Unknown soldier killed on the Somme buried more than 100 years after his death
More than a century after his death, a soldier of The Royal Field Artillery has been laid to rest on the Somme alongside his comrades.
The burial service, organised by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) – also known as the MOD War Detectives – was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, France, on Tuesday.
The soldier's remains were recovered north of the village of Ginchy during preliminary work on a wind turbine project.
A shoulder title of The Royal Field Artillery was found with the body, indicating he probably belonged to that regiment.
Created in 1899, The Royal Field Artillery was an arm of The Royal Regiment of Artillery and was disbanded shortly after the First World War in 1924.
Following the discovery of remains such as this – British service personnel from historic conflicts – the JCCC attempts to identify the person through research and DNA testing and will attempt to contact living relatives so they can be involved in the subsequent re-interment and memorial service.
Research by the JCCC to identify these remains showed he was most likely with 20th (Light) Divisional Artillery, which was located in Toc 7 Valley, the area where the remains were discovered, from 25 September until November 1916.
DNA testing was carried out by the descendants of the division's Gunners missing during this period.
As yet, no match has been found.
The unknown man remains one of more than 72,000 soldiers missing on the Somme who are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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.
JCCC case lead Rosie Barron said: "It has been a privilege to work with The Royal Regiment of Artillery, to organise this burial service and to see the care and attention that serving Gunners have shown this soldier.
"He may have died 107 years ago, but he is one of their own.
"We haven't yet been able to name this soldier, but it is important he has been given the respect of a full military burial.
"He now rests alongside his comrades."
Wartime conditions in the valley were bleak, with the Gunners continuously exposed to the elements and enemy artillery fire.
The guns were crowded together, with men living in slits in the ground with a sheet of corrugated iron over the top and water at the bottom.
Resupplying was difficult and ammunition had to be brought up to the line at night over an exposed ridge east of Delville Wood.
The remains were carried to their final resting place by serving soldiers of 14th Regiment Royal Artillery who are based at Lark Hill Garrison, in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Roger Grafton CF, Chaplain to 14th Regiment Royal Artillery.
The Reverend Grafton said: "As a military historian and a battlefield guide, I often take groups to visit CWGC cemeteries to talk about the vast numbers of casualties that occur as the result of modern war.
"But this is different. This is one soldier we are laying to rest today.
"One man. A man with family and friends. A man with loved ones who never knew where he lay.
"One man who once had work colleagues, comrades and brothers in arms."
He added: "It is an enormous honour and privilege to be asked to preside at this funeral for a member of the Gunner family, but it also a humbling experience to act as the officiating padre for this individual known only unto God."
The soldier was one of several casualties uncovered in the area which saw heavy fighting during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.
The other casualties, all belonging to different regiments, have already been buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, or at Guillemont Road Cemetery a short distance away.
The grave will now be cared for by the CWGC.
Mel Donnelly, head of commemorations casework at the CWGC, said: "Today, this soldier from The Royal Field Artillery, unknown but never forgotten, can be laid to rest alongside his comrades who fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
"Marking this brave man's sacrifice with a new headstone, we will care [for] his grave at Guards Cemetery in Lesboeufs in perpetuity."
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