A MAN from Launceston has expressed his thanks to a former local MP, following the identification of his uncle’s grave, a Royal Marine who died in the First World War.

Walter Evans from Launceston is the nephew of Private Walter Buckley, who died on the last day of the First World War in Belgium. His family was told there had been no remains to bury, so there was no grave for them to visit. The only official tribute for Walter was a name on a mass memorial in France.

However, with the help of former local MP Dan Rogerson (Lib Dem), as well as further assistance from a military historian and the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, it has now been confirmed that the unnamed grave contains Mr Evans’ uncle’s remains, and this now bears all details.

A moving ceremony of rededication was conducted at the grave recently at Tournai Communal Allied Cemetary, Belgium. The full details of Private Walter George Buckley, Royal Marine light infantry, are now on the headstone.

Prior to enlisting, Walter was a baker and also worked at the Forum Cinema as an usher. It was at this time that it was believed he was given a white feather, which was a symbol of cowardice during the First World War. Therefore, Walter enlisted in Plymouth on May 31 1915 to join the Royal Marines, claiming to be 18 years old, when in fact he was 15. He enlisted for a term of 12 years and his mother was put down as his next of kin.

According to Walter’s service records, he was posted to Royal Naval Division Infantry base depot in Calais on July 24 1918. On September 1 1918, he joined the Anson Battalion.

The summary of operations states that orders were received at 8.30 hours on November 10 for Anson Battalion to attack enemy positions with support from the First London Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment. During this attack, four officers and six soldiers were killed as they advanced to the south of Mons.

Walter was killed on November 10 1918, whilst serving with the Anson Battalion. 13 members of his family travelled from Devon to Belgium to attend the service, and many of the family still have connections with the service.

Named after his uncle, Mr Evans said he had mixed feelings about the service. He said: “It’s a really happy moment after so long. My uncle was an unknown soldier for 98 years, and it’s a happy ending that his family can go to the grave and see his name there, knowing he has been officially identified.

“The rededication service was very fitting for me, very emotional and overwhelming. The family was very moved that there were 15 standard bearers from Belgium who attended. They were treating this as a band of brothers, which means a lot because otherwise they didn’t know who he was. We all agreed this was a special occasion. We’re also grateful to the mayor of Tournai for the lovely reception after the ceremony.”

Mr Evans’ mother, Dorothy, was Private Buckey’s sister. Mr Evans added: “It’s a big shame that this event has come so late. For so long his family have always been told that he was blown to bits, and that’s why there is no grave to visit. Most sadly, this has come too late for his mother, brothers and my mother.”

However, expressing his appreciation to Mr Rogerson for his help and support, Mr Evans said: “It was through his efforts (Dan Rogerson) when he was the local MP, I’m convinced, that got it to this stage. It’s thanks to his efforts that it has come to fruition.”

During the ceremony, Royal Naval Chaplain Rev Tim Wilkinson, of the Royal Marines training centre in Lympstone, Devon, conducted the procession, and a Royal Navy officer from the British Embassy in the Netherlands attended. The local mayor was also present, and hosted a reception in the town hall following the service.

Walter was originally buried as an ‘unknown seaman’, but an official identification case was submitted to the JCCC. After this, a consultation with the Marine Historical branch took place and the case was duly accepted.

The new headstone bearing Walter’s name with the personal inscription of ‘To live in the hearts those we leave behind is not to die’, will be provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who will now care for his final resting place in perpetuity.