Canadian soldiers discovered at Arleux

[Mark Hone]

I understand that the bodies of two Canadian soldiers were discovered near Arleux a couple of years ago. It was strongly suspected that one of them might well be Bury Grammar School old boy 2/Lt Tom Birtwistle Douglas, who was killed during 10th Battalion CEF's attack on the village on 28th April 1917. However, DNA comparisons with a living relative did not provide a match. Does anyone know further details?

[robins2]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/james-alexander-milne-wwi-solider-remains-identified-1.4039491

 

this in the news Calgary Alberta today

 

regards 

 

Bob R.

[Mark Hone]

Thanks for this. It looks from a report I have read that the other body was actually found at Thelus rather than Arleux.

Edited 25 March , 2017 by Mark Hone

[laughton]

Coincidentally I asked our Canadian contacts if they could provide details on the 2nd Unknown. They kindly agreed and I then took a look at who it might be. Our DND were taking a broad approach that it could encompass almost anyone during the war, but given the precise location I don't think there was any doubt that was during the assault on Vimy Ridge - right at the Canadian front lines.

 

I have put that information on the CEFSG Forum here:

 

Remains Located: Found near Arras September 27, 2012

 

Quote

If I really go out on a limb, there was one man of the 18th Battalion that was reported killed very early in the attack, while still in the front line trenches (Pte. Wesley Charles Burnard #803058). We know from the historical records that the advance of the 18th was very quick, with the first objective reached in the first 3 minutes. There are no significant details for the others, killed in the advance, other than the 4pm casualty (Pte. Charles Duncan Compton #769230), which eliminates him. 

Pte. Burnard would have almost 23 years old at the time and was 5 feet 9 inches. Looks like he was born and raised in London, Ontario. The LAC system is down at the moment so I cannot check his service record. There is a photograph of him on the CVWM .