the CWGC, said: "It is our privilege to be part of this journey in identifying Pte Stevenson, to learn more about his story and the sacrifice he made during the First World War.
"Although it has not been possible to identify two of his comrades, we will care for their graves with the dedication and respect they deserve, at Brown's Copse Cemetery."
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