Newfoundland and Labrador’s Unknown Soldier’s Grave in France now marked with Commemorative Marker

In the Cagnicourt British Cemetery in France, a new commemorative marker indicates the grave where Newfoundland and Labrador’s unknown soldier rested for more than 100 years before making his journey home on earlier this year.

The new commemorative marker inscription reads:

An unknown Newfoundland soldier of the First World War. The remains were removed on 13 May 2024 and now lie interred at the Newfoundland National War Memorial, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Located in the town of Cagnicourt in northern France, the Cagnicourt British Cemetery is the resting place of nearly 300 souls, 103 of whom were identified war casualties from the First and Second World Wars.

On Memorial Day, July 1, the unknown soldier was reinterred at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s. A full military funeral was held and thousands of people gathered on Water and Duckworth Streets to pay their respects.