A Farewell in France

A soldier of the First World War, Lt. Francis Henry Hemsley was one of 2,000 Canadians killed in August 1917 amongst heavy fighting on Hill 70 near the French city of Lens. The violence of that battle reshaped the land so completely that the identities of both friend and foe were lost for decades. Over a century later, his remains were uncovered during a construction project. Thanks to the Canadian Casualty Identification Program, DNA analysis, and painstaking genealogical work, Lt. Hemsley was finally identified and his family properly notified.

On the cold, windy morning of April 28th 2025, he was buried with full military honours in the Loos British Cemetery. In attendance were his grandson Richard, extended family, and representatives from the Canadian Government. After the bugler played the Last Post, there was only silence—broken gently by the rustle of leaves in the wind.