Investigators want to trace the families of World War One soldiers whose remains were found 100 years after their deaths.

The skeletons of two men were recently dug up during building work at a field close to Ypres, an area in Belgium which saw some of the fiercest fighting.

Experts have managed to narrow down their identities to two out of four private soldiers who were all killed in June 1915.

They now want to trace male descendants for DNA tests and properly identify the bodies so they can be buried in a full military funeral.

Rosie Barron, from the Ministry of Defence, told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s important that these men are still commemorated and it is important for the families.

‘Although the relatives we hope to find will not have known the individual, it still means a lot to be able to find out what happened.’

Around 908,000 service personnel were killed during the First World War and the remains of many of them were never recovered.

There are some 41,490 servicemen still missing around Ypres, the scene of intense trench warfare between the German and Allied armies.

Are you related to Private Henry Frederick Wolf?

The son of John and Annie Wolf who was born in Bethnal Green in 1893.

He died on 9 June 1915 aged 22.

He had nine siblings – Elizabeth Wolf, John Wolf, Florence Wolf, Robert Wolf, Leonard Peter Wolf, Peter William Wolf, Christina Wolf, James Wolf and Nellie Wolf.

Are you related to Private James Hodges?

The son of George Hodges and Eliza Larney who was born in St Luke’s, near Islington, London in 1890.

He died on 14 June 1915 aged 25.

He married Jessica Matilda Wootley on 3 August, 1913. Their son James George Henry Hodges was born in Shoreditch on 11 September 1914.

The remains of the British soldiers were found in 2015 during building work on the site of an old military cemetery.

Many bodies were reburied after the war at the larger New Irish Farm cemetery but it is thought dozens were mistakenly left behind.

Locals now wanting to build on previously war-ravaged land have to do an archaeological survey and it was during this that the two soldiers’ bodies were uncovered.

Experts noted the skeletons were in uniform that bore shoulder titles from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers.

Using that as a starting point, Ms Barron – who works with the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) – spent months going through military records, census information and workhouse documents.

She has narrowed down their identities to four privates from the London area, who were all killed between 9-16th of June 1915 – just after the Second Battle of Ypres.

Are you related to Private George Henry Smith?

The son of William Smith and Sarah Jones who was born in Bromley on 18 October 1886.

He died on 15 June 1915 aged 29.

He is believed to have married Alice Spackman on 3 August 1913. Their son George Henry Smith was born on 29 June 1914 in Poplar.

Are you related to Private Louis Frank Walker?

The son of John Willis Walker and Emma Louisa Williams who was born in Hackney on 25 November 1885.

He died on 16 June 1915.

He married Elizabeth Neville on 6 August 1914.

He had three siblings – Sidney John Willis Walker, Jessie Louisa Walker and Percy Walker.

Ms Barron said the men would probably have been sent to war either as reservists or from territorial units.

She added: ‘I had a list of Royal Fusiliers, who are now based at the Tower of London, who were believed to still be missing after being killed in 1915.

‘I went through the war diaries of the battalions and there were four soldiers who were killed within a kilometre of the site.

‘The cause of death of a private soldier did not tend to be recorded, so we don’t know whether they died on the field or in a hospital from their wounds.’

Three of the four privates were married, two had children and all had siblings.

Ms Barron identified a number of their immediate relatives and is now hoping to trace their male descendants for a simple DNA cheek swab.

That will be used to confirm the remains and the soldiers will be awarded a full Royal Fusilier burial in October at the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

Ms Barron added: ‘We would like to be able to bury these men with their families present.

‘If anyone is able to provide any information about them, or if you believe that you may be related to them please contact us.’

She can be contacted on 01452 712612 ext. 6303 during office hours or email [email protected]

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