WORLD WAR ONE SOLDIER LAID TO REST ON THE EVE OF THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME

LONDON, July 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

Pte Robert Leonard Lock, of 12thBattalionTheDurham Light Infantry, was laid to reston the Sommetoday(30 June 2026)at a burial service organised by MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the 'War Detectives'.The service took place attheCommonwealthWar Graves Commission's (CWGC)WarlencourtBritish Cemetery.

The burial servicealmostcoincidedwith the 110thanniversary of the start ofthe Battle of the Sommewhich sawBritish and Frenchforcesattackon the morning of 1 July 1916. Thedateisthe bloodiest in British military history, with 57,000 casualties sustained. The fighting continued until 18 November1916and would ultimately result in 420,000 Commonwealth casualties, 200,000 French casualties and 450,000 German casualties.

JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron said:

It has been a privilege to haveseen Pte Lock laid to rest today in the presence of his family. It has been especially poignant as this marks the start of commemorationsof the 110thanniversary of the Battle of the Somme.The story of Pte Lockreminds us that although the focus and narrative of the battle is on the high number of casualties killed or wounded,these men were not statistics, andeachsoldier and family affectedhave their ownindividualstoriesto tell.Pte Lock's story has now beenbrought to a conclusion.

PteLock's remains werediscoveredin 2022asa farmer ploughed his field near Le Sars.DNA testing, coordinated byJCCC,confirmed his identity.His great nephew, Anthony Wright,attendedwith his sons. The service was also attended by Roland Lockwho,asthe first cousin once removed of Pte Lock,provided a DNA sample.

Anthony Wrightsaid:

We're incredibly thankful to the JCCC for the great work they do so that Robert can be properly laid to rest and for giving us the opportunity to be there at the burial. Whilst it is incredibly sad, we are still very proud of the sacrifice that Robert made to protect our freedom.

Members of the Lock family at the graveside with Reverend Stephen Cassels CF (Crown Copyright)

Pte Lock, a farm labourer from Cambridgeshire, was posted to 12thBattalionTheDurham Light Infantry.On7 October 1916,the battalionattacked the sunken road southeast of Le SarsandPte Lockwas among men whooccupiedatrenchposition known asthe Tangle:the same locationwhere hisremains were found.

By the end of the day, the sunken road had been captured and the battalion consolidated their positions.Oneofficerwaskilled,anotherwasmissing and31 other rankswerekilled and 86 wounded.Pte Lock wasamongst the casualties. He was20 years old.

The servicewassupported by serving soldiers fromThe Riflesand wasalsoattended by servingmembers of the German and Belgian military.The service wasconducted by the ReverendStephen CassellsCF, Chaplain to 2ndBattalionTheRifles.

Private Lock was carried to his grave by serving soldiers of The Rifles (Crown Copyright)

ReverendStephen CassellsCF said:

It is a privilege to play a small but important part to ensure a dignified and proper burial of a soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Though over one hundred years have transitioned since his passing, it is fitting that those of antecedent regiments to his own have united to lay one of their own to rest. "Greater love has no one than this, that a person lay downtheirlife for their friends". John 15:13. In eternal memorial.

The grave of Pte Lock will now be cared for by the CWGC in perpetuity. Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CB CBE, Vice Chairman of the CWGC, attended the service and said:

The reburial of Private Robert Leonard Lock, on the eve of the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, is a powerful reminder of the human cost of that campaign. For more than a century he lay unknown, but today we are able to restore him to his rightful place among his comrades of the Durham Light Infantry. Through the dedication of many, and the support of his family, we ensure that his sacrifice is recognised, and that he is remembered not simply as one of the fallen, but as an individual, known and honoured once more.

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