Graves of two First World War soldiers identified more than 100 years after their deaths

Rededication ceremonies were held for two First World War soldiers at CWGC cemeteries in Belgium today, more than 100 years after they died.

A service for Rifleman William Dickinson Evans, of The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), was held at the CWGC’s Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery, this morning.

A plumber and painter, William enlisted in Liverpool on 7 November 1914 as part of the Liverpool Brigade West Lancashire Division. He sailed from Southampton to Le Havre in February 1915 and joined the  15^th Brigade 5^th Division serving with the Expeditionary Force. He was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres on 28 April 1915, aged 22. He was originally buried in Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery with fellow comrades of the same regiment who were killed at the same time, however his grave was subsequently lost or destroyed due to fighting. His relatives submitted a case in 2015, which has resulted in a new headstone stating ‘Buried Elsewhere in this Cemetery’ being placed at Blauwepoort Farm.

The service was attended by his family with regimental support provided by the antecedent regiment, The Duke of Lancaster.

This afternoon, a service for Private John Anderson, of the 4^th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was held at the CWGC’s Birr Cross Roads Cemetery.

Before enlisting, John was a butcher with Don Co-operative Society. In late September 1914 he joined the 4^th Battalion Gordon Highlanders and saw active service in France and Flanders, landing in France in March 1915. In May, he was in the trenches in the area of Vlamertinghe, West Ypres, followed by marching through Ypres taking over the whole front from Hooge. Reports from a fellow soldier to his family stated he was killed by shellfire during the Second Battle of Ypres on 28 May 1915, aged 20.

He was originally buried in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery as an unknown soldier of the 4^th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. However, through research his grave has now been identified.

Both services were organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and led by The Reverend Paul van Sittert CF, Chaplain to the Highlanders (4 Scots). The CWGC provided new named headstones for both services and will maintain the graves in perpetuity.

Reverend Paul van Sittert CF said: "Lest we forget. Powerful words, and so much more for us that have been part of these rededication services where two previously unnamed soldiers have now been named. It is an incredible privilege and honour to have played a part. So many have paid the ultimate price, named and unnamed, yet their sacrifice will not be forgotten. We will remember them."