The Department of National Defence is seeking the public’s help to identify the loved ones of a Newfoundland soldier who fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and died in WWI.

The soldier’s remains were buried in Lens in northern France after he was killed on the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 on August 15, 1917. Through a process of elimination he was identified as Private George Patrick Kirk or Quirk of St. John’s.

Research historian Alexandra McKinnon with the Casualty Identification Program with the Department of National Defence says although they have his name, finding relatives to confirm his identity has proven more difficult than anticipated.

She told the Tim Powers Show the young man was of average height and was in his early 20s at the time. DNA has been collected, but they don’t have a DNA sample with which to compare and confirm his identity.

She’s asking anyone who has a loved one who fought in the First World War and who is missing, to contact them and register to add to their database and help put names to soldiers who where buried in unmarked graves.

“So, if any of your listeners have family members missing who died while serving with Canadian or Newfoundland forces in the First World War, the Second World War or the conflict in Korea,” they can register online through DND’s Casualty Identification Program.