WWI Soldiers Rededicated 100 Years After Their Deaths

Cover Image: New headstone for Lieutenant Charles Stonehouse with Regimental Wreath from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (Pictures: Crown Copyright)

The graves of two soldiers killed in the First World War have been rededicated more than a century after their deaths.

Lieutenant Charles Stonehouse and Private Frederick William Birks have now had their final resting places identified in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Serre Road No. 3 Cemetery, on the Somme.

Both were resting in unidentified graves but researchers were able to use technology to find the names of the two soldiers. The service was attended by their families. 

Lt Stonehouse was a member of the 11th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals. 

On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he led W Company into the battalion’s attack on Serre, but was killed during the attack at the age of 34.

With no known grave Lieutenant Stonehouse was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in the Somme region of France.  

A statement on behalf of the family members attending said:

"Twelve members of the Rowntree and Hoyle families, descendants of Charles Stonehouse’s brother, Harry, and sister, Nellie, were very pleased to be able to attend the rededication service and felt a great sense of humility and pride in the sacrifice made by our great uncle."

Pte Birks was killed on 2 July 1917 whilst serving with 17th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) near Ypres. He was 36 when he died.

Pte Birks was buried in a small battlefield cemetery until after the great war when he was moved to Perth Cemetery (China Wall).

However, the wooden cross marking his grave had been damaged and his name was lost.

New research found that this grave of an unknown soldier was, in fact, that of Private Birks and his name has now been added to his headstone.

He was previously commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The final resting places of the two soldiers were discovered after researchers submitted evidence regarding their whereabouts. 

Further research was undertaken by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) and the National Army Museum - evidence was submitted and the identification of the unknown soldier graves was identified.

Mel Donnelly, from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) said:

"Commemorated on memorials to the missing for almost a century, it is now known that Lieutenant Stonehouse had been buried in Serre Road No 3 Cemetery and Private Birks in Perth Cemetery (China Wall).

"Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many, they have now been identified and today the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are honoured to be able to mark their graves with headstones bearing their names."

Two new headstones bearing the names of Lieutenant Stonehouse and Private Birks have been provided by the CWGC, who will now care for their final resting places.