Under a grey sky in France, the body of an unknown Canadian soldier was returned to Canadian authorities in a solemn ceremony early this morning and is finally on its way home.

• IN DEPTH: Unknown Soldier Returns to Canada

The soldier died during Canada's biggest victory in the First World War, in 1917, at Vimy Ridge. He symbolizes the 28,000 unidentified Canadians who have died in wars this century.

"We don't know his name, we don't know his age, we don't know his unit. Nobody knows. Only God knows that," Veterans Affairs Minister George Baker said at the ceremony attended by many veterans.

French bearers carry the casket of the Unknown Soldier

A silver maple coffin was handed over to a Canadian delegation in front of the war memorial at Vimy Ridge. A Canadian flag was draped over the casket and then it was carried away by pall bearers from several commonwealth countries.

Until now, the burial place of the Unknown Soldier was marked by a tombstone that read, "Known unto God."

His remains were exhumed from a French cemetery on Friday. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission released the body to Canada with the caveat that no attempt will be made to establish his identity.

War memorial at Vimy Ridge

The Unknown Soldier will lie in state at the Hall of Honour in Parliament. On Sunday, he'll be buried with military honours at the foot of the National War Memorial.

Great care is being taken to ensure the Unknown Soldier will forever lie in the soil of his home province or territory. Earth from every part of Canada will be scattered in the bottom of the sarcophagus before his coffin is lowered.

Many veterans are applauding the decision to bring an Unknown Soldier home.

On Wednesday, a Canadian soldier who died fighting in 1916 was buried in the cemetery at Vimy Ridge. The remains of Private David John Carlson were only recently found.

• RELATED: Long lost soldier put to rest at Vimy Ridge

His family says they're grateful for the closure.