Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag
Another Canadian soldier from the Great War has been identified after skeletal remains were found in July 2017.
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have confirmed the identification of those remains recovered during a munitions clearing process north of Lens, France, as being those of Sgt Richard Musgrave.
The identity was confirmed through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological and DNA analysis.
“My thoughts today are with the family of Sgt Musgrave, a Canadian soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War,” said Minister of National Defence Anita Anand.
“The Canadian Armed Forces is committed to providing service members with a final resting place, regardless of how many years have passed.
“The debt 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.”
His family was able to attend his burial Sept. 13 at the CWGC Loos British Cemetery outside Loos-en-Gohelle, France.
Photo of Sgt Richard Musgrave from the Great War.
Sgt Musgrave was born in Blackrigg, Scotland on Sept. 22, 1884. 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) on April 30, 1915.
After sailing from Montreal and training in England, then Pte Musgrave travelled to France in February 1916, now as a member of the 7th Infantry Battalion (BC), CEF.
He achieved the rank of sergeant in March 1917, was wounded in April, but remained on duty, and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in July of that year.
On Aug. 15, 1917, Sgt Musgrave fought with the 7th Battalion during the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France.
He was reported missing that day and was presumed to have died as part of the battle. He was only 32.
The Battle of Hill 70 continued until Aug. 25, 1917, with a heavy toll of more than 10,000 Canadians killed, wounded or missing.
More than 140 men of the 7th Battalion were killed, 118 of them missing and never found.
The 7th Battalion fought on the far left side of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, and took part in the second wave of attacks between the Blue and Red Line objectives.
The fight for the Red Line was difficult as the Germans held strongly to their positions. The Canadians, including the 7th Battalion, suffered heavy casualties as they fought their way forward past the Red Line to the Green Line objective.
However, soon after passing the Red Line, they had to withdraw back to it since their left side was exposed. The 10th Infantry Battalion CEF then advanced from behind the 7th Battalion to help hold the position against heavy German counterattacks. While the Green Line was successfully captured the following day.
“Canada will never forget the dedicated soldiers who served our country. More than 100 years have passed since Sgt Musgrave was killed during the Battle of Hill 70 and, still, we make it our duty to remember and honour him and his comrades,” said Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay.
“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.”
The CAF has notified the family of Sgt Richard Musgrave’s identification and is providing them with ongoing support. Sgt Musgrave was buried by the BC Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own).
The CAF Casualty Identification Program, within the Directorate of History and Heritage, identifies unknown Canadian service members when their remains are recovered.
The program also identifies service members previously buried as unknown soldiers when there is sufficient evidence to confirm the identification.
Quick Facts
- Sgt Musgrave’s only listed parent was Rebecca Musgrave, née Dearden. Their family included Richard’s sister Jeannie (Jane) Musgrave. 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 (BC), CEF, he was reported missing on Aug. 15, 1917, and was presumed to have died as part of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France.
- Sgt Musgrave is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, erected in memory of Canadian soldiers killed in France during the First World War who have no known grave.
- On July 11, 2017, skeletal human remains were recovered during a munitions clearing process north of Lens, France. CWGC staff recovered the remains and several artifacts, including a Military Medal ribbon and a whistle.
- Through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analysis, with the assistance of the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team, and the Canadian Museum of History, the Casualty Identification Review Board was able to confirm the identity of the remains as those of Sgt Musgrave in October 2021.
- The CWGC commemorates the 1.7-million Commonwealth servicemen and women who died during the two world wars. Using an extensive archive, the commission works with their partners to recover, investigate, and identify those with no known grave to give them the dignity of burial and the commemoration they deserve.