Private Harry Atherton Missing Case was finally solved after the human skeletal remains were found in France, and its believed to be of the Canadian soldier who went missing in the early 1970s.
Atherton, a soldier with ties to Calgary, who was reported missing and presumed dead on August 15, 1917, the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France.
His fate remained a mystery for a century until June 2017, when human skeletal remains were discovered in France by a munitions clearing group on land destined for construction.
After a lengthy identification process, these remains were determined to be those of Private Harry Atherton.
Private Harry Atherton Missing Case
The news of Private Harry Atherton’s discovery spread not only among military circles but also among his family, who had long held onto hope for his return.
For generations, the Canadian missing soldier’s family had passed down stories of Harry, the brave soldier who left home to serve his country and never returned.
Last week, Atherton was finally laid to rest with military honors in the Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, alongside two other Canadian soldiers who had also recently been identified.
The funeral was a somber yet dignified affair, attended by a contingent of the Calgary Highlanders, his perpetuating unit, as well as relatives of the fallen soldiers.
Major David Peabody, an operations officer with the Highlanders, expressed the significance of ensuring that these soldiers receive a proper burial and are not forgotten.
During the funeral, a distant relative of Harry shared a poignant moment when they discussed a set of pen knives found with the soldier’s remains.
The weight of this discovery resonated deeply with the family member, emphasizing the importance of honoring the fallen.
For the Atherton family, the pen knives were more than just artifacts they were a tangible link to Harry, a reminder of his presence and his sacrifice.
Another unsolved Canada’s missing case is Navdeep Kaur, a 28-year-old Surrey resident, has not been seen since February 22.
First, in case the Surrey RCMP took up the issue initially as her unaccounted-for disappearance. But now the case has led to such road that it raises the possibility that she was the victim of foul play.
Missing Canadian Soldier Private Harry Atherton Remains Found
The discovery of lost soldiers like Harry Atherton is not uncommon in countries like France and Belgium.
Due to the risk of unexploded ordnance in the soil, areas are swept before construction, leading to the annual discovery of human remains.
For the his family, Harry’s discovery and subsequent burial brought a mix of closure and renewed grief. While they were grateful to finally have answers about his fate, the pain of his loss was still keenly felt.
In the days leading up to the funeral, the family gathered to share stories and memories of Harry, keeping his spirit alive in their hearts.
As they stood by his graveside in the Loos British Cemetery, surrounded by fellow mourners and military comrades, the soldier’s family felt a sense of pride mingled with sorrow.
Pride in Harry’s service and sacrifice, and sorrow for the years of uncertainty and longing they had endured. But above all, there was a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to finally lay him to rest with the honor and dignity he deserved.
Harry Atherton Family
In the wake of Harry Atherton’s burial, his family is seeking closure in more ways than one.
While they are grateful to have him home at last, there are still lingering questions about his time on the battlefield and the circumstances of his death.
They are reaching out to historians, military experts, and anyone who may have information about Harry’s service in hopes of piecing together the missing parts of his story.
The family has also launched a campaign to raise awareness about the thousands of soldiers still missing from conflicts around the world.
Through social media, public events, and outreach efforts, they hope to shed light on the plight of these missing servicemen and women and advocate for continued efforts to bring them home.
For the his family, the journey to find Harry may be over, but their mission to honor his memory and ensure that he is never forgotten has only just begun.
Many cases happens around the globe,Edith “Wiggies” Roman, 2-year-old’s family was happy afte she was found on the same missing day after few hours.
She went missing in the Millsap Loop neighborhood on Monday at 4:15 p.m, and was thankfully recovered at 9:50 p.m. it was a relief for her family to know she was safe and found.
