THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER OF WORLD WAR I

In 1916 the Reverend David Railton, a British chaplain, while was serving in France saw a make-shift grave marked by a wooden cross across which was written:

"An Unknown British Soldier"

Railton did not  forget the scene; in 1920 he wrote to the Dean of Westminster to express a commemoration of that sight. 

 After Dean Ryle read that message he became the leading force that resulted in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of Great Britain.

Selection of the soldier destined for burial began in France, ”the Unknown Soldier” was selected randomly from war casualties exhumed in France and Belgium. The selection tthe Unknown Soldier of the Great War took place  In St. Pol by Brigadier General L.J. Wyatt, commander of all British troops in France and Flanders.

In November of the same year a celebration, officiated by chaplains from the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Non-Conformist Churches; was held to commemorate the sacrifice of the Unknown Soldier. 

Next the soldier’s body was led to Boulogne and on the coffin was inserted a crusaders sword from London’s Tower collection and a plate with the inscription: 

"A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 for King and Country"

Then the coffin was transported to Dover where some officers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and Royal Army bore the coffin home to British soil.

Afterwards the coffin was transported by train in London and then to Westminster Abbey; where the Unknown Soldier was laid.

 Following the hymns, King George V made a celebration and the grave was closed with a temporary stone inscribed with the words:

"A British Warrior Who Fell in the Great War 1914-1918 for King and Country.  Greater Love Hath No Man Than This."

In October 1921, was presented the Medal of Honor to the Unknown Soldier of Great Britain. 

In November 1921, the provisional stone marking of the Unknown Soldier of Great Britain was substituted with a slab of black marble with an inscription to commemorate the Unknown soldier from World War I.