Two First World War Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders commemorated in France

The military party at the graveside of CQMS Monro (Crown copyright).

Families and military representatives gathered this week to honour two First World War soldiers from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at special commemoration ceremonies in France. 

The services organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), paid tribute to Company Quarter Master Serjeant Charles Monro at CWGC Aubers Ridge British Cemetery on 8 July 2025 and Corporal Francis Flynn at CWGC Roclincourt Valley Cemetery on 9 July 2025.

Human remains discovered during de-mining work near Le Maisnil were identified as CQMS Monro through DNA testing. He received a burial with full military honours at Aubers Ridge British Cemetery – a dignified farewell denied for over a century.

In a separate ceremony, Corporal Francis Flynn's grave was rededicated at Roclincourt Valley Cemetery. Francis died on 9 April 1917. Though initially buried as an unknown Corporal, recent research by the JCCC revealed Flynn was the only missing Corporal from his battalion matching the burial details, finally reuniting his name with his resting place.

The military party behind the grave of Cpl Francis Flynn (Crown copyright).

JCCC Caseworker Alexia Clark said:
"I am so pleased to have been involved in the final chapters of the stories of these two men. Returning them to their families, and reuniting their names with their mortal remains, we have ensured that their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed new headstones on both graves.

Dr Daniel Seaton, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:
“It was an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the identification of CQMS Monro and Corporal Flynn. It is always moving when casualties are formally identified – their families having chosen poignant personal inscriptions for their new headstones being a fitting tribute. The Commission will care for the graves of these casualties in perpetuity.”

CQMS Charles Monro, 2nd Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Charles Monro was born on 9 August 1875 in County Wicklow, Ireland to William Middlemas Monro, a gardener / poultry farmer, and his wife Jane Shearer – both of whom were from Perthshire in Scotland. Charles’ family moved back and forth between Ireland and Scotland in the late 19th century, and three of Charles’ older siblings returned to Scotland to raise their own families. Unfortunately, we know very little about Charles’ early life, or his army service. He joined the army on 5 December 1894, having previously been a clerk, but unfortunately his service record does not survive to tell us any more about his pre-war service. Nonetheless, he was already an experienced soldier with extensive service by the time the war broke out. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders when he lost his life during the Battle of Armentières on 21 October 1914. 

Cpl Francis Flynn 1/7 Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Francis Flynn was born to John Flynn, a labourer, and his wife Mary Eliza Cowen, in Falkirk, Scotland on 10 March 1896. Francis was the youngest of three children of John and Mary – having an older brother, John, and a sister Mary. Francis’ mother died when he was just an infant, and John Flynn remarried to Mary Reynolds in 1899. Francis lived with his maternal grandparents for much of his childhood. He was serving with the 1/7 Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders when he died on 9 April 1917 during the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Bugler Cpl Paul McEntee and Piper Donald Stewart play by the Stone of Remembrance (Crown copyright).