What happened to soldiers who died in t
What happened to soldiers who died in the war?
Introduction
Almost a million British soldiers died in the Great War. Some died alone, killed by a chance shell, grenade or bullet; many died together as they attacked or defended against attack. Thousands of men died of wounds they had suffered, at the medical facilities along the casualty evacuation chain. Many died of illnesses or accidents. This is all well-known and well documented: but what actually happened to them after they died? [Insert Photos Here]
Men who were killed in the fighting area
The varying nature of men’s deaths in the front line, and the specific conditions at the time of their death, meant their ultimate fates differed widely. To give a couple examples: - a large portion of those killed on the battlefield would be classified as identifiable, and therefore most likely buried close to where they fell; typically near the front line.
The list of those in this category typically would include men killed sniper fire or from shell explosions while manning a trench position. It could also have included men dug out of a collapsed mine (typically used for trenching under enemy lines and placing explosives there under). Those in this category would typically be identified by comrades, or a superior.
- some who fell, would have been classified less easily identifiable (maimed or disfigured) in some fashion. A good portion of these also were probably buried in cemeteries, or burial plots, close to the firing line.
Those falling into this category might include soldiers who were attacked, or killed when their unit advanced, and been killed or later died of their wounds; but due to battlefield circumstances, their bodies could not be immediately recovered because where they fell was under fire. Typically, when the fighting moved on, or subsided, their bodies would be recovered and buried, if possible.
Typically, identification would be through tags or other physical means by men who did not know the
Introduction
Almost a million British soldiers died in the Great War. Some died alone, killed by a chance shell, grenade or bullet; many died together as they attacked or defended against attack. Thousands of men died of wounds they had suffered, at the medical facilities along the casualty evacuation chain. Many died of illnesses or accidents. This is all well-known and well documented: but what actually happened to them after they died? [Insert Photos Here]
Men who were killed in the fighting area
The varying nature of men’s deaths in the front line, and the specific conditions at the time of their death, meant their ultimate fates differed widely. To give a couple examples: - a large portion of those killed on the battlefield would be classified as identifiable, and therefore most likely buried close to where they fell; typically near the front line.
The list of those in this category typically would include men killed sniper fire or from shell explosions while manning a trench position. It could also have included men dug out of a collapsed mine (typically used for trenching under enemy lines and placing explosives there under). Those in this category would typically be identified by comrades, or a superior.
- some who fell, would have been classified less easily identifiable (maimed or disfigured) in some fashion. A good portion of these also were probably buried in cemeteries, or burial plots, close to the firing line.
Those falling into this category might include soldiers who were attacked, or killed when their unit advanced, and been killed or later died of their wounds; but due to battlefield circumstances, their bodies could not be immediately recovered because where they fell was under fire. Typically, when the fighting moved on, or subsided, their bodies would be recovered and buried, if possible.
Typically, identification would be through tags or other physical means by men who did not know the