The unknown soldier, repatriated from the battlefields of France, is now in his final resting place in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Unknown Soldier is lowered into his final resting place pic.twitter.com/xZ2H1FO3cx
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) July 1, 2024
The remains were entombed at the National War Memorial in St. John’s during a ceremony attended by thousands, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Mary Simon, and Premier Andrew Furey, who is the next of kin.
This Memorial Day also marks the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the National War Memorial.
The casket is carried up the steps to the tomb. pic.twitter.com/37tw4vRXDS
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) July 1, 2024
Rifles sounded in a 19-gun salute, the highest honour which can be bestowed at a military funeral, and a Hercules plane flew overhead in tribute. Eight hundred and twenty forget-me-not flowers were placed on the casket before the tomb was sealed.
The journey began in France in May at the foot of the Newfoundland Regiment Caribou Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel.
The remains lay in state at Confederation Building for three days with public viewing hours extended into Sunday evening.
The flag-draped casket was taken by hearse to downtown this morning, then along Water Street and to the monument.
The hearse arrives at the War Memorial pic.twitter.com/9LH0ngzm3C
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) July 1, 2024
It is an emotional time as the remains represent those of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who fought in The Great War but never came home and have no known grave.