Didn't see this anywhere.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...dentified.html
In 2003 French gas line workers near Vimy came across two soldiers while digging. Because of buttons they were easily recognized as members of the 49th Battalion raised in Edmonton.
The interesting thing is that for the first time ever one of the soldiers was identified through DNA testing in 2007 I believe. They knew 16 soldiers went missing during a trench raid that involved the 49th in that exact area.
Looking at the bones they narrowed the search field down to 8 men who would have been the right approximate height due to the length of major bones like the femur.
Next they narrowed it down to 7 as they discounted the teacher among the 8 as the clavicle showed signs that the men were involved in heavy labour all their lives. The other 7 were farmers, labourers and a butcher.
Then they investigated the family trees of the men and contacted descendants for DNA samples. I believe they ground up the men's molars to get enough DNA to test.
Hebert Peterson was the first identified, and his is likely a typical sad story of a young man from a farm in rural Alberta who was scared and just wanted to get home. His diary is poignant.
Just a month ago they identifed the second man.
For the full story on the science and a really fine program, see
"1917: The Missing" on History channel.
They buried Peterson with full honours near Vimy with the rest of the thousands of Canadians who fell in the area. It was the 90th anniversary with the Queen, the Governor General, Prime Minister Harper, and his exiting family in attendance.
As per the CBC story above, the second man will also be buried there in March.
I recommend that anyone interested see the history channel show as it is so well done. Also read Tim Cook's "At The Sharp End" and "Shock Troops" the 1300 page monster detailing Canada's role during the First World War.
First World War soldier identified; Calgary man
