A BRITISH soldier killed in World War One was buried with full military honours yesterday almost 100 years since his death.
Sergeant David Blakey, 26, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in July, 1916.
His remains were identified from a home-made dog tag after being unearthed in roadworks near a cemetery in Thiepval, France.
Six pallbearers from the Royal Irish Regiment carried the former miner’s Union Flag-draped coffin into the cemetery yesterday.
A number of descendants of the Gateshead-born dad of three attended the ceremony.
Great-granddaughter Jackie Coleman, 51, from Alnwick, Northumberland, said: “David’s memory has been kept alive in our family since he went missing.
“This is a very special and fitting end to our search for him and one we will treasure.”
Great-great-grandsons Jack, nine, and James, 13, read out a poem written in memory of Sgt Blakey by his father Henry at the service.
Two unknown soldiers were buried alongside Sgt Blakey.
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