Missing WW1 Bedfordshire soldiers’ graves identified in Belgium

Two British soldiers have been commemorated more than a century after they were killed fighting in World War One.

The graves of second lieutenants Esmond Kellie and Eric Hopkins of the Bedfordshire Regiment were recently identified by the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) “War Detectives” team.

The men both died in 1915 during the battle for Hill 60 near Ypres in Belgium, and were buried as unknown officers of the Bedfordshire Regiment after being identified by their uniforms.

Services of re-dedication were held at Ypres, supported by serving soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment and attended by the men’s relatives.

Alexia Clark is a commemorations case worker at the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.

She attended both services in Ypres and said “they are always really emotional occasions – although it’s difficult to pin down the emotion”.

“It’s the closest the families will ever get to a funeral, but at the same time we’re closing the chapter on someone who’s been missing for 110 years.

“It’s sad but also joyful.”

2nd Lt Kellie was transferred to the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment in 1915.

On 19 April 1915 he was injured in the thigh while defending a trench at Hill 60, but was killed by a shell while being stretchered away.

A letter sent home to his parents by Lt Col Griffith DSO described him as a “most courageous and useful officer… very popular with all in the regiment”.

2nd Lt Kellie was buried on Hill 60, but later moved to Railway Dugouts burial ground in West Flanders.

2nd Lt Hopkins arrived in France in October 1914 and moved between battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment.

At the time of his death in May 1915 he was attached to the 1st Battalion, who were engaged in the struggle for Hill 60.

In 1922, an unknown British Officer of the Bedfordshire Regiment was reburied at Bedford House cemetery.

“In the ensuing 110 years, they have lain as unknown officers,” said Ms Clark.

She said members of the public had carried out research about who was buried in the graves, and submitted the details to the MOD.

The MOD then worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to replace the headstone and arrange a service.

Daniel Seaton, of the CWGC, said: “It is always moving to be able to transfer a name from one of the Commission’s Memorials to the Missing to a named grave in our care.

“More than a century after their deaths, this has now been possible for 2nd Lts Kellie and Hopkins, whose final resting places will continue to be tended to by the commission.”