Remains of unknown soldier to be repatriated for St. John's War Memorial's centennial

[Blackadder1916]

Another "Unknown Soldier" will be repatriated to Canada his home country, Newfoundland.

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/unknown-soldier-repatriation-1.6532332

Remains of unknown soldier to be repatriated for St. John's War Memorial's centennial​

A new tomb will be added to the memorial, containing remains of soldier who died during the First World War

These legionnaires were in high spirits Tuesday following an announcement that the National War Memorial in St. John's will have a rededication ceremony for the site's centennial on July 1, 2024. The centrepiece of the makeover is the addition of a tomb of the unknown soldier, with plans to repatriate the remains of a Newfoundland Regiment member who died in battle during the First World War. Pictured here, from left, are Berkley Lawrence, Gerald Budden, Nathan Lehr, Frank Sullivan and Gary Browne. (Terry Roberts/CBC)

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has granted approval for an unknown soldier from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who died in France during the First World War to be repatriated, with his remains to be interred at a new tomb at the foot of the National War Memorial on Duckworth Street in St. John's.

The tomb will be the centrepiece of a major makeover for the memorial, which will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony planned for July 1, 2024, the site's 100th anniversary.

It's the first time the commission has approved the repatriation of a second unknown soldier to a country, said legionnaire Frank Sullivan, one of a group of veterans who are spearheading what's called the National War Memorial Centennial Project.

There's also an unknown soldier interred at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

"This is the first time it's ever happened worldwide, and it's so significant it scares you to think about it," Sullivan said Tuesday morning during an interview at the war memorial with a handful of other legionnaires.

The announcement was made Tuesday morning during a ceremony at Confederation Building.

"One of our fallen heroes, courageous, will be coming home," said Premier Andrew Furey.

Gravesite still needs to be selected
St. John's South-Mount Pearl MP Seamus O'Regan said the specially constructed tomb "will contain the repatriated remains of one of our lost sons, cut down too young, and too soon in the Battle of the Somme."

"We are proud that the unknown soldier who will honour all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served and sacrificed, will come from the regiment, and the sacred battlefield at Beaumont Hamel," added Lt.-Col. Lawrence Hatfield, commanding officer of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is in the process of selecting a gravesite from which to exhume the remains. It's expected the repatriation will take place next summer, a year ahead of the centennial, said Sullivan.

The plan is to have the unknown soldier placed at Confederation Building in the days leading up to his interment so the public can pay their respects, Sullivan added.

Sullivan said he was inspired to lobby for the tomb after learning the unknown soldier in Ottawa was repatriated from Vimy, site of a massive battle in France involving Canadian units.

Since Newfoundland and Labrador did not become a Canadian province until 1949, Sullivan said he didn't feel the unknown soldier in Ottawa represented the sacrifices of the men and women from what was then an independent country.

"Now we'll have our own who will represent our great province," said Sullivan.

Once interred, the unknown soldier will represent Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in all branches of the military.

"Whoever the unknown soldier was, and whatever the unknown soldier did, we know he was from Newfoundland and Labrador," said Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrance MacAuley.

"Soon he will be back, to rest for all eternity in the place that he called home."

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And a statement for the CWGC

/www.cwgc.org/our-work/news/unknown-first-world-war-soldier-to-be-repatriated-to-honour-newfoundland-and-labrador-s-fallen/

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada have received approval from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the National War Memorial Centennial Project.

An important part of this Project is the repatriation of an Unknown First World War Solider from Northern France. This soldier will be re-interred in a specifically designed tomb at the National War Memorial in St. John’s to represent Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in all branches of the military.

This fallen soldier will symbolically honour Newfoundland and Labrador’s war dead from the years before the province became part of Canada in 1949. The process will be to select this Unknown Soldier, transport the remains home and re-inter him in St. John’s. This is similar to process followed when Canada established the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2000.

The National War Memorial Centennial Project was initiated in 2019 as a partnership between the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The repatriation of an Unknown Soldier component was spearheaded in 2020 by the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command.

The National War Memorial Centennial Project will be unveiled on July 1, 2024. This coincides with the centennial of the Newfoundland National War Memorial, and the 108th anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.

Frank Sullivan, Royal Canadian Legion, Newfoundland and Labrador Command said:
“In 1919, Padre Thomas Nangle of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment had a vision, a dream of a National War Memorial in St. John's to remember our fallen. Work commenced in 1919 and during this time, he requested the repatriation of an Unknown Soldier to be part of this memorial. The request was never actioned. With this approval to repatriate an Unknown Soldier by Sir Bill Rollo and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the Rededication in 2024, his vision, his dream will be complete.”

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador said:
“It is an honour for the Provincial Government to partner with the Federal Government and the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command on the National War Memorial Centennial Project. Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada to have a National War Memorial, and now, we will be the only one to have a dedicated tomb component. This, is a reflection of our unique political history and a testament to the important role we had during the World Wars. Today’s announcement is an acknowledgement of Newfoundland and Labrador’s status during the First World War, and the efforts and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

Claire Horton, CBE, Director General, Commonwealth War Graves Commission said:
“We are proud to have been able to facilitate this exceptional step for the repatriation of a Newfoundland soldier from the Western Front who, though unknown, represents the collective contribution and sacrifice of all those who lost their lives in conflict, from Newfoundland and Labrador, for the freedoms we all enjoy today.”

 

[Spencer100]

This is great news.

But I hope this an one and done thing. Being Newfoundland is a special case. I would hate to see every province do this. Sorry if you think it not appropriate putting my comment in for something that is very important and heart felt.

 

[OldSolduer]

At that time Newfoundland was still a British possession. This is awesome !!

 

[Spencer100]

At that time Newfoundland was still a British possession. This is awesome !!

Yes that is why its a special case. And I agree.

And at the time Newfoundland was not a possession. It was a full self governing Dominion in the Empire.

 

[FormerHorseGuard]

I always thought the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a American Hollywood Production for the US Forces, and thought when they did it in Ottawa it was silly and disrespectful. Then I visited the Tomb of the Unknown Canadian. I found it very moving and to be a fitting tribute to all of the fallen of all Canadian Wars. I gave him the name of Uncle Bob, as a family we sent a few to all wars and were lucky only 2 of the 8 sent to WW1, WW2 and Korea, only 2 did not come home. Both have marked grave sites. In Newfoundland this is a special honor, and if I ever make it to Newfoundland I will go and pay my respects because that is the right thing to do. Fitting memorial to the Blue Puttees.

 

[Blackadder1916]

I wonder how difficult it will be to not identify the remains that are repatriated.

While the losses were staggering for the Regiment and the small country at the time, the total numbers were (in the grand scale of the war) not huge.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/first-world-war/france/BeaumontHamel/bfacts

820 names are inscribed on three bronze tablets at the base of the Caribou Monument in memory of those who died during the First World War and had no known grave. The list includes 591 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 114 sailors in the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and 115 Merchant Mariners.

I was watching footage of the 2022 Memorial Day ceremony at the War Memorial and thought that the Regiment's turnout was a little sparce and then was reminded that the previous day (30 Jun), a contingent had laid to rest, in Belgium, the now identified Pte Lambert whose remains had been found, along with those of some British soldiers, a couple of years ago. The only identifying mark that started the process was the metal "NFLD" shoulder title. Modern forensic technique, including DNA, led to the ID. I wonder if the same forensic process will be carried out on whomever is disinterred for a journey home. It could be a second (or third) cousin once (or twice) removed; was never able to figure out that genealogy chart.

 

[NavyShooter]

As I recall when the Canadian Unknown was brought home - the CWGC only agreed to allow the unknown to be brought back if Canada agreed to never attempt to identify the remains.

I suspect the same sort of agreement will be put in place for NFLD.

NS

 

[Kilted]

I wonder how difficult it will be to not identify the remains that are repatriated.

While the losses were staggering for the Regiment and the small country at the time, the total numbers were (in the grand scale of the war) not huge.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/first-world-war/france/BeaumontHamel/bfacts

Well, barring the other 590 being discovered, I don't think that there will be an issue. I don't know if there was any investigation involving these specific remains, but it's not like they are going to publish his height or anything for someone to sort through the records looking for.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Well, barring the other 590 being discovered, I don't think that there will be an issue. I don't know if there was any investigation involving these specific remains, but it's not like they are going to publish his height or anything for someone to sort through the records looking for.

I would expect that the Casualty Identification Program will do their thing.

Casualty Identification Program - Canada.ca

The Casualty Identification Program identifies newly discovered remains of Canadian servicemen from past wars.

www.canada.ca

. . . Investigations for skeletal remains begin when they are discovered and identified as Canadian war dead because of an artefact that identifies Canada, or the military history of the area of discovery. The Casualty Identification Program uses a number of historical and scientific research methods to identify the remains.

Investigations for “unknown” graves begin when external researchers submit detailed research reports that suggests the identity of an “unknown” grave as belonging to a Canadian war dead. The Casualty Identification Program then conducts extensive historical research to confirm the findings and possibly identify the grave.

When the Casualty Identification Program’s investigation is successful, identified human remains are buried with a name, by their unit, and in the presence of their family. When an identification of an “unknown” grave is successful, the headstone is replaced with one that fully identifies the individual and a small rededication ceremony is held. . . .

 

[Blackadder1916]

A couple of stories on the progress towards a Newfoundland Tomb of an Unknown Soldier

A contract awarded for the refurbishment of National War Memorial (the one in St. John's) including adding a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Contract Awarded for National War Memorial Refurbishment; Public Information Session Scheduled - News Releases

A contract valued at $6.1 million has been awarded to Can-Am Platforms and Construction Ltd. for the refurbishment of the National War Memorial in St. John’s. Refurbishing the National War Memorial will ensure it remains an enduring tribute to the... Read More about Contract Awarded for National...

www.gov.nl.ca

And then,

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/tomb-unknowns-contract-stripped-1.7050745

Bishop's Falls company stripped of contract to build tomb of the unknowns in St. John's​

December 6, 2023

Government officials are scrambling to find an alternate supplier after a Bishop's Falls stone fabrication company was stripped of a prestigious contract to build a tomb of the unknowns at the Newfoundland National War Memorial in St. John's.

But despite the setback, Infrastructure Minister John Abbott is guaranteeing that the project will be ready for the 100th anniversary and re-dedication of the memorial on July 1.

"Absolutely. We have no choice," Abbott said. "We will pull out all the stops to make sure that that is done. That's our commitment."

The contract includes the tomb construction and installation at the war memorial in St. John's. It's the centrepiece of a $6-million refurbishment of the Newfoundland National War Memorial, in the heart of downtown St. John's.

As part of the project, an unknown soldier from Newfoundland and Labrador who fell in battle during the First World War and is buried in northern France will be exhumed and returned to St. John's. The soldier's remains will be interred in the tomb during a historic ceremony on July 1, 2024, which is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the memorial.

Abbott confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday that the $105,000 contract with Ocean Floor Granite was terminated because the company is not able to finish the project.

"We have started to seek out other suppliers … and the project as a result will be back on track," he said.

Ocean Floor owner Mark Brace said he learned of the contract cancellation when contacted by CBC News.

"It's a very big insult to Newfoundlanders and all the veterans," Brace said. He also said he doubts that any new supplier will be able to meet the timelines for the project.

"I don't believe that there's going to be a tomb," he said.

But Abbott said officials are in contact with stone specialists in other parts of Canada.

"We'll be moving forward very shortly with a new supplier."

This is a drawing of the tomb of the unknowns, which will be established next July at the war memorial. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

Meanwhile, Brace is threatening legal action, saying he's faced repeated obstacles from government officials.

"It just goes to show you that no matter what you tackle … they're going to make it very difficult," he said.

Brace established Ocean Floor Granite six years ago and has been struggling to revive a business that had been dormant for years.

Not connected to the grid
The stone fabrication plant is no longer connected to the provincial power grid because thieves stripped away important electrical infrastructure in order to access the valuable copper. So Brace was powering his plant with an industrial generator.

In April, the company was awarded the contract to build the tomb, with the vault made from Newfoundland black granite — known as black gabbro — sourced from the company's quarry at Jumper's Brook, just outside Bishop's Falls. The cover was to be made from a Labradorite stone known as "Blue Eyes," which would ensure the tomb comprises stone from both Newfoundland and Labrador.

Brace spent weeks testing various blocks of gabbro for the vault. He said one of the blocks has been cut to size and polished and is now is the possession of a Gambo company that specializes in engraving. He said the vault is still a solid block.

He said he slept many nights at the plant over the summer to deter thieves from interrupting work on the tomb project.

Brace also said he subcontracted a company in Italy to fabricate the tomb's cover because of the complex cuts required. He said the cover is ready for shipment from Italy.

A few months ago, the department advanced the company a progress payment of more than $30,000 for tomb and engraving samples, but those samples were never delivered, said Abbott.

"We don't have any product," he said.

This fall, meanwhile, an inspector from the Department of Digital Government and Service N.L. visited the plant and issued a stop work order.

In a statement, the department said the plant does not meet modern electrical standards.

"Upgrades to comply with the Canadian Electrical Code were required and must be completed by a certified electrical contractor. A building plan design, developed and stamped by an engineer or architect, was also required and needed to be submitted to the department for review," the statement reads.

Abbott felt Brace 'could deliver'
Brace said government officials were aware he was using a generator before awarding the contract. When asked about the decision to award such an important commission to an upstart company without a firm power source, Abbott said the department was keen on hiring a local supplier and felt Brace "could deliver."

The war memorial is undergoing a significant refurbishment ahead of the 100th anniversary of the national historic site on July 1. The remains of an unidentified Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier who died in northern France during the First World War will be interred next summer in the tomb. (Katie Breen/CBC)

But after another department of the government shut down Brace's operation, Abbott said, there was no choice but terminate the contract.

"We're at a point where time is not on our side to continue with that contract," Abbott said.

Brace said he could have finished the project if he had been allowed to continuing operating the generator or if the provincial government had paid the cost of reconnecting his plant to the power grid.

"I'm not allowed to finish a project the way they allowed me to start it, so I think it's time for the government to really step up and wake up for their people" Brace said.

The war memorial restoration project is a partnership between all three levels of government, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the Royal Canadian Legion, NL Command.

Legion spokesman Gary Browne declined to comment, saying it was a "contractual issue" between the province and a private company.

 

[Blackadder1916]

And the journey home begins.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/newfoundland-unknown-soldier-transfer-ceremony-1.7214980

Newfoundland's unknown soldier begins journey home from France after more than 100 years​

Remains to land in St. John's Saturday evening​

It was a bright day with blue skies at the foot of the Newfoundland Regiment caribou memorial in France that stands tall overlooking the lush green mounds of Beaumont-Hamel — fitting for a packed ceremony to bring an unknown soldier home to Newfoundland more than 100 years after the First World War.

O Canada, La Marseillaise, the Last Post and the Ode to Newfoundland rang out across the century-old battlefield that usually sits silent, serving as a reminder for one of the largest catastrophes in the province's history.

Jacob Neil is from St. John's and is supervisor of the guide team at the Beaumont-Hamel historic site. He was tasked with singing the Ode for the ceremony.

"It's something that I was asked if I'd be interested in. I know the prospect of it is a little bit daunting on such a prestigious and important day. It's something I knew I couldn't pass up," Neil told CBC News. "It's a privilege to just be here and to be able to participate in this ceremony. It's something that I'll treasure forever."

Neil said the mood on site is always a little sombre, but this weekend's transfer ceremony — one that saw France turn over the remains of the unknown soldier to Canada — had an aura of excitement.

"Closure is not something that can probably be attained for people, given the tragedy that happened here over 100 years ago, but it's something close to that, I think, for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," he said. . . .

 

[Blackadder1916]

He's home.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Bloody well done... the whole thing was impressive to watch and brought credit to the CAF at a time when it could really use the boost.