The Pentagon announced Monday that a previously unknown grave of a World War I soldier has been identified.
Sergeant/Major Alexander McBean served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France.
The Pentagon announced Monday that a previously unknown grave of a World War I soldier has been identified.
The grave in the Courette British Cemetery in Courlet, France is that of Major Sgt. Alexander McBean said in a Department of Defense press release. Historical and archival research dating back to 2019 concluded that the grave could only belong to McBean, according to the release.
McBean was born in Scotland in 1889, served in the British Army Reserve, and immigrated to Canada in 1911. He enlisted in the 75th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915.
McBean’s battalion saw action at the Battle of the Ancre, ending the massive five-month Battle of the Somme. More than 100 members of the 75th Battalion died, but the graves of 71 of them are unknown. McBean, 27, was pronounced dead from his injuries.
McBean’s family has been notified, according to a press release. The headstone will be rededicated and McBean’s name will be engraved on it.
