After a staggering 110 years since his tragic demise on the battlefield, Lieutenant James Allan, a revered soldier of The Great War, will finally be laid to rest later this year with his proud descendants in attendance. This heartwarming revelation comes after DNA tests conclusively authenticated his identity. Lt. Allan fell on the first day of the infamous Battle of Loos on September 25, 1915, at the tender age of 20.
The discovery of his remains occurred when builders working on a new hospital in Lens, France, stumbled upon his long-forgotten resting place, 108 years after the fateful battle. Upon finding buttons from Lt. Allan’s battalion and consulting war records, researchers suspected the remains belonged to the young officer from Edinburgh, Scotland. In a surprising turn of events, Lt. Allan’s great-nephew, Nicholas Allan from Stroud, Gloucestershire, received a letter from the Ministry of Defence requesting a DNA sample. This led to the astounding revelation that Lt. Allan’s remains indeed belonged to his great uncle.
Nicholas expressed his profound shock, stating, “It completely changed my whole outlook in that moment.” He recalled how his family seldom shared details about the fallen ancestor, with his grandfather and ancestors of that time adhering to the cultural reluctance to discuss the war. Despite this, the surprising DNA connection has shed new light on their family history, awakening a different sense of identity and heritage for Nicholas.
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The upcoming burial ceremony in Lens, France, will pay tribute to Lt. Allan’s memory with full military honors, commemorating his sacrifice in the historic Battle of Loos. To honor their fallen Great Uncle, Nicholas and his brother Christopher have planned to don kilts made from one of 16 possible Allan tartans.
The bitter reality of the Battle of Loos, where 50,000 British soldiers perished, marked the first British Army deployment of gas as a weapon. Nicholas highlighted the brutal circumstances faced by the soldiers and the overwhelming loss of life incurred due to the efficient German machine gun positions.
The long-awaited recognition and burial of Lt. James Allan serve as a poignant remembrance of the sacrifices made during the First World War, offering closure and a renewed sense of pride for his descendants.