Stag Special
Three Canadian Great War soldiers — Pte Harry Atherton, Cpl Percy Howarth and Sgt Richard Musgrave — were laid to rest with military honours at Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France.
The families of the soldiers were in attendance, with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada, along with representatives of the Government of Canada and the local French Government. All three soldiers were reported missing on Aug. 15, 1917, on the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France, and each was presumed to have died as part of the battle.
Pte Atherton, who died age 24, was buried by his perpetuating unit, The Calgary Highlanders. His identification was announced by the Department of National Defence (DND) in October 2022.
Cpl Howarth, who was 23 at the time of his death, was buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). His identification was announced by DND in January 2023.
Sgt Musgrave, who died age 32, was buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). His identification was announced by DND in March 2022.
“My thoughts today are with the families of Pte Atherton, Cpl Howarth, and Sgt Musgrave, three Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War. The debt that Canada owes to them for their courageous service and sacrifice can never be repaid. We will remember them, and all fallen Canadian soldiers and their families, with the deepest gratitude,” said Defence Minister Anita Anand.
The remains of the three soldiers were discovered during construction projects north of Lens, France, in 2011 and 2017. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was notified and took possession of the remains and associated artefacts.
Through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analysis, and 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 soldiers.
“Canada will never forget the dedicated soldiers who served our country. More than 100 years have passed since Pte Atherton, Cpl Howarth, and Sgt Musgrave were killed during the Battle of Hill 70 and, still, we make it our duty to remember and honour them. This is an opportunity to contemplate their courage and sacrifice in service to Canada,” noted Minister of Veterans Affairs and National Defence Associate Minister Lawrence MacAulay.
Quick Facts
• The Canadian Armed Forces’ Casualty Identification Program works to identify 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.
• Veterans Affairs Canada works with the Casualty Identification Program to identify next of kin, and supports the participation of the two closest next of kin in the burial ceremony overseas, so that they might understand more of the story and experience of their lost family member.
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission 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.
A whistle found with the remains of Cpl Howarth. The whistle was later restored (right) by CWGC’s Christian Cousin
Musgrave family provided a Great War photograph taken of Sgt Richard Musgrave while overseas.
Cap badge found with the remains of Pte Atherton (left) compared to the same cap badge untarnished (right).
Dr Sarah Lockyer, a Canadian forensic anthropologist who helps in the identification of solders’ remains, dressed the three caskets with the Canadian flag after placing the remains of the three soldiers into them. Their grave markers are also ready for the burial ceremony, as the three Great War soldiers join their fellow comrades who paid the ultimate sacrifices fighting in France.
