Key Highlights
- A total of 52 personnel killed in action during the First and Second World Wars have been identified.
- This work was carried out by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC).
- Rededication services will take place for these soldiers, recognizing their sacrifice ahead of Remembrance Sunday 2025.
New Identifications Honoring Fallen Heroes Ahead of Remembrance Sunday
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has successfully identified and honored dozens of British and Commonwealth war heroes whose identities had remained a mystery for decades. This significant undertaking, spearheaded by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was completed ahead of this year’s Remembrance Sunday on November 13, 2025.
Historical Significance
The identification effort involved meticulous historical research and advanced DNA testing. A total of 52 personnel killed in action during the First and Second World Wars have been named, bringing recognition to those who served across the British army, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force.
Personal Stories
The youngest casualty identified was Trooper Francis Dominic, a 19-year-old from Normandy who died in August 1944. On the other end of the spectrum, Serjeant Henry Ashton, an experienced career soldier, passed away at the age of 44 during the Battle of Lens in 1917. The British army used “serjeant” as a rank until the mid-1950s.
Rededication services will be held on November 12 and 13, 2025, at St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium. A special service is scheduled for Serjeant William Augustus Fritz of the 4th Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in the first action of the First World War on August 23, 1914.
Collaborative Efforts
The JCCC’s work is a collaboration with the armed forces, the National Army Museum, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Rosemary Barron, a commemorations case worker for the JCCC, expressed that it was “a privilege” to help identify the personnel and bring their stories to closure.
Additional rededication services will take place on November 12, 2025, for Lieutenant Norman Frederick Hunter, Serjeant George Goodson Moore DCM, and Private George Hall. All three were killed in action during the First World War.
Political Acknowledgment
The Defence minister, Lord Coaker, emphasized the importance of remembering those who have laid down their lives for peace and freedom. He highlighted that the work of the MoD’s war detectives is crucial to keeping the memory of fallen heroes alive, especially as modern-day armed forces personnel draw inspiration from their predecessors.
This significant identification effort not only honors the past but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to military recognition and commemoration. As the nation prepares for Remembrance Sunday 2025, these newly identified soldiers will be remembered with the dignity and respect they deserve.
