LCpl William Harold Rhuland, 85th Battalion, positively identified by the late Richard Laughton of Malton, Ontario in March of 2016. Over ten years later, Mr Laughton’s Investigate Report still under investigation by the CWGC. Twenty-one other reports submitted, or co-submitted by Richard also under investigation.
Death of LCpl William Harold Rhuland
Private William Harold Rhuland suffered a GSW to his face and shoulder in June of 1917, rejoining his unit on 30 June 1917. The following day, appointed Lance Corporal in the Field, 1 July 1917. Two weeks later, granted a Good Conduct Badge. Killed-in-action at Second Battle of Passchendaele, 30 October 1917. LCpl William Harold Rhuland bequeathed all to Mrs Olive Lilian Rhuland of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.
Investigative Report
Summary of Findings
The Graves Registration Report form for Plot 4 Row A Grave 15 at the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood lists an Unknown Lance Corporal of the 85th (Nova Scotia) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Plot IV Row A Grave 15, Buttes New British Cemetery, 8 August 2019, cefrg.ca
Only one (1) Lance Corporal of that Battalion in that location listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. As an unknown, and that is Lance Corporal William Harold Rhuland #222586.
Details of Findings
The findings conclusive that the remains in Plot 4 Row A Grave 15 those of Lance Corporal William Harold Rhuland #22586 of the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
The findings based on the following:
Killed-in-Action
Lance Corporal Rhuland reported killed in action in the attack south of Passchendaele on 30 October 1917 (Attachment #1).
At that time, Lance Corporal Rhuland serving in the 85th Infantry Battalion, 12th Infantry Brigade, of the 4th Canadian Division.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
No known grave reported for Lance Corporal Rhuland of the 85th Infantry Battalion. Therefore his name listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial for those lost in Belgium with no known grave.
War Diary
The War Diary of the 85th Battalion for October 1917 places the unit exactly in the area where the remains of the Lance Corporal discovered.
The 85th Battalion was attacking at Tiber and Vienna Cottage and moving west-northwest across 28.D.12.c during the attack. The battalion reported heavy machine gun and rifle fire from the enemy. Although not essential for the case, the Appendix of the War Diary for 30-21 October 1917 provides an excellent account to the attack on Tiber and Vienna Cottage.
CEFRG Note: 85th Battalion casualties included 12 Officers killed, 3 Officers wounded and at duty, 371 Other Ranks killed and wounded. The Battalion had gone into the action with a strength of 26 Officers and 662 Other Ranks – a 56% casualty rate.
Historical Records
A review of the historical records of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War of 1914-1919 confirms that the area in question is precisely where the 85th Battalion was located in late October 1917.
You will note that Vienna Cottage marked on this map. Directly in the path of the 85th Battalion as reported above.
Trench Map
A period trench map from the U.K. National Archives clearly depicts the area defined as 28.D.12.c as being the area shown in the battalion war diary and the CEF historical reference. Exactly where the remains of the 85th Battalion Lance Corporal discovered.
The locations referred to in the War Diary as “Tiber” and “Vienna Cottage” clearly shown on this extract.
CWGC Records
The records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) show only three (3) Lance Corporals from the 85th Battalion killed in action at that time and at that location (Attachment #6).
Of those three men, two (Davidson #22051 and Courtney #901870) have known graves in the Buttes New British Cemetery and the Passchendaele New British Cemetery, respectively. Only Lance Corporal Rhuland recorded as having no known grave and thus on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
GRRF
The Graves Registration Report (GRRF) from the Buttes New British Cemetery indicates that there is an “Unknown L/CPL.” of the 85th Nova Scotia in Plot 4 Row A Grave 15.
CoG
The Concentration of Graves (Exhumation and Reburials) Burial Return (COG-BR) notes that the Lance Corporal of the 85th Nova Scotia identified by his stripes and signaller flags.
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.
The evidence conclusive the remains of the Unknown Soldier of the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Regiment) in Plot 4 Row A Grave 15 those of Lance Corporal William Harold Rhuland #222586.
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