Unknown grave of 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, Manitoba who fought in the First World War.

The Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) announced Wednesday that Lance Corporal William Benjamin Cunningham has been identified as an unidentified soldier.

He was buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium in 1920.

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Cunningham was born near Hayfield on Dec. 30, 1895, and worked as a clerk in Brandon, Manitoba, the National Defense and Armed Forces of Canada said.

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 who died in that battle. National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces announced that he died on October 27, 1917 at the age of 21.

It is unclear why Cunningham's remains have not been identified, but National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces used historical research to determine his identity.

An investigation into the unknown grave began 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 and far from home, our duty here is to honor the contributions he and his comrades made," said Jeanette Pettipas Taylor, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Deputy Secretary of National Defense. . We will remember his courage and ultimate sacrifice. Let's not forget."

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