ON April 3, 1918, following a roll-call, a party of 7th Bn Royal Fusiliers made their way up through Aveluy Wood on the Somme to take up positions to prevent the Germans breaking through, again. The battalion had been in action staging a fighting retreat since the start of a massive German offensive. There had been times of respite, in one of these a party of replacements had turned up. Among these new soldiers was Edgar Wrathall, 19, from Wibsey. The 7th Royal Fusiliers held their positions until relieved, Aveluy Wood would not fall on their watch. They had taken some casualties, among these was Edgar whose absence was only noted at the next roll-call. No one knew what had happened to him, and he was posted as ‘Missing’. Time passed with no further news, Edgar was ‘presumed dead’ on or after April 3, 1918. At the end of the war, the time came to calculate casualties and provide lists of names for commemoration. Edgar Wrathall went ‘Missing’ again...

A century on, in November 2020, Alyson Boote contacted the Bus to Bradford WW1 group asking for any further information about her relative, Edgar Wrathall. I looked on the CWGC website, no sign of him. I found him in the Medal Rolls, confirming his details and that he was presumed dead on or after April 3, 1918. I checked the Bradford Roll of Honour. Here he was, Edgar Wrathall, 24 Pollard Buildings, Wibsey, a Pte in 7th Royal Fusiliers, enlisted January 22, 1917, died April 3, 1918. Not being listed in two key databases only meant one thing - he was never officially recognised and commemorated as a War Casualty.

I told Alyson I’d submit to the CWGC the a comprehensive report for them to examine Edgar’s case. I’d dealt with the CWGC on previous occasions, correcting and adding to database entries for cases including many Bradford Pals. The CWGC is exacting in consideration of ‘Non-Commemoration’ cases and would only proceed if 100per cent certain that a soldier had been missed.

Then followed many hours of work, putting together surviving documents regarding Edgar’s short life and Army service. His entries in the Medal Rolls, Soldiers’ Effects Register were vital. Edgar’s service records had not survived. There was no official death certificate, no need for one there was no will to prove for this 19-year old. I obtained original copies of Edgar’s family submission card to the Bradford Roll of Honour, the war diary of the 7th Royal Fusiliers for the days around April 3, 1918. By a stroke of luck and more work with Regimental numbers, the Medal Roll allowed me to identify all replacements to the 7th Royal Fusiliers that arrived with Edgar. I checked every one, all present and correct except for Edgar. I submitted the case. Alyson and I could now only wait. It took a year. This week I had an email from CWGC, they examined all my evidence and confirmed that Edgar had indeed been missed and never commemorated as a War Casualty. They have included his name in a temporary Register whilst further investigations are carried out. I know Aveluy Wood well, there are many Bradford Territorial soldiers buried here who died following the attack at Thiepval on July 1, 1916. Edgar will not be without friends from home. It’s more likely his name will now be inscribed on one of the two Memorials to the Missing on the Somme, Thiepval. One day Alyson and her family will be able to see Edgar’s name finally commemorated on the Somme where he fell and maybe visit the depths of Aveluy Wood, knowing he is close by...

As for me, bringing a lost Bradford soldier ‘home’ after 103 years has its own rewards - beyond all price!