Missing WW1 Bedfordshire soldiers’ graves identified in Belgium

Two British soldiers killed fighting in the First World War have been commemorated more than a century later.

The graves of lieutenants Esmond Kellie and Eric Hopkins of the Bedfordshire Regiment were recently identified by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) “Combat Detectives” team.

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

Rededication ceremonies were held at Ypres, supported by serving soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment and attended by the men’s relatives.

Alexia Clark is a commemoration caseworker at the MOD’s Common Casualty and Compassion Centre.

He attended both ceremonies in Ypres and said “these are always really emotional events – but it’s hard to pinpoint the emotion”.

“This is the closest families have come to a funeral, but we are also closing the chapter on someone who has been missing for 110 years.

“Sad but also joyful.”

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

He was wounded in the hip while defending a trench on Hill 60 on April 19, 1915, but was killed by a cannonball while stretching.

In a letter sent to his family by Lieutenant Colonel Griffith DSO, he described him as “a most brave and useful officer…very popular with all in the regiment”.

2nd Lieutenant Kellie was buried on Hill 60, but was later moved to the Railway Bunkers cemetery in West Flanders.

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

When he died in May 1915, he was attached to the 1st Battalion fighting for Hill 60.

In 1922 an unknown British Officer from the Bedfordshire Regiment was reburied in Bedford House cemetery.

“They served time as unknown officers for the next 110 years,” Ms Clark said.

He said the public had made inquiries about who was buried in the graves and provided the details to the MOD.

The MOD then worked like this: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to replace headstone and arrange service.

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

“More than a century after their deaths, this is now possible for 2nd Lt. Kellie and Hopkins; their final resting place will continue to be cared for by the commission.”