Durham Soldier Laid to Rest on the Somme 109 Years After his Death in the Great War

Photo: Crown Copyright

Serjeant Richard Rounsley of 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry was laid to rest yesterday (17 September 2025) with two unknown comrades in France, nearly 109 years after his death in the First World War.

The burial service, organised by the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Warlencourt British Cemetery on the Somme. The service was supported by serving soldiers from 5th Battalion The Rifles and attended by members of the Rounsley family, including his granddaughter, Jacqueline Fraser. 
 
The remains of Sjt Rounsley were found with the two unknown soldiers in March 2021, during the installation of a wind turbine near Le Sars. Sjt Rounsley and one of the other men were wearing insigina of The Durham Light Infantry. They were found lying on top of each other in what appeared to have been a shell hole.

After extensive research by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre’s Commemorations Team, Sjt Rounsley was identified when his great nephew took a DNA test. The War Detectives will continue working to confirm the suspected identity of the second Durham Light Infantry soldier. 

Photo: Crown Copyright

Jacqueline Fraser said:
"I am one of Richard's five remaining grandchildren and none of us ever thought our grandfather's remains would be found 109 years after he fell on the Somme. The diligent work of the 'War Detectives' has brought Richard back into the fold with his grandchildren and other family members. We are truly grateful for this opportunity to express our appreciation for the care and honour shown." 
 
JCCC Caseworker Rosie Barron said: 
 "It has been a privilege to work with The Rifles to organise this burial service and share this journey with his family. Sergeant Rounsley was a family man whose death significantly impacted subsequent generations of his family. The discovery has brought his long dispersed family back together." 

Serjeant Rounsley, a miner, and father of four from Tanfield, County Durham, enlisted on 12 September 1914. He was killed on 5 October 1916 during shelling near Le Sars, aged 30. 
 
The grave will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC. 

Photo: Crown Copyright

The service was conducted by the Reverend John Storey CF, Chaplain to 5th Battalion The Rifles.
Reverend Storey said:
“It is both an honour and a privilege to participate in the burial of these men. As we lay to rest Sjt Rounsley and his two unknown comrades, we remember the sacrifice that so many men of their generation made, and the sacrifice that their families made too, often never knowing where their loved ones lay. Today we honour our commitment never to forget any of those who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country: we will remember them.” 
 
Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, Dr. Daniel Seaton, said:
"These casualties were recovered by the Commission’s Recovery Unit at Le Sars, where very heavy fighting occurred during the First World War. Many of whom died in efforts to capture and hold this ground.
 
"It is always profound when we are able to commemorate a casualty by name. Serjeant Rounsley and two of his comrades, who sadly could not be identified, can now lay at rest in our cemetery at Warlencourt, and we will care for their graves in perpetuity."

Serjeant Richard Rounsley 

Photo: Serjeant Richard Rounsley

Serjeant Richard Rounsley was born in Tanfield, County Durham, on 16 February 1886. He was one of eleven children born to Eli Rounsley and his wife Isabella. At the age of 15 Richard was already working in the mines and is recorded as having been a miner on his enlistment into the Army on 12 September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. 
 
On 29 August 1908, Richard married Ann Smith in Lanchester, County Durham. The couple had 4 children, William born on 22 March 1906, Eliza Joan born on 28 March 1909, Lily born on 8 August 1911 and Rhoda born on 22 February 1913.  
 
Having enlisted at the outbreak of war, the then Private Rounsley was posted to 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry which had been formed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

He arrived on the Western Front on 26 August 1915 with the battalion and quickly rose through the ranks being promoted to lance corporal on 19 December 1915, corporal on 14 January 1916 and serjeant on 27 June 1916. 

12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry took part in the fighting in the early days of the Battle of the Somme and on 8 July 1916 Serjeant Rounsley is recorded as having been wounded with shell shock.

At 12:00 hours on 3 October 1916, 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry moved into Crescent Alley southeast of Le Sars to relieve 5th Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers. B Company was deployed to Blaydon Trench which was heavily shelled. The entrance to Crescent Alley and the Battalion HQ were also shelled. There was shelling again on 4 October.

On 5 October 1916 the battalion remained in Crescent Trench and the shelling continued. The War Diaries of 23rd Division record that there was heavy rain all day and the ground was ‘practically impossible for military operations’. The bad weather and the deep mud made all movement difficult. The rain was continuous between 2 and 6 October and ‘the enemy’s artillery fire daily increased in violence and accuracy.’

It was during the shelling on 5 October 1916 that Serjeant Rounsley and two other soldiers of 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, Private Robert Walton and Private James Richardson, appear to have been killed.