Calgary WWI soldier's remains identified 100 years after his death

A First World War soldier, whose remains were discovered four years ago in a field outside Arleux-en-Gohelle, France, has been identified as a Scottish-born Calgary soldier who died nearly 100 years ago.

Sgt. James Alexander Milne was just 34 when he died on April 28, 1917, during an operation against a German position known as Arleux Loop.

His body was found 95 years later by an archaeological team that was carrying out a mandatory survey of the land, which was a known WWI battlefield, before the construction of a new residential estate.

Family members notified

Milne's remains were identified by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed forces.

"As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous battle at Vimy Ridge, DND and the CAF have notified members of Sergeant Milne's family, and Veterans Affairs Canada is providing them with ongoing support," the DND said in a release. 

Milne was born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, on Feb. 10, 1883, and immigrated to Canada sometime between 1905 and 1911.

He was an unmarried labourer when he enlisted in the 10th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force — a unit in perpetuated by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and the Calgary Highlanders — in Calgary on Jan. 27, 1915.

Milne will be buried at a cemetery outside Arleux-en-Gohelle later this year by his regiment.

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