Solving the 100-Year-Old Mystery of Two Missing Scottish Soldiers
Four years ago, construction workers in northern France made a significant discovery: the remains of over 100 people. This grim find eventually led to solving a century-old mystery, identifying two missing Scottish soldiers from World War One. The painstaking investigation involved the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC).
The Initial Discovery and Investigation
The building site, located near Lens, was once part of the Western Front and the site of the Battle of Loos. Stephan Naji, head of the recovery unit from the CWGC, arrived quickly to begin the investigation. His team of specialist archaeologists carefully removed the remains and any associated artifacts, extracting as much information as possible.
At the CWGC headquarters near Arras, numerous artifacts were analyzed, including boots, rusted belt buckles, shoulder badges, buttons, and regimental insignia. These items helped narrow down the possible identities of the soldiers, suggesting they may have fought for the Gordon Highlanders or the Cameron Highlanders.
Identifying Gordon McPherson: The Tramway Buttons
Nicola Nash, a case worker at the JCCC, took on the task of identifying the soldiers. She investigated missing Cameron Highlander soldiers from the Battle of Loos, noticing an unusual detail: buttons from the Newcastle Corporation Tramways were found with one set of remains. This led her to Gordon McPherson, a tobacconist assistant in the 1911 census, whose father worked for the tramways.
To confirm the identity, Nicola Nash tracked down living relatives, Andrew and Alistair McPherson, who had a family heirloom containing information about their lost relative. A DNA test confirmed that the remains were indeed those of Gordon McPherson, a 23-year-old Lance Corporal.
"It feels like an absolute miracle that he's been found." - Andrew McPherson
Identifying James Allan: A Family Connection
Identifying the second soldier, believed to be from the Gordon Highlanders, proved more challenging. The remains were found mingled with those of five others. After extensive research, Nicola Nash identified 14 possible officers. Ultimately, a DNA match was found with the family of James Grant Allan, a 20-year-old lieutenant. Remarkably, his great-nephew lived just three doors away from another member of the JCCC team.
"Oh my God, why is this happening? Why particularly him [James Allan] and not a thousand others?" - Nicholas Allan
A Final Resting Place
This week, Gordon McPherson and James Allan were finally laid to rest at the Loos British Cemetery, a short distance from where their remains were discovered. After over a century, their families can find solace in knowing their loved ones have been found and honored. The dedication of the CWGC and JCCC brought closure to these families, highlighting the importance of remembering those lost in war.
