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Body of missing WW1 soldier finally laid to rest

Katy Prickett
Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/PA Wire A side view of the Union Jack draped coffin holding the remains of Private Reginald Joseph Blake at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, on 22 April 2026. The coffin is held on the shoulders of six Royal Anglian Regiment soldiers, three of whom can be seen. Behind is blue sky and green trees. Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/PA Wire
Pte Reginald Joseph Blake was commemorated on the Loos Memorial, which remembers servicemen missing in action without a known grave

The body of a 20-year-old soldier who went missing in action during World War One has finally been laid to rest.

Pte Reginald Joseph Blake, from Tendring, Essex, known as Joe to his family, was last seen north of the city of Lens in northern France in 1917.

His remains were discovered in 2020 and a burial service in France was organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also called the War Detectives.

Case worker Rosie Barron said: "His family now have answers as to what happened to Uncle Joe after nearly 110 years of him being missing."

Blake's identification was made possible after a DNA sample was provided by his nephew, Bryan Blake.

"My sister and I believe we are the last remaining relatives of Joe," he said.

"We are sad that such a young life was taken, and grateful for the dedicated work of the JCCC and Commonwealth War Graves Commission giving the recognition, and final resting place he deserves."

Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/PA Wire The coffin of Pte Reginald Joseph Blake being laid to rest at a burial service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, on Wednesday 22 April 2026. Six soldiers in the uniform of the Royal Anglian Regiment are kneeling on either side of the grave as they fold a union jack over his coffin. A seventh soldier is standing to attention. There are white Commonwealth War Gfaves Commisison headstones, a chaplain in a white and men holding flags. Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/PA Wire
Now his remains have been found and identified, they have been laid to rest in the Loos British Cemetery Extension in Pas-de-Calais

The soldier enlisted into The Essex Regiment at Dovercourt after the outbreak of the war.

He was posted to 11th Battalion The Essex Regiment and on 21 April 1917, it moved into positions north of Lens in preparation for an attack the following day.

Blake went missing during this fighting.

His body was one of many British and Canadian casualties recovered from the site where a new hospital was being constructed, including other men of 11th Battalion The Essex Regiment.

The War Detectives noticed how young he was, which helped them narrow down a list of potential candidates among the missing men.

'Great comfort'

The service took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, which was opened in September 2024.

The service was supported by soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment and conducted by their chaplain, the Reverend Joseph Roberts.

The Essex Regiment was amalgamated with the Royal Anglians in 1958.

Barron said it was a "privilege" to help organise the burial service for Blake.

"Although his family was not able to join us today, I know that this has been a great comfort to them and has revived his memory," she added.

Another unknown soldier, who was found near Arras, was also laid to rest at the Loos British Cemetery Extension.

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