First World War soldier from Brighton buried in Belgium

Rifleman Frederick Thomas Adams, from Brighton, fought on the Western Front from 1914 onwards.

On October 25, 1914, Rfn Adams was wounded near Armentieres in France and sent home to recover, before returning to the conflict in 1917.

He was killed on November 19, 1917, and was commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium due to his missing status.

However, in 2018, his body was discovered during roadworks in the Belgian village of Passchendaele. DNA testing and research revealed his identity.

Bob Adams, first cousin twice removed, at the service with the 3rd Battalion (Image: Ministry of Defence)Bob Adams, first cousin twice removed of the soldier, was asked to provide a DNA sample to help with identification.

He said: “I was intrigued to receive an email last year asking me to carry out DNA testing in connection with Frederick, and once a positive result had been established, I had no hesitation in accepting the invitation to attend the burial service.

“We are very proud to be related to someone with such a distinguished service record, and we want to give him the respect that he truly deserves.

"We are honoured to be invited to attend the burial service today, to commemorate his life that was sacrificed in the service of his country.”

A burial service for Rfn Adams was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Passchendaele New British Cemetery on Wednesday, October 16.

It was organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), which manages British armed forces deaths and bereavement.

Lieutenant Henry Waterson gives a reading at Rifleman Adams's graveside (Image: Ministry of Defence)Rosie Barron, who works for the JCCC, said: “It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Rfn Adams the full military funeral that he deserves and to have conducted the research which led to his identification.

“It has also been a privilege to meet Bob and to have shared this experience with him and his family.

"Rfn Adams was a career soldier, and I am sure when he returned to the Western Front in 1917, his knowledge and experience would have been invaluable to the men around him.

“May he now rest in peace alongside his comrades.”

Reverend Huw Ryden CF, chaplain to 3rd Battalion The Rifles, conducted the service.

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He said: “As we preside at the burial service of Rifleman Adams who had been missing for so long; we, by proxy, represent the generations who so deeply wanted to be here.

“Those past generations are the loved ones who hoped and prayed for the miracle of a safe return.

“If not a safe return, then a funeral service to afford some closure and an opportunity to say their last goodbyes.

“We now stand for those loved ones, and with such a realisation, we stand here deeply moved by the weight and depth of meaning that this service carries.”