Tonight | The Lost Highlander on SBS: DNA investigates Camden’s fallen – The remains of 14 soldiers found in shallow, unmarked graves at South Carolina’s Camden battlefield become the focus of a forensic investigation. The documentary follows the effort to identify a Highland soldier and a young American Patriot. It airs Friday 23 October 2026 at 8:35pm on SBS, with streaming on SBS On Demand.
Almost 250 years after the battle, DNA and genealogy can return names and family histories to people buried without markers. The programme looks at both the science and the human stories behind that work.
Tracing a soldier from Scotland
One set of remains belongs to a British Highland soldier of the 71st Regiment of Foot. Examination shows he was a powerful man killed by a devastating blow to the skull. DNA points to an origin around Inverness, Scotland. The investigators then turn to historical records to see whether they can determine exactly who he was.
A Patriot soldier named again
The investigation also identifies one of the Patriot soldiers as Private John Pumphrey of the 7th Maryland Regiment. Genealogical research reveals a teenager who was already a veteran when he entered his final battle. The findings allow the team to describe more than the circumstances of death. After centuries in unmarked graves, the soldiers are identified and reburied with military honours.
The Lost Highlander airs Friday 23 October 2026 at 8:35pm on SBS and streams on SBS On Demand.
Read more in TV Central’s SBS coverage. Watch on SBS On Demand.
