Emotional Farewell for Fallen Scottish Soldiers
Today, in a poignant ceremony in France, family members gathered to honour the memory of two Scottish soldiers from World War I, Private George Fleming Brock and Private Percy Todd, alongside four unidentified comrades. This burial, marked by full military honours, took place 108 years after their tragic deaths during the German Spring Offensive in 1918.
Members of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, carried the caskets to their final resting place, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers. Private Brock and Private Todd, both of the 11th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, were laid to rest with dignity, surrounded by family and local standard bearers.
A Glimpse into Their Lives
Private Brock hailed from Dunipace in West Falkirk, where he was apprenticed as an architect with the Stirling firm of Messrs Bruce & Livingston before enlisting in June 1916. His journey to the front lines was fraught with danger; merely a month after arriving in France, he was seriously injured by gunfire and spent several months recuperating in a hospital. Rejoining his battalion in January 1918, he faced the grim reality of warfare just two months later, during a fierce offensive. On 28 March 1918, while stationed near Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, he and his comrades were subjected to overwhelming artillery fire, resulting in his untimely death at the young age of 19.
In contrast, Private Todd was a draper’s manager at Bryan’s Drapery in Isleworth, London, before enlisting in November 1915. He had met his wife, Alice, eight years prior while at work. Like Brock, Todd faced severe injuries shortly after joining the battalion, enduring a significant wound on the first day of the Battle of Arras in 1917. After a lengthy recovery, he rejoined his unit in February 1918, only to lose his life during the German Spring Offensive on 5 April 1918.
Unearthing the Past
In 2023, the remains of these six soldiers were discovered during an archaeological survey in Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, accompanied by various artefacts, including regimental insignia from both the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and the Gordon Highlanders. Through extensive historical research and DNA testing, Private Brock and Private Todd were identified, allowing for a solemn and respectful burial alongside their unidentified comrades.
The service was coordinated by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), a dedicated group often referred to as the ‘MOD War Detectives’. Their mission focuses on identifying the remains of British military casualties, bringing closure to families and honouring the legacy of those who served.
A Testament to Sacrifice
Nicola Nash, a member of the MOD War Detectives, expressed the significance of the day, stating, “Private Brock and Private Todd have both been buried today 108 years after they were killed. With half a million British servicemen still missing from World War I, every identity we make is a huge achievement. It has been a real privilege to give closure to their families and lay these heroes to rest with honour.”
David Royle, Recoveries and Ceremonies Manager at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), reflected on the importance of the recovery efforts, saying, “For 108 years, these six men lay where they fell on the battlefield. It is a privilege and a source of great pride for the CWGC to have recovered them and worked alongside the JCCC in the effort to restore their identities. While four of these soldiers sadly remain unidentified, they are not forgotten. We will care for their graves, and for those of Private Todd and Private Brock, in perpetuity, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to honour and remember their sacrifice.”