The archeological department of the Flemish intercommunal CO7 have discovered the remains of nineteen soldiers from the First World War.
The remains of nineteen soldiers that were killed in action during World War One were discovered in the past days in Langemark-Poelkapelle. According to the first information, there are at least 2 German soldiers and 9 British soldiers (or Canadian, source is unclear).
After analysis, the remains will be returned to their respective countries, so they can be given a proper burial. Next to the remains also several trenches, bomb craters and shelters were discovered. The soldiers most likely died in April 1915.
The insignia found on one of the remains is a cap badge of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment which fought at Ypres in 1915.
Insignia found on one of the remains.
14 remains lay in an area where in April 1915 the Canadians committed an attack on the German lines, according to the source. In just one day there were more than 230 Allied soldiers missing from one regiment.
“Around them we found another 5 remains“, added Jan Decorte from CO7. “Most likely it are soldiers that were killed in action in 1915, shortly after the first gas attacks.”
Next to these remains from World War 1 also a grave was found dating back to the Roman Empire.
Update: Bert Heyvaert told on the Great War Forum: “I am on the excavation team and can confirm that everything is done to the same high standards as professional archaeology elsewhere in Flanders. We are not on standby till something is found, but are going in now for survey and excavation well before the work on the pipeline starts. Furthermore I can confirm Robert’s ealier posts. As said in the press release, 2 soldiers have been identified as members of the 1st Royal Warwickshires who died on 25/4/1915: 1 officier and 1 other rank.“.
