Unknown corporal from First World War buried in France identified as Winnipeg soldier
More than 100 years after he died while serving in the First World War, a Winnipeg soldier was honoured with a special ceremony and a new headstone in France.
Members of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada travelled to Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, France, on Saturday for a rededication ceremony, where a headstone identifying Corporal George Herbert Ledingham was placed.
“George Ledingham was born in Scotland, but emigrated to Winnipeg, and worked as a Teamster before enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jon Baker, the commanding officer of Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. “George died in fighting on Oct. 1, 1918, most sadly of all, with just a little more than a one month left to go in the war.”
Ledingham, who was 31 when he was killed, was listed as missing in action and his remains were never identified. He was buried in a cemetery with a tombstone marked only as “Corporal of the Great War.”
Baker said there was enough information for research to be done to positively identify Ledingham as the buried soldier.
“He was listed as an unknown corporal from the 43rd battalion who died in early October 1918,” he said. “So by reviewing the war diaries of the unit and the names of other bereaved soldiers, researchers were able to determine, through the process of elimination, George was the only corporal from the 43rd battalion who died in the fighting around Tilloy-lez-Cambrai whose remains were not accounted for.”
The new headstone for Corporal George H. Ledingham at the Canada Cemetery in Tilloy-Lez-Cambrai, France on Nov. 19, 2022 (Submitted photo: Jon Baker)
Baker was able to share the discovery with Ledingham’s surviving family in Almonte, Ontario, which included three of his surviving great-nieces and nephews. Wayne McKay, the oldest nephew, had spent the past 30 years researching Ledingham, and Baker said the family was grateful to receive closure.
A new tombstone with Ledingham’s name was placed in the spot in France, replacing the previous one.
Baker said it was an honour to be involved with the service.
“Honouring our fellow Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice and service of our country is one of our most important military traditions,” he said. “All soldiers and their families deserve the same dignity and respect for their sacrifice, regardless of whether their death occurred yesterday, or 104 years ago, like the case with Corporal Ledingham.”
Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Jon Baker delivers a eulogy to Corporal Ledingham at the rededication ceremony on Nov. 19, 2022. (Submitted photo: Jon Baker)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.
Some millennials say federal budget was 'a letdown' amid cost of living struggles
It’s a picture-perfect scene: Adam and Maria Reynolds are playing with their daughters inside their Port Coquitlam, B.C. home. Watching them together, you might not realize the Reynolds household is stretched to its limit.