A private from the Great War who was born in South Wales and raised in New Brunswick will be laid to rest in France more than 100 years after he died.
Private John (Jack) Henry Thomas worked as a farmer in Birch Ridge, New Brunswick and was a member of the 26th Canadian infantry battalion and the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined up in Saint John in April 1916.
He died in France on August 19th, 1917 during the Battle of Hill 70 at the age of 28. He remains were discovered at a construction site in France.
Have you visited the events section on the @CWGC website? Why not take a look and browse the calendar to see what events are due to take place at Commission cemeteries and memorials this year: https://t.co/Aw2Dm5Y3GQ #WeAreCWGC #WW1 #WW2 pic.twitter.com/Xk77QG3QB2
— WarGravesCommission (@CWGC) May 26, 2018
Private Thomas will be buried on August 23rd by his regiment with family and government representatives on hand at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery in France.
Retired Brigadier-General David Kettle says it’s been a privilege to help in returning Private Thomas to his countrymen so he might be buried with a name and so everyone who reads his headstone will understand his sacrifice.
