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Pte William Butterworth: Military reburial for WW1 soldier | Pte William Butterworth: Military reburial for WW1 soldier |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A soldier from Lancaster who died in World War One will be reburied in a military cemetery later after his remains were found in northern France. | A soldier from Lancaster who died in World War One will be reburied in a military cemetery later after his remains were found in northern France. |
Private William Butterworth, 36, from 2nd Battalion the York and Lancaster Regiment, died on 18 October 1914. | Private William Butterworth, 36, from 2nd Battalion the York and Lancaster Regiment, died on 18 October 1914. |
His remains lay undiscovered until 2009 when the bodies of 15 men were found in a field near the Belgian-French border. | His remains lay undiscovered until 2009 when the bodies of 15 men were found in a field near the Belgian-French border. |
DNA tests matched the remains to Pte Butterworth, the first of four brothers to die in the conflict. | DNA tests matched the remains to Pte Butterworth, the first of four brothers to die in the conflict. |
He was killed when the regiment was caught in German machine-gun fire during an offensive down the Lys Valley. | He was killed when the regiment was caught in German machine-gun fire during an offensive down the Lys Valley. |
Pte Butterworth will be reburied in Y-Farm Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bois-Grenier, northern France at 11:30 CET (10:30 BST). | Pte Butterworth will be reburied in Y-Farm Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bois-Grenier, northern France at 11:30 CET (10:30 BST). |
World War One Centenary | |
His great-grandson Ian Birnie, who travelled to France for the ceremony, said: "When he were told that it was William, it was almost as if we'd lost someone only yesterday. | His great-grandson Ian Birnie, who travelled to France for the ceremony, said: "When he were told that it was William, it was almost as if we'd lost someone only yesterday. |
"It seems ridiculous as this happened 100 years ago, but to me, and to our family, this is a loss. | "It seems ridiculous as this happened 100 years ago, but to me, and to our family, this is a loss. |
"I get upset about it because there wasn't just one brother, but the funeral will give us some closure for the four brothers." | "I get upset about it because there wasn't just one brother, but the funeral will give us some closure for the four brothers." |
L/Sgt Christopher and Pte Hugh Butterworth were killed in 1915. Pte James Butterworth died of his wounds after being sent home in 1917 and is buried in Lancaster. | L/Sgt Christopher and Pte Hugh Butterworth were killed in 1915. Pte James Butterworth died of his wounds after being sent home in 1917 and is buried in Lancaster. |
Their father James died in 1916, with newspapers at the time reporting he died from a broken heart. | Their father James died in 1916, with newspapers at the time reporting he died from a broken heart. |
In recognition of her loss, their mother, Agnes Butterworth, was one of the women invited to unveil Lancaster's war memorial in 1924. | In recognition of her loss, their mother, Agnes Butterworth, was one of the women invited to unveil Lancaster's war memorial in 1924. |
The Butterworth brothers' names are bracketed together on the monument which stands next to the town hall. | The Butterworth brothers' names are bracketed together on the monument which stands next to the town hall. |
Pte William Butterworth is also remembered on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres in Belgium. | Pte William Butterworth is also remembered on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres in Belgium. |