Military identifies remains of Newfoundland soldier killed in Belgium in 1917

Dec 1, 2020 | 10:33 AM

OTTAWA — The Canadian military says it has identified the remains of a young soldier from Newfoundland who died on a First World War battlefield in Belgium in 1917.

The remains of Pte. John Lambert of St. John’s, a 17-year-old member of the Newfoundland Regiment, were discovered during an archeological dig in April 2016, near the town of Langemark.

Historical and scientific research led to a positive identification and notification of Lambert’s surviving relatives.

The military says Lambert lied about his age and was only 16 when he enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment on Aug. 14, 1916.