Bringing Him Home

CAF Chaplains reflect on Repatriation and Reinterment of NL’s Unknown Soldier

By Michele Boriel, Public Relations, Royal Newfoundland Regimental Family

LCol Shawn Samson and Capt Jeff Payne have become familiar faces to many in Newfoundland and Labrador as they were responsible for delivering the religious services for the Repatriation and Reinterment of NL’s Unknown Soldier. Both are Reservists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and proud Newfoundlanders.

Shawn was born and raised in Mount Pearl and now lives in St. John’s with his wife, Dr. Mary Wells. He currently serves as Director Chaplain Ops 3 and Senior Reserve Chaplain to the Office of the Chaplain General.

Shawn is 31 years ordained an Anglican Priest and has spent 22 years in military ministry, including 10 memorable years as Padre with The Royal Newfoundland Regiment. He describes himself as “The luckiest Chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces.”?

Jeff is from St. John’s and now lives in CBS with his wife, Berdena. He is 32 years ordained a Pentecostal minister and has been in the CAF for 10 years. He currently serves as Chaplain for 5th Canadian Division Support Group Garrison St. John’s and as Senior Chaplain for 37 Canadian Brigade Group. Jeff has also spent 22 years as pastor serving churches in St. Anthony, Grand Falls-Windsor, St. John’s and CBS. He is a proud father and grandfather.

This is their story.

Preparation

For Shawn, this story began 18 months before Memorial Day 2024, when Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Guy Belisle, assigned him the task and privilege of overseeing the Repatriation and Reinterment of NL’s Unknown Soldier.

Thus began a lengthy journey of preparing the liturgy, selecting padres and prayers, and visualizing the funeral service from start to finish. This was a unique moment and there were no modern references from which Shawn could draw. This would be the final Repatriation of an Unknown WWI Soldier from Europe’s cemeteries.

Shawn sought inspiration from many sources. Major-General Paul Peyton, Senior Serving Newfoundlander in the CAF and Premier Andrew Furey, official Next of Kin, lent their perspectives and time. In their discussions, it was agreed that it was 99.9% certain that the Unknown Soldier would have led a Christian life in the early 1900s when he enlisted and later died in France. This conclusion shaped the liturgy and religious service.

Shawn sought lenience to create a liturgy for the Burial and to select and write prayers that would be meaningful to all assembled, regardless of their faith. He meditated on the expectations of parishioners who would expect an Anglican service, and he strived to contextualize the voice of the military on parade. To prepare his sermon, he read, reflected, and tried to modernize the service and liturgy outlined in the Book of Common Prayer.

Shawn aspired to find words that would speak to everyone. In the end, he realized it needed to be more of a liturgical dialogue rather than a church service. He chose the universal themes of Hope, Love, Forgiveness and Sacrifice, and prayed for the grace to fulfill his duty.

This wasn’t Shawn’s first time being involved with commemorations for the Regiment. As Padre for The Royal Newfoundland Regiment from 2002-2012, Shawn had previously travelled with the Regiment to France, Belgium and Gallipoli for commemorative services, as well as being involved in the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel in 2016.

He fully understood the weight of what he was being asked to do. To finish what LCol Padre Thomas Nangle, had begun all those years ago, as the Regiment’s Padre during WWI and NL’s representative on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission after the War.

Now Shawn would complete the journey – but not alone. His own dear Padre, friend and colleague, Jeff would be at his side to support him emotionally and spiritually every step of the way. ?To check on him and to provide a listening ear. To be his fellow soldier on this journey home for a fallen son of Newfoundland.

Repatriation

Jeff describes his first visit to Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont-Hamel in France as being the highlight of his military career – a true spiritual pilgrimage. He had previously served for four months aboard a ship, working 24/7 on call, but nothing like this.

He recalls how unreal it felt being on the flight with VIPs and media heading to France for the Repatriation Ceremony in May 2024, knowing it would be his responsibility to lead the casket bearing NL’s Unknown Soldier from the base of the Beaumont-Hamel memorial through a Ramp Ceremony in Lille, France to St. John’s, NL.

During a tour of the site, Jeff stood by the Danger Tree and looked out over the battlefield. He paused to read aloud the names of all those with no known graves inscribed on the plaques below the Caribou monument. He prayed for guidance and for all the lost souls.?

Jeff remembers his hands were clammy when he shook hands with the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Unknown Soldier’s official Next of Kin. How overwhelming it felt to be alone together with the soldier’s remains. How quickly time passed as he offered candy and water to those assembled along with words of support as they prepared and took in the moment together. This was a “no fail mission”.

Jeff credits prayer and rehearsals with helping him to gather his emotions and stay calm as he led the coffin to the hearse. The only sound was the cadence of his footsteps. What stands out to him the most is making the turn, leading the Bearer Party out from the base of the Caribou at Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont-Hamel.

He also recalls the solemn words spoken by a CAF pilot on the F-18 escort as they entered Canadian airspace: “Seek first the Kingdom of God. God Guard Thee, Newfoundland.”

Jeff remains thankful and grateful, recognizing the price paid by this soldier and countless others. He says he felt in his bones it was one of his distant relatives that he had finally laid to rest. He is certain that this soldier remains Known to God and is finally at peace at last.

Procession

It was on May 27, 2024 that it finally became real for Shawn. Emotions were high as those on the ground waited for the military aircraft carrying NL’s Unknown Soldier and his Next of Kin to land. Shawn remembers his first glimpse of the F-18 escorts flying overhead and of the public lined up outside the airport perimeter for hours waiting to welcome home their son.? As the senior military officer on the ground, Shawn was first to salute the Unknown Soldier upon his return to NL as he was placed into the hearse for his final journey.

He recalls that there was not a dry eye in the car following behind the hearse and its police escort. Tears flowed freely as the procession moved past the Regimental lines in Pleasantville, the National War Memorial and Harbourside Park, the Sergeant’s Memorial and other historical St. John’s landmarks.

There was simply no way to anticipate the incredible outpouring of emotions and public support. Hundreds of men, women and children had gathered to greet the soldier, many holding aloft “welcome home” signs and clapping or standing silently to pay their respects.

Shawn now had one month to mentally prepare for the biggest challenge of his military career. In 100 years, it would be his name and Jeff’s that were synonymous with the Repatriation and Reinterment, and all he wanted was to do it right – to take the final step and finish the long journey home for this Unknown Soldier and all those he represents, to honour what is owed them for their ultimate sacrifice.

Lying-In State

When the Unknown Soldier laid in state at the Confederation Building for three days ahead of the burial on July 1st, a 24/7 vigil was undertaken by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Canadian Rangers, retired members of the CAF, police officers, cadets and others.

There was also a vigil of Chaplains and representatives from all religious communities.

Shawn and Jeff were present behind the ropes, next to the Unknown Soldier’s casket, offering their prayers and presence. They were joined in their duties by Lt(N) Steven Courtney, Chaplain HMCS Cabot; Capt Terry Caines, Chaplain 5 Canadian Rangers; Capt Edgar Schroeder, Chaplain 9 Wing Gander; and Reverend Randy Lockyer, RCMP Chaplain.

Reinterment

On July 1, 2024, Shawn woke at 0230 in the morning after having attended the annual Beamont-Hamel commemorative dinner the night before which ran late into the evening. By 0400 he was dressed with his headset on, quietly reviewing his binder of notes, and feeling the weight of the Province upon his shoulders.

Today he would bury the son of everyone in the province. Today all the practices and rehearsals became real. He was one of one and it would be his responsibility to discharge from start to finish. He didn’t want to let anyone down, least of all the soldier he was laying to rest. Before dawn, Shawn departed for the Garrison to join the members of the Bearer Party for the journey to the Confederation Building to join the Next of Kin for the Unknown Soldier’s final journey to the National War Memorial.

As the coffin was removed from the hearse and he escorted the Bearer Party up the steps of the National War Memorial, Shawn distinctly remembers the first moment he saw the Coat of Arms of Newfoundland and Labrador on the sarcophagus which had previously been covered. With each step he took, all he heard was silence. He couldn’t hear the birds or the hushed crowds or the police drones flying overhead. He was locked in and focussed.

Shawn performed the liturgy, said the words he had prepared, and his voice broke on the final line of the Benediction. He will remember forever how it felt to pour sand over the Unknown Soldier’s casket. It was so emotional, so final – this young man was home at last.

Reflection

For both Jeff and Shawn, watching video footage or media coverage of the Repatriation and Reinterment of NL’s Unknown Soldier is difficult. They have received e-mails from friends, family and colleagues that they aren’t yet ready to read as their emotions are still heightened. Each has visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to silently reflect and pray.

They speak disarmingly about how this experience has forever changed them and created a bond and a kinship between them for eternity – much like that of NL’s Unknown Soldier and his comrades who paid the ultimate price.

Neither is seeking accolades – they are humble, grateful and proud to have been called upon to serve. They are quick to pass off compliments to others – like Chief Warrant Eric Greene, a fellow Newfoundlander, who was responsible for the military parades and ceremonies in St. John’s and France. Or Sgt Joshua Booth whom Shawn labelled as “phenomenal” in his role with the Bearer Party, which he describes as equal to or better than the Bearer Party for the Queen’s Funeral. Shawn also credits Brigadier-General Belisle with giving him all the support he needed, including leave from his other duties.

Both are forever thankful for being given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Jeff is still processing and reflecting on just how special it was for him as “Pop” to be able to share this moment with his three grandkids and with countless strangers, now united as family by this solemn moment as NL’s Unknown Soldier returned home from France more than a century later. Marriage, kids, Repatriation – for Jeff, there can be nothing more.

Shawn’s voice still chokes and his eyes mist over as he speaks about the heaviness he felt and the goosebumps he experienced as the Unknown Soldier was buried in his eternal resting place – finally back home with his family in the place he knew and loved so well.?

Even today, like many proud Newfoundlanders, he can’t sing the fourth verse of the Ode to Newfoundlandwithout crying and thinking of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice:

?As loved our fathers, so we love

Where once they stood we stand Their prayer we raise to heav'n above.

God guard thee Newfoundland.

God guard thee, God guard thee.

God guard thee, Newfoundland.

?Like Shawn and Jeff, we remember well that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".??

Thank you to our Unknown Soldier and fallen comrades. May God grant them eternal rest.?