Understand
Unidentified World War One soldier from West Yorkshire Regiment buried in France with full military honours
Overview
An unidentified soldier who served in the West Yorkshire Regiment during World War One has been buried with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Serre Road Cemetery Number Two in France. His remains were discovered last winter south of the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme. Although artefacts such as a shoulder title and a belt marked with 'WYR' indicated his regiment, his specific identity could not be determined.
Key points
- An unidentified World War One soldier was buried with full military honours at Serre Road Cemetery Number Two in France.
- His remains were discovered last winter to the south of the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme after a field was freshly ploughed.
- A shoulder title and a belt marked with 'WYR' found near the remains indicated he served with the West Yorkshire Regiment.
- Equipment such as an entrenching tool and first-issue webbing provided clues to his equipment date, but no personal identity could be established.
- The burial service was organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and supported by soldiers from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment.