‘You have to honour those that went before you’: Manitoba veterans help identify previously unnamed soldiers

A temporary cross was made to mark the unmarked grave for Canadian veteran William Howard Chester at the Field of Honour inside Transcona Cemetery. Here it can be seen on Monday June 23, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg)

One Manitoba veteran’s unwavering efforts have uncovered the identities of two previously unnamed soldiers buried in Transcona Cemetery.

Two years ago, Peter Martin—a local veteran who brings students to the annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony at the Field of Honour—was asked by one of the kids why two graves had no names.

“I was in tears and devastated,” Martin said. “For over 20 years I’ve been bringing students here—they haven’t honoured those two because nobody knew their names.”

It’s unclear why the graves were left unmarked, but Martin didn’t need a reason to take on the mission of identifying the fallen. He took it to heart and, after months of research and phone calls, discovered the names: William Cabot Lodge and William Howard Chester. Lodge died in 2005; Chester passed away 23 years ago.

Martin then reached out to fellow veteran Joe Sapischuk, who built temporary crosses for both Lodge and Chester.

“We had to right a wrong that’s been here for 20 years,” Sapischuk said. “You have to honour those that went before you.”

For Julius Chester, great-grandson of William Chester, Martin’s efforts opened a new chapter in his family’s story.

“It’s been profound in a way,” he said. “When they hear things like this, it really does gladden their hearts—and I know that’s the case for me personally as well.”

The Last Post Fund, a national organization that helps military families connect with unmarked graves, is working to provide permanent markers for Lodge and Chester.

Matt Halpin, president of the Manitoba branch of the Last Post Fund, said the organization has helped establish about 8,000 headstones for unmarked military graves so far.

- With files from CTV’s Joseph Bernacki