Nine British soldiers who were killed in the World War I have finally been laid to rest, more than a century after their deaths.
The fallen servicemen were given full military honours at a poignant burial service at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium.
The nine soldiers, seven of whom have been identified, now rest alongside the graves of thousands of their comrades who fell during heavy fighting around the town of Ypres.
The seven men served together in 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and died within days of each other during the bloody Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917.
Their bodies were only discovered in 2018 during engineering works in De Reutel in Belgium.
Personal belongings found with the soldiers allowed specialist researchers to identify seven of the soldiers.
More than a century after their deaths, they were laid to rest at a service attended by family members of the identified soldiers and the Duke of Kent.
Nine British soldiers who were killed in the World War I have finally been laid to rest, more than a century after their deaths
More than a century after their deaths, they were laid to rest at a service attended by family members of the identified soldiers and the Duke of Kent (right)
The nine soldiers, seven of whom have been identified, now rest alongside the graves of thousands of their comrades who fell during heavy fighting around the town of Ypres
The Duke of Kent arrives for the funeral service of nine British soldiers who served and died in battle of Passchendaele during the First World War
The seven men served together in 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and died within days of each other during the bloody Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917
Pictured left to right: 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Wallace Ablett, Lance Corporal Stanley Blakeborough and Private Harry Miller, three of nine British soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War
2nd Lieutenant Leslie Wallace Ablett
2nd Lieutenant Leslie Wallace Ablett
Ablett who was killed in action aged 20 while fighting in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917.
Ablett, who was born in Manchester and later lived on Eardley Road in Streatham, enlisted in the British Expeditionary Force as a rifleman at the outbreak of the First World War in October 1915.
He was commissioned less than a year later and joined the 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, the second largest Regiment in London.
Ablett, who was born in Manchester and later lived on Eardley Road in Streatham, enlisted in the British Expeditionary Force as a rifleman at the outbreak of the First World War in October 1915. He was commissioned less than a year later and joined the 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, the second largest Regiment in London.
During his career in the British army, he was deployed to France and Flanders where he was involved in a number of major operations.
Ablett, who was described as 'bright, cheerful and of good tone', was killed on 15 October 1917 as the British Expeditionary Force slowly advanced towards Passchendaele during the second phase of battle. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
2nd Lieutenant Edward Douglas Bruty
2nd Lieutenant Edward Bruty died aged 21 during the bloody battle in Belgium in October 1917
Bruty, from Dulwich, was a railway clerk before he enlisted in the army in September 1914 as a Rifleman in the Queen Victoria's Rifles. He subsequently moved his through the ranks, transferring to the Army Cyclist Corps and being promoted to Sergeant.
He was later commissioned in February 1917 and joined 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, before his death in October 1917.
Lance Corporal Stanley Blakeborough
Lance Corporal Stanley Blakeborough
Lance Corporal Stanley Blakeborough was born in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire on 17 August 1896, the son of Harry and Mary Blakeborough. Stanley had five brothers and two sisters.
His two brothers, Charles and Donald also both fought during the First World War. Sadly, Donald was killed less than three months after Stanley.
Unfortunately, Stanley’s military records have not survived, but it is known that he served in 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers for the majority of the war, being promoted to Lance Corporal.
He died aged 21.
Sergeant Thomas Feasby
Serjeant Thomas Feasby, from Eston, Yorkshire, who died aged 32. Feasby had worked as a Tram Conductor with his brother George and by 1911 he was working as a Foreman at the local Steelworks in Eston.
Unfortunately, his military records have not survived, but he served in 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers for a majority of the war, being promoted to Sergeant. He died aged 32.
Private Joseph Patrickson MM
Private Joseph Patrickson was one of the nine children of Robert and Lucy Patrickson.
He was born in Gateshead, Durham on 12 October 1893.
Before enlisting, Joseph was an errand boy for a fruit retailer. Although his military records have not survived, he was was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his bravery during the fighting in October 1917. He died aged 24.
Private Harry Miller
Private Harry Miller
Private Harry Miller born in Cockerton, near Durham on 21 November 1888, one of eight children of James and Anne Miller.
Harry married Melita Florence Birkett on 22 May 1909 and they had four children: Annie, James, Minnie and George.
Harry was a farm labourer, and lived with his family in Burton Leonard, Yorkshire. His military records have not survived, but it is known that he served in 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers for a majority of the war. He died aged 26.
Private Arnold Sanderson MM
Private Arnold Sanderson MM, from Darlington, Co Durham was also among the servicemen laid to rest. He worked at the local Railway plant and lived with his parents Thomas and Emily Sanderson and six sisters.
Although Arnold’s military records have not survived, he was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his bravery during the fighting in October 1917, whilst working as runner for the officers.
A letter written to his mother by 2/Lt J.S. Youll VC, stated that he was thought of a great deal by the officers and men. He was described as a good soldier who always did his duty.
He died aged 26 in World War One.
Advertisement
What started as a grey and rainy morning broke into sunshine as the coffins were carried into the cemetery, draped in Union flags.
Leading the service, reverend Gary Watt paid tribute to the nine men who gave their lives more than a century ago.
He said: 'Today we remember with thanksgiving these brave men whom, alongside so many others, answered the call of their country, served with
