Grave of Scottish soldier who died in First Word War identified in France

The previously unmarked grave of an Edinburgh man of the 1st Royal Dragoons killed during the First World War has been identified and rededicated more than a century after his death.

A rededication service for Lance Corporal George Rankeillor, who died in 1917 aged just 20, was organised in France by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the “War Detectives”.

The service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery on Wednesday.

L/Cpl Rankeillor was born in the Scottish capital in 1897 to father George, a rubber worker, and his wife Julia McDonald. He was the second eldest of 10 children.

Little is known about his young life or his Army service, but it is believed he arrived in France as a private serving with the Royal Dragoons on 5 October, 1915.

By 1917 he had been promoted to lance corporal, and at the beginning of April he was with his unit on the outskirts of Arras in bitterly cold conditions.

The area came under heavy shell fire and the Royal Dragoons lost 68 horses and two men, one of them being L/Cpl Rankeillor.

In October 1919, two casualties of the Dragoons were recovered from unmarked graves just north of Feuchy Chapel.

One was identified as Private J Jordan, who died on April 11, 1917, while the other one could only be identified as a member of the Dragoons.

Following a submission to the CWGC, all records were drawn together for the first time and interrogated as one.

This showed Pte Jordan and the unknown soldier were buried in the same field grave and therefore most likely died together.

With only one man of the Royal Dragoons still missing from the area on this day, it has finally been proven the unknown soldier was L/Cpl Rankeillor.

We are grateful to all those involved in helping to confirm the final resting place of this brave soldier. This rededication ensures his sacrifice is duly recognised, and we will care for his grave, in perpetuity

The Reverend Thomas Sander, chaplain to the Household Cavalry, said: “It is an honour to officiate at these services of rededication for fallen servicemen who gave their lives in the service of our country.

“In these services we unite their final resting place with their earthly name and, what was once known only to God, is now known in the sign of all.

“May their names be held in everlasting remembrance, and may they rest in peace and rise in glory.”

CWGC director for the France area, Jeremy Prince, said: “We are honoured to mark the final resting place of Lance Corporal George Rankeillor at our Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery.

“We are grateful to all those involved in helping to confirm the final resting place of this brave soldier. This rededication ensures his sacrifice is duly recognised, and we will care for his grave, in perpetuity.”

JCCC caseworker Alexia Clark said: “I am grateful to the researcher who submitted this case. Their work has led us to recognise the final resting place of Lance Corporal Rankeillor, to restore his name to him and to allow his family to honour his sacrifice.

“It has been a privilege for me to have contributed to this case and to have organised the service for the rededication of this grave today.”