British WWI soldier buried 108 years after his death — remains found during roadworks

The remains of a British soldier killed fighting in WW1 have been laid to rest – 108 years after his death.

Private John Tame was 26 when he died at the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917.

His remains were identified after being found during roadworks at Zonnebeke near Ypres in Western Belgium in May 2018.

And they have now been buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) New Irish Farm Cemetery.

Pte Tame, of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment, was one of over 4,600 British Empire servicemen who died during the second Anglo-French general attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. 

His burial service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Center (JCCC) – also known as the War Detectives.

The service was supported by current serving soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Rifles and was also attended by Keith Brooks, a great-nephew of Pte Tame, who provided the DNA sample used to identify him. 

Pte Tame’s brothers, Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame, were both killed on the Western Front during the Battle of Aubers Ridge on May 9, 1915. 

The brothers’ remains are still missing, and both are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

Brooks said the commemoration of his great-uncle finally gave him the recognition he deserved. 

“John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed,” he said. 

“Now, after finding John’s remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real, along with his story, for future generations.

“This has all been achieved because of the excellent work the MOD does with all the research and investigations, giving missing people who have served their country the funeral they all greatly deserve.”

Artefacts discovered near Pte Tame’s remain include a cap badge and shoulder title of The Royal Berkshire Regiment. 

The body also appeared to have been previously wounded around his left shoulder, which led to DNA matching confirming Pte Tame’s identification.

Pte Tame, of Windsor, Berks., was the third-eldest of seven children. His elder brothers, Alfred and William George, also enlisted and served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment. 

Though stationed in India at the outbreak of World War 1, the Battalion arrived on the Western Front on 5 November 1914.

On the 110th anniversary of their deaths, on Friday, May 9, the family of Pte Tame and a party from 2nd Battalion The Rifles visited the Ploegsteert Memorial to remember the missing brothers. 

Pte Tame’s burial service was conducted by the Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles. 

Reverend Cassells said: “I count it a privilege to be involved in the proper burial of Pte Tame. 

“It is right that his remains should be laid to rest with dignity and in a place where his service will be properly honoured. 

“I pray that his family will find peace in knowing that their relative has been found and buried properly and that those connected with his army regiment would draw renewed commitment through his service for King and country.”

JCCC Caseworker Rosie Barron added: “It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Pte Tame the full military funeral that he deserves and to have conducted the research which led to his identification. 

“It has also been a privilege to meet Keith and to have shared this experience with him and his family.”

Pte Tame’s grave will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC. 

David Royle, a Commemorations Casework Manager at the CWGC, said: “It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of Private Tame and to have assisted his family with their choices for his Commission headstone. 

“He is now at rest alongside his comrades in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where we will care for his grave in perpetuity.”