WW1 soldier from Windsor is buried nearly 108 years after his death

A Windsor soldier from the First World War has been buried nearly 108 years after his death.

Private John Tame of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment was laid to rest in Belgium yesterday (May 8).

His remains were found during road works at Zonnebeke near Ypres in May 2018.

The burial service was supported by serving soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles and attended by Keith Brooks, the great-nephew of Private Tame. 

“John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family, from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed,” said Keith.

"Now, after finding John's remains, he is more than just a distant photograph.

"This has made him more real, along with his story for future generations."

Crown Copyright. Pictured: Private John Tame (courtesy of the Tame family).

Private Tame was wounded during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and most likely transferred to the 2nd Battalion from the 6th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

In August 1917, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment attacked as part of the wider Battle of Langemarck near Ypres in Belgium.

Private Tame was 22 years old when he went missing on August 16 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. 

His remains were identified in 2018 with nearby artefacts, including a cap badge and shoulder title of The Royal Berkshire Regiment.

The body also appeared to have been previously wounded around his left shoulder, which led to DNA matching confirming his identification. 

Keith aided the Ministry of Defence Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) by providing the DNA sample to identify Private Tame.

"This has all been achieved because of the excellent work the military does with all the research and investigations,” he added.

"Giving missing people who have served their country, the funeral they all greatly deserve.” 

Crown Copyright. Pictured: Soldiers of 2nd Battalion The Rifles at the Ploegsteert Memorial with Keith Brooks.

Private Tame was born in Windsor in early 1895 and was the third eldest of seven children born to Edward Tame and his wife Alice.

John’s elder brothers, Alfred and William George Tame, also enlisted and served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment, which was stationed in India at the outbreak of the First World War.

The battalion arrived on the Western Front on November 5 1914. 

John’s brothers, Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame, were both killed on May 9 1915, during the Battle of Aubers Ridge.

Both brothers are still missing and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.  

The family of Private Tame and a party from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, visited the Ploegsteert Memorial this morning (Friday) to remember his missing brothers Alfred and William George on the 110th anniversary of their deaths.

JCCC caseworker Rosie Barron said it was a ‘privilege’ to meet Keith and share this experience with him and his family.

“It has been an honour to work with The Rifles to give Private Tame the full military funeral that he deserves and to have conducted the research which led to his identification,” she added.

Crown Copyright. Pictured: Private Tame's coffin is lowered into the grave.

The JCCC, known as the War Detectives, organised the burial service for Private Tame at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) New Irish Farm Cemetery.

CWGC commemorations casework manager David Royle said: “It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of Private Tame and to have assisted his family with their choices for his Commission headstone.

"He is now at rest alongside his comrades in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where we will care for his grave in perpetuity”.

Reverend Stephen Cassells CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Rifles, conducted the service.

“I count it a privilege to be involved in the proper burial of Private Tame,” he said.

"It is right that his remains should be laid to rest with dignity and in a place where his service will be properly honoured.

"I pray that his family will find peace in knowing that their relative has been found and buried properly and that those connected with his army regiment would draw renewed commitment through his service for King and country.”