11 March 2022
CWGC hosts rededication services for three WW1 soldiers in France
On Thursday 10 Match, the graves of Corporal Frederick Herbert Skinner, Second Lieutenant Sam Hughes and Company Serjeant Major David Jones DCM were rededicated at CWGC sites in Northern France.
Five Veterans of The Royal Welsh Association lay wreaths at the graves of 2Lt Hughes and CSM Jones.
Each man, who had been buried in CWGC sites since their deaths in World War One, was identified after researchers submitted evidence linking their names to graves of casualties ‘Known unto God’.
The rededication services, organised by the MOD Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, were held at CWGC’s Nieppe-Bois (Rue-Du-Bois) British Cemetery and Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery in Northern France.
Both services were attended by serving soldiers of The Yorkshire Regiment and The Royal Welsh as well as veterans of The Royal Welsh Association and were conducted by the Reverend Ben Norton CF, Chaplain to 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.
Corporal Frederick Herbert Skinner
Kevin Knights, the great nephew of Cpl Skinner, stands at the graveside with the Reverend Ben Norton CF.
The final resting place of Corporal Frederick Herbert Skinner at Nieppe-Bois (Rue-Du-Bois) British Cemetery came to light after a researcher submitted evidence to CWGC suggesting that the man buried in the grave was likely to be him.
After further research by CWGC, the National Army Museum and MOD JCCC, it was confirmed by MOD JCCC following completion of their adjudication process that this was indeed his final resting place.
Corporal Skinner was killed on 25 June 1918 aged 26 whilst his unit were in positions around Nieppe Bois, south east of Hazebrouck in France. He was buried in Nieppe Bois (Rue-du-Bois) British Cemetery, but the marker over his grave was damaged and the identity of the soldier in the grave could not be determined. As he had no known grave, Cpl Skinner was commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Corporal Skinner’s great nephew, Kevin Knights, originally from Ipswich and who travelled from his home in Bermuda to attend the rededication service, said:
“We would like to say a huge thank you to the CWGC, MOD War Detectives, and all of those who helped to identify Frederick’s final resting place. Also, to all those who arranged and participated in the rededication to make this such a special day.
“He had no known grave for over 100 years, so it was an incredible experience when we discovered that he had been found. It was an immense privilege to join with others to pay respect, give thanks for his sacrifice and witness the farewell he so richly deserved. His grave can now be visited by members of our family to ensure he is never forgotten.”
The rededication service for Cpl Skinner was attended by soldiers of The Yorkshire Regiment and The Royal Welsh.
Rosie Barron from MOD JCCC and who led on the case adjudication, said:
“It is always a privilege to organise rededication services for previously missing soldiers and to see how much it still means to their family that their relative has been found. Although now more than 100 years after their deaths, it is important that men like Cpl Skinner are remembered, and their sacrifices are not forgotten.”
Liz Woodfield, CWGC Director of External Relations said:
“The Commission is honoured to be able to support the rededication of Corporal Frederick Herbert Skinner’s grave in Nieppe-Bois (Rue-Du-Bois) British Cemetery, now marked with a headstone bearing his name. His family chose to reflect the sacrifice of this young man for his nation with the patriotic music of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. This ceremony is an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to care for his grave and those of his comrades, in perpetuity.”
Second Lieutenant Sam Hughes and Company Serjeant Major David Jones DCM
Left: Second Lieutenant Sam Hughes, right: Company Serjeant Major David Jones DCM.
The final resting place of Second Lieutenant Sam Hughes at Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery was identified after evidence collated by researcher Steve John was submitted to the CWGC. Further research by the National Army Museum and MOD’s JCCC led to the location of Hughes’s grave being confirmed.
Whilst investigating the case, Rosie Barron a caseworker within MOD JCCC, confirmed the adjacent grave must belong to Company Serjeant Major Jones.
Rosie Barron, JCCC said:
“It has been a privilege to organise this rededication service for 2Lt Hughes and CSM Jones. These men died on the same day and are likely to have known each other well. It seems fitting that we now know they lie next to each other in Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery and that we have been able to honour their memories today in the presence of their regimental family.”
Second Lieutenant Hughes and Company Serjeant Major Jones were killed during trench raids in the La Boutillerie Subsector, south of Armentières in France, on 6 November 1917. As they were amongst the missing, both men were commemorated on the Ploegsteert WW1 Memorial. In fact, they had been found and buried by the Germans in Beaucamps Communal Cemetery German Extension. After the war, their remains were moved to adjoining graves at CWGC’s Pont-du-Hem Military, but without their names being known the graves remained unidentified, until the first connection was made by the researcher.
Trumpeter Sgt Andrew Jones looks on as the Reverend Ben Norton CF conducts the rededication service.
Xavier Puppinck, CWGC Area Director for France said:
“We are grateful to the dedicated researcher who submitted the case for the identification of Second Lieutenant Hughes. We were delighted when the MOD JCCC was able to expand their investigation to the adjoining grave, which has now been established as that of Company Serjeant Major Jones. Commemorated on a Memorial to the Missing for almost 100 years, their graves can now be marked by CWGC headstones bearing their names.”