Local war link in French grave?

THE bodies of three First World War soldiers from Warwick could be among those found in a mass grave in northern France.

DNA tests have started on the remains of hundreds of World War One soldiers discovered in a number of burial pits at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles.

Genetic samples from living relatives have been taken to try and identify the remains of the soldiers taken from the site of the famous battle.

The Battle of Fromelles began on July 19 1916 and was the first major battle on the Western Front to involve both British and Australian troops.

The British 61st Division, featuring the 4th (City of Bristol), 5th and 6th battalions of the Gloucestershire Regiment alongside men from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the Worcestershire Regiment, were heavily engaged in the attack.

The division suffered losses of 1,547 either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or missing and the Australians suffered 5,533 losses.

A list of British casualties who may be buried at Fromelles has been released. It includes Private William Henry Barnett and Sergeant Albert James Blakemore, both of Warwick, who fought with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and Private George Alfred Castle of Warwick who fought with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.

A full archaeological excavation is expected to be completed by the end of September and an identification board will meet in March 2010. The exhumed bodies will be buried with full military honours. Anyone who believes they may be related to a soldier killed at Fromelles can telephone 01452 712612, extension 6303, or email Fromelles@spva.mod.uk.