A construction project conducted in France during 2020 has revealed human remains that have now been identified as those of Albert Henry Detmold, a soldier from Manitoba who served in the First World War. Private Detmold, aged 33, was killed in action on August 15, 1917, during the Battle of Hill 70 near Loos-en-Gohelle, France. The confirmation of his identity was made through a combination of historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological, and DNA analyses, according to a recent news release from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Detmold, born in 1884 in Hamburg, Germany, to a notable British family, listed his religious denomination as Presbyterian despite being born into a Jewish family. He immigrated to Canada from London, England, in 1902 with his older brother Fred. Detmold settled in Manitoba on a homestead near Roblin.
In February 1916, Detmold enlisted in the 107th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, also known as the 107th (Timber Wolf) Battalion or the 107th (Winnipeg) Battalion. After training in Canada, the battalion was converted to a pioneer battalion upon reaching Britain, where they performed basic combat engineering tasks under hazardous conditions.
Detmold and his unit were in France by late February 1917, preparing for the attack on Vimy Ridge. During the Battle of Hill 70 on August 15, 1917, the 107th Battalion pioneers worked under heavy shellfire to extend communication trenches across no man’s land.
Hill 70 marked a significant Canadian victory as all four Canadian divisions fought together under Canadian command for the first time. The battle diverted German resources from the Ypres Salient, aiding Allied efforts. However, the victory came at a high cost, with over 9,000 Canadian casualties and numerous German losses.
Detmold’s remains were discovered during a construction project in Loos-en-Gohelle in August 2020. After extensive analysis and with the help of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Casualty Identification Review Board identified the remains as Detmold’s in December 2025. He will be laid to rest in July 2026 at the Loos British Cemetery, overseen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Detmold is also honored on memorials in Roblin, Manitoba, and at Alleyn’s School in London, England, where he studied from 1895 to 1898.