Fourteen unknown Commonwealth soldiers laid to rest in France

Members of the Royal Anglian Regiment carry the coffin to the graveside at Serre Road No. 2 Cemetery. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

The remains of fourteen Commonwealth soldiers who fought in World War One, none of them identifiable by name, were recently laid to rest at CWGC cemeteries in France.

On 18 June, one soldier of an unknown regiment was buried at the CWGC Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.

On 19 June, one soldier of an unknown regiment was buried at CWGC Serre Road Cemetery No.2.

And on 20 June, one unknown officer and two unknown soldiers of the Suffolk Regiment, one unknown soldier of the Royal Fusiliers and one unknown officer and seven unknown soldiers of unknown regiments, were buried at CWGC Wancourt British Cemetery.

All services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC).

Members of the Royal Anglian Regiment folding the flag at the burial of an unknown soldier at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

The soldier buried at CWGC Caterpillar Valley Cemetery was discovered in a freshly ploughed field on the edge of High Wood, Longueval. The soldier buried at CWGC Serre Road No. 2 Cemetery was discovered by tourists walking by another ploughed field near Beaumont Hamel. The remains of both men were recovered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in France.

Due to the extensive fighting in both areas by multiple battalions of different regiments over a long period, the list of those missing is extensive. Though the General Service buttons and ammunition found alongside the remains indicate the men were of Commonwealth origin and unlikely to be officers, no artefacts could identify individuals. With no way to distinguish these men from the hundreds recorded there as missing, both were buried as unknown soldiers, known unto God.

Members of the Royal Anglian Regiment bringing in the coffin of an unknown soldier to his final resting place at Serre Road No. 2 Cemetery. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

The 12 soldiers buried in CWGC Wancourt were found in 2019 during construction work near Monchy-le-Preux and were recovered by the CWGC. It is likely they were originally buried in a battlefield cemetery, because the location was immediately behind the area where frontlines stabilised at the end of the First Battle of the Scarpe (9-14 April 1917). After the war it is likely the battlefield cemetery was accidentally overlooked when other such cemeteries were moved.

Some of the men were found with Suffolk Regiment and Royal Fusiliers artefacts, but unfortunately a majority could not be attributed to a regiment. It is likely they were killed between April and August 1917. Despite many attempts, DNA samples taken from the remains could not provide information to identify any of the men. Sadly they have been buried as unknown soldiers, known unto God.

Members of the Royal Anglian Regiment with the 12 headstones of the unknown soldiers being buried at Wancourt British Cemetery. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

Nicola Nash, MOD War Detective said:
“Whilst it is disappointing that we have been unable to name these men, they have still been afforded a dignified and respectful full military burial. These soldiers are ‘Known Unto God’ and will be remembered by us always.” 

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

Mel Donnelly, Head of Commemorations at the CWGC, said:
"Sometimes despite everyone's best efforts, the identity of soldiers cannot be determined before they are laid to rest. However, though unknown, these 14 brave soldiers have received a full military burial befitting of their service and of the sacrifice they all made, more than a century after they died.”