A soldier who went back to fight in the First World War after being injured in battle has finally been given a military funeral more than 100 years after his death.
The remains of Rifleman Frederick Thomas Adams were found during roadworks in Belgium close to the site of the Battle of Passchendale which had been fought on the same spot in 1917.
Passchendale and the horrors of trench warfare led to an estimated 800,000 casualties and losses combined for Allied and German forces.
Between July and November 1917, British and French forces engaged in a brutal battle with Kaiser’s troops for control of a series of ridges near the Belgian city of Ypres.
Among those fighting in trenchs was Rifleman Adams who was killed during heavy shelling on November 19, 1917, not long before the Allies claimed a hard-fought victory.
The soldier, who was born in Brighton, had been commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium after he was declared missing in action.
The British Forces Broadcasting Service reports his body as finally found during routine roadworks more than a century after his death. Two chevron markings, showing he held the rank of corporal were also discovered, along with two Good Conduct Stripes.
The MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the War Detectives, confirmed Rifleman Adams’ identity using DNA provided by his first cousin twice removed, Bob Adams.
Mr Adams, who attended the funeral of his relative, said: « I was intrigued to receive an email asking me to carry out DNA testing.
« We are very proud to be related to someone with such a distinguished service record, and we want to give him the respect that he truly deserves. »
Rifleman Adams was reburied at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Passchendaele New British Cemetery during a ceremony conducted by Reverend Huw Ryden, Chaplain to 3rd Battalion The Rifles, and attended by family and military personnel.
As these photographs show, his coffin, draped in a Union Jack, was carried to his final resting place by soldiers from 3 Rifles.
Rosie Barron from the JCCC, who led the research to identify Rfn Adams, said: « It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Rifleman Adams the full military funeral that he deserves.
« May he now rest in peace alongside his comrades. »
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