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The Herald Scotland
10-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Grave of First World War soldier identified as Aberdeen-born private
The grave was identified after extensive research by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). A rededication service was held today at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Dadizeele New British Cemetry to honour the fallen soldier. Private John Lamond (Image: Handout) The grave of a missing soldier from the First World War has been identified more than 100 years after he fell in battle near Ypres, Belgium. Private John Lamond's previously unmarked grave has finally been identified and marked following extensive research by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the 'MOD War Detectives'. A rededication service was held today (10 July) at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Dadizeele New British Cemetery in Belgium to honour the Aberdeen-born soldier. The soldier was stationed in Belgium, near Gheluwe on the Ypres-Menin Road alongside the rest of the 1st/8th battalion Scottish Rifles. It was during the advance towards Menin that Private Lamond disappeared around October 14 or 15 1918. On October 23, 1919, an unknown British solder from the battalion was recovered from a marked but seemingly solitary grave just off the main Gheluwe-Menin road. Read More The grave marker bore the date October 15, 1918 but the body could not be identified at the time and was reburied in an unnamed grave. But now new research has discovered it is the Aberdeen soldier. JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said: "I am grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the graves of Private Lamond. In rededicating his grave, we have reunited his mortal remains with his name, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten." Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at CWGC, said: "It was remarkable to review this case, which came in from two members of the public, and to uncover supporting evidence which led to the identification of Pte Lamond. 'It has been very moving to identify another casualty of the Great War, and to know that his grave is now commemorated by name."
BBC News
07-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Northamptonshire WW2 soldiers' graves identified in Normandy
The graves of two soldiers who died during the Battle of Normandy have been formally identified 80 years Ministry of Defence (MoD) officially identified the graves of Trooper Francis Dominic Kelly and Trooper Victor Terrence Little of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry at a service in France on 26 three had previously been listed on the Bayeux Memorial to the missing, with no known Little, the nephew of Trooper Little, said: "There had always been a sadness that Victor's remains had never been found. We'll always be grateful for the work in enabling us to attend the rededication service of dear Victor on behalf of his parents and siblings." The identifications followed collaborative research by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the MoD War Detectives, alongside the National Army Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).Private John Aneurin Protheroe of 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment was also formally recognised at the same caseworker Rosie Barron described the event as "a strong reminder that the fighting in Normandy did not end on D-Day, but was hard won by the Allies". 'An honour' New headstones bearing the soldiers' names now stand in place of previously unmarked Read, commemorations case officer at the CWGC, said it was an honour and a privilege to have been involved in the research that led to the identification of the troops. He added: "This now allows the Commission to care for their named graves in perpetuity." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Grave of Dumbarton WWII soldier rededicated in France
Private William Falconer, born in 1911, served with both the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was recalled to the army at the outbreak of the Second World War and was attached to No. 13 Docks Labour Company. Pte Falconer died on June 14, 1940, aged 28, while serving with the 4th Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. Read more: Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours Global superstar spotted in Glasgow ahead tonight's gig The exact details of his death are unclear, but he is thought to have died of severe burns after a road traffic accident. He left behind a widow and a young daughter. Pte Falconer is one of four British servicemen who died during World War Two in France who have now been rededicated, more than 85 years after their deaths, after their graves were identified. The services for Private Falconer, Gunner Joseph Humphries, Signalman Edmund Roberts, and Major Richard White-Cooper were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery near Le Mans in France. The graves were identified after John Hawthorn, the husband of Signalman Roberts' granddaughter, submitted a case to the CWGC hoping to identify his final resting place. This led to extensive research and all four graves were identified. Mr Hawthorn said: "Words are not adequate to express the emotions I had when I got the email from Rosie Barron, telling me that the JCCC were happy to confirm they recognise Sig Edmund Roberts is buried in the CWGC cemetery at Le Grand Luce, France. "We are eternally grateful to the tireless work of CWGC and the JCCC, especially Rosie for all she has done.' The services were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the 'War Detectives'. The CWGC has replaced the headstones over the graves and will care for them in perpetuity. Polly Brewster, commemorations case officer at the CWGC, said: "It has been an honour to have been a part of the identification process for these four men, and to have helped their families in their choices for their Commission headstones. "We owe particular gratitude to the family of Signalman Roberts because without his dedicated research, this would not have been possible. "It also feels all the more poignant knowing that this rededication ceremony means all casualties at Le Grand-Lucé have now been identified, so can be commemorated by name at their final resting place."
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Missing World War One soldier's grave identified
The grave of a missing World War One soldier has been identified in Belgium. Capt Ernest Cecil Blencowe of the Dorsetshire Regiment died in February 1916 trying to get control of The Bluff, an area of raised ground near the Ypres-Comines canal which was fought over extensively during the war. His body was not recovered, but remains originally found in June 1921 and reburied at Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, have now been identified as those of Capt Blencowe. A rededication service, where the unmarked grave was marked, was held on Wednesday, and was attended by two of Capt Blencowe's great grandchildren. Capt Blencowe joined the army at the outbreak of war. He was attached to 6th battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment and arrived in France in July 1915. After he died, he was listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. In June 1921, the remains of an unknown British officer bearing buttons and badges of the Dorsetshire Regiment were found, but further identification proved impossible. Now, research has revealed the un-named officer to be Capt Blencowe. The rededication service, organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was led by Padre John Storey. Capt Blencowe's headstone was replaced, and will be cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Sean Phillips from the CWGC said it was "a tremendous privilege". "For evermore, visitors to Bedford House Cemetery will be able to pay their respects to Captain Blencowe at his final place of rest," he said. JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: "In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Ministry of Defence Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BBC News
01-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bodies of British WW1 soldiers finally identified in Belgium
British soldiers who died in World War One and were buried in unnamed graves have finally been remains of L/Cpl James Ball Baron, 29, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman, 19, and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr, 28, were found after the war and buried as unknown soldiers in graves were identified after researchers submitted cases to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission hoping to have identified their final resting places. Military officials later confirmed their 26 March, services were held for L/Cpl Bell, from Mevagissey, Cornwall, L/Cpl Chapman, from Hull, East Yorkshire, and 2nd Lt Barr, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Tim Buescher, the great great nephew of L/Cpl Chapman, who joined serving soldiers at the service, said: "We are amazed that after all this time, Sam is found. "This generation of our family, like many others, was hit hard by the Great War and as a result, these people were lost to us before we could know them."The services, at Tyne Cot Cemetery and Zantvoorde British Cemetery, both in Belgium, were organised by the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives. Mr Buescher added: "The care and dedication to duty of the JCCC and CWGC has made us feel cared for. "The detail of research, constant communication, and consultation on our family's wishes has helped to create a sense of closeness to Sam and by extension, his siblings John and Rachael. Sam's brother John died only six weeks before him. "Being able to commemorate their life and their sacrifice, whilst mourning their loss, feels like they are being brought home somehow."According to JCCC, records, including war diaries from the soldiers' units, were used to identify the remains. 'Bravest and coolest' LCpl Baron enlisted into The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry after the outbreak of war in was awarded the Military Medal on 14 November 1916 for his bravery on the Somme, when he single-handedly held a position after all his comrades had been put out of action. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre on 1 May 1917.L/Cpl Baron was killed around 24 August 1917 during an attack on Inverness Copse. His commanding officer described him as "a man of great spirit and example, and undoubtedly one of the bravest and coolest men of the company". L/Cpl Chapman enlisted into The East Yorkshire Regiment in March 1915. In mid December 1917, his battalion took over part of the line near Passchendaele. While there, L/Cpl Chapman was wounded and evacuated to an aid post at Tyne to JCCC, the post was located in a pillbox, now the location of the Cross of Sacrifice, in the cemetery. Casualties who did not survive were buried near the pillbox.L/Cpl Chapman was one such casualty and appears to have died there or while travelling to the aid post on 14 December. 'Daring' mission On 5 September 1914, 2nd Lt Barr enlisted into The Scottish Horse. He was later commissioned into 6th Battalion The Rifle Brigade, before being posted to 35th Battalion Machine Gun to records, on 30 September 1918, 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps supported an attack on Werwik.A fellow officer said: "2nd Lt Barr went out on a daring reconnaissance during an attack, and his men state that his bravery and daring astounded everyone, and there is no doubt his action was the means of saving many lives and of helping to restore the situation at a critical period." JCCC caseworker Rosie Barron added: "It has been an honour to have been involved in the organisation of these rededication services and to have joined the family of L/Cpl Chapman, their military family and the local community in Ypres in remembering these three men. "The memory of each of these men has now been passed through generations of their families and they are all still fondly and proudly remembered."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
