News

Soldiers Killed In WWI Laid To Rest Over 100 Years Later

The remains of two unknown British soldiers have finally been laid to rest, over 100 years after their deaths.

Both men had a ceremonial burial with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Orchard Dump Cemetery in France.

Louise Dorr, Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) said:

"It is always a source of great personal sadness when we have to accept that we have been unable to identify a soldier who made the greatest sacrifice and paid the ultimate price.

“We might not know who they are, but they were loved by somebody.

"It is fitting that members of their military family from the Royal Anglian Regiment and The Rifles are here today to pay tribute and to see them laid to rest with honour and dignity."

The two soldiers were both found at Gavrelle near Arras.

The first was found in July 2016 and the second in September 2016.

In the latter's uniform pocket was a Bedfordshire Regiment cap badge.

It is thought that he died in the Battle of Gavrelle in April 1917, but there are still too many Bedfordshire soldiers missing from that time for an identification to be made.

Brigadier Rob Thomson, Defence Attaché, Paris said:

"It is a privilege as both a serving Rifleman and UK Defence Attaché to France to participate in this solemn ceremony.

"We rebury with full honours these courageous men who paid the ultimate price whilst serving their country alongside their comrades in arms to protect the liberty of Europe 100 years ago."

Headstones for the unknown soldiers have been provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who will now care for their final resting place in perpetuity.