First British soldier killed in WW1 may have been hit by 'friendly fire' #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

A TEENAGER believed to have been the first British soldier killed in the First World War may have died in friendly fire, according to new claims.

Almost a century after Private John Parr's death at the age of 14, military experts have made the explosive suggestion that he may have fallen under fire from French and Belgian allies.
He is believed to have been at least 10 miles away from German cavalry troops on the night that he was fatally shot, weeks after the Great War began in 1914.
Military author Jon Cooksey reportedly said: "There was no German soldier around to shoot at him. John Parr must have died either as a result of friendly fire or an accident."
The solider, seen as an early tragedy of the hugely destructive conflict, was last seen on August 21, only three weeks after war had broken out. 

New recruits march alongside armed officers following the outbreak of the First World War [HULTON ARCHIVE]

"No contact with the British Expeditionary Force near Mons had been reported that day," Mr Cooksey is reported as saying.
It is possible overzealous opposition troops were keen to take the credit for Private Parr's death, the author explained.
The reconnaissance cyclist with the 4th battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who is believed to have lied about his age to enlist, had been sent out to search for missing platoons when he died.
Private Parr, who had claimed he was 17 so he could fight for his country, will be honoured on August 4 during a special Anglo-German service to mark the 100 years since war was declared.

Poppy wreaths lie at the base of a WWI memorial in a churchyard in Biddenden [AFP]

As part of the commemoration at St Symphorien Cemetery, near Mons, in Belgium, a senior British Royal will visit Private Parr's grave.
The First World War saw the death of almost a million more British troops before it ended in November, 1918.
Private George Ellison was the final British fatality; he was shot dead on the battlefield at Mons just before the official ceasefire at 11am on November 11.
The Government has planned a £50 million programme of commemorations for the First World War.
After a church service at Glasgow Cathedral on August 4, five further landmark events will take place between 2014 and Armistice Day in 2018.