First World War Canadian soldier rededicated at Courcelette British Cemetery

Photo: CWGC

A rededication service for Sergeant Norman Harold McLennan, The Royal Canadian Regiment was held on 8 October 2026 at CWGC Courcelette British Cemetery, France.

The service was conducted by the Royal Canadian Regiment exactly 110 years after his death during the Battle of Ancre Heights.

Sergeant McLennan was last seen on 8 October 1916. On 30 October, his next-of-kin were informed that Sergeant McLennan had been reported wounded. On 12 January 1917, this was updated to wounded and missing. On 25 September 1918, Sergeant McLennan was officially presumed to have died on or since 8 October 1916.

With no known grave, Sergeant McLennan’s name was inscribed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which commemorates members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force with no known grave who died in France during the First World War. He is also commemorated on the war memorial in Cape North, Nova Scotia.

After multiple external researchers submitted evidence followed by extensive historical research, a grave marked as "A Serjeant of the Great War Royal Canadian Regt." at Courcelette British Cemetery was confirmed by the Canadian Directorate of History and Heritage as that of Sergeant Norman Harold McLennan.

Photo: CWGC

Sergeant Norman Harold McLennan

Norman Harold McLennan was believed to have been born in 1886/87 in Montreal, Quebec, he was the oldest of six children born to John and Elizabeth (Lizzie) (née MacDonald) MacLennan. Norman’s parents were from Cape North, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Norman enlisted with The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) in Quebec on 13 April 1905, now spelling his name McLennan. Norman gave his age as eighteen years and eight months, which would make his birthday August 1886. In the 1911 Census of Canada, however, Norman would give his birthday as June 1887. This suggests that that he may have enlisted underage, but his actual date of birth cannot be confirmed.

In December 1905, Private McLennan was sent by the RCR to Halifax, Nova Scotia. From 1 January 1908, Private McLennan worked at the military prison on Melville Island. He returned to general duty with the RCR on 19 February 1910.

At the start of the First World War, the RCR was sent to Bermuda to free British troops for the front. It became the first Canadian unit to serve outside Canada during the conflict. The unit would not, however, reach the Western Front until late 1915.

In August 1915, the RCR returned to Canada from Bermuda. In Halifax, members of the RCR re-attested for war service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Private McLennan re-attested on 23 August 1915. He was promoted to sergeant two days later. On 26 August 1915, the RCR sailed to England aboard the SS Caledonian.

After training in England, the RCR arrived in France on 1 November 1915. For nearly a year, Sergeant McLennan served with the RCR across the Western Front.

On 8 October 1916, the Canadian Corps participated in the Battle of the Ancre Heights, part of the broader Somme Offensive. The RCR was one of eight Canadian battalions tasked with capturing Regina Trench, the name given by the Canadians to a major German trench fortifying the high ground on Thiepval Ridge.

At 04:50 in the morning, in the dark and with cold rain falling, units made their initial advance under the cover of a creeping artillery barrage. On the far left of the attack, members of the RCR advanced into Regina Trench. Other units were unable to move forward, and heavy machine-gun and artillery fire prevented the arrival of reinforcements.

After fighting off at least three German counterattacks, surviving members of the RCR were forced out of Regina Trench. Soldiers retreated alone or in small groups, slowly making their way back to the Canadian line by moving from shell hole to shell hole. Many died in the attempt. Some wounded men were rescued by search parties that evening, but only 140 members of the RCR were fit for service the next day. Sergeant McLennan was last seen alive on this day.

Photo: CWGC