I am sorry that I do not know your Christian name, which is how I like to address my former comrades in our regiment. I do not know the precise circumstances of your death, but, as a former Lincolns soldier myself, doing my National Service in 1950 with the 1st Battalion in the Suez Canal Zone, I can still salute you as the brave young soldier you undoubtedly were, who died in the service of his country. You were laid to rest in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt, on the Somme. You were one of 38 members of the Lincolns who are now here in Mericourt, but I cannot be sure which of the Lincolns units you were serving in at the time because there were three Casualty Clearing Stations operating nearby in 1916 and they all used Mericourt to commit to rest those brave soldiers whose wounds had proved fatal. Nevertheless, I trust that the Guard of Honour at your graveside fired the traditional salute to a fallen comrade. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save.”   In addition to your gravestone at Mericourt, you are also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded. I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives who mourned your sacrifice. Rest in Peace. Harry.

Henry Harrison