Six Scottish Soldiers Buried in France After Century
Military officials laid six soldiers to rest in France following an archaeological recovery and identification process.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Military
Military authorities held a burial service in France for six Scottish soldiers whose remains were recovered in 2023. Archaeologists and researchers identified two of the men through DNA analysis after they died during the 1918 German Spring Offensive.
Why it matters
The ceremony honored members of the 11th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who had been missing for over a century. This effort highlights the ongoing mission to recover and identify remains of the half a million British servicemen still missing from World War I.
Officials identified Private George Fleming Brock and Private Percy Todd from the six remains discovered during a 2023 survey at Tilloy-les-Mofflaines. The soldiers had been missing for 108 years following their deaths in 1918.
The players
Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
This is a historic line infantry regiment of the British Army that recruited primarily from the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.
Private George Fleming Brock
A soldier from Dunipace who enlisted in 1916 and died at age 19 during the First World War.
Private Percy Todd
A soldier from Radford who enlisted in 1915 and served with the 11th Battalion during the German Spring Offensive.
The details
The soldiers, who served with the 11th Battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, were killed in action during the German Spring Offensive. Researchers confirmed the identities of Private Brock, from Dunipace, and Private Todd, from Radford, using advanced forensic techniques.
Timeline
November 1915: Private Percy Todd enlisted in the military.
June 1916: Private George Fleming Brock enlisted in the military.
March 28, 1918: Private George Fleming Brock died in action.
April 5, 1918: Private Percy Todd died in action.
2023: Archaeologists recovered the remains of the six soldiers.
Political Context
This ceremony follows the pattern set by the recovery of soldiers lost during the 1918 German Spring Offensive. Opposition groups often argue for increased funding for independent research to ensure that the remaining half a million missing service members are not forgotten by the state.
This event serves as a reminder of the long-term impact of global conflicts on national heritage and family history. Families seeking information on lost relatives continue to rely on these military identification programs to resolve long-standing questions about their ancestors.
The takeaway
The successful identification of these soldiers underscores the precision of modern forensic science in resolving historical mysteries. Families and researchers can view these findings as a benchmark for how long-lost personnel continue to be recovered a century later.
Further reading
For more information on historical recovery efforts, visit our Military section.
