Great War heroes buried 103 years after their deaths
SEVEN British Army veterans were yesterday given a full military funeral 103 years after they were killed.
Captain Henry John Innes Walker, who was from New Zealand and served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was among the soldiers buried at the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.
But the identities of the other six veterans are unknown.
Their bodies were discovered during an archeological dig near the village of St Julien.
Capt Walker, who was known to his family as Jack, was 25 when he was killed in the early hours of April 25, 1915. He was shot in the stomach as his company tried to capture a wooded area.
His remains were found with a coin holder, binocular components and leather casing bearing the initials “HJIW”, plus a Royal Warwickshire Regiment cap badge and shoulder title, which together were enough to identify him.
Family members who attended the ceremony included his great nephews, who travelled from New Zealand and Australia. Allan Innes-Walker said: “According to his men, Jack’s last words were ‘Come on lads’ as he raised his revolver and led his company towards German lines and heavy fire.
“His discovery and burial are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my children to connect to a family member and a devastating history – an unexpected and inspiring legacy.”
Capt Walker’s name will remain on the Menin Gate in Ypres, where the names of soldiers without a grave are commemorated.
Current members of 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers paid their own tribute by providing the bearer party.
The service was organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.