Memorial service in Shrewsbury for Canadian war hero
A service has been held in Shrewsbury to dedicate a new gravestone to a Canadian World War One soldier.
Town dignitaries attended the memorial service at Shrewsbury Cemetery on Saturday for Corporal Alfred Gyde Heaven who was injured at Vimy Ridge in France in April 1917. He was wounded a year after enlisting at the age of 16, after lying about his age.
The soldier was sent to hospital in Cross Houses, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, but died days later.
Local historian Ken Bishop noticed the war hero had no headstone and launched a campaign lasting a decade to have it restored.
Cpl Heaven, who was born in Ontario, Canada, came to England for military training in Liverpool and went on to fight for the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
In November 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the Battle of the Somme. However, less than six months later he suffered serious injuries to his face and jaw and was taken to Crosshouses, where he died.
He was buried in Shrewsbury Cemetery. Because he died before the War Graves Commission was set up, he did not automatically qualify for a marked grave.
The gravestone was unveiled at the memorial service, which was also attended by members of the Canadian military.
Researchers Phil Morris and Clive Bakeway, members of the Shrewsbury Military Research Group, spent about 10 years building up evidence to prove it was Cpl Heaven who was buried in the grave.
