Remains of WW I soldier from Manitoba found at construction site in France

Question

Klowak, Marianne, "Remains of WW I soldier from Manitoba found at construction site in France." CBC News, May 8, 2017.

The remains of Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston were discovered in Vendin-le-Vieil, near Lens, France. He was killed during the Battle of Hill 70 in 1917.

Answer 1

http://www.everymanremembered.org/profiles/soldier/1569813

Not sure if he's a relative of yours, or you posted out of interest; but this is the link to his profile in a wonderful project run by the British Legion to commemorate the fallen of WW1. His sacrifice is currently NOT commemorated, it also contains basic information about his parents!

Thought it may be of interest to you?

Comments

Well, strictly speaking, everybody in the world is a relative, but I have no known connections to this particular cousin. I've just been seeing a lot of genealogy-related stories in the press recently.

Greg

Answer 2

PTE Johnston is remembered every year on the 12th June when the page 264 of the Book of Remembrance for World War One is display in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa (Parliament Building).  Found through the Veterans Affairs Canada Website.

Personal Record information - Service Number 337582 - File No B4895-S016.  Found through the BAC_LAC website.  Search World War One Soldier Search will bring to the BAC-LAC website.  Enter 337582 in Regimental Number and voila the link to his service file will appear.

Additional details - enrolled with the 107th BN.  Served with the 16th BN CEF in France.  th BN CEF when KIA.  16th BN is perpetuation by The Canadian Scottish Regiment, Victoria BC.  The C Scot R maintains a regimental museum at Bay Street Armouries Victoria.  He would also appear on their Roll of Honour.

May be helpful to check the War Diaries for the 16th BN CEF for dates around the 15 Aug 1917.  Common Practice would include some information - either by numbers - sometimes by name of individuals.

An additional resource that I use is found through the BAC-LAC website is the Circumstances of death register.  It reports KIA in the Vicinity of LOOS.

The entry for CWGC is a commemoration not a burial.  Burial will include plot details.  Note that are none.

Reading a book at the point time - Capturing Hill 70 - Canada's Forgotten Battle of the First World War, edited by Douglas E. Delaney and Serge Marc Durflinger.  Finally a narrative bringing forward an important battle in the development of the Canadian Corps.

The website www.Hill 70.ca also has some important information relating to the battle.

This answer is intended to provide additional information that may be helpful to all.