The grave of an unknown soldier in Belgium recently identified as belonging to a Great War soldier from Winnipeg. Killed trying to bring wounded people to safety. Corporal Frederick P Bousfield of the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion.
3 May 2023
Staff with the Canadian Armed Forces casualty identification program confirmed the grave belongs to Cpl. Frederick Percival (Percy) Bousfield, only 20 years old when he died in 1916, through historical and archival research, a news release from Canada’s Department of National Defence (3 May 2023).
“Renée Davis, a historian with the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) who helped confirm the grave held Bousfield, says living family held onto archival documents, letters from soldiers and photos. They were also very familiar with his story, which made investigating the case that much easier more than a century after his death.
Through heavy research and the process of elimination, Davis determined the person in the grave could only be Bousfield.”
Heavy Research
The heavy research, referred to by Renée Davis of the DHH, accomplished by the late Richard Laughton (LMC Great War Research Company) in 2015. Mr Laughton’s investigative report included in this post below. It reveals he had presented the extensive evidence which proved the case eight years ago. For the third time in the past year, he receives no recognition.
CWGC
In October 2019, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) made a possible identification for the grave. Which is in the Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres.
Then three separate, independent researchers also raised the possibility that the grave was that of Corporal Frederick P Bousfield.
A Belgian schoolboy announced on Facebook, his 10th case accepted that of Corporal Frederick P Bousfield. He claims that in 2019-2021 two more independent researchers had also submitted a case.
Further research done by members of the Canadian Armed Forces casualty identification program. Which identifies unknown service members when their remains recovered or previously buried unknown soldiers. They confirmed the identification in 2021.
A headstone rededication ceremony this coming September at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres. Close to the anniversary of when Bousfield buried there.
Investigative Report (2015)
Report Date: 27 July 2015
Summary of Findings
The Graves Registration Report form for Plot 11 Row C Grave 68, Bedford House Cemetery Enclosure No. 4 lists a Corporal of the 43rd Battalion who was a Signaller.
A review of all of the Corporals of the 43rd Battalion listed on the Menin Gate Memorial clearly shows that only Corporal Frederick P Bousfield #420977 meets all of the requirements to be listed for this location.
Details of Findings
The findings conclusive that the remains in Plot 11 Row C Grave 68 are those of Corporal Frederick Percival Bousfield #420977. A Signaller with the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion. The findings are based on the following.
Grave Registered
Corporal Bousfield killed in action on June 7, 1916 during the advance of the 43rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division on Sanctuary Wood in the Zillebeke Sector.
Commonly referred to as the Battle of Mount Sorrel. His grave site registered (Attachment #1).
Menin Gate Memorial
The remains of Corporal Bousfield not identified as having been recovered.
And, matched to those at the Bedford House Cemetery. Thus his name inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium (Attachment #2).
Casualties Recorded
The War Diary of the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion for that period clear that the unit in action in the area west of Zillebeke in the period from June 2-13, 1916. And, that casualties recorded (Attachment #3).
On June 7th the unit in the ZILLEBEKE TRENCHES, during which time four killed. On June 9th the unit moved west towards Maple Copse.
Burial Location
The area where the remains of Corporal Bousfield recovered in agreement with the placement of the 43rd Infantry Battalion on June 7, 1916. Just to the west of Zillebeke (Attachment #4).
An important distinction relative to the location of the remains of other Corporals of the 43rd Battalion lost in either Sanctuary Wood in June 1916 or Passchendaele in October 1917.
Corporal Alan William Bottomley
The only other Corporal of the 43rd Infantry Battalion CEF killed in action in June 1916 in this sector, and listed on the Menin Gate Memorial – Cpl Alan William Bottomley #153145. Buried near GOUROCH TRENCH in Sanctuary Wood (Attachment #5).
That agrees with the description of the location of the 43rd Battalion at that time. Gouroch Trench identified using the digital maps provided by the Imperial War Museum.
Other Corporals
A total of five (5) Corporals of the 43rd Infantry Battalion listed on the Menin Gate Memorial as having no known burial location (Attachment #6).
Corporals Eykelbosch, McDonald and McWhirter were all killed in the Battle of Passchendaele in October-November, 1917. There is no record of their bodies been buried in the field. Only Corporals Bottomley and Bousfield killed in the Zillebeke Sector in June of 1916. At which time their remains buried and the graves registered.
Bottomley vs Bousfield
To confirm a clear distinction between Bottomley and Bousfield, the service records of each checked to determine if identified as a “Signaller” with the 43rd Battalion.
The results conclusive for Corporal Bousfield, noted on his pay records as “43rd Battalion Signal Section” (Attachment #7).
GRRF
The remains of Corporal Bousfield noted on the Graves Registration Report Form (GRRF). In Enclosure No. 4, Plot 11 Row C Grave 68 at the Bedford House Cemetery (Attachment #8).
The form makes specific reference to the remains belonging to a Signaller of the 43rd Battalion.
Burial Return
The Concentration of Graves – Burial Return (COG-BR) notes that the remains recovered at a location identified on Sheet 28 I22 b.8.3 (Attachment #9).
The report provides the additional details that the remains were those of a Signaller of the 43rd Battalion, identified by “Titles & Chevrons”. In addition, although not used in the current evaluation, the remains described as having 4 front teeth, 1 gold tooth and a false upper jaw. No records in any personal files recovered to date to match that dental record.
Action Required
The Investigative Report prepared in accordance with the procedures and criteria set out by the CWGC. It is our contention that the CWGC headstone and records for Plot 11 Row C Grave 68 at the Bedford House Cemetery, Enclosure No, 4 be amended to show that the grave contains the remains of Corporal Frederick Percival Bousfield, a Signaller with the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, killed in action on June 7, 191
Report Team
The following have participated in the preparation, review and submission of this report on a voluntary basis. Those noted below have read the investigative report and compared it to the criteria set out by the CWGC. Note that Richard Laughton passed away on 30 August 2020 in Milton, Ontario.
Report Author: Richard Laughton
Private Researcher
LMC Great War Research Company
Reviewer: Tim McTague
Private Researcher, CEFSG
Reviewer: Chris Wight
Private Researcher, CEFSG
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