Canadian WW I soldier identified 108 years after his death

Isaac Hung‎ · CBC News

· Posted: Jun 03, 2025 3:40 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago

It's been a enigma for much than 100 years, but the Canadian subject has identified a worker killed successful the First World War arsenic Capt. William Webster Wilson.

Wilson, an accomplished soldier, near Lindsay, Ont., to combat successful France earlier helium was declared missing connected Oct. 9, 1916 pursuing a fierce combat known arsenic the Battle of the Ancre Heights – portion of the larger Somme offensive.

The defence section said his sedate was identified by Canada's Casualty Identification Review Board done the usage of humanities and archival research. 

"Captain Wilson gave his beingness to support our large state and his recognition is simply a reminder of the sacrifices that helium and each Canadians who served person made—as good arsenic their families," said Defence Minister David McGuinty successful a quality release. 

Wilson's household has been notified astir the quality and a headstone rededication ceremonial volition soon instrumentality spot astatine Adanac Military Cemetery, successful Miraumont, France.

Born successful Edinburgh, Scotland, Wilson immigrated to Canada and worked successful Toronto astatine the Bank of Montreal, aboriginal joining the subdivision successful Lindsay.

There, helium became a skipper with the 45th Victoria Regiment earlier the declaration of the First World War. He enlisted connected Sep. 23, 1914, aft travelling to Valcartier, Que. with thousands of men aft the warfare broke out, according to the defence department.

"Time volition ne'er erase the indebtedness we beryllium to Canadians similar Captain Wilson, who much than 100 years agone sacrificed everything to support the freedoms we bask today," said Veteran Affairs Minister Jill McKnight successful a quality release.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission archetypal received a study from outer researchers regarding a sedate of an unidentified skipper of the 16th Canadian Battalion backmost successful 2016. 

The grave's individuality was aboriginal determined to beryllium Wilson's and confirmed by a reappraisal committee consisting of historians and forensic scientists.

The Casualty Identification Program was established successful 2007 and started to formally corroborate unidentified graves six years ago. When their individuality is successfully found, the headstone is replaced featuring their afloat individuality with a tiny rededication ceremony. 

Canadians with missing relatives owed to 20th period warfare efforts tin registry with the programme connected this authorities website.