A couple from Minto was in France this week to see the burial of a long lost uncle who died in World War 1.

 

Eight Winnipeg Grenadiers were laid to rest in France, with military honours, almost 100 years after their deaths.

Their remains were found in Hallu, France, in 2006 and 2007.

Private Sidney Halliday was among the fallen soldiers put to rest. His nephew Jim Halliday and wife Pat made the trip to France for the ceremony.

Private Halliday was identified thanks to lockets he exchanged with his sweetheart as a token of their commitment.

The locket, which contained a tress of Lizzie Walmsley's hair, also had her name engraved on it. Halliday was carrying it with him when he was killed in action in the last days of the war at age 22.

Halliday is one of eight soldiers whose remains were interred Wednesday in a military funeral ending a century-long search for families.

The eight soldiers were laid to rest with family members at their side.

"He always seemed to be a presence," said nephew Jim Halliday. "There were pictures of him around and his medals we had. He was just part of the family in a way."

"I'm just so grateful that he and all the rest of his friends there have the place they deserve."

Jim Halliday traveled from his Manitoba farm to a stop in France Lynch, the English village where his uncle was born, and where a pub is still run by his family.

He and his wife Pat met there with British relatives who also provided DNA to help identify the remains.

The locket was cleaned up and presented to Halliday on Wednesday — with the lock of hair still intact.

Only five of them have been identified so far.