More than a century after their deaths, six Commonwealth soldiers and a German soldier who all lost their lives in World War One were interred earlier today (Thursday, June 30, 2022) in a combined ceremony with the Canadian government.
The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (MOD JCCC), commonly known as the “MOD War Detectives,” organized the service, which was the largest of its type this year, and it took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) New Irish Farm cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.
The remains were earlier discovered during a scheduled archaeological investigation from two separate locations adjacent to one another near the hamlet of St Julien.
A Royal Inniskilling Fusilier, a Hampshire soldier, a Newfoundland Regiment casualty, and an unidentified soldier from an unidentified regiment were all included in one set.
By using DNA, the Canadian authorities were able to identify their soldier as Private John Lambert of the Newfoundland Regiment, who passed away on August 16, 1917.
Unfortunately, there were too many deaths on August 16, 1917, in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Hampshire Regiment for the JCCC to even attempt identification.
Three casualties’ remains were found in the second set: an unidentified Royal Fusilier, an unidentified soldier from an unidentified regiment, and an unidentified German soldier.
Sadly, it has not been possible to determine when they passed away.
MOD JCCC Caseworker Louise Dorr stated:
For us, this has been a difficult and drawn-out study.
The fact that we haven’t been able to identify either of the British soldiers or the German fatality makes me personally very sad.
Regardless of who they were, they were someone’s father, brother, spouse, or son.
We are burying our former adversaries together, which is really moving.
They all paid the ultimate price of war, and we must never forget their sacrifice.
The First Fusiliers furnished the British bearer party, and the Royal Irish Regiment provided the musicians.
The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment provided the firing party.
The Royal Fusiliers, the Royal Hampshire Regiment, and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers have modern-day analogues in these three regiments.
Louise also said
The soldiers participating in today’s service are aware that they are following in the footsteps of those who came before them.
Father Shawn Daley of the Canadian Army and Reverend Gary Watt, chaplain to the First Fusiliers, jointly led the service.
Seven headstones given by the CWGC will now serve as grave markers for the deceased.
Director of External Relations of the CWGC, Liz Woodfield, stated:
These soldiers were treated with respect and dignity and laid to rest among their friends in our cemetery today.
While it has not been possible to identify the other casualties, we pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice they have made.
We are honored to be able to officially recognize Private John Lambert.
We shall see to it that the graves of these valiant heroes are meticulously maintained forever.