For the second time in less than a week, authorities have announced the identification of a Canadian Great War Soldier. In both cases, authorities have neglected to inform the public, and the families of these soldiers, of the identify of the man responsible for their discoveries – the late Richard Laughton, formerly of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG).
The late Richard Laughton
Mr Laughton, a former forensic technologist, blessed with the skills necessary to identify UCS (Unidentified Canadian Soldiers). During his retirement, submitted 63 reports to the Canadian Agency of the CWGC. In addition, nearly as many reports submitted regarding UBS (Unidentified British Soldiers) to CWGC/Maidenhead. Including, some information regarding the grave of Second Lieutenant John Kipling, one of the longest sought after unidentified graves of the Great War. Furthermore, Lt Kipling the son of the English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist, Joseph Rudyard Kipling.
Why are authorities neglecting to give the late Richard Laughton credit for these discoveries? Firstly, CEFRG believes the reason is to discourage amateur researchers from the same kind of investigative work. Because, it would lead to more identifications, and recoveries, of The Missing. Furthermore, the Government of Canada (GoC), which is supposed to represent us, does not defend the very people that stood in defense of our country. Why?
Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH)
It is Our moral obligation to recover and identify the Brave that have Fallen in Service of their country. However, no one disputes that, yet, unofficially, GoC has moved into a new phase. Since the recovery and identification of the HALLU EIGHT in 2006/2007 (a case which took over seven years to complete), GoC has not been pro-active in recovery and identification, no matter what the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) claims.
In fact, the new phase is to pro-actively discourage and deny any recent, and future investigations. During the past couple of decades, typical cases of identification of British and Australian soldiers take approximately a year and a half from report submission to the replacement of a head stone. Canadian cases take upwards of seven years. Why is that so?
Investigative Report
This report pertains to an investigation of the identification of the burial location, or headstone markings, of a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the Great War 1914-1921.
Submitted to
CWGC Canadian Agency
66 Slater Street
Suite 1707
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0P4
Att: Dominique Boulais
Report Date
22 March 2015
Report
The findings conclusive the remains in Plot 2 Row C Grave 32 those of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham, 43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry. The findings are based on the following:
Circumstance of Death
The “Circumstance of Death” file reports that Corporal Ledingham killed in action during operations southwest of Ramillies. Shot through the head by an enemy bullet and killed about noon on 1st October 1918 (Attachment #1).
War Diary
The 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion had crossed through Tilloy and was southwest of Ramillies near Morenchies Wood (Attachment #2). That matches exactly what is on the Circumstance of Death report.
Battle Map
The operations of the 43rd Infantry Battalion described in the War Diary Extract depicted in area maps of the battle at that time. All of which in agreement (Attachment #3).
CWGC Records
The records of the CWGC show that there at nine (9) unidentified Corporals of the 43rd Infantry Battalion with unknown graves. Listed on the Vimy Memorial (Attachment #4). Of these, only two (2) killed in 1918. In addition, only Corporal Ledingham killed in the action of September-October 1918. Corporal Craigen killed in the Battle of Amiens some 64 km to the south of Ramilles, almost 2 months earlier.
Graves Registration Report Form
The “Graves Registration Report Form” lists the remains in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 32, as those of a Corporal of the 43rd Battalion Canadian Infantry killed on October 1, 1918 (Attachment #5). Furthermore, Corporal Ledingham is the only soldier of the Canadian Expeditionary Force that matches that exact description by date and location.
Action Required
The “Investigative Report” prepared in accordance with the procedures and criteria set out by the CWGC, should they wish to make any changes to the commemoration details (Attachment #6).
Our belief the investigate report on the unknown soldier in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 32, at the Canada Cemetery in Tilloy-les-Cambrai, France, conclusive. In addition, suggested the headstone and grave records of the CWGC amended to show the remains in that grave those of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham of the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion killed in action of October 1, 1918.
ATTACHMENT #6
This “Reporting and Review” attachment provided to assist all parties in the submission of an investigative report related to the identification of the burial location, or headstone markings, of a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the Great War 1914-1921. Initially, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) receives a copy of this report – in the event they wish to make changes to the commemoration details. In order to alter the records, CWGC set out their criteria for the procedure and submission of cases for review, as detailed below. Finally, the CWGC under no obligation to make changes based on a report.
Procedure
Initially, all new identification cases need be assessed by the Canadian Agency (CA). And, submissions should go to their office directly. After initial assessment, if the Agency finds the case compelling, all documentation forwarded to the Commemorations Team, Commission’s Head Office. Head Office then reviews the case and informs the CA of their findings. The Canadian authorities then decide whether or not any changes to the arrangements for commemoration required. And, finally, inform the Commission accordingly.
Guideline Criteria for Submission
Cases need to present clear and convincing evidence to prove the identity of a casualty. And, must not be based on assumption or speculation. The Commission’s Commemoration Team also consider whether the findings of a better informed contemporary investigation revisited. And, if there is any new evidence to consider. By way of example, likely the Commission would support a revision of the arrangements for the commemoration where apparent no new evidence presented. And, a better informed previous decision revisited some 100 years later.
The following have participated in the preparation, review and submission of this report on a voluntary basis. In addition, those noted below have read the investigative report and compared it to the criteria set out by the CWGC. Furthermore, as a guiding principle, have agreed to have their name included as part of the review team.
- Richard Laughton, Private Researcher, LMC Great War Research Company
Announcement
Following extensive archival research by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH), the identification was confirmed in November 2019 by the Casualty Identification Review Board, which includes representatives from the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team and the Canadian Museum of History.
Department of National Defense, 19 November 2021
DHH claims Mr Laughton’s report on Corporal George Herbert Ledingham received in May 2019.
Questions
What extensive investigation by DHH from May to November 2019 (added to Richard Laughton’s original report) was necessary to close this case?
Why did the Canadian Agency have Richard Laughton’s report for over four years, before submitting to the Casualty Identification Program’s Review Board?
How many of the 43 open burial cases under investigation by DHH are from reports previously submitted to CWGC\Ottawa by Richard Laughton?
Will the family of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham be officially informed of Mr Laughton’s contribution before a headstone rededication ceremony takes place in France at Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-lez-Cambrai?
Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-lez-Cambrai
Canada Cemetery contains 265 Great War burials, 25 of them unidentified.
Most of the burials are Canadian, also buried in the cemetery, eight airmen of the Second World War.
