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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Howard Nelson Theal

In memory of:

Private Howard Nelson Theal

September 26, 1916

Military Service


Service Number:

437619

Age:

30

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Division:

15th Bn.

Additional Information


Born:

April 18, 1886

Son of Nelson Theal and Catherine Myers Theal.

Commemorated on Page 172 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

VIMY MEMORIAL
Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

Canada's most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War is the majestic and inspiring Vimy Memorial, which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The Memorial is signposted from this road to the left, just before you enter the village of Vimy from the south. The memorial itself is someway inside the memorial park, but again it is well signposted. At the base of the memorial, these words appear in French and in English:

TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA


Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. A plaque at the entrance to the memorial states that the land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares in extent, was 'the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada'. Construction of the massive work began in 1925, and 11 years later, on July 26, 1936, the monument was unveiled by King Edward VIII. The park surrounding the Vimy Memorial was created by horticultural experts. Canadian trees and shrubs were planted in great masses to resemble the woods and forests of Canada. Wooded parklands surround the grassy slopes of the approaches around the Vimy Memorial. Trenches and tunnels have been restored and preserved and the visitor can picture the magnitude of the task that faced the Canadian Corps on that distant dawn when history was made. On April 3, 2003, the Government of Canada designated April 9th of each year as a national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– His name as it is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial. Over 11,000 fallen Canadians having no known place of burial in France, are honoured on this Memorial. May they never be forgotten. (J. Stephens)
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women of London, Ontario (and area) who went to war and did not come home. Remembered on the pages of the World War One issues of the London Advertiser. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Service Record– Record of Service Card (front side).  From archives 48th Highlanders Regimental Museum.  Submitted by 15th bn Memorial Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Service Record– Record of Service Card (reverse side).  From archives 48th Highlanders Regimental Museum.  Submitted by 15th bn Memorial Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Badge– Cap Badge 51st Bn (Edmonton).  Private Theal was a member of the 51st Bn before being sent to the 15th Bn as a reinforcement.  Submitted by Captain (retired) Victor Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Badge– Cap Badge 15th Bn (48th Highlanders).  Submitted by Captain (retired) Victor Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Shoulder patch– Shoulder Patch 15th Bn (48th Highlanders).  Submitted by Captain (retired) Victor Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Memorial– 15th Bn (48th Highlanders of Canada) Memorial  located in the village of Courcelette, France.  The memorial commemorates the unit’s actions on 26 September 1916 when they attacked Regina Trench during the Battle of Thiepval Ridge.  The memorial honours all members of the unit who took part in the Somme offensive of 1916.  Submitted by the 15th Bn Memorial  Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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