World War One soldier laid to relaxation on the eve of the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

Pte Robert Leonard Lock, of twelfth Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, was laid to relaxation on the Somme in the present day (30 June 2026) at a burial service organised by MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), often known as the ‘War Detectives’. The service came about at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Warlencourt British Cemetery.  

The burial service nearly coincided with the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme which noticed British and French forces assault on the morning of 1 July 1916. The date is the bloodiest in British army historical past, with 57,000 casualties sustained. The preventing continued till 18 November 1916 and would in the end lead to 420,000 Commonwealth casualties, 200,000 French casualties and 450,000 German casualties. 

JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron mentioned: 

It has been a privilege to have seen Pte Lock laid to relaxation in the present day within the presence of his household. It has been particularly poignant as this marks the beginning of commemorations of the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The story of Pte Lock reminds us that though the main focus and narrative of the battle is on the excessive variety of casualties killed or wounded, these males weren’t statistics, and every soldier and household affected have their very own particular person tales to inform. Pte Lock’s story has now been dropped at a conclusion.  

Pte Lock’s stays have been found in 2022 as a farmer ploughed his discipline close to Le Sars. DNA testing, coordinated by JCCC, confirmed his identification. His nice nephew, Anthony Wright, attended together with his sons. The service was additionally attended by Roland Lock who, as the primary cousin as soon as eliminated of Pte Lock, offered a DNA pattern. 

Anthony Wright mentioned: 

We’re extremely grateful to the JCCC for the nice work they achieve this that Robert might be correctly laid to relaxation and for giving us the chance to be there on the burial. Whilst it’s extremely unhappy, we’re nonetheless very happy with the sacrifice that Robert made to guard our freedom.

Pte Lock, a farm labourer from Cambridgeshire, was posted to twelfth Battalion The Durham Light Infantry. On 7 October 1916, the battalion attacked the sunken highway southeast of Le Sars and Pte Lock was amongst males who occupied a trench place referred to as the Tangle: the identical location the place his stays have been discovered. 

By the tip of the day, the sunken highway had been captured and the battalion consolidated their positions. One officer was killed, one other was lacking and 31 different ranks have been killed and 86 wounded. Pte Lock was amongst the casualties. He was 20 years previous. 

The service was supported by serving troopers from The Rifles and was additionally attended by serving members of the German and Belgian army. The service was performed by the Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles.  

Reverend Stephen Cassells CF mentioned: 

It is a privilege to play a small however necessary half to make sure a dignified and correct burial of a soldier who paid the last word sacrifice. Though over 100 years have transitioned since his passing, it’s becoming that these of antecedent regiments to his personal have united to put one among their very own to relaxation. “Greater love has no one than this, that a person lay down their life for their friends”. John 15:13. In everlasting memorial.

The grave of Pte Lock will now be cared for by the CWGC in perpetuity. Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CB CBE, Vice Chairman of the CWGC, attended the service and mentioned: 

The reburial of Private Robert Leonard Lock, on the eve of the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, is a strong reminder of the human price of that marketing campaign. For greater than a century he lay unknown, however in the present day we’re in a position to restore him to his rightful place amongst his comrades of the Durham Light Infantry. Through the dedication of many, and the assist of his household, we make sure that his sacrifice is recognised, and that he’s remembered not merely as one of many fallen, however as a person, identified and honoured as soon as extra.