Middlesex Regiment soldier laid to rest on the Somme

Pte Percy Tolliday, of 11th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment, was laid to rest on the Somme on 21 October 2026 alongside two unknown comrades, at a burial service organised by MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’. The service took place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Warlencourt British Cemetery.  

Richard Tolliday, the great nephew of Pte Tolliday, had travelled from Atlanta, USA to attend the burial service with his wife and nephew. It was Richard who had provided the DNA sample that made identification of Pte Tolliday possible. 

Richard Tolliday stands at the graveside with his wife, nephew and members of the military party (Crown Copyright)

Richard Tolliday, great nephew of Pte Tolliday said: 

We are deeply grateful to the JCCC for their extraordinary dedication, expertise, and professionalism that enabled the identification of the remains of our Great Uncle, Pte Percy Tolliday, 110 years after his death in the Battle of the Somme. In 1916, Percy was a soldier but also a son and a brother. It has been an honour to be able to assist in this process and to attend his burial service that so movingly and impressively brings an appropriate recognition and closure for Percy and his family, past and present.

Pte Tolliday and the two unknown soldiers were uncovered during the installation of wind turbines near Gueudecourt. They were found lying in a shell hole, suggesting that they may have died together, possibly having been hit by the same shell. Work continues in an attempt to identify the unknown soldiers.