Canada's last WWI vet dies

[maple_leaf_eh]

Canada's last known WWI veteran dies at 109

18/02/2010 8:26:07 PM
CTV.ca News Staff
John Babcock, Canada's last known First World War veteran, has died at 109, the Prime Minister's Office said Thursday night.

"As a nation, we honour his service and mourn his passing," Prime Minister Harper said in a statement.

Harper added that Babcock was the nation's final remaining link to the 650,000 Canadians who served their country in the war.

"The passing of Mr. Babcock marks the end of an era," Harper said.

"His family mourns the passing of a great man. Canada mourns the passing of the generation that asserted our independence on the world stage and established our international reputation as an unwavering champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Babcock signed up for the military when he was only 16. However, his young age prevented him from immediately heading to the frontlines.

In the years before his death, Babcock lived in Spokane, Washington.