The unknown Newfoundland soldier has finally returned home.

The plane carrying the remains landed at St. John’s International Airport Saturday evening after a repatriation ceremony at Beaumont-Hamel in France this morning. The flight received a ceremonial fighter escort from the Royal Canadian Air Force. The remains will be interred in the new Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial July 1.

A hearse took the remains of the unknown to a secure location, passing several points of historical significance on its way: the former Camp Pleasantville (where First World War soldiers trained), the 5 CDSG Garrison along The Boulevard, the National War Memorial, the Sergeant’s Memorial and the CLB Armoury.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion – NL Command saluted the fallen hero and the hearse along this route. Members of the public and other organizations also lined the streets in parts of St. John’s to pay their respects.

Dave Taylor and Alex Taylor were among the crowd at the War Memorial in downtown St. John’s. They wore sweaters identifying themselves as the grandson and great-grandson of a “Blue Puttee,” one of the “First Five Hundred” Newfoundlanders to volunteer for military service overseas after the outbreak of the First World War.