First World War soldier to finally have funeral

Private Alexander Johnston died in northern France weeks before the end of the First World War but his body was only identified in March.

The soldier was born in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, in 1885 and moved to Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, in his late 20s.

In January 1918 he joined the 78th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and was killed nine months later, aged 33, during the Battle of the Canal du Nord.

In July 2008 human remains were discovered in Raillencourt Sainte-Olle. Two collar badges of the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers) were also found with the remains.

DNA tests were carried out and the body was identified as that of Pte Johnston. He will be buried with full military honours at Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery in Sailly-lez-Cambrai, France, on Tuesday.

The cemetery is run by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the body responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of Commonwealth forces.

Members of Pte Johnston’s family, Canadian armed forces and Canadian ambassador to France Marc Lortie will all attend.

Pte Johnston’s great-nephew Willie Johnston will travel from his home in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, for the ceremony.