British First World War hero finally laid to rest almost 100 years after death at Somme
Video report by ITV News' Dan Rivers.
A British soldier who died at the Somme almost 100 years ago has finally been laid to rest with full military honours in a ceremony near the battlefield.
Sergeant David Harkness Blakey, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, is believed to have been killed on 1 July, 1916 - the first day of the bloody battle.
However, the married father-of-three's body was not identified until 97 years later - in November 2013 - when his remains were found with a metal identity tag bearing his name and number: 18634.
Family members - including his granddaughter, great-granddaughter and great-great granddaughter - were there to witness the emotional ceremony at Connaught Cemetery, close to where he died in Thiepval, northern France.
What we know about Sergeant Blakey
Born in Felling, Gateshead, 9 November 1889 to a coal miner father
Became a miner himself at Stargate Colliery after leaving school
Married Sarah Kendall in October 1908
Had a son, Henry, who was killed in service in 1940, as well as two daughters - Winifred and Isabella
Enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in January 1915
Was promoted to Sergeant by 1916, serving with D Company, 11th Batallion
Died in the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 - was last seen seriously wounded in No Man's Land
Posthumously awarded the Military Medal for "bravery in the field" in December 1916
Sergeant Blakey is only the fifth soldier in ten years to have been identified using personal items, army chiefs say.
Identification via tag is particularly rare, as these were usually made from paper or compressed fibres, which decompose quickly.
His body was found during a road-widening project, and an appeal to find family members last year resulted in a number being found in the north-east of England.
The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC).