A historian from Bewdley was invited to France to witness a "moving" ceremony where two unknown soldiers were laid to rest. 

Sara Jennings was invited to attend the inauguration of an extension to The Loos British Cemetery in Lens last month after being pulled out of a ballot run by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

The inauguration, organised by the CWGC and the Ministry of Defences' Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, was attended by HRH The Princess Royal. 

Local historian Sara Jennings Local historian Sara Jennings (Image: Sara Jennings) Princess Anne was invited in her position as president of the CWGC with the ceremony taking place at the cemetery which is located on the site of the attack on Hill 70 that took place exactly 109 years ago. 

Ms Jennings said: "It was a moving experience to see these two soldiers laid to rest with their comrades. 

"It is important to attend these ceremonies as all of the soldiers that are found and buried by the CWGC, even if they are unable to identify and trace any living relatives, were someone's sons, fathers, brothers and husbands. 

"Laying them to rest in this manner in cemeteries alongside their comrades I think gives them some peace. My overriding thought as I looked at the rows of headstones after the ceremony was what a waste of good lives." 

HRH Princess Anne at the serviceHRH Princess Anne at the service (Image: Sara Jennings) The cemetery has just under 3,000 First World War casualties as well as a small number of Second World War casualties commemorated in the grounds. 

The extension to Loos has been built to accommodate the remains of a large amount of First World War casualties that have been unearthed during nearby construction work. 

Some of the soldiers resting at Loos cemetery Some of the soldiers resting at Loos cemetery (Image: Sara Jennings)

The trip to Loos is the second time Ms Jennings has been invited to a major ceremony. 

In 2016, Ms Jennings and her mum were among 10,000 ordinary members of the public from Britain, France and Germany to attend the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval Memorial, which involved several European Royal Family members in attendance.