Four Grimsby Soldiers from WW1 Identified and to be Reburied in France

The physical remains of four WW1 soldiers from Grimsby, who were part of the 1/5 Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, have been found in Lens, northern France amidst construction work. Privates Arthur Cook, Robert Cullum, John Fraser, and William London, a Lewis gun team, perished on 5 May 1917, possibly during the Battle of Arras. The Ministry of Defence’s war detective team made their identification possible through various artefacts that were found with them, such as shoulder titles, boots dated to 1917, and small box respirators. This find leads the way for a respectful reburial at the Loos British Cemetery Extension, offering a sense of closure to their surviving kin. The individual histories of these soldiers reflect their Grimsby origins, with ties to local enterprises including ship painting and the fish docks. This poignant discovery throws light on the lasting legacy of Lincolnshire’s contributions to the war effort, commemorating the ultimate sacrifice these men made.

This report was adapted from its original version by The Lincoln Post, first reported by www.bbc.com.