WW1 soldier identified by his pen

A First World War soldier was given a full military burial nearly 90 years after his death thanks to the dedicated research of a military enthusiast.

Peter Last, 61, of Great Wakering, Essex, identified Lance Corporal John Brown by a fountain pen found near his body which was embossed with the words Postman’s Gazette Pen.

The remains of several soldiers were discovered near the village of Loos, northern France, during a road widening scheme three years ago.

A friend of Mr Last sent him photographs of artefacts found with the bodies of the soldiers including the pen.

Mr Last, who has compiled a list of all the soldiers who died during the Battle of Loos in 1915, contacted the Post Office in London whose archive section held the names of all the employees who failed to return from the Great War.

A comparison of the two lists showed John Brown appeared on both.

No mention if any DNA match was attempted (I'd think the pen would be a good pointer, but hardly definitive proof of identity). From The Scotsman. I first spotted this story over at the BBC, but their version was so poorly written as to verge on the incoherent. This isn't the first time I've noticed this -- what's going on over there?

Posted by David on January 18, 2005 7:34 PM