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Hunt on to find relatives of WW1 soldiers whose remains were found at Ypres.
Investigators are looking to trace the families of two World War One soldiers whose remains were found after their deaths. Skeletons of two men were dug up recently during building work at a field close to Ypres which is an area in Belgium which saw some of the fiercest fightings.
Experts have been able to narrow down their identities to two out of four private soldiers who were all killed in June 1915. They are now looking to trace male descendants and carry out DNA tests to enable them to identify the bodies. In order for them to be buried in a full military funeral. Rosie Baron from the Ministry of Defence believes that it is important that the men are still commemorated and it is important for the families.
The remains of many of the 908,000 service personnel who were killed in the First World War were never found. Ypres was the scene of intense trench warfare between German and Allied armies and there are still 41,490 missing.
The remains were found in 2015 during building work on an old military cemetery. Experts found the skeletons were in uniform that bore shoulder titles from the 1st Battalion. The Royal Fusiliers.
Ms. Baron has narrowed down their identities to four privates from the London area who were all killed between 9-16th June 1915 just after the Second Battle of Ypres.
Are you related to private Henry Federick Wolf?
The son of Annie Wolf who was born in Bethnal Green in 1893. He died on June 9th, 1915 aged 22. He had nine siblings Elizabeth Wolf, John Wolf, Florence Wolf, Robert Wolf, Leornard Peter Wolf, Peter William Wolf, Christina Wolf, James Wolf, and Nellie Wolf.
Are you related to Private James Hodges?
The son of George Hodges and Eliza Larney he was born in St Lukes near Islington, London in 1890. He died on 14th June 1915 aged 25. He married Jessica Matilda Wootley on 3rd August 1913. Their son James George Henry Hodges was born in Shoreditch on 11th September 1914.
Are you related to Private George Henry Smith?
The son of William Smith and Sarah Jones was born in Bromley on 18th October 1886. He died on 15th June aged 29. He is believed to have married on 3rd August 1913 to Alice Spackman. Their son George Henry Smith was born on 29th June 1914 in Poplar.
Are you related to Private Louis Frank Walker?
The son of John Willis Walker and Emma Louisa Williams who was born in Hackney on 25th November 1885. He died on 16th June 1915. He married Elizabeth Neville on 6th August 1914. He had three siblings Sidney John Willis Walker, Jessica Louisa Walker, and Percy Walker.
Ms baron has been through war diaries and found four soldiers who were killed within a kilometre of the site. She has identified a number of immediate relatives. But is hoping to trace their male descendants for a simple DNA cheek swab. Which will be used to confirm the identity of the soldiers. They will then be awarded a full Royal Fusilier burial in October at the New Irish Farm Cemetry in Belgium with hopefully their families present.
If you can provide any information about them, or if you believe you may be related to them please contact Ms. Baron on 01452 712612 ext 6303 during office hours. Or email rosemary.barron912@mod.gov.uk
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