Ten soldiers who died in World War One and whose bodies were found in France five years ago have been named after DNA analysis of samples from relatives. Since the discovery of the bodies in 2009 the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been tracking down potential relatives in the hope of identifying them. The remains were spotted during construction work near the French village of Beaucamps-Ligny. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26690387
Thanks Lesley, I think that it is impressive that the MOD would go to such lengths to identify these formerly lost men. Just recently, and with the help of Raj from this forum, I have gone a long way to finding the final resting place of a soldier lost on the outlying approaches to Imphal in 1944. It shows what can be done.
It seems that almost every year another Canadian WW1 soldier is uncovered and identified. Utterly fascinating that the isotopes from the bones can identify the country of origin. I'm impressed as well by the efforts taken to not only to identify but also connecting with next of kin. http://theindependent.ca/2011/04/12/identifying-a-wwi-soldier/
It's amazing that they can identify them - the wonders of modern science. I hold out hope that one day they will find my great uncle - a slim chance I know, but we can always hope.
I'm happy for the men and their families. In light of unknown in the US Vietnam memorial being identified a few years ago, I wonder if further efforts will be made to ID the other men buried in the Tombs of the Unknown?
Does anyone know how they find relatives? Obviously if there is an identifying object that gives a name that is a clue, but like many on this website I had a relative, a great uncle who fell at the second Loos in 1915 and his body was never found. As his widow remarried my branch of the family lost touch with his immediate descendants and I often wonder what would happen if some of his mortal remains came to light ........................
I'm sure it is a long arduous process but the Attestation papers of missing soldiers would provide a starting point with the next of kin and location at the the time of enlistment. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339583/The-battle-identify-unknown-soldiers-WWI-How-finding-descendant-15-young-men-killed-France-1914-lead-military-funerals-99-years-on.html
I had been wondering the same, the Daily Mail article is interesting, thanks for posting the link. My great uncle was buried and I have a copy of a local newspaper article about him from the time, which says where he was buried. But he has no known grave now. Of course he may be buried under 'A soldier of the Great War' headstone - which would be preferable, I think, to laying undiscovered somewhere.
I remember this documentary was on TV about 3 years ago, it may give some information on how the authorities traced the living relatives. It is in 5 parts on this website, 'The Lost Battalions of Fromelles: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=27f_1279846095
