Two British Ww1 Soldiers Identified In Belgium By ‘war Detectives” More Than A Century After Their Deaths

As nan United Kingdom – and British expats successful Spain – hole to honour fallen servicemen and women this Remembrance Day, 2 young British officers who died much than a period agone successful Belgium person yet been identified.

The Ministry of Defence’s “War Detectives” confirmed that nan graves of Second Lieutenants Esmond Kellie and Eric Hopkins, some of nan Bedfordshire Regiment, person been formally named aft 110 years. The find comes conscionable up of yearly remembrance services successful nan UK and crossed Europe, wherever communities bespeak connected nan bequest of those who fought and died successful war.

The 2 men were killed during nan Battle for Hill 60, adjacent Ypres, successful 1915 — 1 of nan astir bitterly contested battles of nan First World War. For much than a century, they laic successful Belgium nether headstones marked only arsenic “Unknown British Officers.” Thanks to meticulous investigation by nan Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), besides known arsenic nan War Detectives, and nan Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), some soldiers’ identities person now been restored.

Rededication services were held earlier this twelvemonth astatine Railway Dugouts Burial Ground and Bedford House Cemetery successful West Flanders, attended by nan men’s relatives, section dignitaries and serving soldiers from nan Royal Anglian Regiment, nan modern successor to nan Bedfordshire Regiment.

Alexia Clark, a commemorations caseworker pinch nan MOD, said nan ceremonies were profoundly affectional for nan families. “It’s nan closest nan families will ever get to a funeral,” she said. “We’re closing nan section connected personification who’s been missing for 110 years. It’s sad, but besides joyful.”

Lost successful nan Battle for Hill 60

Second Lieutenant Esmond Kellie joined nan Bedfordshire Regiment astatine nan outbreak of nan First World War and was transferred to its 1st Battalion successful early 1915. On 19 April 1915, while defending a captured trench astatine Hill 60, he was wounded successful nan thigh. As stretcher-bearers carried him away, a ammunition exploded nearby, sidesplitting him instantly.

A missive sent location to his parents by Lieutenant Colonel Griffith DSO described him arsenic “a astir courageous and useful officer… very celebrated pinch each successful nan regiment.” Kellie was primitively buried astatine Hill 60 but later moved to Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, wherever his sedate mislaid its personality amid post-war reburials.

Second Lieutenant Eric Hopkins arrived successful France successful October 1914 and served crossed respective battalions of nan Bedfordshire Regiment. By May 1915, he was attached to nan 1st Battalion, fighting alongside Kellie successful nan aforesaid battle. Hopkins was killed during nan struggle for Hill 60. His remains were reburied successful 1922 astatine Bedford House Cemetery, his sanction besides mislaid to clip – until now.

Daniel Seaton of nan CWGC described nan recognition arsenic a powerful moment. “It is ever moving to beryllium capable to transportation a sanction from 1 of nan Commission’s memorials to nan missing to a named sedate successful our care,” he said. “More than a period aft their deaths, this has now been imaginable for Second Lieutenants Kellie and Hopkins.”

A period later, their names unrecorded on

The recognition of these 2 officers marks different occurrence for nan MOD’s War Detectives, who analyse nan remains of missing soldiers from some World Wars. The process combines archival research, regimental history and forensic examination, often sparked by accusation sent successful by members of nan public.

Alexia Clark explained that while nan activity is technical, nan affectional effect ne'er fades. “Every lawsuit is personal. For nan families, it’s astir closure – knowing wherever their comparative lies aft truthful galore years.”

The CWGC will now permanently attraction for nan 2 officers’ graves successful Belgium, ensuring their resting places stay marked and maintained successful perpetuity.

Remembrance beyond borders

The timing of this rediscovery resonates powerfully arsenic Remembrance Day approaches connected November 11, marking nan armistice that ended fighting connected nan Western Front successful 1918. Across Britain – and among British expats surviving successful Spain – nan time remains a powerful juncture to pause, bespeak and springiness thanks.

Communities crossed nan Balearic Islands and mainland Spain will stitchery for remembrance services organised by nan Royal British Legion, Anglican churches, and section British associations. For galore surviving abroad, these ceremonies are an important nexus to home. The communicative of Second Lieutenants Kellie and Hopkins serves arsenic a poignant reminder of why remembrance continues to matter – not conscionable successful Britain, but wherever British communities gather.

As nan poppies look erstwhile again, nan 2 men who fell astatine Hill 60 person yet regained their names. Their sacrifice, erstwhile unrecorded, is now remembered successful afloat – a fitting awesome of why, much than a period later, we still region to honour nan fallen.