Tag: CWGC

Soldier of World War 1 buried with Full Military Honours

The remains of Private (Pte) John Tame of 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment were laid to rest on 8 May in Belgium, nearly 108 years after his death

The burial service for Pte Tame was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives, and took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) New Irish Farm Cemetery. 

The service was supported by serving soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Rifles and was attended by Keith Brooks, the great nephew of Pte Tame, who aided JCCC by providing the DNA sample used to identify him. 

Keith Brooks said: “John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed.

“Now, after finding John’s remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real along with his story for future generations.

“This has all been achieved because of the excellent work the MOD do with all the research and investigations, giving missing people who have served their country the funeral they all greatly deserve.”

Pte Tame was identified after his remains were found during road works at Zonnebeke near Ypres in May 2018. Nearby artefacts included a cap badge and shoulder title of The Royal Berkshire Regiment.

The body also appeared to have been previously wounded around his left shoulder, which led to DNA matching confirming his identification.

Pte Tame was from Windsor, Berkshire, and the third-eldest of 7 children. His elder brothers Alfred and William George also enlisted and served with 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment which, though stationed in India at the outbreak of the World War 1, arrived on the Western Front on 5 November 1914. 

John’s brothers Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame were both killed on 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. They are still missing and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. 

On Friday 9 May, the 110th anniversary of their deaths, the family of Pte Tame and a party from 2nd Battalion The Rifles visited the Ploegsteert Memorial to remember his missing brothers. 

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion The Rifles visited the Ploegsteert Memorial with Keith Brooks to remember Private Tame’s brothers, killed 110 years ago today (Crown Copyright)

JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron said: “It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Pte Tame the full military funeral that he deserves and to have conducted the research which led to his identification.

“It has also been a privilege to meet Keith, and to have shared this experience with him and his family.”

The grave will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC. 

Commemorations Casework Manager at the CWGC, David Royle, said: “It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of Private Tame and to have assisted his family with their choices for his Commission headstone.

“He is now at rest alongside his comrades in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where we will care for his grave in perpetuity.”

The service was conducted by the Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles. Reverend Cassells said: “I count it a privilege to be involved in the proper burial of Pte Tame.

“It is right that his remains should be laid to rest with dignity and in a place where his service will be properly honoured.

“I pray that his family will find peace in knowing that their relative has been found and buried properly and that those connected with his army regiment would draw renewed commitment through his service for King and country.”

Dundee Soldier Buried With Military Honours

A World War 1 soldier from Dundee who was identified in part through possible tartan fragments and a thistle brooch, has finally been laid to rest with full military honours.

More than a century after his death, Private (Pte) David Valentine Gemmell, who served with The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC), Woburn Abbey today 15 May 2024.

The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’.

In 2019 two casualties were recovered by the CWGC following a call from a farmer in the village of Cuinchy who had been ploughing his field and discovered what he thought could be WW1 casualties. The remains were close to the recovery site of a casualty JCCC has earlier identified as a Lance Corporal from 1st Battalion Black Watch killed on 25 January 1915.

Research focused on the period between 25 January and 6 February 1915 when the British front line was approximately at the recovery location. The artefacts confirmed the casualties were British and, although none identified a regiment, some suggested a Scottish connection, a link to The Black Watch – including pieces of possible tartan, a thistle brooch – and possible previous military service.

Tracey Bowers, MOD War Detectives’ case lead said: “The presence of a spoon with the service number 3800 was of great help and enabled us to narrow down the list of candidates.

“We always have to be mindful; a spoon found near a casualty doesn’t always mean they were the owner. In this case, following DNA we were able to confirm the identity of 3800 Pte Gemmell who was killed on 25 January.

“Due to the number of artefacts found alongside the two casualties it is possible they were either sleeping in a dugout or holding the line. The weather and conditions in January 1915 were known to be cold, wet and very difficult for the infantry soldiers who were trying to hold the advancing enemy.”

Despite DNA testing the second casualty has not yet been identified but research and genealogy is on-going.

The Gemmell family said: “It is both a privilege and honour to be here today to see our Grandfather and Great Grandfather buried.

“A beautifully emotional occasion we were here not just to remember Private Gemmell but the unknown soldier alongside him. We would like to thank all those involved in particular the Regiment, 3 Scots, JCCC and the local community.”

Major Patrick Marshall (3 Scots) presents the flag to Pte Gemmell’s grandchildren (Crown Copyright)

Reverend Geoffrey Berry CF, Chaplain to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland said: “Reveille, the traditional bugle call for the bearer party to return to work is also the ringing call to their colleague Private David Gemmell who they have just lowered, to rise in glory into the presence of the Lord.“

The grave of Pte David Gemmell will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC.

The military party and other invited guests stand with the family of Pte Gemmell (Crown Copyright)

Xavier Puppinck, France Area Director CWGC, said: “We are profoundly privileged to stand here today, united in reverence as Private (Pte) David Valentine Gemmell is laid to rest.

“His selfless sacrifice and unwavering service are forever etched in the annals of history and in the sacred stones of the Commonwealth War Graves Woburn Abbey Cemetery. May his legacy endure under our unwavering care and commitment.”

PICTURED (TOP) Artefacts belonging to Pte Gemmell which were presented to his family after the service (Crown Copyright)