Hunt for relatives of a WWI fallen soldier

The officer’s identity is unknown but investigations have led the Ministry of Defence to conclude that the remains found in Northern France could be one of four officers - including one from North Yorkshire.

One of the officers known to died on the battlefield on May 3, 1917, near Beaurains in Northern France was 2nd Lieutenant John Legge Bulmer, of the 4th Battalion attached to 5th Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

He was son of the Rev Edward and Elizabeth Bulmer of Brooklands, Filey.

He was educated at Marlborough College, where he was head boy in 1913 and subsequently studied at Merton College, Oxford. Investigations have shown he had four brothers and a sister. An appeal has been made for any surviving relatives to come forward and provide a DNA sample to help identify the officer and to allow his remains to be reinterred and for a memorial service to be held for him.

A spokeswoman for the British Army said: “The remains were discovered in June 2012 following heavy rainfall, which uncovered a shallow grave in a private garden near Beaurains. When the remains of British Service personnel are discovered on historic battlefields, the Ministry of Defence attempts to identify any living relatives so that they can be involved in the subsequent re-interment and memorial service.”

Anyone who can help with the search is being asked to contact Lynne Gammond at the Army via email [email protected] or on 07769 887707.