A BOURNEMOUTH bugler played the Last Post as unknown British soldiers were laid to rest at Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries in France.

Lance Corporal Claire Howard – a member of The Band of the Queen’s Division, part of The Corps of Army Music – was part of the commemoration for two First World War soldiers and three killed during the Second World War.

The services saw the unidentified men buried as soldiers “Known unto God”.

The burials were organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre Ministry of Defence, with burial plots headstones provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who care for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations in 153 countries.

Lance Cpl Howard said: “It was a great honour and deeply moving experience to play the Last Post at the funerals of all five servicemen. It was a special time for reflection and to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and an opportunity to show my appreciation and respect.”

A cornet and trumpet player, the 38-year-old is based at RAF Henlow.

She said: “Music has always been a part of my life.

“I learnt to play in the Oakmead School Band and later played in the Poole Borough Brass Band.

“The chance to enjoy music as a career was an opportunity too good to miss and I haven’t looked back.”

The remains of the soldiers who were killed during World War One were found on separate occasions in the Somme area of France.

One was buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension; it is believed he was a victim of the Battle of Albert in July 1916. The other soldier was buried at Adelaide Cemetery, Villers Bretonneux. Two of the unknown soldiers of the Second World War were laid to rest at Fontenay Plesnel War Cemetery.

The remains of these soldiers were found near Cheux, west of Caen in Normandy, in the vicinity of the battlefield of Operation Epsom which took place in June 1944.

The fifth soldier was also a casualty of the Second World War. Originally thought to be a Canadian and killed at the Battle for Caen – fought from June to August 1944 - he was buried at La Delivrande War Cemetery.