When you explore the history of New Brunswick veterans, you uncover stories of incredible sacrifice. A local veteran refuses to let the memory of Éloi Arsenault disappear. Arsenault died 71 years ago, but his story is just coming to light.

Raised in the Memramcook area, Arsenault served with the U.S. Army during the First World War. After serving in France in 1918, he returned to the Boston area and eventually made his way back home. According to a recent report by CTV News Atlantic, Arsenault remained a forgotten man until Cpt. Etienne Gaudet uncovered a piece of his past.

A Discovery in a Box

Gaudet spent 21 years in the Canadian Army. In 2022, he took over the affairs of Memramcook veterans. His predecessor handed him a box of photos and miscellaneous items. Inside, Gaudet found a round U.S. Army dog tag. Soldiers wore these tags around their necks during service. The tag bore the name Private Éloi Arsenault.

“Within that box I found a dog tag, a round U.S. Army dog tag that soldiers would have had around their necks as they were serving back then,” Gaudet told CTV News. “That piqued my curiosity for sure. Who is this Éloi?”

Piecing Together the Past

Gaudet gathered all the information he could find. Arsenault was born on Nov. 30, 1880. He served in the U.S. Army 1st Army HQ Regiment and returned from France in 1919. Gaudet notes Arsenault went to New England for work, a common path for Acadians at the time. When the United States entered the war, he signed up.

Arsenault never married and had no children. No known photographs of him exist. He eventually returned to Memramcook, where he died on May 22, 1955, at the age of 76. He was buried in the Saint Thomas Cemetery.

Finding the Unmarked Grave

Gaudet decided to visit the cemetery to pay his respects. He could not find Arsenault. A local funeral director knew the location and placed a yellow flag to mark the spot.

“I came the next day and found the yellow flag and realized Éloi had been buried without a tombstone,” Gaudet said. “An unmarked grave and that really hurt me. It was painful to see that.”

Reclaiming a Memory

Gaudet set out to fix this oversight. He believed Arsenault deserved a proper tombstone for his overseas service. Through community donations, Gaudet secured a stone. The community erected it this past summer.

“In this case, there was an aspect of maybe we’d forgotten Éloi a bit and by giving him a tombstone we’re reclaiming his memory and I feel a sort of a duty to him,” Gaudet explained. “We’ve done right by Éloi in this case and we have a responsibility to do right by all veterans.”

Today, Gaudet keeps Arsenault’s old dog tag on his keychain. He carries it everywhere. Through his efforts, you and the rest of the community will remember the name Éloi Arsenault.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Éloi Arsenault?

Éloi Arsenault was a First World War veteran from the Memramcook area of New Brunswick. He served with the U.S. Army 1st Army HQ Regiment in France.

How did Etienne Gaudet learn about Éloi Arsenault?

Gaudet found Arsenault’s U.S. Army dog tag in a box of miscellaneous items handed down to him when he took over the affairs of Memramcook veterans in 2022.

Why did Éloi Arsenault not have a tombstone?

Arsenault died in 1955 and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Saint Thomas Cemetery. He had no known wife or children to manage his estate.

How was the new tombstone funded?

Etienne Gaudet raised funds through community donations to purchase and erect a proper tombstone for Arsenault.