Four Canadian First World War soldiers laid to rest at CWGC Loos British Cemetery

The remains of four recently identified Canadian soldiers from the First World War were laid to rest with full honours earlier today at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery, in France.

The moving burial ceremony was conducted by the Canadian Armed Forces with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada. The families of the four soldiers were in attendance – as were representatives of the Government of Canada, the Government of France, regimental representatives and the CWGC.

Private John Henry Thomas was killed on 19 August 1917 during the Battle of Hill 70, whilst serving with the 26th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. His remains were recovered at the site of a construction project in Lens, France.

Private William Del Donegan, Private Henry Priddle, and Sergeant Archibald Wilson were also killed during the Battle of Hill 70, while serving with the 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Their remains were recovered near the village of Vendin-le-Vieil, France.

Following the initial recovery by CWGC staff, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) carried out a full investigation – using historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analysis. With the assistance of the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team and the Canadian Museum of History, positive identifications resulted for all four men.

After more than a century, all four will now rest alongside their comrades in the perpetual care of the CWGC.

A video of today’s service can be seen at the Canadian Armed Forces Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanadianForces/videos/255278931992874/

Discover some of the WW1 Canadian war memorials to visit.