As DNA technology advances, Canada confronts how science may reshape the symbolism and future of its Unknown Soldier.
Canada’s Tomb of Memory and Meaning
At the base of the National War Memorial in Ottawa rests Canada’s Unknown Soldier, interred in 2000 after his remains were recovered from a First World War battlefield in France. He stands as a symbol for all service members lost without name or trace — a reminder of sacrifice made in silence and anonymity. The Unknown Soldier represents not just one life ended a century ago, but thousands of others erased in the chaos of war.
Changing Technology, Changing Expectations
Today, advances in DNA analysis have reshaped the way nations account for their war dead. With genetic identification now standard in modern conflicts, military experts say future soldiers are unlikely to remain nameless. Families increasingly expect certainty, closure, and the return of remains — a shift that diverges from the era when vast losses made anonymity tragically common.
Identifying the Missing of Past Wars
Since 2007, Canada’s Department of National Defence has operated the Casualty Identification Program, which works to identify unknown soldiers from conflicts prior to 1970. The effort relies on DNA comparison, archaeological research, and historical records. The program’s teams often walk among rows of headstones, searching for clues to restore identity. “Each of these stones represents a person,” said historian Renée Davis, reflecting on the emotional weight of the work and the quiet duty it entails.
Global Efforts to Reclaim the Fallen
Canada and the United States are among the most active Western nations in restoring names to unidentified remains. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have programs of varying scale and restrictions. Germany’s efforts, for example, are largely handled by the Volksbund, a civilian war graves commission, which estimates more than two million German soldiers remain missing.
The Symbol That Defies Identification
Despite scientific capability, Canada pledged never to test the Unknown Soldier’s DNA when his remains were repatriated. The choice was deliberate: to preserve his role as a universal representation of sacrifice. For forensic anthropologist Dr. Sarah Lockyer, part of Canada’s identification team, this tension is real. Her professional mission is to give the dead back their names — and yet the Unknown Soldier’s power lies in the absence of his.
Future Wars, Future Symbols
Recent global tensions, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have renewed discussions about the possibility of large-scale conflict. Yet even if future casualties occur, experts argue that the era of unknown soldiers is likely behind us. Modern identification techniques mean families expect — and receive — certainty.
A Legacy That Endures
In 2024, Newfoundland welcomed home its own Unknown Soldier, representative of the hundreds of Newfoundlanders lost in the First World War. For many, the symbolism remains deeply personal. “It could have been any of us,” said retired military padre Phil Ralph. While he supports maintaining the anonymity of national tombs, he acknowledges the emotional conflict: a parent’s heart seeks answers, even when a nation seeks a symbol.
The Unknown Soldier endures not just as a relic of past wars, but as a testament to the human cost of conflict — and a reminder of the names we remember, and the ones we never can.
