LONDON, March 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

Rededication services were held for Captain(Capt)Martin Warren, ofWorcester,at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)PargnyBritish Cemetery, and for Lance Corporal(LCpl)Arthur Mantle, ofNottingham,at CWGCJoncourtEast British Cemetery near Saint Quentin.

Organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MOD War Detectives, the services were led by FatherTerkuraIgbeCF, Chaplain to 1st BattalionTheMercian Regiment. Serving soldiers from 4th BattalionTheMercian Regiment and The Rifles were also in attendance.

Rosie Barron, JCCC Caseworker, said:

It has been an honour to work with The Mercian Regiment to arrange these rededication services today. Both Capt Warren and LCpl Mantle were just 20 years old when they died in the last year of the First World War. Until now their families have not known where their loved ones were buried. It is important to honour the memories of these men and for their families to know that they are resting peacefully amongst their comrades.

FatherTerkuraIgbeCF added:

I am convinced that the greatest of society,and indeed ofnations,is constructed on the genuine sacrifices of individuals who understand the importance of values and the call to duty. At the prime of their lives,CaptWarren and LCpl Mantle were involved in a history-making event that would be one of thekeydefining moments on the European continent. Today, they are physically no longer,but spiritually they are among us.I am privileged to be part of thesere-dedication servicesin honour of our fallencomradesas their memories are nowconsolidatedthrough the mark of known headstones.

CaptMartin Warren

CaptMartin Warrenwas born in Worcester on7 May 1897.Hewas educated at King's School Worcester and worked in the laboratory at Hill, Evans & Co Vinegar Factory.Hewas Commissioned into5th BattalionTheWorcestershire Regimentin May 1915, on his 18th birthday.He arrived on the Western Front in November 1915,and wasattached to 1st BattalionTheWorcestershire Regiment, and rose to the rank of captain before the German Spring Offensive of March 1918.

On 24 March 1918,the1stBattalionwasholding a line of defence along the Somme Canal atPargny.CaptWarren was mortally wounded during heavy fighting. He was 20 years old. A wartime letter from a chaplain describedhow:

'Martin was killed on the retreat from the Somme Canal. He was constantly doing exceedinglygood work, having first to protect the retirement of another Division and thencounter-attack. Later we slowly retired to the thirdpositionand he was mortally wounded and had to be left behind. His death isgreatly lamented. He was the life and soul of ourmess,He was my organist and chief helper. His courage and keenness werea great exampleand encouragement to others. He was always the first to start sports and games when we were in rest. He was the truest type of Englishman that one can ever wish to meet.'

His body was initially buried by German forces. After the war, his remains were moved toPargnyBritish Cemetery and interred as an unknown captain of The Worcestershire Regiment. He was previously commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

Today's service was attended by his great-nephew,Paul Watkins, who said:

We are deeply honoured torepresentCapt Martin Warren's family at his rededication ceremony. We feel a deep sense of pride knowing that our Great Uncle has finally beenidentifiedand is now properly laid to rest with the dignity of a named headstone. It is a privilege to lay a wreath in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice.

Our mother, Pamela Watkins, nee Warren, wasCaptWarren's niece. Orphaned asa very youngchild, she grew up knowingvery littleabout her relatives. As a result, our understanding of this side of our family has been limited. We are now enjoying the journey of discovering more about our family's history.The ceremony at the beautifulPargnyCemetery will remain in our hearts forever.

We are deeply thankful to everyone who has worked so diligently toidentifyour Great Uncle's final resting place and trace our family.

Paul Watkins, the great nephew of Captain Warren stands at his graveside with the military party (Crown Copyright)

LCpl Arthur Mantle

LCplArthur Mantle was born in Nottingham in early 1898 and served with 1/8th BattalionTheSherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment).Following the Allied attack near Amiens on 8 August 1918, the stalemate of the Western Front wasbrokenand the German Army was rapidly pushed back eastwards.On 3 October 1918,the1/8thBattaliontook part in the assault east ofJoncourt. During fiercefightingnear the villages ofRamicourtandMontbrehain, the battalion was forced to withdraw, and LCpl Mantle was killed in action at the age of 20.

His remains were recovered and buried inJoncourtEast British Cemetery as an unknown lance corporal of the Sherwood Foresters. He was previously commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

LCpl Mantle's great-nephew,Kevin Shakespeare, attended the service and said:

My family and myself were amazed when JCCC contacted usregardingthe identification and rededication service being arranged for Lance Corporal Arthur Mantle. I am proud and honoured to have been able to attend Arthur's service and pay respect to him and his brave comrades who paid such a heavy price which has allowed me to live such a privileged life. May they rest in peace.

The service for Lance Corporal Mantle was attended by his great nephew Kevin Shakespeare - third from left. (Crown Copyright)

The identification of both men's graves followed detailed submissions from researchers to the CWGC. After further analysis by the CWGC, the National Army Museum, and JCCC, the evidence was confirmed, allowing the Commission to restore their names to their places of rest.

The CWGC has now installed new headstones bearing their names and will care for their graves in perpetuity.

Director of the Commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Richard Hills said:

We are honoured to be able to place new headstones over the graves of Captain Martin Warren and Lance Corporal Arthur Mantle. It is important that, wherever possible, every soldier who died is commemorated by name, and today we reaffirm our commitment to care for their graves in perpetuity.

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