A Runcorn serviceman lost in the First World War in France is to be given a full military funeral more than 100 years after he died, now that his body has finally been found.
On April 10th, 1917, Lance Corporal John Street, 1st Battalion The King’s Own Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action during the Battle of Arras. He was declared missing and later missing, presumed dead. He is commemorated on the Runcorn War Memorial and in France at the Arras Memorial.
Last year, remains were discovered during construction work for new houses in a small French commune and later identified to be those of John Street.
The Ministry of Defence have arranged a full military burial with honours to take place at Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, near Arras, on April 10th – 107 years exactly to when he fell.
Most of John’s family still live in Runcorn and, on what will be a momentous, emotional occasion for them, they will be attending the funeral in France.
Halton Borough Council has sent a commemorative wreath bearing the Halton crest to France with the family, on behalf of the Council and local residents, and the Mayor, Cllr Kevan Wainwright, has invited the family to tea in the Mayor’s Parlour when they return from France.
When 23-year-old John was killed, he was among 28 others. Of that number, he is one of only five to have been found.
John’s great nephew, Runcorn-born Michael Jackson, is a battlefield guide and military researcher. He said:
“This can only be described as a momentous occasion for my family. It is an extremely rare occurrence as, although bodies are still being found in WW1 battlefields, the likelihood of them being identified is very low and the chances of a Runcorn serviceman being found again is likely to be very rare. This could be one of the last opportunities to commemorate in such circumstances.
“I am very proud of my great-uncle.”