Proper Burial and Ceremony in the Works for Three WWI Soldiers Who Were Found 100 Years After the End of The War

British troops going up the line to their trenches (1914-1918)
British troops going up the line to their trenches (1914-1918)

Nearly 100 years after the first world war, archeologists found the remains of three World War One soldiers buried under a railway line. The soldiers will receive full military honors.

The Manchester Evening News reports that the remains of Edgar Matthew Parkinson, James Rowan, and Henry Pulford were found near  Comines-Warneton in Belgium.

The three men were killed on October 20, 1914 during an exchange with the German troops. The battle lasted for several days and the Lancashire Fusiliers lost 30 soldiers and leaving 69 wounded.

The service for the men is likely to be held within the coming year, however officials are having a difficult time locating any relatives for Private Rowan. Rowan was born in Wigan in 1881 and lived on Stuart Street, Scholes. He died at 30 years old.

Lynne Gammond stated the ceremony would be held at the Commonwealth war graves cemetery in Belgium. Of course the relatives of the deceased were invited to attend.

All three soldiers have received recognition on the Ploegeteert Memorial in Belgium. The ceremony would be likely to be held close to their exact date of deaths.

Relatives for the other two soldiers have been located.

If you have any information regarding the relatives for the late Private Rowan, contact Paul Britton on 0161 211 2180 or email paul.britton@men-news.co.uk.

Evette Champion

Evette Champion is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE