Unknown Canadian soldier from First World War identified as Manitoba man
The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) announced on Wednesday that Cpl. William Benjamin Cunningham has been identified as the unknown soldier.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
He was buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium in 1920.
National Defence and CAF said Cunningham was born near Hayfield on Dec. 30, 1895, and worked as a clerk in Brandon, Man.
He trained with the 18th Reserve Battalion in England and joined the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France.
Cunningham was part of the Battle of Passchendaele and was one of 45 Canadian soldiers in the 44th Battalion to die in that fight. National Defence and the CAF said he died on Oct. 27, 1917. He was 21 years old.
It was unknown why Cunningham's remains weren't identified, but National Defence and the CAF used historical research to determine his identity.
Research into the unknown grave started in 2020 and in November 2023, the Casualty Identification Review Board confirmed Cunningham's identity.
"Although Corporal Cunningham's final resting place is among his comrades far from home, it is our duty here at home to honour the contributions he and his fellow service members made. We will remember his courage and the ultimate sacrifice he made. Lest we forget," said Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
Cunningham's family was notified by the CAF and a headstone rededication ceremony is being planned.
How was he identified?
Renee Davis, a historian with the Department of National Defence, explained that to identify an unknown soldier researchers use a process of elimination to determine who, out of the units fighting in that area, is still missing with no known grave.
From there, researchers go through a process to confirm the solider fits the criteria for partial identifiers, but also, simultaneously, ensure that no other candidate fits the criteria as well.
“That’s because, with cases where the individual has already been buried, we cannot exhume them for any reason,” she said.
“So we can’t do DNA, we can’t do isotope analysis. We have it to truly base it on historical evidence.”
For the final step, National Defence submits a report to the Casualty Identification Review Board. If this group unanimously agrees, they can put a name on the headstone with a rededication ceremony.
Davis said the entire process takes quite a bit of time, as it involves intense research and due diligence.
“The entire process can quite literally take years,” she said.
“Some cases are quite straightforward, other cases are rather complicated.”
Davis noted that it’s incredibly important to give every single soldier their recognition.
“By doing this work and by bringing attention to these stories, we’re able to not only give the next of kin closure, even though it’s been over 100 years, but we’re also simultaneously able to look into what this individual experienced…and ultimately give him again that ownership and that respect that he’s due for the sacrifice that he made.”
- With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebvre and Kayla Rosen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Four arrests made, police officer injured in connection with protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.
Peel police say four people were arrested and an officer was injured following several protests in Mississauga and Brampton Sunday afternoon, including one at a Hindu temple that turned violent.
B.C. port employers to launch lockout at terminals as labour disruption begins
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
'The best that we can be': Indigenous judge and TRC chair Murray Sinclair dies at 73
Murray Sinclair, who was born when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people to work in Indigenous justice and advocacy.
Musk PAC tells Philadelphia judge the US$1M sweepstakes winners are not chosen by chance
A lawyer for Elon Musk 's political action committee told a judge in Philadelphia on Monday that so-called 'winners' of his US$1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes in swing states are not chosen by chance but are instead chosen to be paid 'spokespeople' for the group.
3 arrested as protesters clash outside Hindu temple in Surrey, B.C.
Three people were arrested after duelling protests erupted into violence outside a Hindu temple in Surrey, B.C., over the weekend, according to the RCMP.
Communication issues, double standard for Lebanese-Canadians trying to escape war, says lawyer
Some Lebanese-Canadians are pressuring the federal government to implement emergency measures that would allow Lebanese nationals' family members a less restrictive gateway to Canada, citing more 'flexible' policies for Ukrainians.
Judge rules against Alberta casino, dinner theatre operator
An application to stay a receivership order of Mayfield Investments Ltd., a company that owns multiple businesses in Alberta including the Camrose Resort and Casino, Medicine Hat Lodge and Calgary's Stage West Dinner Theatre, has been denied by the court.
India's Modi, Canada's Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto
The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.