On 16 February 2011, a cold foggy day, the remains of a New Zealand soldier of the Auckland Regiment were laid to rest in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France.
In December 2009, Mr Blyr, a resident of the small town of Longueval, discovered remains, which on closer inspection included two Auckland Regiment collar badges. This was reported to the authorities and in turn the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who waited until January (allowing the ground to thaw) before removing them from the Somme soil that had held them for so long.
It is more than likely that this man died during September 1916, when New Zealand troops took part in the Somme Battle.
At the ceremony were: the New Zealand Ambassador to France, Ms Rosemary Banks; New Zealand Defence Attache, Brigadier Phil Gibbons; Commanding Officer of the Auckland Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Powell; the Mayor of Longueval; Dr Chris Pugsley; Mr Blyr; and representatives of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Royal British Legion.
Rebecca Woodmore was in attendance to sing the New Zealand National Anthem, which she did beautifully.
His headstone carries the inscription "KNOWN UNTO GOD" and although we will never know his name he is amongst his countrymen again. Caterpillar Valley Cemetery contains the graves of more than 125 New Zealand casualties as well as the memorial to the over 1200 who died in the region but have no known grave.
Article and images kindly submitted by WFA New Zealand Branch member Grant Tobin.
