HERO British soldiers who were killed in the First World War and later laid to rest in anonymous graves have finally been identified more than a century later.
The remains of L/Cpl James Ball Baron aged 29, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman, 19, and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr, 28, were found after the Great War and interred in Belgium.
Now three graves have been inscribed as theirs after researchers' findings that had been presented to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were confirmed by military officials.
Services of rededication have been held for L/Cpl Baron, of Mevagissey, Cornwall, L/Cpl Chapman, from Hull, East Yorks and 2nd Lt Barr of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/1535143434.jpg]
Dedication
Tim Buescher, the great-great nephew of L/Cpl Chapman, joined serving soldiers at his service and said: "We are amazed that after all this time Sam is found.
"This generation of our family, like many others, was hit hard by the Great War and as a result these people were lost to us before we could know them."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/4534413415.jpg]
The services at the Tyne Cot and Zantvoorde cemeteries in Belgium were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the War Detectives.
Mr Buescher said the dedication of JCCC and CWGC staff "has made us feel cared for".
He added: "The detail of research, constant communication and consultation on our family's wishes has helped to create a sense of closeness to Sam and by extension, his siblings John and Rachael.
"Sam's brother John died only six weeks before him. Being able to commemorate their life and their sacrifice, whilst mourning their loss, feels like they are being brought home somehow."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/5144335771.jpg]
Rev Paul Robinson, chaplain to 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to preside at the rededication services of L/Cpl James Ball Baron MM, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr.
"It is important that we as a nation...reflect on the enormity of what has taken place, the horror, the loss, the frustration.
"We must respect our values and our freedoms and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/5339441557.jpg]
JCCC staff said records includ ing diaries from the soldiers' units were used to identify the remains.
L/Cpl Baron enlisted into The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry after war broke out in 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal in Novemb...
The remains of L/Cpl James Ball Baron aged 29, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman, 19, and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr, 28, were found after the Great War and interred in Belgium.
Now three graves have been inscribed as theirs after researchers' findings that had been presented to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were confirmed by military officials.
Services of rededication have been held for L/Cpl Baron, of Mevagissey, Cornwall, L/Cpl Chapman, from Hull, East Yorks and 2nd Lt Barr of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/1535143434.jpg]
Dedication
Tim Buescher, the great-great nephew of L/Cpl Chapman, joined serving soldiers at his service and said: "We are amazed that after all this time Sam is found.
"This generation of our family, like many others, was hit hard by the Great War and as a result these people were lost to us before we could know them."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/4534413415.jpg]
The services at the Tyne Cot and Zantvoorde cemeteries in Belgium were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the War Detectives.
Mr Buescher said the dedication of JCCC and CWGC staff "has made us feel cared for".
He added: "The detail of research, constant communication and consultation on our family's wishes has helped to create a sense of closeness to Sam and by extension, his siblings John and Rachael.
"Sam's brother John died only six weeks before him. Being able to commemorate their life and their sacrifice, whilst mourning their loss, feels like they are being brought home somehow."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/5144335771.jpg]
Rev Paul Robinson, chaplain to 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to preside at the rededication services of L/Cpl James Ball Baron MM, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr.
"It is important that we as a nation...reflect on the enormity of what has taken place, the horror, the loss, the frustration.
"We must respect our values and our freedoms and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life."
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1743552593/articles/EYaymm3ZBOtPPqq0xUsys/5339441557.jpg]
JCCC staff said records includ ing diaries from the soldiers' units were used to identify the remains.
L/Cpl Baron enlisted into The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry after war broke out in 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal in Novemb...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 02, 2025