Three Canadian First World War soldiers to be buried in France 

May 25, 2023 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Media are invited to attend the burials of three Canadian soldiers of the First World War, Private Harry Atherton, Corporal Percy Howarth, and Sergeant Richard Musgrave, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Loos British Cemetery outside Loos-en-Gohelle, France.  All three soldiers were reported missing on August 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.

The Canadian Armed Forces will conduct the burials with  the families of the soldiers in attendance, with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada. Representatives of the Government of Canada and the local French Government will be in attendance. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.

What: Burials of three Canadian First World War soldiers.

When: June 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST); media to be in location by 1:30 p.m.

Where: CWGC Loos British Cemetery, France.

Additional information:

Private Harry Atherton will be buried by his perpetuating unit, The Calgary Highlanders. Private Atherton died at the age of 24. His remains were discovered in July 2017 and his identification was announced by the Department of National Defence in October 2022.

Corporal Percy Howarth will be buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment  (Duke of Connaught’s Own). Corporal Howarth died at the age of 23. His remains were discovered in June 2011 and his identification was announced by DND in January 2023.

Sergeant Richard Musgrave will be buried by his perpetuating unit, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). Sergeant Musgrave died at the age of 32. His remains were discovered in July 2017 and his identification was announced by DND in March 2022.

Note to editor / news director:

Media who wish to film the ceremony are asked to confirm attendance by contacting Diane Sawchuk at Diane.Sawchuk@forces.gc.ca or (343) 597-0020.

Imagery will be available on the Canadian Army’s Flickr page.