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The remains of the unkonwn soldier are laid to rest at the Messine Ridge cemetery - Source: ONE News -
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The remains of a New Zealand soldier killed in the First World War have been laid to rest at a special ceremony in Belgium this morning.
The man's remains were found last July near Messines, close to the French border, where New Zealand troops had been involved in intense fighting during the war.
The remains are believed to have belonged to a 25-year-old man and were found alongside a New Zealand Rifle Brigade hat badge, associated personal material and the remains of a uniform.
After analysis they were officially accepted as the remains of a New Zealand soldier, although his identity is unknown.
Members of the local community joined Defence Force personnel and The Minister of Defence Jonathon Coleman at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery for the service.
"(It was) a poignant time to reflect on service and sacrifice," Coleman said.
"After lying in a foreign field for 95 years he is now with his mates buried with the honour and dignity befitting a soldier that fought for our country."
The Battle of Messine is regarded as the first significant achievement for New Zealand soldiers in World War One.
They fought off German forces in the town to take control of a ridge that was regarded as strategically important in setting up the later assault on Passchendale.
The battle began in the early morning of June 7 1917, and with a few hours the Kiwi soldiers had managed to secure the town.
There were relatively few casualties in the fighting itself but the retaliation from the Germans over the following days proved more deadly.
New Zealand troops were relieved of their duties protecting the town on June 9, by which time they'd suffered 3700 casualties including 700 dead.
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