Unveiling the Lost Son of the Great War
After languishing in obscurity for over a century, Newfoundland’s Unknown Soldier is finally set to return home from France, marking a poignant chapter in the province’s history.
Found in a mass grave in northern France in 2003, the remains of the unidentified soldier were brought to Newfoundland in 2010 for DNA testing and exhaustive examination.
A Journey of Discovery
The soldier’s journey back to his homeland has been fraught with challenges and uncertainty. DNA analysis revealed that he was likely from the Bonavista Peninsula, but his identity remains unknown.
Despite the lack of a name, the soldier’s story has captivated Newfoundland and Labrador. He has come to represent all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War, symbolizing the province’s unwavering spirit.
A Solemn Farewell
In a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on May 12, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey bid a solemn farewell to the Unknown Soldier before his departure for France.
Homecoming
On May 20, 2023, the Unknown Soldier will finally embark on his homecoming voyage. His remains will be transported on a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft from Ottawa to St. John’s, Newfoundland.
From there, he will be escorted to a temporary resting place at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, where the public will have an opportunity to pay their respects.
A Permanent Memorial
After the public viewing, the Unknown Soldier will be interred at the Field of Honor Cemetery in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, alongside thousands of his comrades who fell in the Great War.
A permanent memorial will be erected to honor his sacrifice and the sacrifice of all Newfoundlanders who served in the conflict.
Kind regards,
E. Thompson