First World War Canadian soldier formally identified

The cap badge, Canadian C10 numbered collar badge and identity disk found with the remains of Private Atherton.

The remains of Private (Pte) Harry Atherton were formally identified by the Canadian Armed Forces Casualty Identification Program following the recovery of remains and artefacts by the CWGC during a munitions clearing operation north of Lens, France.

Harry Atherton was born on 15 November 1893 in Leigh, England. He was the son of James Henry Atherton and Sarah Atherton (née Bradbury). Atherton grew up in Tyldesley, England and moved to Canada in 1913 by himself. He settled in McBride, British Columbia and worked as a carpenter before enlisting.

On 31 March 1916, Atherton enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) with the 63rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Edmonton), CEF in Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 23. On 22 April 1916 Private Atherton left the port of Saint John, New Brunswick, bound for England and arrived in Liverpool thirteen days later. Upon arrival, he was transferred to the 9th Reserve Infantry Battalion, CEF which absorbed the 63rd Battalion. After spending several months in the Shorncliffe Military Camp, Private Atherton arrived in France on 18 July 1916 after having been transferred the day before to the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF. Upon his arrival, Private Atherton fought in several battles before being wounded. Due to his injuries, Atherton was sent to England to recover for a few months before returning to the front in March 1917.

On 15 August 1917, Private Atherton fought with the 10th Battalion during the first day of the Battle of Hill 70. The assault had two main objectives, the positions known as the "Blue Line" and the "Green Line”. The 10th Battalion, being part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, took part in the first assault for control of the "Blue Line". This objective was achieved, and the 10th Battalion led the continued advancement to the "Green Line". This objective was seized early in the morning of 16 August. From 14 to 18 August 1917, the 10th Battalion suffered 429 casualties, 71 with no known graves in connection to the assault on Hill 70. Private Atherton's service and medical records initially list him as wounded. In later reports he is stated to have been killed in action on 15 August 1917 at the age of 24.

Following the war, Private Atherton's name was engraved on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. This memorial commemorates Canadian soldiers who died during the First World War and have no known grave.

On 11 July 2017, human skeletal remains were discovered during a munitions clearing process near rue Léon Droux in Vendin-le-Vieil, France. An insignia of the 10th Battalion and an illegible identification disc were found with the remains by the CWGC Recovery Unit. The identification disc was sent to the Canadian Conservation Institute where they were able to clean it. After the cleaning process, “10 BATT” was clearly visible at the bottom of the identification disc. The numbers “4 - - 658” showed a service number and on the upper right border of the disc, “ON” was visible. This information greatly helped the identification process.

Through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analysis, with the assistance of the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team and the Canadian Museum of History, the Casualty Identification Review Board was able to confirm the identity of the remains In October 2021 as those of Private Harry Atherton.

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence said:
"The identification of Private Atherton gives the Canadian Armed Forces the opportunity to pay its respects and provide him with a final resting place. His courage and selfless service can never be fully repaid. But Canada will remember and honour him, and those like him who gave so much for this country in the First World War. To his family I extend my sympathy and gratitude.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence said:
“Though it has been more than a century since we lost Private Atherton in the Battle of Hill 70 during the First World War, I’m proud that we were able to identify his remains and provide him with a proper burial. His contributions to Canada will never be forgotten. Lest we forget.”

The CAF has notified the family of Private Atherton’s identification and is providing them with ongoing support. Private Atherton will be buried at the earliest opportunity in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France.

Bev Kelly, CWGC Head of Commemorations said:
"The CWGC Recovery Unit are honoured to have been able to retrieve Pte Atherton from the former battlefield. He will be laid to rest alongside his comrades in CWGC’s Loos British Cemetery, where we will care for his final resting place in perpetuity."