Five First World War Soldiers Buried in Belgium

The bearer party fold the flag on top of Pte Harry Birch’s coffin (Crown Copyright).

Private (Pte) Harry James Birch, a 29-year-old from Sefton, Merseyside has now been buried with full military honours alongside four unknown soldiers of the First World War. 

Pte Birch, who served with the 16th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment, died on 22 October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. His remains, along with those of four unknown soldiers, were recovered during roadworks in the Poelcapelle-Hulsthoutseweg area of Belgium in 2018. Pte Birch was formally identified using DNA provided by his great-nephew, but the first clue to his identity was a leather belt found with him which bore traces of his regimental number and part of his name.

The service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was held at the CWGC Poelcapelle British Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium on 21 May 2025.

Alexia Clark, MOD War Detective said:
“It has been a privilege to organise this burial service for Pte Birch. When you consider the half-a-million men still missing from the First and Second World Wars, every one we can identify feels like an achievement. I am delighted that Pte Birch’s military family have now been able to give him the dignified burial he had been denied for so long.”

Sadly, despite extensive research, it has not been possible to identify the four men found alongside Pte Birch. In total 2,068 men lost their lives in Belgium between 22 and 24 October 1917 and more than 1,000 of those remain missing.

Reverend Gary Birch, Senior Chaplain, Head Quarters South West, said:
“It is always a sobering privilege to officiate at any service person’s funeral, but even more so to give a WW1 soldier the proper dignity and respect they deserve. Although we’re not related, the fact that I share two names with Private Harry James Birch brings an even greater poignancy to the service for me, and a reminder that any of us who serve in the armed forces may one day be asked to offer the greatest sacrifice in service to others.

“Although the other men buried next to Pte Birch today remain unnamed, it is important and right that each one is given the same respect and honour. Each one who fell whilst serving their country is worthy of full respect and it is my great honour to lead these moments of reflection and reverence.” 

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

Dr Daniel Seaton, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:
"We are deeply honoured to have these four unknown soldiers and Private Birch of the Cheshire Regiment laid to rest at Poelcapelle British Cemetery, after they tragically lost their lives more than a century ago. Their graves will be cared for by us, in perpetuity. We would also like to thank our Belgium Area Operations Team and Recovery Unit for their part in preparing the cemetery – with this ceremony speaking to the Commission’s work of ensuring that those who gave their lives in the world wars continue to be remembered."

The military party from 1 Mercians (Crown Copyright).

Private Harry James Birch

Harry James Birch was born in the Liverpool area in 1889 and was one of ten children of Alfred and Anna Birch. He was baptised at St. John’s Church in Waterloo, Sefton on the 25 March 1888, and grew up in that same area. In 1911 he was working as a porter at the railway station. In 1915 he married Helen Josephine Norris, and in February 1916, at the age of 28, he joined the Army.

He was originally posted to the Army Reserve, before joining the training depot of The King’s Liverpool Regiment in December 1916. He was then transferred to the 16th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, arriving in France the following March.

When Harry joined them, the 16th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment were in the front line near Maissemy in the Somme area. They stayed on the Somme until mid-October when they moved up to an area south of Houthulst Forest in Belgium to take part in the Third Battle of Ypres.

On 21 October 1917 the battalion moved into position for an attack the following day. At dawn on the 22 October they attacked, finding the going extremely hard over the shell-damaged and sodden ground. Whilst they initially made some ground, the conditions and counter-attacks later in the day meant by nightfall they had withdrawn back to their original line.

Harry was one of 120 men of the 16th Battalion The Cheshire Regiment who died on the 22 October 1917. Almost all of the 120 were lost, with 110 being listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing following the war.