Fallen First World War soldier to be laid to rest in front of family 110 years after his death

After over a century, Lieutenant James Allan, a heroic soldier who died on the first day of the Battle of Loos in 1915, will finally be given a proper burial. His remains, discovered during the construction of a new hospital in Lens, France, remained unidentified until a recent DNA match connected him to his great nephew, Nicholas Allan.

Nicholas, a chef from Stroud, Gloucestershire, was astonished to learn about his familial connection to the fallen soldier after providing a DNA sample at the urging of the Ministry of Defence. The revelation has brought newfound significance to Nicholas, who previously had minimal knowledge about his great uncle’s sacrifice.

Lt Allan’s upcoming burial in Lens, with full military honors, will serve as a poignant moment for his proud descendants, including Nicholas and his younger brother Christopher, who plan to pay homage to their great uncle by wearing kilts made from one of 16 possible Allan tartans.

The discovery and identification of Lt Allan’s remains provide closure and a deeper understanding of the family’s history, shedding light on a past that had been largely unspoken for generations.