This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bradford/8488482.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Fallen soldier to be laid to rest | Fallen soldier to be laid to rest |
(about 15 hours later) | |
A soldier from West Yorkshire who was killed in France during World War I and buried in a mass grave is among those being formally laid to rest. | |
Pte John Holdsworth, from Queensbury, near Bradford, was just 16 years old when he died at Fromelles. | Pte John Holdsworth, from Queensbury, near Bradford, was just 16 years old when he died at Fromelles. |
The bodies of 250 soldiers were found there by a French farmer. | |
A ceremony marking the first of the reburials is taking place. The Australian, British and French governments are being represented. | |
Relatives of Pte Holdsworth have sent off DNA samples to see if his remains can be identified. The test results are due in February. | Relatives of Pte Holdsworth have sent off DNA samples to see if his remains can be identified. The test results are due in February. |
If they are successful his name will be recorded on a headstone. | If they are successful his name will be recorded on a headstone. |
It was the wish of both governments to give these brave soldiers a fitting place of rest Veterans Minister Kevan Jones | |
Pte Holdsworth's great nephew, Michael Langan, said it was "upsetting to think of someone so young on the frontline". | Pte Holdsworth's great nephew, Michael Langan, said it was "upsetting to think of someone so young on the frontline". |
"It makes you wonder how they'd cope, how anybody would cope, in that situation." | "It makes you wonder how they'd cope, how anybody would cope, in that situation." |
Pte Holdsworth ran away from home three times when he was 15 to try to join the army and was successful on his fourth attempt. | Pte Holdsworth ran away from home three times when he was 15 to try to join the army and was successful on his fourth attempt. |
The mass grave at Fromelles was discovered several years ago by a French farmer. Hundreds of British and Australian soldiers died in the battle. | The mass grave at Fromelles was discovered several years ago by a French farmer. Hundreds of British and Australian soldiers died in the battle. |
The ceremony will mark the first burial at the site following the excavation of the grave. | The ceremony will mark the first burial at the site following the excavation of the grave. |
After that burials will continue to take place two to three times a week until 19 July - the 94th anniversary of the battle. | After that burials will continue to take place two to three times a week until 19 July - the 94th anniversary of the battle. |
Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said: "It was the wish of both governments to give these brave soldiers a fitting place of rest, honouring the commitment shown to our fallen after the First World War. | |
"Today we have started that process." |