Canadian First World War soldier to be buried in France 

August 29, 2022 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Media are invited to attend the burial of a Canadian soldier of the First World War, Sergeant Richard Musgrave, on September 13, 2022, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Loos British Cemetery outside Loos-en-Gohelle, France.

When: September 13, 2022, at 2 p.m. Central European Time (CET); media to be in location by 1:30 p.m.

Where: CWGC Loos British Cemetery outside Loos-en-Gohelle, France.

Additional information:

Born in Blackrigg, Scotland, in 1884, Richard Musgrave worked as a teamster in Calgary before enlisting at the age of 30 with the 56th Overseas Battalion of the CEF. He transferred to the 7^th Battalion in early 1916, 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.

A member of the 7^th Infantry Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), Sergeant Musgrave was reported missing on August 15, 1917, on the first day the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France, and was presumed to have died as part of the battle.

On July 11, 2017, 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. Sergeant Musgrave was 32 years old when he died.

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 Sergeant Musgrave in October 2021. The identification was announced by the Department of National Defence in March 2022.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will conduct the burial with the family of the solider in attendance, with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada. Representatives of the Government of Canada and the Government of France will also be in attendance. Soldiers from The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), which perpetuates The 7^th Battalion (1^st British Columbia) of the First World War, will inter the remains of Sergeant Musgrave.

Note to editor / news director: 

Media who wish to film the ceremony are asked to confirm attendance by September 9, 2022, by contacting Diane Sawchuk at Diane.Sawchuk@forces.gc.ca.

Imagery will be available on Combat Camera’s Flickr page.