Family 'over the moon' at lost WW1 soldier's burial

The great-grandson of a World War One soldier whose remains were found during building work in France said his family was "over the moon" to see him buried with full military honours.

Serjeant Henry Ashton from Derbyshire was killed aged 44 in 1917, during an operation near Lens, and he was listed on the Memorial to the Missing at Loos.

Investigators from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) traced Sjt Ashton's living relatives, and a funeral was held for him in Loos-en-Gohelle on Wednesday.

Paul Brookes, from Chellaston, Derby, said the service was "very moving".

Sjt Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway Company.

He rejoined the Army in March 195, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October 1916.

Following his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely".

Sjt Ashton's remains were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal identification.

Mr Brookes said: "You always wonder about somebody who's been in the military and killed in the war, how it had happened, and hope that he'd never suffered.

"When the letter dropped through the door saying the Ministry of Defence found him, we were over the moon."

A pocket watch found with Sjt Ashton's remains and other items have since been returned to the family, as well as a union jack flag that had been draped over his coffin.

The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the MoD War Detectives.

One of their investigators, Alexia Clarke, said: "I think they were delighted to know in a strange kind of way.

"It brings closure, even after 110 years."

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