Tag: MOD

Edinburgh Gunner laid to rest more than 100 years after his death

TWO WORLD WAR ONE SOLDIERS BURIED IN FRANCE

Two soldiers, whose remains were found in a cave, have been laid to rest with full military honours more than a century after their deaths. One of them is from Edinburgh.

The service for Serjeant (Sjt) John Smith, of Gloucestershire, and Gunner (Gnr) Charles Lightfoot, of Edinburgh, was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’. 

It was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Vendresse British Cemetery, France yesterday (13 June 2024). 

Bearer Party led by Battery Sergeant Major P. Kinsey (Crown Copyright)

In 2015, French archaeologists working in caves near Chassemy noted an inscription on the cave wall:  

15 Sept 1914 

Here lies Sjt Smith and 3 Gnrs 

29th Battery RFA

Despite the reference to four casualties, excavations revealed just two sets of remains. Research, genealogy and DNA testing have now found those remains to be Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot.  

Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot were professional soldiers in the 29th Battery Royal Field Artillery. They arrived in Rouen just days after war broke out in 1914. Their unit worked their way east towards Belgium, and then south towards the Aisne and by mid-September they were fighting around the Aisne area. 

On 13 September the troops marched from Cerseuil and halted at about 8.30am just north of Braine. German shells were bursting on the road, but they continued to Brenelle, and halted at midday until 5.30pm.

They stayed the night of September 13 to 14 in Brenelle and were then brought into action just north of the Chassemy to Brenelle Road. The Battery was heavily shelled and afterwards moved position. At dusk the Brigade moved to the east of the Braine to Brenelle Road. 

The war diaries make no reference to casualties during these dates, but other records show the 29th Battery lost four men between 13 and 14 September. Evidence shows that a gun position was hit by a shell on 13 September, and this killed at least two.

The men known to have been killed by the shell were Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot, whilst the other two men who died that day were Gnr Adams and Gnr Blyth.

By the end of the war their burial place was unknown, and all four were listed on the memorial to the missing at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre. Whilst Smith and Lightfoot have now been identified unfortunately Gunners Blyth and Adams remain missing. 

Alexia Clark, MOD War Detective said: “It has been a privilege to work on this case, and to be able to give these men the dignified burial they deserve, whilst offering closure to their family members.

“I am grateful to Sjt Smith’s cousin and Gnr Lightfoot’s great-nephew for offering their DNA to allow us to identify these men, and for the input other members of the families have offered to create a truly special service for them today.

“Whilst Gnrs Adams and Blyth remain unfound, we have also been able to remember them today, and acknowledge their sacrifice alongside that of their comrades.”

The military party and families of Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot at the graveside (Crown Copyright)

Reverend Roger Grafton, Chaplain to 14th Regiment Royal Artillery said: “I am so excited to have been asked to take part in this ceremony at Vendresse.

“Last year I was asked to be involved in the burial of an unknown soldier at the Guard’s Cemetery in Lesboeufs, so to be invited to take part again so quickly after that is a real honour.

“I have served with the Royal Artillery for the last 10 years as a chaplain, and one of the Gunners’ straplines is “once a Gunner, always a Gunner. To be able to lay two of our own to rest today after so many years is a particular privilege.”

Head of Commemorations at the CWGC, Mel Donnelly, said: “We are thankful to everyone involved in helping to identify Sjt Smith and Gnr Lightfoot. 

“It was moving and fitting to see them buried with full military honours at Vendresse British Cemetery, and we will care for their graves in perpetuity.”

Rare butterfly finds home at military training area in Scotland

  • Rare species of blue butterfly has been sighted as a result of the restoration of habitats at military training area.
  • Conservation project at Barry Buddon Training Area in Angus, is proving successful.
  • Demonstrating MoD’s commitment to supporting nature recovery across the Defence estate.

A project to restore habitats for the rare Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area has seen success this summer, with the elusive species spotted flying on site.

The butterfly is a priority species on the Scottish Biodiversity List, and the sighting of the butterfly at Barry Buddon follows years of conservation efforts by Defence Infrastructure Organisation ecologists and industry partner, Landmarc, to restore habitats for the species in the area.

A pair of the Small Blue butterflies were identified on the military training area during a visit hosted by DIO’s ecology team and a representative from Species on the Edge – a conservation programme focused on reversing the decline of vulnerable coastal species in Scotland – to survey the project’s progress.

Through planting the butterfly’s sole food source, the plant Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), the habitat restoration efforts have created a feeding corridor for the Small Blue across the training area. With support from DIO ecologists, Landmarc teams have established Kidney Vetch along road and track verges to restore connectivity between breeding colonies of the Small Blue and boost the butterfly’s populations within Barry Buddon training area and the surrounding local region.

The sighting of the Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area this summer comes just in time for The Big Butterfly Count, a UK-wide initiative led by the Butterfly Conservation charity and aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies that can be seen across the country.

Minister of State for Defence, Baroness Goldie, said: “The presence of the Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area is wonderful news and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining and improving biodiversity on our estates.

“The work of DIO and Landmarc, supported by the Butterfly Conservation charity, shows how we can effectively conduct training for our Armed Forces whilst taking care of our environment and delivering on the Government’s biodiversity commitments.

“I strongly support work being done to minimise our impact on the environment and optimise environmental potential whilst keeping our nation safe.”

The work has been funded by the DIO Conservation Stewardship Fund and contributes to a wider biodiversity initiative in the Angus region to restore populations of the Small Blue, which have been in decline in the UK since the 1950s.

The project team at Barry Buddon has received support from the Butterfly Conservation charity, which has helped monitor the Small Blue population on the training area, along with sharing advice and information on the conservation of the butterfly and its habitats.

Lt Col Alan Grant, DIO Commander of the UK Defence Training Estate Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “MOD land is home to some of the most unique and naturally diverse landscapes in the UK, and our Scottish estate is no exception.

“The primary use of the land is to enable our military to train safely, but we are equally committed to supporting nature recovery and balancing the conservation of vital species and habitats with military training requirements.

“It is extremely encouraging to witness first-hand the impact that the habitat restoration work for the Small Blue butterfly is having at Barry Buddon.

“The project is playing a key role in helping to enhance biodiversity, not just on our training estate, but across the wider Angus region, and I look forward to seeing its continued success.”

Comprising 930 hectares of coastal plain on the Tay Estuary between Carnoustie and Monifieth, Barry Buddon is an active military training area, and the work has been carried out in balance with military training requirements.

Because of its scenery and wildlife value, Barry Buddon is an ideal location for enjoying coastal walks and wildlife watching. However, members of the public are asked to access the land only when and where it is safe to do so due to the dangers of live military training.

The MoD supports the delivery of the government’s sustainability objectives through the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach.

The work being done across the MoD estate ensures that it is resilient and adaptable for responding to future risks and addresses the implications for defence capabilities, whilst respecting and minimising the impacts on the environment, availability of resources and changes in the climatic and geographical arena.

Ministry of Defence honours the sacrifice of World War One soldiers

Re-dedication Services in Ypres

Four soldiers of the Great War had their graves rededicated in the presence of their family yesterday (Tuesday 22 March 2022).

Wilfred Miller
Lance Corporal Wilfred Horace Miller

Both services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, and were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.

Nicola Nash, MOD JCCC caseworker said: “After more than 100 years, these four men who were lost, have now been found. There is nothing more rewarding for us than giving a family closure and making sure that every soldier is remembered as he should be.”

The first service was held for Lance Serjeant (LSjt) Edward Leonard Cottrell and Serjeant (Sjt) Joseph Frank Brookes Birkin whilst the second was to honour Lance Corporal (LCpl) Wilfred Horace Miller and LCpl Arthur Burton. All four served with the Leicestershire Regiment.

Joseph Birkin
Serjeant Joseph Frank Brookes Birkin

Defence Minister Leo Docherty said: “We will never fail in our duty to remember those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom during the two world wars.

“As more fallen servicemen from both world wars are discovered, the MOD Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre will strive to confirm their identities. Their tireless efforts and dedication will ensure these soldiers’ names will live on in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s cemeteries.”

The four soldiers had no known graves since tragically losing their lives in 1915, however, due to the collective efforts of the MOD JCCC and CWGC following evidence submitted, their final resting places have now been found over a century later.

Private Nicolas
Private Benjamin Nicolas laying wreath on behalf of members of the Birkin family who were unable to attend

Following submission of research, including from the CWGC, that was considered by the MOD JCCC as the adjudicators, additional research by the team themselves and the National Army Museum led to the four cases being confirmed.

Nicola added: “Today, we honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, along with representatives from the regiment and their family.”

John Williamson, great nephew of Sjt Birkin, said: “It is wonderful this work still continues; this ceremony gives final closure to the family.”

Birkin family members
Birkin family members in prayer during the service

Research by MOD JCCC also led to LCpl Miller’s family being traced meaning they could be invited to today’s service to pay their respects.

Maria Miller, great niece of LCpl Miller, said: “This has been the most humbling experience and a great privilege to be here today.”

Maria Miller
Maria Miller at the graveside of her great uncle Lcpl Miller’s headstone

The services were supported by the Royal Anglian Regiment and were conducted by the Reverend (Captain) Thomas Wilde, CF, Chaplain to the Royal Anglian Regiment, who said: “When you give a soldier a name you give them meaning a history and a voice.”

The graves will now be marked by headstones provided by the CWGC.

Fergus Read, CWGC Case Officer (Commemorations), said: “It is always immensely satisfying when we are able to put a name on any headstone. Here, the research for one case helped us to unlock the names of those buried in a further three graves.

“It is the Commission’s privilege to be part of the work to identify the last resting places of these casualties, and to care for their graves in perpetuity.”