I have a relative, Jim, whose death I know quite a lot about because the Tank Corps battle sheet and Australian unit war diary (his tank battalion was supporting the AIF) detail the action. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial to the missing. He probably took a direct hit in his tank, which then burned.
So many soldiers suffered a similar fate, obliterated by shellfire, to say nothing of those who literally disappeared in the mud (or at sea, etc). I think that one should simply visit the memorial to mourn such soldiers if physical presence is wanted. My great aunt was engaged to Jim (her cousin). I know she went to the continent after the war but I’m not sure if she visited the memorial. I probably know more about Jim’s fate than she did, thanks to modern access to these records. I think we should leave the dead to their rest and be thankful that we can learn so much about them.
Dave
