Graves of two First World War Majors marked with their names for the first time

Services were today held at Commission cemeteries in France to rededicate the graves of two decorated First World War officers, identified 100 years after their deaths.

A service for Major Alexander Henderson Soutar MC, of the Corps of Royal Engineers, who was killed on 28 May 1918 during the Third Battle of the Aisne, was held this morning at Jonchery-sur-Vesle British Cemetery near Reims.

The moving service, during which Major Soutar’s great great nephew, Alistair Soutar, 10, read poem In Flanders Fields, was attended by 10 members of his extended family who had travelled from Canada, the USA and Hong Kong to pay their respects.

The Commission provided the headstone, which was engraved with his name and the personal inscription: “Always Remembered”.

James Soutar, Major Soutar’s great nephew, said: “Major Soutar sacrificed his life for his country 100 years ago, and has lain here unrecognised ever since.

“We are all immensely grateful that we are able to come to France to pay him our respects and to thank him for his sacrifice. We are also relieved that his final resting place is now marked and may be known unto all who visit this beautiful place. We feel his soul is finally at peace.”

The War Diaries of 98th Field Company, Royal Engineers, Major Soutar’s unit, show at the time of his death they were involved in fighting around Hermonville. The Company were forced to withdraw southwards but had to leave Major Soutar behind as he was wounded and it is believed that he later succumbed to his wounds.

Later in the day, a service for Major Octavius Sidney Darby-Griffith MC took place at La Ville-aux-Bois British Cemetery.

Major Darby-Griffith was killed on 27 May 1918 also during the Third Battle of the Aisne. He was in command of 9th Battalion, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment when he was killed north east of Maizy.

The Commission provided the headstone, which was engraved with his name and the personal inscription: “Always in our memory for the sacrifice you have made”.

For nearly one hundred years the final resting places of these two Majors remained unknown and they were both commemorated on the CWGC Soissons Memorial. The graves were identified after a researcher submitted evidence to the CWGC suggesting the names of the unknown Majors buried in the two graves. Further research by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), part of Defence Business Services, and the National Army Museum was undertaken to corroborate the evidence.

Mel Donnelly, CWGC Commemorations Manager, said: “For almost a century Major Soutar and Major Darby-Griffith were commemorated on the Soissons Memorial to those with no known grave. They were both decorated officers who had served on the Western Front for more than three years and we are honoured to be able to acknowledge their sacrifice and re-dedicate their graves today. 100 years after they died, the graves of Major Soutar in Commonwealth War Graves Commission Jonchery-sur-Vesle British Cemetery and of Major Darby-Griffith in La-Ville-aux-Bois British Cemetery are now marked with headstones bearing their names. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission ensure that all those who served and fell are commemorated by name and we will care for their graves and those of their comrades, in perpetuity.”

Both services were organised by the JCCC and conducted by the Reverend Andrew Earl CF, Senior Chaplain HQ NW & Chaplain 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. Members of the Corps of Royal Engineers and The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment were also present at both services.