Four First World War soldiers from Grimsby buried in France

The coffin of Pte Fraser is borne to the graveside by a bearer party from 1 Royal Anglian. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

Four Grimsby men of the Lincolnshire Regiment who served together, have finally been commemorated more than 100 years after their death.

The service organised by MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) took place on 21 October 2025 in CWGC Loos British Cemetery Extension, France with family members in attendance.

The four were found in the summer of 2020, during preparatory works for the foundations of a new hospital near Lens in northern France. The men were wearing shoulder titles indicating their affiliation to the Lincolnshire Regiment, and carrying small box respirators – a piece of kit not issued until August 1916. One man had a pair of boots stamped 1917 on the sole. From the way the men were lying it was impossible to tell whether they had been intentionally buried, or whether they had died where they fell and were covered over by soil being displaced by subsequent explosions.  

Following extensive research, it was able to ascertain that these were men of the Lincolnshire Regiment who must have died in 1917 or after. Looking at histories of the war, and of the Lincolnshire Regiment enabled the likely window of death to be narrowed to a short period of time in early May 1917. Casualty lists for this period, and particularly of those still missing offered just four names – Privates Cook, Cullum, Fraser and London.  

Padre Joe Roberts and Lt Henry Astill at the service. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

Tracing and contacting descendants of each of these men allowed the collection of comparative DNA samples, each of which proved a positive match. The four were finally laid to rest in the burial service with full military honours, their final resting places marked with newly-inscribed Commission headstones to be cared for in perpetuity.

Alexia Clark, MOD (JCCC) said:
“It has been a privilege to research this case, to be successful in identifying these four men and to organise their burial service today. 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 the four men have now been laid to rest alongside their comrades in a dignified burial which they had been denied for so long. I am extremely grateful to 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment who have provided the bearer party and firing party for the funeral, and to the families of the men who travelled to be here today.”

The graves will now be cared for by CWGC.

David Royle, Commemorations Casework Manager at the CWGC, said:
“Following the recovery of these casualties by our specialist team in 2020, it was a privilege to investigate the identification of Privates Fraser, London, Cullum and Cook alongside all of those recovered from the site where the Lens Hospital now stands. It was an honour to be a small part of their story, especially since the names of these four casualties are now known and we can provide a peaceful resting place where future generations can visit. We will continue to care for the graves of these four brave men in perpetuity."

 The military party at the graveside. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

Private Arthur Cook 1896 – 5 May 1917  

Arthur Cook was the eldest of six siblings born to Arthur and Rose Cook of Castle Street, Grimsby. Arthur senior worked as a steam-ship foreman, often spending time away at sea. Rose kept house whilst raising the children. By the time of the 1911 census Arthur junior had finished his schooling and was working as a shop assistant in a tailoring business.   

Arthur’s service record hasn’t survived to tell us when he joined the army, but it must have been fairly early on in the war as he arrived in France in March 1915. He served with the Lincolnshire Regiment throughout the war until his death during the Battle of Arras on 5 May 1917.   

Private Robert BarrEtt Cullum 1893 – 5 May 1917  

Robert was the fifth of 13 siblings born to Robert Barrett Cullum senior and his wife Frances, who lived in Grimsby. Robert senior worked as a coal tipper, and by the time of the 1911 census Robert junior was employed as a labourer on the fish docks, whilst several of his brothers worked in a local saw mill.  

Robert’s service record hasn’t survived to tell us when he joined the army, but it is likely to have been after 1916. Like Arthur, Robert served with the Lincolnshire Regiment throughout the war until his death during the Battle of Arras on 5 May 1917.  

Private John William Fraser 1888 – 5 May 1917  

John was the middle child of three sons born to Daniel Fraser and his wife Johan of Oxford Street in Grimsby. Daniel was a general labourer, but sadly Johan died whilst John was a child. By the 1911 census John was living with his younger brother Frederick and his family, and working as a ship painter.   

Like the others, John’s full service record hasn’t survived, but there is an indication that he might have joined the Royal Field Artillery in January 1914 before transferring to the Lincolnshire Regiment on the outbreak of war. Like the others he served with the Lincolnshire Regiment throughout the war until his death during the Battle of Arras on 5 May 1917.  

Private William London 1887 – 5 May 1917  

William was the oldest of three siblings born to James London and his wife Jane, of Fotherby Street in Grimsby. James was a fisherman and fish dock labourer and Jane raised the family and kept house whilst James was at sea. By 1911 William was working with his father on the fish dock.   

William joined the army sometime after 1916, and like the others served with the Lincolnshire Regiment throughout the war until his death during the battle of Arras on 5 May 1917.