Governor-General Mary Simon pays her respects after laying a wreath during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the entombment of Canada's Unknown Soldier on Wednesday.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Angus McDougall was just 18 when he enlisted to fight in the First World War in 1916, driven by duty like so many Canadians of his generation. He fought in the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium a year later, but never returned home.
His name is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, but there was no closure to his story without a grave. “That, to me, is one of the great tragedies of life: that people’s stories could be forgotten,” said Sean Campbell, reflecting on his great-granduncle, Mr. McDougall, who was just 19 when he vanished at Passchendaele.
Wednesday marked the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a solemn milestone in Canada’s evolving tradition of military remembrance. Established in 2000, the tomb was created to honour all Canadians who have died in service without known graves.
The remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier, killed during the First World War and originally buried in France, were repatriated and laid to rest in front of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Since then, the site has become a powerful symbol of sacrifice, unity and national reflection.
The tomb was conceived as a millennium project by the Royal Canadian Legion and later adopted by the federal government. While countries such as Britain have long-standing memorials to unknown soldiers, Canada’s initiative brought a renewed focus to the human cost of war and the importance of collective memory.
Today, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as a sacred space of mourning and gratitude, visited by citizens, veterans and dignitaries alike.
During a ceremony Wednesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the repatriation of the Unknown Soldier, Governor-General Mary Simon said in her remarks that “it brought a sense of closure and reverence to our nation.”
Ms. Simon said that the Unknown Soldier symbolizes the approximately 116,000 Canadians who have died in the pursuit of peace and freedom.
“The Unknown Soldier reminds us that peace – and life itself – should never be taken for granted,” Ms. Simon said.
She expressed Canada’s solidarity with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who paid tribute Tuesday to the Unknown Soldier and all those who have served, adding that this reaffirmed Canada’s shared commitment to upholding the values of democracy, equality and respect.
In a solemn ceremony, the King paused to pay his respects, placing the wreath at the foot of the tomb at the National War Memorial, after delivering the Speech from the Throne.
King Charles III laid a wreath at the tomb on Tuesday.
The Canadian Press
Ms. Simon called on her audience to ”redouble our efforts to build a society – and a world – where dialogue, co-operation and understanding rise above division and conflict.“
She urged all to continue to guide the younger generation in learning about Canada’s history and the gift of peace.
For Mr. Campbell, the event was deeply personal. “I look at the photo of my great-granduncle McDougall, and I think of the thousands like him who were never found and whose names we will never know,” he said.
He was 11 when he learned about Mr. McDougall, which sparked a lifelong fascination with the stories of war veterans. Today, that passion continues to guide him in his role as curator at Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum.
During the anniversary ceremony, Royal Canadian Legion grand president and retired vice-admiral Larry Murray spoke on behalf of the Legion, highlighting the strong collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada.
“I recall the thoughtful deliberations, the selfless efforts, and the superb teamwork by all involved during the planning and preparation phases,” he said.
Mr. Murray also emphasized the lasting significance of the tomb, noting that busloads of students and visitors come throughout the year to see it. It remains a place of deep reflection, especially during Canada’s national Remembrance Day ceremony, when attendees often place their lapel poppies on the tomb as an act of remembrance.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct Sean Campbell’s statements regarding his great-granduncle, who fought in the Battle of Passchendaele, and to correct the spelling of Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum.