British Soldier Missing from World War One Laid to Rest After Remains Discovered

The remains of a British soldier who went missing during the First World War have been laid to rest after being discovered during the construction of a new hospital in France. The soldier was 20 years old when he disappeared in action near Lens in northern France in 1917. He hailed from Essex and served with the 11th Battalion of The Essex Regiment.

The remains were found in 2020 by construction workers building a hospital on the outskirts of Lens. They were among numerous British and Canadian soldiers' remains recovered at the site. Investigators from a Ministry of Defence centre noted the recovered remains appeared youthful, aiding in creating a shortlist of potential identities from missing battalion members.

A nephew of the soldier submitted a DNA sample that confirmed the identity. The nephew and his sister are believed to be the sole surviving relatives. The nephew stated that they are sad a young life was taken and grateful for the work giving recognition and a final resting place.

The burial occurred at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, which opened in September 2024. The soldier had been commemorated on the Loos Memorial since his disappearance. A caseworker with a Ministry of Defence centre described organizing the burial as a privilege and noted the family now has answers after nearly 110 years.

Serving personnel from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment supported the ceremony, with a reverend conducting the service and a trumpeter participating. The site is dedicated to those who fell in the area but have no known grave. The identification and burial provide closure to the family after generations without answers.