Bodies of British WW1 soldiers finally identified in Belgium

BBC News

01-04-2025

British soldiers who died in World War One and were buried in unnamed graves have finally been identified.The remains of L/Cpl James Ball Baron, 29, L/Cpl Samuel Chapman, 19, and 2nd Lt Hugh Barr, 28, were found after the war and buried as unknown soldiers in Belgium.Their graves were identified after researchers submitted cases to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission hoping to have identified their final resting places. Military officials later confirmed their findings.On 26 March, services were held for L/Cpl Bell, from Mevagissey, Cornwall, L/Cpl Chapman, from Hull, East Yorkshire, and 2nd Lt Barr, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.
Tim Buescher, the great great nephew of L/Cpl Chapman, who joined serving soldiers at the service, 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."The services, at Tyne Cot Cemetery and Zantvoorde British Cemetery, both in Belgium, were organised by the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives. Mr Buescher added: "The care and dedication to duty of the JCCC and CWGC has made us feel cared for. "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."According to JCCC, records, including war diaries from the soldiers' units, were used to identify the remains.
'Bravest and coolest'
LCpl Baron enlisted into The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry after the outbreak of war in 1914.He was awarded the Military Medal on 14 November 1916 for his bravery on the Somme, when he single-handedly held a position after all his comrades had been put out of action. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre on 1 May 1917.L/Cpl Baron was killed around 24 August 1917 during an attack on Inverness Copse. His commanding officer described him as "a man of great spirit and example, and undoubtedly one of the bravest and coolest men of the company".
L/Cpl Chapman enlisted into The East Yorkshire Regiment in March 1915. In mid December 1917, his battalion took over part of the line near Passchendaele. While there, L/Cpl Chapman was wounded and evacuated to an aid post at Tyne Cot.According to JCCC, the post was located in a pillbox, now the location of the Cross of Sacrifice, in the cemetery. Casualties who did not survive were buried near the pillbox.L/Cpl Chapman was one such casualty and appears to have died there or while travelling to the aid post on 14 December.
'Daring' mission
On 5 September 1914, 2nd Lt Barr enlisted into The Scottish Horse. He was later commissioned into 6th Battalion The Rifle Brigade, before being posted to 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.According to records, on 30 September 1918, 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps supported an attack on Werwik.A fellow officer said: "2nd Lt Barr went out on a daring reconnaissance during an attack, and his men state that his bravery and daring astounded everyone, and there is no doubt his action was the means of saving many lives and of helping to restore the situation at a critical period."
JCCC caseworker Rosie Barron added: "It has been an honour to have been involved in the organisation of these rededication services and to have joined the family of L/Cpl Chapman, their military family and the local community in Ypres in remembering these three men. "The memory of each of these men has now been passed through generations of their families and they are all still fondly and proudly remembered."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.