STORY
A World War One soldier from Cambridgeshire has been laid to rest in France nearly 110 years after he went missing during the Battle of the Somme. Private Robert Leonard Lock, from Littleport near Ely, was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Warlencourt British Cemetery on 30 June 2026 after his remains were identified through DNA testing.
The burial service was organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the “War Detectives”. It took place on the eve of the 110th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, which began on 1 July 1916.
Private Lock served with the 12th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry. His remains were discovered in 2022 when a farmer was ploughing a field near Le Sars, and DNA testing coordinated by the JCCC later confirmed his identity.
The service was attended by members of Lock’s family, including his great nephew Anthony Wright and Wright’s sons. Roland Lock, a first cousin once removed of Private Lock who had provided a DNA sample, also attended.
Wright said the family was grateful to the JCCC for its work in ensuring that Robert could be properly laid to rest. He said the occasion was sad, but that the family remained proud of the sacrifice Lock had made.
Private Lock had been a farm labourer before serving with the Durham Light Infantry. On 7 October 1916, his battalion attacked the sunken road south east of Le Sars and occupied a trench position known as the Tangle, the same area where his remains were later found.
By the end of that day, the battalion had captured the sunken road and consolidated its position, but suffered heavy losses. One officer was killed, another was missing, and 31 other ranks were killed with 86 wounded. Private Lock was among those killed and was 20 years old.
The burial service was supported by serving soldiers from The Rifles and was conducted by the Reverend Stephen Cassells, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles. Serving members of the German and Belgian military were also present.
Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said the reburial restored Private Lock to his rightful place among his comrades of the Durham Light Infantry. His grave will now be cared for by the CWGC in perpetuity.