First World War soldier Private Robert Kenneth Malcolm has been laid to rest more than 100 years after dying in battle.
The remains of the 23-year-old stretcher bearer were found in a shell hole near Klein-Zillbeke in Belgium.
Insignia showed he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Research by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) – and DNA testing – named the remains as Pte Malcolm.
He was reported missing in action on August 6th, 1917.
Pte Malcolm was buried with military honours at the Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres in Flanders Field.
Linda Jordan, Pte Malcolm’s great-great-niece, was one of two family members who provided positive DNA matches.
Ms Jordan said at the funeral service:
“Getting a letter five months ago from JCCC suggesting I could be related to a fallen First World War soldier whose body had been recently discovered was quite a shock.
“My family was unaware that our great-grandmother had eleven siblings, one of whom was Pte Malcolm.
“It is fascinating how we were traced and the link confirmed through DNA testing.
“As Pte Malcolm had been missing for so long it was amazing and quite emotional to see the care that all those in the wider Army family have taken to identify and honour him.
“We were privileged to represent his family at his funeral.
“It is our way of respecting him and acknowledging the sacrifice he, and so many others, made in service of our country.”
Rosie Barron, JCCC case lead said:
“The identification of Pte Malcolm was a long and at times complicated task.
“It is very satisfying to have organised his burial service today and to have seen a positive conclusion to this case.
“Stretcher bearers such as Pte Malcolm were vital to the war effort.
“Without their dedication and bravery, many more men would have died on the battlefields.
“Pte Malcolm came from a large family.
“His mother and siblings died unaware of his fate and the memory of Pte Malcolm had been lost through the generations.
“It has been a privilege therefore to have his great-great-nieces here today to see him laid to rest and to know that he will be remembered by future generations of his family who will now be able to visit his grave.”
