An unknown soldier killed during the First World War has now been identified as a man who lived and worked in Keewatin.
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces identify him as Company Sergeant-Major Dave George Parfitt.
Then 25, he was killed in action during one of the Battles of the Somme in September 26, 1916.
Parfitt was with the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
He was the only Canadian company sergeant-major to have died on that date, a detail that helped in the identification.
His grave site in France had remained unknown until an independent researcher suggested it was Parfitt’s two years ago.
The research was followed up by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Directorate of History and Heritage, with his identification confirmed a short time later by the Casualty Identification Review Board.
Parfitt was born in London, England, but emigrated to Canada and worked in a mill in Keewatin before enlisting.
Three of his brothers also enlisted and survived.
A headstone rededication ceremony is now planned for the near future.
