Unknown N.L. soldier who fought in France over 100 years ago returns home

globalnews.ca:

The remains of an unknown soldier who fought during World War One was returned from France to his home in St. John’s Newfoundland Saturday.

The soldier was formally transferred by the Government of France to the Government of Canada and N.L government in a public ceremony at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in France, which honours Newfoundlanders who fought in the 1916 Battle of the Somme.

The soldier was later flown in a Canadian Arms Forces aircraft back to Newfoundland, where a reburial ceremony was held.

“The repatriation of these remains is a historical day for our province,” N.L. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure John G. Abbott said in a press release Wednesday.

“It recognizes the collective contribution and sacrifice of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served, fought, and died in all branches of the military and respective support services, especially those who have no known graves.”

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, where the unknown soldier will be officially laid to rest in a black granite tomb on July 1.

July 1 is Canada Day for most Canadians, but in N.L. it’s also Memorial Day. The day is a time to remember the hundreds of young soldiers from the Newfoundland Regiment who died on July 1, 1916, during a disastrous battle at Beaumont-Hamel in northern France.

A delegation of representatives from the provincial and federal government, as well as other related organizations, travelled from Canada to France and back throughout last week for each ceremony in honour of the unknown soldier.

The delegates returned from France Saturday evening, passing through several points of historical significance with the soldier’s remains