Bedfordshire Regiment soldiers laid to rest on the Western Front

Image: The coffin of Private McIntosh is carried to the graveside as his family looks on (Crown Copyright)

Private George McIntosh, of 8th Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment was laid to rest in France on 20 October 2026 alongside one of his comrades at a burial service organised by MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). The service took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Loos British Cemetery Extension.

Pte McIntosh and the unknown soldier were some of around 100 sets of British and Canadian remains recovered during the construction of a hospital on the outskirts of Lens. They are the final British casualties to be laid to rest. DNA testing, coordinated by JCCC, confirmed the identity of Pte McIntosh. Work continues in an attempt to identify the unknown Bedfordshire Regiment soldier.

Image: The coffin is lowered onto the grave

Ten members of Pte McIntosh’s family attended the burial service, including his great-nephew, Jeff MacIntosh, who had travelled from the USA to be in attendance. It was Jeff who had provided the DNA sample that made identification of Pte McIntosh possible.

Jeff MacIntosh, great nephew of Pte McIntosh, said: "The work that JCCC and CWGC do is simply remarkable. While we knew that we had a great uncle George McIntosh we knew very little about the details of his life and death in WW1. The work of JCCC in connecting George to us via DNA has allowed us to explore his life, what his loss meant to his mother and family, as well as gain a better understanding of the horrors of WW1. Our family sincerely thanks JCCC for the work that you all do. His story has now been shared with our entire clan, and we are honoured to be in attendance at the ceremony.”

JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron said: "It has been an honour to have met Pte McIntosh’s family today and to have seen him laid to rest alongside his comrade. His family has travelled a long way to be here, and this shows the depth of what these men still mean to their families even 110 years on. Their sacrifice and commitment to the cause of obtaining freedom and peace must never be forgotten."

Image: The Rev Fiona Beale CF conducts the burial service

The service was supported by serving soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh and was attended by staff of The Royal Anglian Regiment Headquarters. The service was conducted by the Reverend Fiona Beale CF, Chaplain to 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Reverend Fiona Beale CF said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be chosen to conduct the burial of Pte George McIntosh and this unknown soldier—known only to God—both of The Bedfordshire Regiment. The mere anticipation of standing before these World War One heros' final resting places brought an overwhelming wave of profound gratitude and solemn reverence.”

The graves of both men will now be cared for by the CWGC in perpetuity.

David Royle, CWGC Recoveries and Ceremonies Manager said: “Nearly 110 years after they fell in action, and less than a mile from where they were recovered, it is a privilege to lay these two Bedfordshire Regiment soldiers to rest with the care and dignity they deserve. We are proud to have worked alongside the JCCC to restore Private George McIntosh’s name, and although the identity of the second soldier remains known only unto God, he is no longer lost or forgotten. Both men now rest among their comrades ensuring future generations can pay their respects and remember their stories in perpetuity.”

Private George McIntosh

Private George McIntosh was born in 1883 in Ilford, Essex. He was the youngest of ten children born to Scottish parents Oliver MacIntosh and his wife Betsy. He grew up in Barnet in Hertfordshire. Before enlisting into the Army, he worked as a gardener and a florist. Having enlisted, Private McIntosh was posted to 8th Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment.

The Battle of Arras commenced on 9 April 1917. Following the successful capture of the high ground at Vimy Ridge by Canadian forces, the Douai Plain was open to the Allies.

On the morning of 18 April 1917, 8th Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment was located south of Loos-en-Gohelle. The battalion sent out patrols and took up positions in trenches around Netley Alley and Novel Alley.

At 06:30 hours on 19 April the enemy shelled the area. 8th Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment reported that they had reached the junction of Novel Alley and Netley Alley. After 3 attempts their right company had not been able to take the strong point south of the railway. At 12:25 hours they were positioned along Nero Trench with a strong point protecting their flank and along Netley Alley. The battalion was relieved that night.

It was during this fighting on 19 April 1917 that Pte McIntosh was killed. He was 34 years old. It is highly likely that the unknown Bedfordshire Regiment soldier was also killed during this period. As they were missing, both men would have been commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

All images Crown Copyright unless otherwise stated.