I am sorry that I do not know your Christian name. I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, but, as a former soldier in the 1st Lincolns myself, doing my National Service in 1950, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave young soldier who lost his life in the service of his country on 26th September 1917. 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.” You were laid to rest with 6 other members of our regiment in Bridge House Cemetery, which is 5km northeast of Ypres. We read in one of the official accounts of the fighting that the British advance was strongly resumed on the day you died, and against ferocious German machine-gun fire, the village of Zonnebeke was captured.  It would have been in this fight that you perished. I trust that the Guard of Honour at your graveside fired the traditional salute to a fallen comrade. The majority of our comrades in the Lincolns who fell at this time in the Salient are commemorated on the Menin Gate, so I would imagine anyone visiting your grave at the appropriate time each day, given good weather conditions, might just be able to hear the sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate Memorial by the local buglers, which can be considered to be also in your honour. But 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. In addition to your gravestone at Bridge House, I trust that you were also commemorated on your home town war memorial. I offer my sympathy to your widow, mother and other relatives who mourned your sacrifice.  Rest in Peace.  Harry.  

Henry Harrison