Lieutenant Francis Henry Hemsley. (Canadian Armed Forces)

By paNOW Staff

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P.A. man identified as First World War soldier found in France

Mar 15, 2024 | 12:00 PM

A previously unidentified soldier who fought in the First World War hails from Saskatchewan.

Human remains found in France in 2012 have now been identified as those of a Canadian soldier, who farmed near Prince Albert.

The Defence Department and the Canadian Armed Forces said the remains belong to Lieutenant Francis Henry Hemsley, who lived in the P.A. area before enlisting and shipping off to Europe to fight in the First World War.

Hemsley was born in England in 1880 before coming to Canada in 1911 and farmed near Prince Albert for a few years before enlisting.

He was killed in action in August 1917 at the age of 37 while fighting in the Battle of Hill 70 in France.

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According to the Canadian Armed Forces, Hemsley’s remains were found in August of 2012 by a bomb disposal unit clearing a construction site in Vendin-le-Vieil.

Along with the remains were a few artifacts, including fragments of a gas mask and helmet and a badly damaged pair of boots. Several buttons marked with “16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment” were also found.

Through detailed research, DNA analysis and help from the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Casualty Identification Review Board confirmed the remains belonged to Hemsley last month.

Born in Middlesex, England, in 1880, Hemsley was one of seven children and later served as a Trooper with the 35th Squadron, 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry during the South African War.

He immigrated to Canada in 1911 with his family joining him a year later.

They farmed near Prince Albert where he was also a member of the 52nd Prince Albert Volunteers militia regiment and received his commission as a lieutenant in December 1915.

He joined the 183rd Battalion the next year which fought in the Battle of Hill 70. That Battalion suffered 257 casualties, including 62 who were killed. Lieutenant Hemsley was reported killed in action on August 16, 1917.

The Canadian Armed Forces has notified the family of Lieutenant Hemsley of his identification and is providing them with ongoing support.

His burial is planned for July 2024, in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France. He will be laid to rest by members of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) from Victoria, B.C., and with his family and representatives of the Government of Canada in attendance.

–With files from The Canadian Press