Today, Nov. 17
th 2021, at Tyne Cot Cemetery a burial service was held for 9 fallen British soldiers. Eight are from 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and 1 Unknown Soldier of an Unknown Regiment. Seven of Northumbrian Fusiliers have been identified, i.e.:
- 2/Lt Leslie Wallace Ablett
- 2/Lt Edward Douglas Bruty
- Sjt Thomas Feasby
- L/Cpl Stanley Blakeborough
- Pte Harry Miller
- Pte Joseph Patrickson, MM
- Pte Arnold Sanderson, MM
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers performed at this solemn occasion with full military honours. H.R.H. The Duke of Kent also attended the ceremony. All of these men of the 11
th Northumbrian Battalion were killed in action on 14 October 1917. Their remains were found during engineering works at the Oude Wervikstraat, Beselare (Zonnebeke) in June 2018. Some remains were found in the remains of a trench, an adjacent bomb pit and a separate bomb pit. Apparently the men in the trench, the majority so, were all killed by an explosion in the trench. A box respirator found at the scene indicated a period from 1916 onwards, no sooner. For 2
nd Lt. Ablett a bracelet with his ID (name, rank and regiment) and a ring with his initials engraved already made his identity clear. The date of his death,14 Oct. 1917, was known and also pointed in the direction of the other men of the battalion who were killed in the period 12-15 October 1917 and had no known grave. The identification was done on the basis of some artefacts that were found and further DNA research. This so lead to the positive identification of these seven men. Nice work of the MOD & JCCC.
The new graves and headstones as always were made and provided by the CWGC who will for ever take care of them.
They now rest in peace, eternal peace amongst their ‘mates’. THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
NL:
Op 17 November 2021 vond op Tyne Cot Cemetery de begrafenis plaats van 9 Britse soldaten uit de Grote Oorlog. Acht behoorden tot het 11e Bataljon Northumbrian Fusiliers. Zeven van werden geïdentificeerd. De negende soldaat is onbekend. De namen van de geïdentificeerde soldaten staan hierboven vermeld. Het Royal Regiment of Fusiliers verzorgde deze plechtigheid met volle militaire eer. Z. K. H. De Hertog van Kent woonde ceremonie ook bij.
Deze soldaten werden in 2018 gevonden tijdens werkzaamheden in de Oude Wervikstraat te Beselare. De meerderheid van hen lag in een vroeger loopgraaf, één lag in een bomkraker in die loopgraaf, een ander in een krater daar iets vandaan. Bij 2
nd Lt. Ablett werden een armbandje gevonden met ID (n,aam, rang en regiment) en tevens een ring met zijn inititialen. De datum van zijn overlijdenj, 14 okt. 1917, was bekend en het leek al gauw duidelijk dat de meeste soldaten daar van dezelfde eenheid waren en samen sneuvelden wellcht bij een granaatexplosie. Voortgaabnde op de vermisten van het bataljon die rond die periode sneuvelden werd verder onderzoek en DNA identificatie mogelijk.
De ene onbkende soldaat werd gevonden in de wat verder liggende bomkrater. Mooi werk van de MOD & JCCC. DE graven en gharfstenen werden door de CWGC verzorgd en zijn zullen er nu voor altijd zorg voor dragen.
Daze jongens rusten nu voor altijd in vrede bij hun kameraden. Hun naam leeft voor altijd.
Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Great Cross
1st. Bn. Fusiliers shoulder patch. The Royal Regiment of Fusliiers sinde 1968 perpetuates
the Royal Notrhumbrian Fusiliers, The Royal Lancashire Fusiliers, The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers
and the Royal Fusiliers (city of London)
in the back, the new headstones lined up.
arrival of the offcials, with the H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
the first of three hearses arrives at the cemetery
the coffin is being taken out of the hearse
the 2nd of three hearses arrives at the cemetery
men of the RRF carry their comrade
men of the RRF carry their comrademen of the RRF carry their comrade
men of the RRF carry their comrade
the 3rd. of three hearses arrives at the cemetery
the coffin of the 3rd soldier, Pte. Miller, is being carried by the pal bearers of the RRF
the coffin of the 3rd soldier, Pte. Miller, is being carried by the pal bearers of the RRF
the coffin of the 3rd soldier, Pte. Miller, is being carried by the pal bearers of the RRF
the coffin of the 3rd soldier, Pte. Miller, is being carried by the pal bearers of the RRF
the funeral procession at the cemetery
Revd. Chaplain Gary Watt of the 1st Bn. Fusiliers is leading the procession.
the funeral procession with the first coffin at the cemetery
the funeral procession with the second coffin at the cemetery
the three coffins are carried to the gravesite, the other 6 are already there.
the three coffins are carried to the gravesite, the other 6 are already there.
the three coffins are placed at the gravesite.
the three coffins are placed at the gravesite.
RBL standard saluting
some of the relatives of the soldiers
Some of the officials.
showing respect for his fallen predecessors
the folding of the flag(s)
the folding of the flag(s)
the folding of the flag(s)
the folding of the flag(s)
making ready to lower the coffins
ready to lower the coffins
making ready to lower the coffins
the coffins are being lowered
the coffins are being lowered
the coffins are being lowered
the coffins are being lowered. These men found their final resting place.
Last Post in tribute to the fallen
the standard lowered in tribute to the fallen
folded flag, wreath and head gear that will be handed over to the families
folded flag, wreath and head gear that will be handed over to the families
wreaths are being brought in
wreaths are being brought in
laying of wreath by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
laying of wreath by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
laying of wreath by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Laying of wreaths: the governor of West Flanders, Mr. Decaluwé
Laying of wreaths: Group Capt. Fowler on behalf of the British Ambassador
Laying of wreaths: the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of Pte. Harry Miller
Laying of wreaths by relatives of Pte. Harry Miller
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by relatives of these fallen Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by military of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths by military of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Laying of wreaths: provincial military commander of West Flanders
Laying of wreaths: provincial military commander of West Flanders
Laying of wreaths: alderman of Zonnebeke
Laying of wreaths: alderman of Zonnebeke
Laying of wreaths: Col. Onraedt for the Royal British Legion
Laying of wreaths: Col. Onraedt for the Royal British Legion
Laying of wreaths: Col. Onraedt for the Royal British Legion
Laying of wreaths, Johan Dejonghe on behalf of the Passchendaele 1917 Society
Laying of wreaths, Johan Dejonghe on behalf of the Passchendaele 1917 Society
the gravesite and the new headstones
The Regimental Collet of the Northumbrian Fusiliers is recited by
H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, also Colonel-in-Chief of the
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers(photo Frank Mahieu 17 Nov. 2021)
The firing party of the R. R. of Fusiliers standing asize after the volley
The firing party of the R. R. of Fusiliers standing asize after the volley
H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, and the official party leaving the cemetery
H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, and the official party leaving the cemetery
the Revd. Chaplain and the manager of Talbot House S. Louagie.
A Religious Service was held yesterdayat Talbot House attended by the families
of these fallen men, Miitary of the Regiment and the The Duke of Kent
a tribute from his family for L. Cpl. Stanley Blakeborough
a view of the new gavesite
the headstone of Pte. Sanderson (left), a Northumbrian soldier and an unknown soldier.
headstone for pte. Arnold Sanderson, KIA 14 Oct. 1917, aged 26,
awarded the Military Medal, "a good soldier who always did his duty".
both granddaughters of pte. Harry Miller at the headstone of their grandfather.
Their father George never knew his daddy for Pte. Miller was killed when he was a baby.
Ever so sad. But wonderful meeting the family today.
Headstone of Pte. Harry Miller, KIA 14 Oct. 1917, aged 28. He had 4 children.
The youngest, George, was just a baby when his daddy was killed.
Here's a daughter of George, a granddaughter so of pte. Harry Miller.
(very nice meeting her and her sister)
left: pte Harry Miller and his wife Florence with their youngest newborn son George.
Shortly after later Pte. Miller was killed. (right:) Harry Miller's 3 other children: Annie, James and Minnie.
Unfortunatly their mother also died when they were still children, leaving all four behind as orphans.
Ever so sad. But wonderful meeting the family today.
the headstone for 2nd. Lt. Leslie Wallace Ablett, KIA 14 Oct 1917, aged 20.
" bright, cheerful and of good tone"
headstone for L.Cpl. Stanley Blakeborough KIA 14 Oct 1917 aged 21.
His brother Donald was also killed in the war. LWF
headstone for 2nd. Lt. Edward D. Bruty, KIA 14 Oct 1917, aged 21.
A Railway Clerk before, initially served with the Victoria Rifles,
then with the Army Cyclist Corps as sergeant,
later on 2nd. Lt. and joining the Northumbrians.
headstone for Sgt. Thomas Feasby, KIA 14 Oct 1917, aged 32,
a former foreman at the Steelworks in Euston.
Headstone for pte. Joseph Patrickson, awarded the Military Medal,
KIA 14 Oct. 1917, aged 24. He had 2 brothers and six sisters,
worked as an errand boy with a fruit retailer (1911).
page made by / pagina aangemaakt door Frank Mahieu
Page made by Frank Mahieu.