News / First World War
New headstone for ‘forgotten’ World War One soldier
The grave of a “forgotten” World War One soldier from Brislington has finally been commemorated with a new headstone after a worldwide appeal from BBC Points West and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reunited his long-lost family from Bristol, south Wales and Canada.
Harry Dunn’s final resting place, which was rediscovered in 2004, was officially recognised in a rededication service at Arnos Vale Cemetery on Tuesday.
Attended by his descendants from the South West, Wales and members of the Royal Artillery, the ceremony marked a new era for Harry’s family as they begin to piece together their forgotten history after more than a century.
is needed now More than ever
Harry Dunn’s rededicated headstone at Arnos Vale is only half a mile from where he lived on Sandwich Road in Brislington – photo: BBC West
Harry, who lived on Sandwich Road only half a mile from Arnos Vale, enlisted in the South Midland Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 with the rank of driver – the Royal Artillery equivalent of a private.
He served in France and Belgium on the Western Front until 1917, when he was transferred to Italy.
His death from pneumonia came a few days before he was due to be discharged from service, meaning that he was eligible for a Commonwealth War Graves headstone as a war casualty.
In 2023, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) launched an appeal to track down Harry’s missing family members, to officially commemorate his grave in Arnos Vale with a headstone and help save it from decades of neglect.
The appeal reached Andrew Keepin, Harry’s cousin twice removed who lives in Cwmbran in south Wales and is also in the military.
“Three months ago, we had no idea about Harry or his siblings,” Andrew said. “We only knew of a Florence Keepin, Harry’s mother, who was one of 15 children.
“Lucky for us, Harry’s story dates back 20 years when it was discovered he was still part of the army, before he sadly died in 1919.
“The CWGC thoroughly investigated Harry’s backstory but didn’t have a Dunn or Keepin to tell it to, until the BBC put out a request for further information.
“We only became aware the appeal for information, when my commander saw the BBC report whilst ironing his uniform for the next day and told us!”
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Read more: A forgotten piece of Bristol’s First World War history
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After both his father and mother died, Harry went to live with his uncle Albert Keepin and then went to war, with his older siblings, William and Alice, emigrating to Canada in 1909 and 1910 as part for the ‘Home Children’ programme. Bessie, his other sister, went to live with her uncle John Keepin in Newport before moving back to Bristol in the 1920’s.
When Harry died, records show that his medals were sent to William in Canada but have since gone missing.
Matthew Pick, the BBC reporter who covered the story, said: “I worked on the World War at Home project a few years ago and know how important these stories are.
“From the moment I knew there were relatives in Canada I was determined to find them, and to link up the families is incredible.”
Main photo: BBC West
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