Somme Soldier Laid To Rest After 101-Year Wait

A soldier who was killed in the Battle of the Somme 101 years ago has finally been laid to rest today.

The burial, with full military honours, took place at the Warlencourt British Cemetery, near Arras, France. 

Private Henry Parker, from Weaverthorpe in North Yorkshire, enlisted into 5th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment during the First World War. 

He was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 26 September 1916, just three days short of his 23rd birthday.

The service was conducted by The Reverend Jonathan Wylie CF, Chaplain to the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Pat Burton, great-niece of Henry Parker said:

“It is a great honour for us to be here today to pay our respects to a Great Uncle, Private Henry Parker. We are also here to represent Hazel Ranaldi, nee Croft, the daughter of Rosina Parker who was Henry's sister."

In 2014, the remains of Private Parker were discovered in a farmer’s field situated on the outskirts of Matinpuich, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

The military insignia recovered with the remains was key to the eventual identification of this soldier.

A new headstone bearing Private Parker’s name has been provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), who will now care for his final resting place in perpetuity.