Newfoundland and Labrador’s unknown soldier has finally been laid to rightful rest at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s.
The remains were returned to the province a month ago from the World War I killing fields of northern France.
Then yesterday, thousands watched in person, and on national television, as the soldier was interred at the War Memorial on its 100th anniversary.
As the epitaph on the tomb states, he shall remain only “Known Unto God.”
But for relatives of those who never returned, there’s always the thought he could be theirs.
“Yeah, I’ve wondered that. Of course, I’m sure everybody here probably does,” said one woman whose grandfather died at Beaumont Hamel. “He belongs to someone and he’s one of ours, and it’s wonderful to bring him home.”
Others without a direct connection to the war or the Royal Newfoundland Regiment were nonetheless in awe of the significance of the repatriation.
“I think it’s lovely that Newfoundland families that had a member that was represented by the men who were lost this day, they finally get the closure of having their man home,” said another woman who is visiting the province. “Yeah, I think that’s lovely.”
Monday’s series of ceremonies went off without a hitch, despite initial hiccups and concerns the refurbished War Memorial would not be ready in time for July 1.