East Sussex family relative Captain Matthew Flinders discovered on HS2 route

  • Watch Derek Johnson's report below

A family from East Sussex have been told that the remains of their famous relative, explorer Captain Matthew Flinders, have been discovered on the HS2 route.

His remains were discovered during an archaeological dig at a burial ground near Euston Station, 200 years after he was buried.

His burial site is among 40,000 other human remains.

  • Who is Captain Matthew Flinders?

Captain Matthew Flinders was a commander in the Royal Navy during the 1700s and 1800s.

He is most famous for being the first explorer to circumnavigate Australia, confirming it as a continent.

He was the commander of the HMS Investigator.

Flinders died in 1814 and was buried in the St James' burial ground.

His headstone was removed and it was thought that his remains had been lost.

  • WATCH: Reaction from the great great great granddaughters of Captain Matthew Flinders

Rachel and Suzi Flinders-Lewis are the great great great granddaughters of the captain.

They say they are glad that his burial is no longer a mystery.

HS2 archaeologists identified his remains by the breast plate placed on top of his coffin