Many Canadians will travel to France next April to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Saint John's Jim Landry intends to beat the crowds and pay a visit to the grave of his great-uncle later this month.

Getting ready for his trip, he made a discovery.

"I've had his wooden cross from Vimy in my garage for ten years. When my mother passed away in January, I realized that now I owned this."

Landry showed the cross to veteran and historian Harold Wright.

Image | wooden cross vimy ridge

Caption: Saint John's Jim Landry believes this to be the only remaining wooden grave marker from the Battle of Vimy Ridge. (CBC)

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Wright believes that the grave marker — marked with the name J. F. Ashe — is the only one left in existence.

"We had heard of some wooden crosses, but it turns out they were from other battles," said Landry.

He decided it should be in Ottawa at the Canadian War Museum for people to see in time for the centennial of the battle.

That does mean Landry has to start taking better care of the cross.

"We carry it around in a box wrapped in cellophane so that it's safe."

​Landry hopes his visit will take him to his great-uncle's grave site as well as the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.