Saint John man may have only remaining grave marker from Vimy Ridge - Action News
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New Brunswick

Saint John man may have only remaining grave marker from Vimy Ridge

Many Canadians will travel to France next April to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Saint John's Jim Landry intends to beat the crowds later this month and pay a visit to the grave of his great uncle. Before his trip he made a discovery.

Historian believes Jim Landry's wooden cross from Vimy only one to survive

Saint John's Jim Landry stands beside the wooden grave marker of his great uncle who was killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge (CBC)

Many Canadians will travel to France next April to commemorate the100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Saint John's Jim Landryintends to beat the crowds and pay a visitto the grave of his great-uncle later this month.

Getting ready for his trip, he made a discovery.

"I've had his wooden cross fromVimyin my garage for ten years. When my mother passed away in January, I realized that now I owned this."

Landry showed the cross to veteran and historian Harold Wright.

Saint John's Jim Landry believes this to be the only remaining wooden grave marker from the Battle of Vimy Ridge. (CBC)
Wrightbelieves that the grave markermarked with the nameJ.F. Ashe is the only one left in existence.

"We had heard of some wooden crosses, but it turns out they were from other battles," said Landry.

He decided it should be in Ottawa at the Canadian War Museum for people to see in time for the centennial of the battle.

That does mean Landry has tostart taking better care of the cross.

"We carry it around in a box wrapped incellophane so that it's safe."

Landry hopes his visit will take him to his great-uncle's grave site as well asthe Canadian National Vimy Memorial.


with files from Information Morning Saint John