IT HAS taken almost a century, but the name of a "forgotten" Hull soldier killed in the First World War will finally be added to the famous Menin Gate in Belgium.
The Mail told in 2011 how the Commonwealth War Graves Commission had no record of Gunner Albert William Venus, despite a war diary extract clearly showing he was killed in action on May 24, 1915.
Amateur historian Tony Brooks realised an error had been made after noticing Gunner Venus did not appear on the commission's website, even though his name is on a small memorial in Thorne, South Yorkshire, where he lived prior to the outbreak of hostilities in 1914.
On Thursday, Mr Brooks received confirmation from the commission that Gunner Venus will be honoured.
He died aged 22, in Ypres, Belgium – the scene of one of the war's bloodiest offensives.
Mr Brooks said: "I feel quite emotional.
"Anyone who dies for their country should be recognised properly.
"I have been informed Gunner Venus's name will be added to the Addenda Panel on Menin Gate, next to the names of 35,000 other soldiers who have no known grave, in due course.
"If you type his name in the commission's website, his details now appear, although it incorrectly states Thorne is in Hull.
"The timing could not have been better with the centenary of Britain entering the First World War."
It is thought a clerical error led to Gunner Venus's omission from official casualty lists.
Mr Brooks said: "It was war and it was before the days of computers. Bits of paper were being sent back to England from the frontline and names were missed.
"The commission told me that they needed a death certificate before they could add his name to records.
"Despite exhaustive attem- pts, I was unable to get this certificate.
"In March 2012, the commission told me the Ministry of Defence would have the final say as to whether Gunner Venus's name will be added.
"A year later, I was told responsibility had passed to the National Army Museum.
"On Thursday, I received a letter from the commission telling me that his name has been added to official casualty records."
Gunner Venus, who was born in Hull in 1893, served with the Royal Field Artillery's North Riding Battery of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade.
Records show he sailed to Le Havre in northern France from Southampton on April 20, 1915.
On May 24, 1915, his battery was involved in a fierce battle at Bellewaarde Ridge, just outside the town of Ypres.
He died when German artillery shells hit the British guns.
The telegram bearing the bad news had been sent to his married sister, Mrs WJ Bonewell, of 33 Gee Street, Hull.
Mr Brooks discovered Gunner Venus was living in Thorne at the time of the 1901 census.
Gunner Venus's father, Alfred, worked on keel boats that operated between Hull and the South Yorkshire town. After spending time in Canada, Gunner Venus and his family returned to East Yorkshire. The 1911 census showed the family living at 29 Eastbourne Street in Hessle.
Gunner Venus was apprenticed to trawler owners Messrs Kelsall, Beeching and Co.
His death was reported in the Mail on June 21, 1915.
Historian wants relatives to get in touchAn entry in an official war diary records the day Gunner Venus was killed.
It states: "A shell, apparently about 4in H.E. (high explosive), burst in rear of No.1 gun, a second hit the gable of the farm, and a third, striking the right wheel of No. 1 gun (A subsection), killed No 1037 Cpl TA Carr, No. 1015 Gr JW Clarke, No 1682 Gr G Robinson, No 1308 Gr J Rowbottom and No 1817 Gr AW Venus and severely wounded No 391 Sgt GP Hill, also putting the gun effectively out of action."
Historian Tony Brooks is asking any relative of Gunner Venus to call him on 01405 814108 or 07721 834084.
He said: "I did speak, during the course of my research, with a distant relative of Gunner Venus.
"Unfortunately, due to a computer virus, I lost her contact details. I'd be grateful if this lady contacts me."
