Private Benjamin Miller

Honouring the past, preparing for the future.

Even though he doesn’t know his name, Private Benjamin Miller feels a deep connection to a boy his age who died 100 years ago.

The 16-year-old Newfoundland Reservist says the repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier killed in France carries great significance for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

“He’s returning home in the same colours he left in,”

said Miller, 16, who joined the 1st Royal Newfoundland Regiment in February 2024.

“Those boys were sent off to the front lines. They were teenagers, just like me.”

Miller, whose great-grandfather was in the Merchant Navy in the First World War, says he’s made his family proud by choosing military service. He is currently the youngest serving member of his regiment.

“My Pop is pretty proud of me.”

The Grade 11 student at Holy Spirit High School in Conception Bay South likes math, working out and tinkering with cars. He says he grew up hearing stories of the devastating losses Newfoundlanders and Labradorians suffered during the Great War.

This unknown soldier represents all of those who didn’t get to come home.

“It took him 100 years to get this honour he so deserved.”

Newfoundland was a British dominion separate from Canada during the First and Second World Wars. About 12,000 Newfoundlanders served during “the Great War,” with more than 1,700 dying in the field. There are no known graves for about 800 of those killed.

That makes bringing this soldier’s remains home a very important event for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, Miller said.

During a ceremony at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial on 25 May 2024 the Government of France transferred the remains of an unknown First World War Newfoundland soldier to Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces then transported the remains to Newfoundland and Labrador later that day. The hearse travelled past key locations in St. John’s. These would have been local landmarks members of the Newfoundland Regiment passed as they left the city to go to war.

The public may pay respects to the soldier’s remains during a lying-in-state 28-30 June 2024 at the Confederation Building, overlooking the city of St. John’s.

This Memorial Day is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Newfoundland National War Memorial. As part of this ceremony, a new tomb will be unveiled at the base of the memorial and the remains of an unknown soldier will be reinterred. The memorial is located on the harbour, where his regiment sailed from a century ago.

The tomb of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier will represent all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians from all branches of service who have no known grave. 

As Miller looks forward with anticipation and excitement to his own military future, he reflects on his home province’s rich military history.

“That is something I hold close to my heart. They made such a great sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice. We can’t forget that,” he said. “Now he can finally be at rest.”

With courage, integrity and loyalty, Private Benjamin Miller is leaving his own mark on history. He is one of our Canadian Armed Forces members. Discover more stories.

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