A CEREMONY for Bury fusilier Private Harry Wilkinson has been held in Belgium.
Three generations of his family were at the special ceremony as Pt Wilkinson was buried with full military honours after being gunned down 87 years ago in the First World War trenches.
Pt Wilkinson died along with two comrades on November 19, 1914. He was buried in a shell crater hours after his death.
Historians uncovered the Bury man's body together with his identity disc and other artefacts.
The funeral took place at the Prowse Point Military Cemetery yesterday and the regiment's Colonel in Chief, the Duke of Kent, was expected to attend the service.
Pt Wilkinson, a 29-year-old cotton worker, went to the front line two months before his death, leaving behind his pregnant wife Eva and son Harry at their home in Lord Street, Bury.
A nationwide search was launched to find Pt Wilkinson's descendents led by Bury's Lancashire Fusilier Museum.
His name was read out at the playing of the last post, sounded daily at the Belgium military ceremony, in honour of his ultimate sacrifice.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article