British WWI Soldier Receives Final Resting Place on Somme Battlefield Ahead of Centenary Commemoration

Private Robert Leonard Lock of the 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry was laid to rest today (30 June 2026) at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Warlencourt British Cemetery through a ceremonial service organized by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, in collaboration with the ‘War Detectives’ initiative.

The burial service arrived within days of the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme’s commencement—when British and French forces launched their assault on the morning of 1 July 1916. This battle remains the bloodiest day in British military history, with 57,000 casualties recorded. The conflict continued until 18 November 1916, resulting in 420,000 Commonwealth casualties, 200,000 French casualties, and 450,000 German fatalities.

JCCC Caseworker Rosie Barron commented on the solemn occasion:

It has been a privilege to have Pte Lock laid to rest today in the presence of his family. It has been especially poignant as this marks the start of commemorations of the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The story of Pte Lock reminds 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, and each soldier and family affected have their own individual stories to tell. Pte Lock’s story has now been brought to a conclusion.

Lock’s remains were discovered in 2022 when a farmer plowed his field near Le Sars. DNA testing conducted by JCCC confirmed his identity. His great nephew Anthony Wright and his sons attended the service, joined by Roland Lock, a first cousin once removed who provided a DNA sample.

Anthony Wright expressed gratitude for the recognition:

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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.

Lock, originally a farm labourer from Cambridgeshire, joined the 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry. On 7 October 1916, his battalion assaulted a sunken road southeast of Le Sars and occupied a trench position known as the Tangle—the same location where his remains would later be identified. By day’s end, the sunken road had been secured, though the battalion suffered heavily: one officer killed, another missing, 31 other ranks killed, and 86 wounded. Lock, aged 20, did not survive.

The service featured dignified honors from serving soldiers of The Rifles and was attended by members of German and Belgian military forces. Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, conducted the ceremony:

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 down their life for their friends”. John 15:13. In eternal memorial.

Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CB CBE, Vice Chairman of the CWGC, reflected on the significance:

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.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission will maintain Lock’s grave in perpetuity, ensuring his memory endures alongside those of his fellow soldiers.

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