Two Canadian First World War soldiers who died in the Battle of Hill 70 to be buried in France
Media Advisory
August 17, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Media are invited to attend the military burials of Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston and Sergeant Harold Wilfred Shaughnessy on August 24, 2017, at Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France. In attendance will be members of the families of Private Johnston and Sergeant Shaughnessy, along with representatives from the Government of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
On May 8, 2017, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF announced the identification of the remains of a First World War soldier found near the village of Vendin-le-Vieil, France, as those of Private Johnston, of Fairford, Manitoba. Private Johnston was a member of the 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, a unit perpetuated by The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) of Victoria, British Columbia. Private Johnston died on August 15 or 16, 1917, at the age of 22, in the Battle of Hill 70.
On June 2, 2017, DND and the CAF announced the identification of the remains of a First World War soldier found near the village of Vendin-le-Vieil, France, as those of Sergeant Shaughnessy, of St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Sergeant Shaughnessy was a member of the 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, a unit perpetuated by The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Montreal. Sergeant Shaughnessy died on August 15, 1917, at the age of 33, in the Battle of Hill 70.
When: August 24, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.; media to be in location by 12:30 p.m. (Central European Time).
Where: Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France.
What: Military burials of Canadian First World War soldiers Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston and Sergeant Harold Wilfred Shaughnessy.
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Notes to editor / news director:
Media are asked to confirm attendance no later than 4 p.m. on August 23, 2017, by e-mailing Caroline Fyfe at caroline.fyfe@forces.gc.ca.
Cemetery directions: Loos British Cemetery is located in Loos (Loos-en-Gohelle) village, to the north of the road from Lens to Bethune. From Lens, take the N43 towards Bethune. Arriving at Loos, turn right at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) sign. The cemetery is about one kilometre from Loos Church, in the southern part of the village.
Imagery will be available on www.forcesimages.ca.
Contacts
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Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca