Lost in No-Man's-Land: The Missing of WW1

On 25th September 1915 behind a cloud of chlorine gas, British troops made their major assault of the summer across the Loos Battlefields on the Western Front. Over three days of fighting, tens of thousands of men would fall on both sides, many of them would remain amongst the ‘missing’ at the end of the war. In this video, we explore the fate of just one of those men, 18-year-old John Kipling, the son of renowned author Rudyard Kipling who was last seen advancing across-no-man’s-land at the head of his platoon. John’s ultimate fate would become one of the enduring mysteries of the First World War.
Findmypast is a great tool we use for nearly all our videos. If you want to do your family research, you can check it out under the following links:
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Written References:
• J. Gordon-Smith, Photographing The Fallen (2020)
• R. Kipling, The Irish Guards in The Great War
• E. Gilbert, O Beloved Kids (1983)
• T. Holt & V. Holt, My Boy Jack? The Search for Kipling’s Only Son (2009)
• B.J. Gripper, Herts Regiment Unofficial History (c.1923)
• Various Record Sets, War Diaries of the Battalions (2018, Naval & Military Press)
Sources:
• Findmypast (FMP)
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Archive (CWGC)
• Herts at War Archive (HAWA)
• US National Archives (NARA)
• National Library of Scotland Image Collection (NLS)
• War Diaries of the Battalions (NMP)
• The National Archives, Kew (TNA)
• Google Earth Pro & Web Versions
• Memory Maps, Trench Maps of the First World War
• Maptiler Pro (Desktop Version)
Credits:
• Research: Dan Hill
• Script & Narration: Dan Hill
• Editing: Shane Greer & Linus Klassen
• Thumbnail Design: Linus Klassen
• Image Colourisation: Doug Banks
• Voiceovers: Hugo Salter
• Music & Sound Effects: Epidemic Sounds

[@BattleGuideVT]

Findmypast is a great tool we use for nearly all our videos. If you want to do your family research, you can check it out under the following links: You can try it completely free for 7 days: www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2114&awinaffid=949579&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findmypast.co.uk%2Ffree-trial Or start your family tree for free: www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2114&awinaffid=949579&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findmypast.co.uk%2Ffamily-tree

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Sorry just an observation

[@SaltimusMaximus]

when my parents bought a house in 1970, the owners were an old couple who said about their regular trips to Germany. Eventually they said their son was in the RAF in WW2, and flew in bombers and was posted missing over Germany. They never gave up hope he was alive and went to Germany to look for him hoping maybe to see him thinking he may have amnesia, terribly sad, I often think of them, how many more were there like that after both wars

[@BattleGuideVT]

So powerful.

[@leighlowe1069]

That's heartbreaking. Almost makes me hope you're making it up (but alas, I believe you)

[@SaltimusMaximus]

@@leighlowe1069 it was true. They went to Germany as many times as they possibly could in a year, sadly many aircrew disappeared over the sea on the way home when their damaged aircraft couldn’t keep going

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

Many soldiers died in trenches and bomb craters that became filled in and covered up.

[@Remember28]

Very sad

[@SueGirling68]

Whoever read aloud John's letters home was an absolute master at it, thank you. xx

[@BattleGuideVT]

That's Hugo our professional voice-over artist, he really is superb and brings the character of John to life!

[@BattleGuideVT]

yes he is top notch!@@xxxxxxxx3476

[@SueGirling68]

@@BattleGuideVT he is awesome. x

[@ScienceChap]

My great, great uncle Arthur was lost and never found on a raid into Hulluch in September 1917. This is the first reference to Hulluch I have ever seen beyond my own investigations. Thanks.

[@nihilmiror6312]

There are around 10,000 Australians whose unidentified body parts remain forever in the soil of the killing fields on the Somme and in Flanders fields. My Uncle, Pte. Albert Williams KIA June 1916 is one. Lest we forget. Lest we forget. 🫡🙏🕊️🇦🇺🦘

[@Aaron_Hanson]

🇦🇺 Lest We Forget 🇳🇿

[@bencash4198]

My great great uncle Ernest was thankfully found & laid to rest in Danzig Alley, Mametz. He sleeps around 500 metres from where he sadly fell, on The Somme. July 1st 1916. His brother, my great great Uncle William sadly didn’t have the privilege of a grave, as he drowned at Jutland. My great great grandmother Alice received the death penny twice within a matter of weeks. Sadly the loss of her two babies sent her into a manic depressive state. She was institutionalised for near enough the remainder of her life 😞

[@luckyguy600]

that happened a lot. Very sadly.

[@andrewlucas9282]

😢

[@lindsaygaffney5426]

😢

[@Free-Bodge79]

God bless you for keeping these brave mens memories alive and telling their story. Brilliant job . Top notch. ! Thank you. ! 👍💛👊

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@geraldjacobs2376]

Thank you for reminding people about all the sacrifice these soldiers and their families.

[@user-gn4dq3fw3z]

Don't forget about the thousands of horses that were killed or terribly injured in this war. They suffered as well.

[@jesseray9944]

i agree after seeing this account ive never learned much about ww1 until this page

[@angelabushby1891]

My maternal Grandfather was in the pioneers during WW1, and his Battalion were given the job of finding the fallen and reburing the ones already buried in hasty graves,must have been horrendous he would not talk about it,we found out from Grandma,bless you Grandad you where such a lovely man so calm and quiet,I'm 76 now but still miss you ❤

[@gonefishing167]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@pascalepauwels1247]

Indeed it must be very hard to searching the bodies and then reburing the bodies . Respect for your grandfather 💝

[@philippecolin151]

Greetings and respects from France for the sacrifices made to save our land

[@dannyrich1185]

So heartbreaking for the parents!! Searched their whole lives not to find their beloved son; and to think they might have walked by his grave is horrific 😢

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment Danny and yes you are right... so close but yet so far.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Dad's uncle Bill Jones was buried alive and woke from a coma in an army hospital. They called him the wrong name and he told them. They had notified his family in Salford that he was dead. When Bill walked through the door, Dad's mum nearly had a fit. He was always a bit grumpy afterwards, according to dad. I explained to dad that he had extenuating circumstances.

[@georgebernard8983]

Outstanding work! My great uncle, Georges J. Bernard (my icon photo) served with the 129th Infantry Regiment, French 5th Army, and fell at the 1st Battle of the Marne, he was 25 years old.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@BruceWSims]

The pain of losing a loved one during the mindless killing of War, can only be exceeded by the agony of never having closure. May God grant the Fallen.....and their loved ones..... Peace. 😢

[@BattleGuideVT]

Very eloquently put Bruce. Thank you.

[@luckyguy600]

Finding the Fallen from Hell

[@nachum800]

Wow, What an amazing episode. Unbelievable how many people (young boys) died. Thank you for honoring these men.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for the very kind comment. We invested a lot into this production and in doing so you have a feeling that you get to know the individuals that little bit more.

[@marksallows113]

And they remain forever, young boys :( They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

[@douglasherron7534]

My great uncle was one of those boys. Killed attacking the Hohenzollern Redoubt with the 8th Black Watch he was barely 17. His body was never recovered.

[@LesleyBerry-em3yv]

Both my grandma and grandfather lost their youngest brothers at the age of 19. One on the Somme and the other at Arras with no known graves. My brother has been to Tyne Cot and seen my great uncles name on the memorial.

[@danastaph7708]

My great uncle Albion was killed 11 November 1917 with the 6th Marine Division, USMC near Chateau Thierry. His body was never found. Thank you for this video.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for sharing Dana

[@porkscratchings5428]

My great grandfather perished there, his body was never found and the last letter my great grandmother got was that he was injured by a gas attack written by his friend which took best part of a month to arrive, they never heard from my great grandfather ever again. Very sad, he was 22 years old, what a waste fighting for Kitchener as with all the others who perished fighting a rich man’s war!

[@vixtex]

My deepest condolences. My great grandpa ended up dying of lung cancer due to mustard gas. Horrible.

[@martinwarner1178]

Rich men get richer, poor men lose out with blood. Peace be unto you.

[@jonf4731]

A tough read that, of your great grand father. Many wasted lives and good men and boys are lost. I must say however that many rich men and their sons perished in the Great War. The kiplings are but one example of good men for which money and class did not save you. I used to believe the old trope “lions led by donkeys” but further inspection and research proves otherwise.

[@Rese516]

Aren’t most wars “rich men’s wars”?

[@martinwarner1178]

@@Rese516 I think the same. Truly, peace be unto you.

[@jackiea8394]

My paternal grandfather was badly injured at Loos by machine gunfire and spent 3 days and nights in no man’s land. At some point a German officer with a search party found him, gave him a drink of water and told him they would return to collect him but before that happened, he was rescued by his own side. The surgeon who had to amputate his leg told him that without that drink of water he would have died so the family is forever grateful to that unknown German soldier. For a start, I wouldn’t be here today!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@QED_]

"that unknown German soldier . . .'

[@1dfan827]

My great X3 uncle harry lythe served in the Great War and was never found. He was born in 1891 in England emigrated to Canada in 1910. He enlisted to the Canadian expeditionary force in 1915 and went missing during the battle of passchaendale in 1917 whilst serving as part of a Lewis gun crew. Rest in peace

[@luckyguy600]

My father's father has the very same story attached to him, but he was born in Ireland. He too was a Lewis Gunner team member in the Last 100 Days, 1st. Canadian Division. He was injured cleaning a Lewis gun and ended the war in England in a hospital ward, acting as an ordinary. He came home. I knew and loved the man, my grandfather. My grandfather came home/ your relative didn't. It could have been just the reverse. How odd eh?

[@markl4670]

My Uncle (my Dads Brother) served with the Chindits in WW2. He was killed in action in the Burmese jungle in April 1944. My Grandmother received a telegram reporting him being missing in action. His date of death was only confirmed after the war in 1946. His body was never recovered. His name is on the war memorial in Rangoon.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@montarakid1943]

Just an extraordinary presentation of a very sad story. Your work is amazingly well done.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you very much.

[@antonrudenham3259]

Fascinating. If my own 1980's infantry experience is anything to go by 2nd Lieutenants were simply referred to as Lieutenants in conversation and maybe the guys who found Johns body in 1920 could plainly see his 2nd Lieutenants pips and quite correctly reported him as a Lieutenant. I can imagine an appalled labour battalion private breathing through a cloth mask yelling to his clipboard wielding NCO that he's found a Lieutenant and the NCO duly noting it as such, said clipboard then travelling up the chain and eventually into the archive. It's a system wide open to confusion in tragic circumstances like this.

[@nickgreaves3355]

I totally agree Anton I also was years in the (PBI) poor bloody infantry during the 80s finishing in the late 90s a second lewy was always just called lieutenant by all who knew.

[@asthmaticvalk5708]

I love when you guys cover ww1! You keep their memory and their sacrifices that they made alive.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you.. its part of our mission.

[@robharding5345]

It may be well over a century since these brave young soldiers lost their lives in the great war, many of them never being found, But you guys go some wat to recognising them, and even finding their correct resting place. I was born in 57, But I have had the honour to read up on quite a number of conflicts, and to see their memories being kept alive after all this time, is thanks to your great endeavours, Lest we forget !

[@kenowens9021]

With No Man's Land being constantly bombarded by artillery and mortar fire, not very many of the bodies were left to find.

[@GosWardHen98]

We have a relative that died around Hill 60 in April 1915. He's still there, somewhere! He's on the Ypres memorial 😢

[@rastra1321]

My great grandfather was declared missing in action on 23rd April 1915 and also has his name on the Ypres Memorial. I have no other info…I have searched for him for quite sometime but cannot find anything prior to 1911. I so desperately want to know who he was. 😪

[@MrJJuK]

From someone who grew up and has lived in Sussex my whole life. RIP John 🙏❤️

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@MrDavezzzzzzzzzz]

Couldn't stop watching! Unreal video. My great uncle died at the battle of jutland in the navy. What a waste of young lives!

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kaylamarie8309]

Much respect to Lt. Kipling and his brave sacrifice in the face of what can only be described as Hell on earth. Rest in peace Sir.

[@patriciarose6371]

His Father wrote the immortal poem "IF" and his son certainly was a man ,! May he and all others lost in that mindless brutal war rip for ever more

[@slightlyconfused876]

To think, if Rudyard hadn't pulled strings to get his son, who had terrible eyesight, and had failed his medical, a way into the army, he would never have been in France at all.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Yes, I suppose that is one of the tragedies of the story. We hope you enjoyed the video?

[@MrDiscodaveII]

His son was very keen on doing his "bit" by all accounts. If his dad refused to help him he'd find some other way to serve in battle and be seriously annoyed with his father to boot.

[@joaocosta3374]

The mentality of the people was quite different. Honor, responsibility and duty were untinkable not to uphold.

[@Dulcimertunes]

Young men who appeared able bodied were disdained as ‘chicken’. Young women wandered around looking for victims whom they would identify with a white feather.

[@spannaspinna]

Kipling wanted him in the officer corp , he wouldn’t of failed a medical for a rank and file soldier , probably thought he’d get a cushy safe job in the rear

[@johnbradshaw7525]

My Great, Great Uncle, Private A J Stedman, 15th Service (2nd Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was killed on 5th October 1917 at Polderhoek Chateau, in the Ypres Salient. He is one of 35,000 listed on the memorial to the missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

[@davidgaston738]

my maternal grandfather and his two brothers went into that hell of chaos one died one maimed ie lost a leg and gassed and my grandfater survived intact glory to those who gave

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@michealrcnicholson9342]

From an ex Irish Guards soldier, I was aware of John Kiplings story as many other Irish guardsmen will be if inyerested in their regimental history. This detailed docuvideo filled in the gaps not covered in Rudyard Kiplings History of the Irish Guards. So id lime to say thankyou!

[@bernie4268]

Great doco. Loved it. So glad they kept records of the reburials so historians could track his grave.

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@luckyguy600]

It is quite amazing the records they did keep on everyone. My grandfathers and his brothers are so detailed as to their entire time in the First War. It must have taken such effort to set it down in records one can read today. Quite amazing really. At least in the Canadian records from the First Great War. We shan't know from the Second War. We will be dead and long gone before that operation is completed. I am now 73. So what I have is the First War records at least.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Thank you for a well researched video. I had an uncle killed in ww1 on the western front on 4 August 1917. He is buried at Trois Arbres cemetery. I wonder what he would have been like had he lived. If you tour around the small towns of New Zealand you see lots of memorials to men who died in ww1. Very sad indeed. I heard a few years ago that my grandmother almost lost it when she opened a package of his belongings covered with his blood. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

[@ivanconnolly7332]

My granduncle "Archie" was with the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards from Loos till the German spring offensive in 1918, he told me he killed a 15 year old German in a communication trench.

[@JamoDC29]

One of my relatives died on the 27th September 1915, with the Welsh Guards. His name is on the Loos Memorial. I have always wondered if his remains were found, and was buried as an unknown soldier of the Great War.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Sadly a thought that has echoed in many households and still echoes to this day as families think about lost loved ones. Thank you for sharing.

[@gregbowen617]

Fantastic video - this is the sort of history that must never be forgotten - I'm so glad I found and watched this as my own grandfather was a survivor of the WW1, passing away in 1968.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@MrTaorluath]

When working for the War Graves Commission in the '70s I was aware of an investigation into Kipling's death and burial. At that time, with the same information available it was decided that it did not reach the required standard for the Commission to change the headstone.

[@angelinaboyd836]

Was there ever a reason as to why they said ,it didn't reach requirements?

[@MrTaorluath]

The differing rank insignia and the place of the original burial being a long way from the last known sighting. It didn't meet the exacting criteria then in place. @@angelinaboyd836

[@KingAlanI]

Beautiful tragic story. Sometimes a study of one person famous or not can hit harder than a big overview

[@user-zg4ef1ee2f]

I had long searched for my great uncle Patrick Burns, originally from Belfast, who, according to family lore, was killed at the Somme in June 1916. I tried to find him him on a number of occasions to no end. The Irish government digitised the 1901 and 1910 census results. To my total surprise, my great grandparents had changed their surname from Burns to Byrne. Due to this, i was able to trace Him using what little family history i had of him, such as getting married and moving to Lurgan, Co. Armagh. He was killed at the battle of Loos, his grave bring destroyed later in the war. He is known to be buried in Bois Carre cemetery just across from St. Mary's ads were young Kipling lies. After being missing to my family for over 100 years, i first visited in 2018, and I am a regular visitor, and was there again last week.Set. 2023. Ironically, those who had graves destroyed are commemorated with a headstone along the wall of the cemetery about ten headstones down is Agustus Farrell of Dalkey co. Dublin ( no relation), but I remember thinking at the time, Well Paddy, you were in good company all these years.

[@docastrov9013]

I traced a cousin of my mother's and went to his grave Moeuvre. I thought I was the only person to go - then I found out later some other relatives had been. Still it's the thought that counts.

[@SecuritySpecial]

Cried my eyes out after watching this incredibly moving story. John was such a loyal and brave patriot who cared for the soldiers he led. Thank you for sensitive and remarkable account of how he was finally found. God bless.

[@EscanV]

@BattleGuideVT Since finding your channel about a month back, I have looked forward to every new Great War video! My Great Uncle was Killed on the 20th February 1917, Fampoux, after surviving the onslaught at Delville Wood the previous year (14th-20th July 1916). Your presentation is phenomenal. Keep up the fantastic work Mate. Delville isn't a well known battle. Love the work Mate!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@EscanV]

​@@BattleGuideVTYou are most welcome mate, and thank you 😎

[@mikemartyn5945]

My great uncle, 18 year old David Dingwall of the Royal Scots Fusiliers died in Oct of 1914. His body has never been recovered. Unfortunately, the records for that regiment were moved to London for storage and were destroyed by bombing during the second work war.

[@ianspegler]

Many of the success stories I have seen concern high-ranking soldiers and officers. Discovering the fate of an ordinary soldier like my great uncle L/Cpl Ernest Cottell seems to be a much harder task. I know that he went missing somewhere in the vicinity of "Inverness Copse" easy of Ypres on Aug 22nd, 1917. There is no correspondence with the family, no eye witness accounts. nothing. He was in A company, 6th battalion Somerset Light Infantry, apparently attacking an area known as Herenthage Chateau but they were driven back. That's all I know and I now believe his remains won't ever be found. He was just 19.

[@bigboy1170]

Wonderful story, excellently narrated.

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@mammuchan8923]

Well that was devastating and heartbreaking but I am glad you focused on it. You need to be able to remember and mourn one family’s tragedy in order to mourn the millions of families who suffered a loss. May they RIP

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you so much for the kind comment.

[@mammuchan8923]

@@BattleGuideVT you are most welcome. This story will stay with me for a long time

[@banjo._scranjo7830]

Incredible story and analysis, just wow 🤯

[@FilipDePreter]

Richard van Emden's book Missing: the need for closure is worth reading.

[@BattleGuideVT]

I think we have that in our collection. Will certainly revisit it!

[@Stay_at_home_Astronaut81]

The Kipling piece "My Boy Jack" is about Royal Navy sailor Jack Cornwell, killed at the Battle Of Jutland. Its not about John Kipling.

[@lordeden2732]

Not according to Rudyard himself he started it was about his son and it's well.know John was know in the family as Jack.

[@andrewcarter7503]

A sad story told sensitively and well. An ancestor on my mother's side, Ernest Luke Moss was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is one of the many with no known grave, remembered instead on the Thiepval Memorial. It's humbling to remember the sacrifice of so many and puts our petty troubles into perspective. Thank you for this video.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks very much Andrew

[@RippySharp]

Amazing amount of research thank you so much for doing this, my grandmother lost 2 older brothers in France neither being found. I can’t imagine the torment the whole family must have suffered!

[@MC-nb6jx]

Wow… What a fantastic story so well told👏🏻👏🏻 The heartbreak of such families was so tragic..

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for the kind comment.

[@KCODacey]

Great detective work. Much appreciated.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@gordonbergslien30]

This really touched me. Here in the U.S. very few people understand the impact the Great War had on Britain and her Empire. From the Western Front to Palestine to the South Atlantic nearly a million men were lost. It's no wonder when I travel in the UK or Canada, I can hardly turn around without seeing a memorial to "the fallen." A fitting tribute indeed! The tragedy is that the sons of the Tommies who fought at Mons and Ypres and the Somme had to do it again a generation later! I don't know if another commenter mentioned this but I know who should have the last word here: "Well it's Tommy this and Tommy that and Tommy 'ow's yer soul but it's thin red line of 'eroes when the drums begin to roll..."

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@luckyguy600]

Sadly little is remembered by the youth today. Most are from other countries and they know nothing of our country's history. Such as was drilled into us in our youth. We were surrounded by veterans every day no matter where we were in Canada. Most/ if not all are 'passed' today. All that I knew from both World Wars and the Korean Conflict. That poor want-a-be conflict that literally nobody ever remembers. It will be a case eventually of, "They will NOT be Remembered" And the books will be closed, and that will be that. Other plans are in store for my country of Canada. I am glad I shall not witness them. Dam all politicians to Hell. The NWO eh?

[@SpartansAndHeroes]

This was so well done!

[@user-dh9qn2jr5u]

Don't think I'll ever look at Mogli in quite the same way again. My mancub came home, as did I. Of six great uncles in ww1(two with the AEF, four for the Kaiser) all returned, though some a bit worse for wear. The following generation was far less fortunate. Crossed some items off the bucket list a couple months back; walked Verdun, peddled the Chemin des dames, found my cousin's grave marker at the Soldaten Friedhof near Foy(blind luck). It matters, can change many things when they fail to return. But a marker is at least something. To quote an inscription I saw once on an English marker in Egypt; "The precious dust of our lovely lad is hidden here". Thank you. What a powerful segment.

[@migueltopete1136]

Wow, imagine if he would have gotten that ID disc before falling 😢

[@BattleGuideVT]

Yes, its amazing how these little moments can dictate so much in time. :( Thanks for the comment, we hope you enjoyed the video?

[@derksforeal7960]

Always in awe of the amount of detail, forethought, and research y’all do. 🎉cheers to you and all who help keep these amazing stories coming. Great content 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@BattleGuideVT]

What a kind comment. thank you so much! Comments like these really make all the hard work and hours poring over maps worth it!

[@judescinnamon]

these naive boys who experienced such horror, in other times, should have been just boys setting up a camp trip somewhere in France, Chalk Pit Alley, trying French wine, looking at pretty women and generally enjoying their carefree youth..but here they are; gassed, exhausted, mentally tortured, mown down in cold blood, all for European Royalty. may all sides rest in peace. so sad for their families. ❤

[@reetspetit]

The level of detailed research is mind boggling. Fantastic. Keep it up.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@beakytwitch7905]

I visited Batemans at Burwash and learned of John's death, at my age 11, 1966. Bateman's is a National Trust place - visitable. Your video is interesting both for reminding me of this individual, and of my pilgrimage to visit my late uncles grave, another War Graves Commission grave (Third town battle of Casino, 1943). Tragic that both men lost their lives so young. The War Graves Commission complains that fewer than half of all the graves have ever been visited by a relative. That is even though the locations of graves are easy to discover with an internet search. My father visited his brother's grave, and so, independently did I. None of my three sisters did, and neither did Ronald's own son (a year old at time of his death).

[@marchindley9856]

This is a fantastic video, as entertaining as it factual. Keep them coming, please!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you so much for the kind comment.

[@andrewlucas9282]

Another fantastic and informative video. My Great Uncle, Anthony Lucas, was also killed on the same day in the same battle but he served with the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howard’s). His body was also never identified and either lies in an unmarked grave or still out in the battlefield undiscovered. It is a comfort to the family knowing that he fought and lays alongside the son of one of this countries favourite authors. Whenever I hear a Kipling story I think of them both. Thank you for keeping the memory of all those young men alive 🙏

[@oliverenglish33]

Fantastic. Kudos to all involved. Delighted to support this channel on patreon.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you Oliver for the comment and the continued support via Patreon. The Patreon support really helps us going forward.

[@adrianpazgarcia1181]

Pure quality. Incredible story.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the kind comments Adrian.

[@kidmohair8151]

the Kiplings "engaged the services" of many "psychics" in the futile hope of reaching their son in the afterlife...unsurprisingly, to no avail

[@philipgreen6085]

One of our friends father who was in Gallipoli with the British army he was 17 he was sent to France to re-bury the dead, but they would do they would take the body out. They would fold it in half because it will be decomposed and put the body parts in a small box. They would be re-buried in a proper cemetery , the soldiers buried the dead, were paid shilling a day extra given a pint of brandy , my friend’s father he fell asleep. When he was on guard, he was tied to the gun and carriage wheels for 24 hours without food or water he was 17.

[@krautyvonlederhosen]

It is necessary to understand that in the early part of the last century how important it still was to have an actual headstone representing a loved one. Efforts to locate graves after the American Civil War were so extensive and because of the number of letters to the war department from loved ones, thousands of people were sent south to locate and mark unrecorded graves. It’s rumored “Carpetbagger”arose here.Millions were spent to seek graves of Yankee soldiers but not a nickel for the “rebels.”

[@capt.fancypants]

Thank you for sharing that, my great great cousin was awarded posthumously the VC in France near the end of WW1 his actions are recorded and remembered at the VC wall at the war memorial Canberra, Australia.

[@stevewhite1714]

Absolutely brilliant, please keep them coming!

[@meinteil75]

Amazing video still watching it. My great grandad was in the war. Thru ancestry I've been able to link to things about him on military archives. Im definitely going to be looking into findmypast. Never knew the man he was long gone before i came into this world but as an American I'm proud to have English blood of his thru my veins. They don't Make them like they used to the boys and men of both world wars.

[@pissiole5654]

Keep up the amazing work you're doing mate, yours is one of the best channels I've ever come across

[@douglawyer51]

That was so interesting, enjoyed that a lot. These poor souls deserve to be remembered. Thank you sir and your team.

[@debrareplogle651]

Thank for sharing this very sad story of very Brave Young men. So sad his parents died not knowing what happened to him. May all the fallen Rest in Peace. You do a wonderful job.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@shoutinghorse]

Such a sad story .. RIP John.

[@rickjensen2717]

I lost family members on both sides of this terrible conflict; all those wretched politicians and generals that caused it, and all those poor souls that paid for it with their lives.

[@Dulcimertunes]

Yes! Old men sending young men to die

[@thebarronflights]

This is one of the most informative videos I have watched in a long time. Well done and also well done to the researchers involved. 10/10.

[@tlt3921]

Amazing and laborious research you have done for this documentary. Well done.

[@goochfitness26]

I did a school project on him in one of my war classes. Loved learning about him and still do. The respect he had for his fellow pilots whether enemy or friend is amazing and the same goes for the respect others had for him. Love the video

[@BonsaiCornwall]

That was absolutely fantastic, really well done. Thank you 💚

[@sifridbassoon]

wonderful, if saddening, video. very well done. Very effective use of maps and reconstructions.

[@paulmoore120]

What a great presentation.Thank you and well done.

[@stuarthouston5488]

Absolutely superb, please do more of these!

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video! There was a lot of detective work involved and we loved sharing the details about reading trench maps... very important for any First World War battlefield detectives or those tracing loved ones!

[@BattleGuideVT]

We will!

[@Chrisander90]

Your work is truly outstanding!!

[@charlieturner8124]

The toll of that war should have taught the world a lesson. Of course it didn't. The next war still didn't seem to drive that lesson home. Even though we haven't seen conflicts of that magnitude since, soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians are still being caught up in smaller but no less lethal battles. Those losses carved out parts of whole generations and left countless families heartbroken. This story really made me think. I hope it does with others who were fortunate enough not to have had to deal with that kund of loss. May they all Rest In Peace..

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@dbga30184]

Excellent video. Everything was good: voice quality and volume, visuals, everything.

[@psychobuzzard]

superb presentation, thorough, academic, historically accurate. I look forward to much from you.

[@quotemenot7520]

Any story and video from WW II and WW II are so important to be told for the generations who have never experienced the horror of fighting on a battle field. The stories, sadness, joy and heartache so many had to endure is brought home by these brilliant videos. Compulsive viewing and beautifully done, thank you.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

On a channel full of fantastic content, this might be my favorite that you've done. Great work, as always.

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

An excellent telling of this story. Some many missing and so many heartbroken families.

[@tillposer]

My grandfather was at the Battle of the Somme, in the line, for nigh onto six weeks in September - October 1916. Out of his 15 men he went in with, only two were still there when his regiment was taken out of the line, the rest were just hasty replacements. His memoirs are quite harrowing when he describes how these people went under the relentless bombardment. And since they couldn't get the fallen back out, they were mostly buried where there was an opportunity. In one chapter he writes "Our dead messmates now sleep in the new traverse." while also describing how the artillery chewed up the trenches and traverses and how these shallow graves were then scattered over the trench and no-mans land. Soldiers who were buried in that fashion rarely were found or identified later. He also writes that while digging new trenches they were uncovering such graves all the time and had to incorporate them into the new structures. And even digging was dangerous enough, he writes how the blade of his spade was hit by a 75mm round when he and his men were entrenching, just in the moment when the blade was above the trenchline throwing the dirt out. He wasn't hurt per se, but, as he put it, he wasn't good for anything for a couple of hours, clealy a shock.

[@legobatman8353]

I've watched many uploads by Crocodile Tear who does similar research to identify fallen soldiers. It's quite alarming to find out just how common it is for incorrect information being recorded. The sheer numbers of incorrectly identified persons is quite saddening.

[@FrauUnibrow]

I can recommend his channel as well , Crocodile Tear has some great videos.

[@thetimetraveller6550]

I want to thank all of you who were involved in the making of this video 🎥 using map and grid references was truly remarkable and amazing the effort you have all made in the making of this is no less than 100℅ fantastic no others could have gone to such lengths to show everything like what you've been able to do you have without doubt the best world War 1 history channel on you tube no one else comes close the details of the whole video are truly remarkable I really do thank you for all you do...

[@user-xt4bv5so9s]

Amazing video. A lot of information gathered. Well done…will watch more

[@RT-ko5hl]

What a tragic waste of life thanks for sharing this story a tribute to all our fallen

[@pitchforkcustom]

beautiful tribute and well made.. thanks for this ❤

[@jjt1093]

you do amazing work ! my story was long research to Find my missing great uncle who died in 1917 in Arleux-en-gohelle, Body recoverd in 1927, I found with the help of a Canadian university the trench maps, unit records and such, then actually went to the location they found him exactly ,also had help from a British battlefield archaeologist helped me find his grave stone which I went and visited, First of my family to Do so, as many had tried before to find info.

[@GiulioRicciardi]

This is really amazing content dude. I love hearing this side of the war for sure. Never knew how they traced this kind of stuff. Can’t wait for the next battle guide vid. ❤❤❤❤

[@michaeldibb]

Your channel was recommended to me and I am so glad it was. The prooduction value is outstanding. Thank you for your time and effort telling the last movements of John Kipling.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Awesome, thank you!

[@stevejohnston2715]

A stellar 23 minutes. Thanks!

[@Dignity_first]

Amazing work. Thank you so so much!