Another Canadian Soldier Identified

[MelPack]

Canadian soldier of the First World War identified

The remains of Sergeant Richard Musgrave have been formally identified by the Canadian Armed Forces Casualty Identification Program following the recovery of remains and artefacts by CWGC during a munitions clearing operation north of Lens, France.

Richard Musgrave was born in Blackrigg, Scotland in 1884, to Rebecca Musgrave, He had a sister Jeannie (Jane). He worked as a teamster in Calgary before enlisting at the age of 28 with the 56th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). As a member of the 7th Infantry Battalion (British Columbia), CEF, he was reported missing on August 15, 1917, and was presumed to have died as part of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France. Sergeant Musgrave was 30 years old.

As his body was not recovered, Sergeant Musgrave is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which commemorates all those Canadian soldiers who died in France during the First World War who have no known grave.

The Canadian Armed Forces has notified the family of Sergeant Musgrave of his discovery and identification. He will be buried alongside his comrades in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France and his grave marked with a headstone bearing his name.

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence said:
"My thoughts today are with the family of Sergeant Musgrave, a Canadian soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War. The Canadian Armed Forces is committed to providing service members with a final resting place, regardless of how many years have passed. The debt that Canada owes to him for his courageous service and sacrifice can never be repaid. We will forever owe him, and all fallen Canadian soldiers and their families, our deepest gratitude. Lest we forget.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence said:
"Canada will never forget the dedicated soldiers who served our country. More than 100 years have passed since Sergeant Musgrave was killed during the Battle of Hill 70 and, still, we make it our duty to remember and honour him and his comrades. Though his name is chiseled into the white stone of the Vimy Memorial, identifying his remains gives his family and his country the opportunity to contemplate his courage and sacrifice in service to Canada.”

https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/news/canadian-soldier-of-the-first-world-war-identified/?mc_cid=ad42220c4c&mc_eid=75f2a925e8

[battle of loos]

Good evening,

thank you for the information.

being from Loos and interested in the fighting on Loos, I follow the different ceremonies of burial of soldiers.

for 10 years, huge urban planning works have been carried out on Hill 70.
expansion of the commercial area, construction of a prison (where I work there) and the new hospital of Lens.

I have a question.
how do you know when the burial ceremonies will take place.

thank's

michel

[dickaren]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-war-detectives-the-joint-casualty-and-compassionate-centre-commemorations-team-our-future-services-current-appeals-and-past-cases

Hi Michel,

This site gives dates of forthcoming services

Richard

[battle of loos]

Good evening,

thanks for the link.
unfortunately, I can't check in from France.

I will check the site regularly.

I will make a photo report of the ceremony of May 05, 2022 at the Loos British Cemetery.

michel

[dickaren]

1 hour ago, battle of loos said:

Good evening,

thanks for the link.
unfortunately, I can't check in from France.

I will check the site regularly.

I will make a photo report of the ceremony of May 05, 2022 at the Loos British Cemetery.

michel

Forum members often post upcoming services here so hopefully you will be able to see in advance of any in your area.

Richard

[Steviebullsatatter]

I still find it so incredibly moving to hear that lost soldiers are still being identified. 

Never forgotten ❤ 

[andrew pugh]

Hi MelPac

Thank you for that information, another one that can be crossed of the missing list.

Regards

Andy 

[CDN]

On 12/04/2022 at 16:58, battle of loos said:

Good evening,

thank you for the information.

being from Loos and interested in the fighting on Loos, I follow the different ceremonies of burial of soldiers.

for 10 years, huge urban planning works have been carried out on Hill 70.
expansion of the commercial area, construction of a prison (where I work there) and the new hospital of Lens.

I have a question.
how do you know when the burial ceremonies will take place.

thank's

michel

Hello Michel.

The ceremony at Loos is taking place on June 27th, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. Here is the information about the Burials

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/06/unknown-soldiers-and-private-john-lambert-to-be-laid-to-rest-in-europe.html
.

[battle of loos]

5 hours ago, CDN said:

Hello Michel.

The ceremony at Loos is taking place on June 27th, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. Here is the information about the Burials

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/06/unknown-soldiers-and-private-john-lambert-to-be-laid-to-rest-in-europe.html
.

good morning,

thank's a lot for this information.

I will be there to pay tribute to them.
I will post well on the photos.

michel

[MelPack]

The burial of Sgt Musgrave will take place at 2.00 pm on 8th June next at the British Loos cemetery along with Cpl Percy Howarth and Pte Howarth.

[battle of loos]

Good evening

Thanks for the information.

Will we have the opportunity to meet?

michel

Edited 29 May , 2023 by battle of loos

[MelPack]

Hello Michel

Unfortunately, I will not be there but it will obviously be quite an occasion with three named burials and the two successor regiments of the Calgary Highlanders and the British Columbia Regiments being present.

I suspect that a few GWF forum members will also be in attendance including Michelle Young.

I look forward to the photos.