Canada's last WW1 vet dies

[Lallans]

Might as well tell more of the story here: Mr Babcock had emigrated to the USA and had given up his Canadian citizenship according to the old-time requirements. Especially once we were down to three WWI vets, representatives of the Canadian government visited him a lot and on one occasion formally restored his Canadian citizenship status. According to the coverage here, he was grateful for the attention, but too modest to accept full state honours for his funeral since he had not served in WWI combat.

[Macman]

From the CBC obituary:

"During an April 2008 visit at his home from Canadian Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, Babcock mentioned that he'd like to get his Canadian citizenship back. Thompson encouraged him to contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Babcock did so immediately, writing a note on the nearest sheet of paper, which happened to be decorated with pictures of American flags and teddy bears, according to a Canwest News report. "Dear PM," the note said, according to the report. "Could I have my citizenship restored? I would appreciate your help. Thank you, John Babcock."

Thompson presented the note to Harper at a cabinet meeting, and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean agreed to grant Babcock his citizenship. Canadian officials flew to Babcock's home for an official swearing-in ceremony.

"We are proud to welcome Mr. Babcock back into the Canadian family and to honour the service he gave our country," Harper said in a release at the time. "He symbolizes a generation of Canadians who, in many ways, were the authors of modern Canadian nationhood.""

He gave service to both Canada and the United States. What a guy.

[macwilkin]

From the CBC obituary:

"During an April 2008 visit at his home from Canadian Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, Babcock mentioned that he'd like to get his Canadian citizenship back. Thompson encouraged him to contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Babcock did so immediately, writing a note on the nearest sheet of paper, which happened to be decorated with pictures of American flags and teddy bears, according to a Canwest News report. "Dear PM," the note said, according to the report. "Could I have my citizenship restored? I would appreciate your help. Thank you, John Babcock."

Thompson presented the note to Harper at a cabinet meeting, and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean agreed to grant Babcock his citizenship. Canadian officials flew to Babcock's home for an official swearing-in ceremony.

"We are proud to welcome Mr. Babcock back into the Canadian family and to honour the service he gave our country," Harper said in a release at the time. "He symbolizes a generation of Canadians who, in many ways, were the authors of modern Canadian nationhood.""

He gave service to both Canada and the United States. What a guy.

That's right, he enlisted in the US Army in the 1920s, so he's most likely the last of the "Old Army" that James Jones described in "From Here to Eternity".

T.

[ThistleDown]

The service for Jack was held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Spokane attended by several Canadian dignataries. Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of Canada's defence staff and Canada's top soldier was one of them "He captured the spirit of adventure and was a beacon for the 650,000 Canadians who volunteered in the Great War," he said. To honour Babcock's passing Natynczyk, Veteran Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn and members of the Canadian Army and Babcock's Royal Canadian Regiment presented Jack's widow with the Canadian flag that was flying over the Peace Tower in Ottawa on the day he died and a Canadian regimental flag.

[Lallans]

News Item: "The federal government has set aside a special day to honour Canadians who served in the First World War. Vimy Ridge Day will be held Friday, April 9, at the National War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-PierreBlackburnannounced yesterday. Speaking at the Vimy Gallery at the Canadian War Museum, Mr. Blackburn said the ceremony will honour First World War Canadian servicemen and women and pay tribute to their achievements and contributions. The announcement follows the death of Canada's last known First World War veteran, John Babcock, who died on Feb. 18 at theageof 109. Other ceremonies of remembrance will be held across Canada and at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and the Canada Memorial at Green Park in London. "

Vimy Ridge Day was already established in Canada. A link to a National War Memorial webcam is here:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather_cams/cmon0061

I used to work nearby the War Memorial, not nearly so close now, but will have to try and attend the service that day.