Latest news with #rededication
BBC News
04-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Grave of World War Two major rededicated in France
The grave of a serviceman who was killed during the retreat to Dunkirk during World War Two has been rededicated in his family's presence after more than 85 Richard White-Cooper of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, and Suffolk Regiment, died aged 37 of a gunshot wound on 12 June was one of four soldiers who died during the conflict who were buried in unmarked graves in Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery, near Le Mans, France. The families of the servicemen attended their rededication services held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery on 24 June. Major White-Cooper was serving as a Brigade Major with the Beauman also served in the Suffolk Regiment between 6 July and 27 September William Falconer died on 14 June 1940, following a road traffic Joseph Humphries of 71 Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of Artillery also died in a road traffic accident on 14 June 1940, having been in France for five Edmund Roberts, who was serving in 50 Telephone Unit which was part of The Royal Corps of Signals, died from injuries on 13 June 1940. The four servicemen had been taken to 9th General Hospital, a military hospital in the grounds of the Chateau at Le Grand-Lucé, either for treatment or burial. But after the soldiers died their burials were not properly recorded when the hospital had to evacuate to St Malo in Brittany. Major White-Cooper's grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the soldiers of the Royal Corps of Signals, the Royal Regiment of Artillery and the Royal Welsh also attended. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Missing World War One Dorsetshire soldier's grave identified
The grave of a missing World War One soldier has been identified in Ernest Cecil Blencowe of the Dorsetshire Regiment died in February 1916 trying to get control of The Bluff, an area of raised ground near the Ypres-Comines canal which was fought over extensively during the body was not recovered, but remains originally found in June 1921 and reburied at Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, have now been identified as those of Capt Blencowe.A rededication service, where the unmarked grave was marked, was held on Wednesday, and was attended by two of Capt Blencowe's great grandchildren. Capt Blencowe joined the army at the outbreak of was attached to 6th battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment and arrived in France in July he died, he was listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the June 1921, the remains of an unknown British officer bearing buttons and badges of the Dorsetshire Regiment were found, but further identification proved research has revealed the un-named officer to be Capt Blencowe. 'A tremendous privilege' The rededication service, organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was led by Padre John Blencowe's headstone was replaced, and will be cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).Sean Phillips from the CWGC said it was "a tremendous privilege"."For evermore, visitors to Bedford House Cemetery will be able to pay their respects to Captain Blencowe at his final place of rest," he Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: "In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
