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WWI soldiers finally laid to rest after 96 years WWI soldiers finally laid to rest after 96 years
(35 minutes later)
The remains of two World War I soldiers who were killed in action in France nearly 100 years ago have been laid to rest at a military cemetery.The remains of two World War I soldiers who were killed in action in France nearly 100 years ago have been laid to rest at a military cemetery.
The remains of Lt John Pritchard and Pte Christopher Douglas Elphick were discovered in 2009 by a French farmer clearing his field.The remains of Lt John Pritchard and Pte Christopher Douglas Elphick were discovered in 2009 by a French farmer clearing his field.
The men were killed on 15 May, 1917, during an enemy attack near Bullecourt.The men were killed on 15 May, 1917, during an enemy attack near Bullecourt.
Descendents of the two soldiers attended the ceremony in which the men were given full military honours. Descendants of the two soldiers attended the ceremony in which the men were given full military honours.
Pallbearers from the men's regiment, the Honourable Artillery Company, carried their coffins, and the regiment's band also played. The hymn Jerusalem was sung.Pallbearers from the men's regiment, the Honourable Artillery Company, carried their coffins, and the regiment's band also played. The hymn Jerusalem was sung.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Lt John Pritchard's great niece, Janet Shell, says it will be a "very emotional moment, but we'll all be there to support each other".Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Lt John Pritchard's great niece, Janet Shell, says it will be a "very emotional moment, but we'll all be there to support each other".
She says "as a family we'll all be thinking of our nan and great-grandmother knowing that we are doing the job for them".She says "as a family we'll all be thinking of our nan and great-grandmother knowing that we are doing the job for them".
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says the story of John Pritchard and Douglas Elphick will perhaps give hope to dozens of families who even now may be trying to find out what happened to not too distant relatives who fought in the Great War.BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says the story of John Pritchard and Douglas Elphick will perhaps give hope to dozens of families who even now may be trying to find out what happened to not too distant relatives who fought in the Great War.
"Perhaps faded sepia photographs in old family albums are still a constant reminder," he says."Perhaps faded sepia photographs in old family albums are still a constant reminder," he says.
Ms Shell's hope is that if anything comes out of her story "I would love it to inspire other people. Everybody's probably got a World War I story, How amazing if it's similar to mine".Ms Shell's hope is that if anything comes out of her story "I would love it to inspire other people. Everybody's probably got a World War I story, How amazing if it's similar to mine".
Simple headstoneSimple headstone
About one million British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed during World War I.About one million British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed during World War I.
Matthew Lucas, historical officer of the Western Front Association, says about half of those were never identified.Matthew Lucas, historical officer of the Western Front Association, says about half of those were never identified.
Some were given graves with the words "A Soldier of The Great War, Known Unto God" engraved on a simple white headstone. But with no name.Some were given graves with the words "A Soldier of The Great War, Known Unto God" engraved on a simple white headstone. But with no name.
Many had even less and were never found, often lost in makeshift graves that were soon swamped by mud and the continuing battle.Many had even less and were never found, often lost in makeshift graves that were soon swamped by mud and the continuing battle.
Just to give a sense of scale, the names of 34,725 British soldiers "missing in action" are commemorated on just one memorial at Arras.Just to give a sense of scale, the names of 34,725 British soldiers "missing in action" are commemorated on just one memorial at Arras.
That loss of identity affected the losing side too. Estimates suggest as many as 80,000 German soldiers have never been identified.That loss of identity affected the losing side too. Estimates suggest as many as 80,000 German soldiers have never been identified.
Discovery for the great niece of John Pritchard started with a trawl through the internet to research some family historyDiscovery for the great niece of John Pritchard started with a trawl through the internet to research some family history
Ms Shell was in fact trying to find out details about another relative, when she found a website, the Great War Forum.Ms Shell was in fact trying to find out details about another relative, when she found a website, the Great War Forum.
It mentioned that the remains of a World War I soldier called Pritchard had been found and wondered whether his family had been contacted.It mentioned that the remains of a World War I soldier called Pritchard had been found and wondered whether his family had been contacted.
Recalling that moment, Ms Shell says: "I couldn't believe my eyes."Recalling that moment, Ms Shell says: "I couldn't believe my eyes."
She called out to her husband and daughter to confirm that it was indeed her great uncle.She called out to her husband and daughter to confirm that it was indeed her great uncle.
The discovery in the earth was made in 2009. Ms Shell found it on her computer in early 2012. She feared she had missed her chance to say goodbye.The discovery in the earth was made in 2009. Ms Shell found it on her computer in early 2012. She feared she had missed her chance to say goodbye.
Family treeFamily tree
Christopher Elphick's discovery was no less extraordinary. The grandson of Pte Douglas Elphick - who died at Bullecourt - had been contacted by a stranger who wanted to find out if they might somehow be related.Christopher Elphick's discovery was no less extraordinary. The grandson of Pte Douglas Elphick - who died at Bullecourt - had been contacted by a stranger who wanted to find out if they might somehow be related.
Curious as to whether the family might have a hidden dark secret, he went to research his family tree.Curious as to whether the family might have a hidden dark secret, he went to research his family tree.
He found no evidence of a family scandal, but there was still a surprise - the discovery of the forum that mentioned the grandfather whose name he now bears.He found no evidence of a family scandal, but there was still a surprise - the discovery of the forum that mentioned the grandfather whose name he now bears.
Mr Elphick will be at the ceremony along with his brother. He says there will be a sense of "putting everything to rest" but tinged with sadness.Mr Elphick will be at the ceremony along with his brother. He says there will be a sense of "putting everything to rest" but tinged with sadness.
He says his biggest regret is that his father, the only son of Pte Elphick, will not be there. He died in 2000.He says his biggest regret is that his father, the only son of Pte Elphick, will not be there. He died in 2000.
The remains of Pte Elphick and Lt Pritchard had been found in a farmer's field in Bullecourt, near Arras.The remains of Pte Elphick and Lt Pritchard had been found in a farmer's field in Bullecourt, near Arras.
The farmer in question had left the field alone on the advice of his father. He was told it contained the remains of hundreds of soldiers.The farmer in question had left the field alone on the advice of his father. He was told it contained the remains of hundreds of soldiers.
But in 2009 a friend of the farmer decided to bring out his metal detector. He came across a canister from World War I. That is when the authorities were called in.But in 2009 a friend of the farmer decided to bring out his metal detector. He came across a canister from World War I. That is when the authorities were called in.
The remains of a number of soldiers were eventually unearthed. John Pritchard and Douglas Elphick were each identified by a bracelet and a signet ring which carried their initials.The remains of a number of soldiers were eventually unearthed. John Pritchard and Douglas Elphick were each identified by a bracelet and a signet ring which carried their initials.
Two other remains could be identified as members of the Honourable Artillery Company but there was no way of finding out their names.Two other remains could be identified as members of the Honourable Artillery Company but there was no way of finding out their names.
Cruel nameCruel name
They too will be buried but as "Soldiers of the Great War, known unto God". DNA samples though have also been taken in the hope that one day their identities might be revealed.They too will be buried but as "Soldiers of the Great War, known unto God". DNA samples though have also been taken in the hope that one day their identities might be revealed.
Pte Elphick was 28 years old when he was killed on the 15 May 1917. He was born in Dulwich and attended Alleyn's School.Pte Elphick was 28 years old when he was killed on the 15 May 1917. He was born in Dulwich and attended Alleyn's School.
He had been a clerk with an insurance company before he signed up to fight with the Honourable Artillery Company in 1916. He left behind a wife and young son.He had been a clerk with an insurance company before he signed up to fight with the Honourable Artillery Company in 1916. He left behind a wife and young son.
John Harold Pritchard was a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral school. He joined the HAC soon after war was declared. Injured early on he was sent home. But he insisted on returning to the front line again. He was 31 when he was killed.John Harold Pritchard was a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral school. He joined the HAC soon after war was declared. Injured early on he was sent home. But he insisted on returning to the front line again. He was 31 when he was killed.
They both died at Bullecourt. A name as cruel for Australia as the Somme and Paschendale were for Britain.They both died at Bullecourt. A name as cruel for Australia as the Somme and Paschendale were for Britain.
Australia lost thousands during two battles at Bullecourt which marked a salient, or bulge, into the German defensive line.Australia lost thousands during two battles at Bullecourt which marked a salient, or bulge, into the German defensive line.
Though largely forgotten in the UK, Britain too suffered many casualties. On the morning of 15 May, the Honourable Artillery Company lost more than 250 men. The battle ended a few days after the two soldiers fell.Though largely forgotten in the UK, Britain too suffered many casualties. On the morning of 15 May, the Honourable Artillery Company lost more than 250 men. The battle ended a few days after the two soldiers fell.
Lt Pritchard and Pte Elphick will join those soldiers who already have graves marked at the HAC cemetery at Ecoust-St Mein.Lt Pritchard and Pte Elphick will join those soldiers who already have graves marked at the HAC cemetery at Ecoust-St Mein.
For their relatives it means a lot.For their relatives it means a lot.
As Ms Shell puts it: "We'll now have a grave the family can always visit. He will never be forgotten."As Ms Shell puts it: "We'll now have a grave the family can always visit. He will never be forgotten."