BR-NL-Unknown-Soldier-Repatriation

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier who died in France during the First World War are expected to arrive Saturday in St. John’s.

Preparations are being made for a solemn reburial ceremony on July 1st.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1st is Memorial Day, a time to remember the hundreds of young men from the Newfoundland Regiment who died on that day in 1916, during a disastrous battle at Beaumont-Hamel.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, where the unknown soldier’s remains will be placed in a black granite tomb on Memorial Day.

On Saturday, the government of France is expected to formally transfer the remains to the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador during a repatriation ceremony at Beaumont-Hamel.

A military aircraft carrying the soldier’s body home is expected to touch down at St. John’s International Airport on Saturday at around 7 p-m local time.

The Canadian Press