Wirral soldier appeal as mass war grave is found in France

May 13 2009 by Alan Weston, Birkenhead News

Casualty records and DNA testing will be used to assign identities to as many of the bodies as possible.

Sue Raftree, the historic casualty casework officer who is co-ordinating the search for surviving relatives, said: “It is important we find as many relatives or near-relatives as we can.”

The names of the seven Merseyside soldiers released by the Ministry of Defence are Ptes John P Broomfield, John McPherson Griffith, Owen Llewellyn Johns, John William Perry, Joseph S Rothwell, and Lance Corps Christopher Ryan and David Sanderson.

The Ormskirk man was named as Pte Harold Crompton.

l Anyone who believes they may be related to any of the soldiers should contact Historic Casualty Casework, Services Personnel and Veterans Agency, Imjin Barracks, Gloucester GL3 1HW, Mailbox@spva.mod.uk or 01452 712612.