Grave of ‘missing’ northern Ont. soldier identified after 80 years

Private Arthur Vanance (right) and his mother Annie (left) (Canadian Department of National Defence)

The final resting place of a Canadian soldier from northern Ontario who died nearly 80 years ago in the Second World War during the liberation of the Netherlands has finally been identified.

Pte. Arthur Vanance of Kenora served with The Lake Superior Regiment First Battalion and landed in Normandy in July 1944, the Department of National Defence said in a news release Monday.

On Feb. 15, 1945, he and a fellow soldier were providing covering fire for a unit patrolling German-occupied territory on the Maas River when he was badly wounded by heavy enemy machine gun fire.

As B Company fell back, according to reports, “men found Pte. Vanance badly wounded and his comrade dead, but were unable to retrieve them.”

He was officially listed as “missing.”

“In total, four soldiers from The Lake Superior Regiment were killed on Feb. 15, 1945, but only Pte. Vanance remained missing with no known grave, at the age of 26,” the defence department said.

“His name was later inscribed on panel 11 of the Groesbeek Memorial.”

In 2016, independent researchers reported the grave of an “unknown” soldier at Holten Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands could be Vanance’s.

However, it wasn’t until December 2024, after “extensive research,” that his identification was confirmed.

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“This was the result of an exhaustive review of archival sources including war diaries, personnel files, casualty registers, and contemporary grave concentration and exhumation reports from Holten Canadian War Cemetery and other CWGC sites in the Netherlands," the defence department said.

Last month, 80 years after his death, the fallen soldier’s family was notified his remains were identified.

“A headstone rededication ceremony will take place at the earliest opportunity in the Netherlands at Holten Canadian War Cemetery,” the government said.

Minister of National Defence Bill Blair said the identification serves as a profound reminder of the sacrifices people have made serving Canada.

“His courage embodies the unwavering commitment of Canadians who have always risked everything in the name of duty. It is a debt that can never be repaid but will not be forgotten,” Blair said.

“We will forever honour those who gave everything for Canada. To the family of Pte. Arthur Vanance, know that your loved one’s sacrifice will always be remembered, and his legacy will endure.”

As the military marks the end of the Second World War, Minister of Veterans Affairs Darren Fisher said we must continue to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

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“There is no greater tribute to the fallen than ensuring their stories of courage endure for years to come,” Fisher said.

“The identification of Private Arthur Vanance serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery of Canadians during a pivotal moment in our military history.”

Who was Arthur Vanance?

“Arthur Vanance was born on 5 Jan., 1919, in Kenora, Ont., to Emmanuel (Manuel) Joseph and Annie (née Halley) Vanance (alternately Vanasse),” the defence department said.

The family farmed in Melick, now part of Kenora.

Vanance enlisted on July 11, 1940, and more than two months later “was granted permission to marry” Rita Margaret Meservier in Port Arthur on Oct. 2.

“Their only child was born the following year,” the defence department said.

His brothers Albert and Emmanual (Buster) also served in the Lake Superior Regiment.

Mistaken identity

One year after Vanance’s disappearance and six months after he was “officially presumed dead,” his wife received a telegram stating he would be returning soon to Canada.

“In newspapers, speculation mounted that Arthur had suffered from amnesia,” the defence department said.

“In the end, however, the telegram was the result of a clerical error that had confused Arthur and his older brother, Albert.”