Canadian WW I soldier identified 108 years after his death

It's been a mystery for more than 100 years, but the Canadian military has identified a soldier killed in the First World War as Capt. William Webster Wilson.

Wilson, an accomplished soldier, left Lindsay, Ont., to fight in France before he was declared missing on Oct. 9, 1916 following a fierce fight known as the Battle of the Ancre Heights – part of the larger Somme offensive.

The defence department said his grave was identified by Canada's Casualty Identification Review Board through the use of historical and archival research. 

"Captain Wilson gave his life to protect our great country and his identification is a reminder of the sacrifices that he and all Canadians who served have made—as well as their families," said Defence Minister David McGuinty in a news release. 

Wilson's family has been notified about the news and a headstone rededication ceremony will soon take place at Adanac Military Cemetery, in Miraumont, France.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Wilson immigrated to Canada and worked in Toronto at the Bank of Montreal, later joining the branch in Lindsay.

There, he became a captain with the 45th Victoria Regiment before the declaration of the First World War. He enlisted on Sep. 23, 1914, after travelling to Valcartier, Que. with thousands of men after the war broke out, according to the defence department.

"Time will never erase the debt we owe to Canadians like Captain Wilson, who more than 100 years ago sacrificed everything to protect the freedoms we enjoy today," said Veteran Affairs Minister Jill McKnight in a news release.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission first received a report from external researchers regarding a grave of an unidentified captain of the 16th Canadian Battalion back in 2016. 

The grave's identity was later determined to be Wilson's and confirmed by a review board consisting of historians and forensic scientists.

The Casualty Identification Program was established in 2007 and started to formally confirm unidentified graves six years ago. When their identity is successfully found, the headstone is replaced featuring their full identity with a small rededication ceremony. 

Canadians with missing relatives due to 20th century war efforts can register with the program on this government website.