Four British soldiers killed during WWI finally laid to rest in France

Four British soldiers killed during World War One have finally been laid to rest with full military honours after their remains were discovered in December last year.  

The remains of one anonymous soldier from the Machine Gun Corps and three unknown comrades from other regiments were discovered by builders at the Vendin-le-Viel area of northern France  

Two Machine Gun Corps shoulder titles, a cap badge, and numerous items of British Army kit were also found alongside the soldiers.     

Soldiers from the Royal Tank Regiment acted as a bearer party for their fallen comrade

Headstones for the soldiers were provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

A vickers machine gun from WW1 was brought along the burial service   

The four soldiers were buried in coffins covered with the British flag at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Loos British Cemetery in France today.

The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.

MOD official Nicola Nash said: ‘It’s a great honour to be here today to lay these brave men to rest, who fought so courageously alongside their comrades.

‘Although we have not been able to identify them, they were still buried with the dignity and respect that they deserved.’

Members of the Royal Tank Regiment pay their respects at the service

Reverend Stephen Pratt added: ‘It was a great privilege to lead the service for four unknown soldiers who sacrifices themselves, that we might have freedom.’

Headstones for the soldiers were provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

The heavy branch of the Machine Gun Corps was the first to use tanks in combat – during the Battle of the Somme – and was later amalgamated into the Tank Corps.