CMFMAG Team
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) repatriate the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier in our favourite photo of the week. The ceremony took place on May 25 in Beaumont-Hamel, France.
Although his name is unknown, the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada identified the soldier took part in the First World War.
The soldier’s remains travelled to his final resting place in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The reburial with full honours will take place on July 1.
Units responsible for assisting with the repatriation include:
- 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment,
- Atlantic Canadian reserve units, and
- Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel symbolizes the courage and devastation of war, forever shaping Newfoundland’s identity. On July 1, 1916, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment entered the First World War. The Regiment, part of the British offensive on the Somme, faced German machine guns as they advanced.
In mere minutes, the Regiment suffered catastrophic losses: nearly 90 per cent became casualties in the failed assault. Of the 800 Newfoundlanders who went into battle in the morning, only 68 were able to answer the roll call the next day. More than 700 were killed, wounded or missing.
Photo by: Cpl. Antoine Brochu, Canadian Forces Combat Camera
