Canadian veteran of World War I dies.....

[Badger]

I thought this might be of interest to members....

Canadian veteran of World War I dies - Yahoo! News Article

TORONTO - Dwight Wilson, one of the last two Canadian veterans of World War I, died Wednesday, officials said. He was 106.

Wilson's death leaves one known surviving Canadian veteran of the war — 106-year-old John Babcock of Spokane, Wash.

Born Feb. 26, 1901, in Vienna, Ontario, Wilson enlisted in 1916 at the age of 15 after telling the army he was older. He was diverted from the front lines after his age was discovered.

He managed to re-enlist in 1917 but four months later he was discharged again because of his age.

Wilson was one of more than 600,000 Canadians who fought in World War I. About 66,000 died.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Wilson's family and friends. As a nation, we honor his service and mourn his passing," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

Babcock emigrated to the United States in the 1920s and served a brief stint in the U.S. military.

Canada had been considering a state funeral when he died, but Babcock's wife said months ago he didn't want one.

Information

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[Badger]

I looked him up in the On-line Service Record Searches (Library and Archives Canada) section of the Milsurp Knowledge Library. I notice a one year difference in the D.O.B. on his muster papers and the D.O.B. given in the article.

WILSON , PERCY DWIGHT
Regimental number: 339995
Rank: GNR
Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 10468 - 56

Attachment 488Attachment 489

Regards,
Badger

[Stevo]

So now there are two Great War vets left in Canada? Won't be long before WWI moves from the realm of history into myth.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

I believe there is ONE left in the U.K and he attended the funeral of the other one.
Only a handful left in the U.S. and there are probably less since the last time I checked.
WW2 vets are going at a fast rate as well.

[oozlefinch]

WW2 vets are going at a fast rate as well.

American WWII veterans are dying at the fast diminishing rate of about 385 each day, slightly less than Korean War veterans. The death rate of Vietnam veterans is, as one would expect, slightly lower, but is increasing. The death rate for American veterans of all wars is expected to peak in 2008, with about six hundred thousand passing that year.

Every day is a gift.

[Skippy]

THis is always depressing news.
My Grandad fought in WWII, but died the year before I was born.
My parents moved recently and the new neighbour is an English WWII vet of North Africa and Europe. I hang on his every word whenever I get the chance.

It'll be a truly sad day when the only first hand accounts we can get are those that were written down.

[Stevo]

When I was just out of high school I worked in a drug store for about 6 months. One of the regular customers was an infantry Great War veteran. I wish I would have had more time to listen to his stories, as he wanted to share them. I do greatly appreciate the ones he did tell me.

My great-grandfather was in the British army during WWI, first as a machine gunner, then as a gunner on tanks. I would have loved to be old enough to remember his stories, but I'm not sure he even told any to my grandfather or father.

[bushwhacker]

I had two great-uncles (grandmother's brothers) that served in WW1 and my father's olderst brother was killed at 2nd battle of Amiens. Wish I had asked my Great Uncle Sid more about his military experience, but I don't think he talked about it that much. He was wounded and had a steel plate in his head. My Great Uncle Ray was gassed and rescued some of his buddies from a dugout during the gas attack. Someone who served with him told my father that Ray should have got a medal. Now they are all gone, so I will never hear the stories. My cousin had the letters my uncle Charles wrote home, but he was killed a year ago, and I don't know what stuff his sons kept.

[Claven2]

Interestingly, this second-last vet to die didn't ever make it to combat. I read his bio and he enlisted at 15. He made it to England and started training for the front, but was discovered and shipped back to Canada. He re-enlisted later when he was older, but the war ended before he left Canada the second time.

Still considered a WWI vet though b/c he made it overseas. Considering the U-boat threat, that required it's own bravery all by itself

[Claven2]

With Wilson's death, the distinction of being Canada's last living veteran of the Great War belongs to John Babcock of Spokane, Wash.

"That means that I'm it," Babcock told Canadian Press from his home, after expressing his regret at Wilson's death.

Babcock became a U.S. citizen 60 years ago and has made it clear he doesn't want a state funeral in Canada, an honour usually extended only to prime ministers and governors general.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/212402

Also read Babcock's bio. He enlisted twice at 15. Turned down once, he tried again with a different unit and was accepted. Went to England, completed training and his unit was on it's way to the front line when the war ended. Apparently about 1/3 of his unit briefly saw action before armistice, but not him. Gotta give points for trying though!

After the war, he emigrated to the US, became a US citizen and served several years with the US army between the world wars.

I wonder when the last cannuck to see enemy action in WW1 died? Likely within the last 5 years I should think.

US Vet affairs estimeted in 2005 less than 25 US vets left. Likely far fewer are left 2 years on...