Seven unknown British soldiers of the First World War have been reburied at Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Belgium.
Two ceremonies took place near Ypres on April 5th 2016, attended by UK, Belgian and CWGC representatives.
Three of the men were laid to rest at Derry House Cemetery No. 2. Their remains were discovered in a farmer’s field at Wijtshate. The soldiers’ regiments are still unknown.
The village of Wijtshate was recaptured from the Germans during the Battle of Messines in June 1917, changing hands twice more in the final months of the war.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Joe French, Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, lays a wreath at Derry House Cemetery. Britain’s Ambassador to Belgium, Alison Rose, also paid tribute (Photo: CWGC).
Four more soldiers, discovered during an archaeological dig, were buried at a later service at New Irish Farm Cemetery.
Three of the men’s units have been identified, as the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Rifle Brigade and the Royal West Kent Regiment. But the fourth soldier’s regiment is unknown.
The ranks and dates of death of all seven soldiers reburied this week have not been established.
Information & images, courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Posted by: CN Editorial Team