Rededication ceremonies for two Great War soldiers at Vichte Military Cemetery, Belgium

The final resting place of Private David Christie Graham, S/25903, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and Second Lieutenant Frank Wood, 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers killed in World War One have been identified and now been honoured in Services of Rededication at their graves in CWGC Vichte Military Cemetery, Belgium on 18 October 2022.

The services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’. The services were conducted by The Reverend Andy Nicolls, CF. Both soldiers were previously commemorated on the CWGC Tyne Cot Memorial.

The rededications of Pte. Graham and 2Lt Wood were two of six happening around Ypres, Belgium over the 18 and 19 October for soldiers lost in World War One with each ceremony attended by family members and representatives from the current day equivalents of these casualties’ regiments (Royal Fusiliers, the Mercian Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps and the Royal Regiment of Scotland).

Louise Dorr, MOD JCCC case worker said:
“Our thanks go to several of our regular researchers, who have investigated these six graves and been able to prove who is buried in each of them. Thanks to their efforts we have been able to confirm their findings and return these soldiers’ names to them. I’m so honoured to have been able to be here to rededicate their final resting places.”

Pte. Graham and 2Lt Wood's headstones were replaced by the CWGC as part of the rededication. 

Director for the Central and Southern European Area at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said: 
“We are privileged to be able to honour these six brave men, who all paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting in the Great War. Thanks to the research and work of many, we are able to renew our commitment to care for these soldiers’ graves, in perpetuity” 

Private David Christie Graham

Wreaths are laid in tribute to Pte Graham. (Crown Copyright)

David Graham was born in 1898 in Angus, Scotland. His parents were John and Catherine (nee Christie) Graham. At the time of the 1901 Census, David was living in the parish of Panbride, Angus, with his parents and older siblings, Aggie, Lizzie, Edward, John and George. David’s mother died young in 1915, just three years before his death. His brother, Edward, subsequently emigrated to Canada and married Ada Hand. They had three children; one of whom (Ethel) married Evan Kaechele in 1948 and had four children together, all of whom are still in north America and Canada; Ronald, Marilyn, Cheryl and Dennis.

Records show that Pte. Graham was buried in Vichte Military Cemetery at the time of his death (24 October 1918, aged 20) by burial officers of 9th and 31st Divisions, although he was not identified by name at the time. His battalion’s war diary places the 8th Black Watch in the right area on 24 October 1918 and the divisional war diary records them as filling a gap in the Line on that day.

Second Lieutenant Frank Wood

Chris Foote Wood, great nephew of 2Lt Frank Wood stands behind his great uncle’s newly named grave. (Crown copyright)

Frank Wood was born in 1899 in Royton, Oldham, Lancashire. His parents were William and Jane (nee Harrison) Wood. Frank appears as a baby on the 1891 Census, living in Higginshaw Lane, Oldham, with his parents and his siblings, Mary, Martha, Harrison and John. By the time of the 1911 Census, there was only Frank and his brother, John, living at home with their parents. Frank was 21 years old and unmarried; his occupation was listed as Shop Assistant – Pawnbroker. John also served in the Great War and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

The remains of 2Lt Wood at Vichte Military Cemetery were originally buried as “Unknown 2/Lt of Lancs Fus”. Frank Wood was the only second lieutenant from the Lancashire Fusiliers to have died in Belgium and not have a known grave. His remains were originally recovered from east of Molenhoek and near to Geluwe. On the day he died (30 September 1918), the 1st battalion Lancashire Fusiliers’ war diary confirms that 2Lt Wood was killed in the fighting close to the recovery location. 2Lt Wood was 19 when he died.