Sergeant Richard Rounsley of the 12th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, was finally laid to rest on 17 September 2025 in France, nearly 109 years after his death during the First World War. The burial, held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Warlencourt British Cemetery on the Somme, included two unknown soldiers and was organized by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). The service was attended by members of the Rounsley family, including his granddaughter Jacqueline Fraser, and supported by serving soldiers from the 5th Battalion The Rifles.
The remains of Sergeant Rounsley and the two unknown soldiers were discovered in March 2021 during the installation of a wind turbine near Le Sars. Both Rounsley and one of the other soldiers were wearing insignia of The Durham Light Infantry and were found lying on top of each other in what appeared to be a shell hole. Following extensive research by the JCCC’s Commemorations Team, Rounsley was identified through a DNA test taken by his great nephew. Efforts continue to confirm the identity of the second Durham Light Infantry soldier.
Jacqueline Fraser expressed gratitude for the discovery, saying that the diligent work of the “War Detectives” had reunited Sergeant Rounsley with his descendants, allowing the family to honour his memory. JCCC Caseworker Rosie Barron highlighted that the burial service brought together Rounsley’s long-dispersed family and paid tribute to his legacy as a family man.
Sergeant Rounsley, a miner and father of four from Tanfield, County Durham, enlisted on 12 September 1914 and was killed during shelling near Le Sars on 5 October 1916 at the age of 30. His grave will now be maintained in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The burial service was conducted by Reverend John Storey, Chaplain to the 5th Battalion The Rifles, who emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families. Dr. Daniel Seaton, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, noted the significance of commemorating Sergeant Rounsley by name and ensuring that the graves of him and his unidentified comrades are cared for indefinitely.
