The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) says it has confirmed the identity of a previously unknown World War I soldier buried in a graveyard in France.
The CAF and Department of National Defence (DND) say the soldier, Captain William Webster Wilson, was buried in a grave in Adanac Military Cemetery in Miraumont, France, in 1916.
The CAF confirmed Wilson’s identity in December 2024 after historical and archival DND research, the department said.
Born in 1890 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Wilson joined the Royal Bank of Scotland at the age of 15, working at various branches in Edinburgh.
Following the death of his mother in 1911, Wilson resigned his position at the bank and immigrated to Canada, finding work with the Bank of Montreal.
He worked for a time in Toronto before moving to Lindsay, Ontario, where he worked for the bank.
Wilson’s father and younger brother Hugh moved to Australia and the family “remained in close contact” with each other, DND said.
Wilson had volunteered with militia units in Scotland and Canada before World War I began, earning the title of captain with the 45th Victoria Regiment. When the war started, he travelled to Valcartier, Quebec, enlisting in September 1914 and becoming an honorary captain and paymaster with the 1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company.
After receiving training in Quebec and England, he moved with his unit to France in April 1915 and was attached to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Scottish), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
On Oct. 8, 1916, while the Canadian Corps fought in the Battle of the Ancre Heights as part of the Somme Offensive, Wilson’s 16th Canadian Battalion was unsuccessfully trying to capture Regina Trench. Wilson was reported missing the next day.
It was not until June 24, 1919, that his brother Hugh received a second-hand account that William had been killed by a shell. He was 25 years old when he died.
The CAF said the Wilson family was notified about the identification and is receiving “ongoing support.”
A headstone rededication ceremony will take place at the Adanac Military Cemetery “at the earliest opportunity,” DND said.
Wilson’s name is inscribed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. He is also commemorated on the cenotaph in Lindsay, Ont.
