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Funeral to be held for Canada’s last known First World War veteran
The body of the last known First World War veteran who served Canada will be laid to rest Saturday in Spokane, Wash., where he spent much of his working life.
The Canadian flag John Babcock's widow, Dorothy, will receive from Canada's veterans affairs minister at her husband's funeral Saturday, will be the one that was flown on Parliament Hill the day he died.
Babcock, who was Canada's last known soldier of the First World War, died last Thursday. His funeral will take place Saturday in Spokane, Wash., where he lived for much of his working life.
Although details are scarce, the Royal Canadian Legion has confirmed a service to honour veterans of the First World War will take place in Ottawa.
Veterans Affairs has been mum on the subject. Isabelle Bouchard, director of communications for the minister, said the government is working on an "end of an era service" to take place in Ottawa, and will release details when they are finalized.
Meanwhile, there's a movement afoot to have the Red Ensign, one of two flags Canadians fought under during the First World War, flown permanently outside the Canadian War Museum as a tribute to Babcock. The Red Ensign served as Canada's unofficial flag until 1965, when the Maple Leaf was adopted. Canadians also fought under the Union Jack.
Two men behind the campaign — Bill Danby, a former Kingston, Ont. man now living in New Hampshire, and Bill Bishop, of Maple Ridge, B.C. — say it would be a fitting tribute to Babcock, who signed a letter in 2007 asking the prime minister to permanently fly the flag at Vimy Ridge. That wish was granted.
"This is the flag that veterans of the First World War, Second World War and Korean War fought under yet it has no presence at the Canadian War Museum," Danby said. "That needs to be fixed and this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that."
War vet's widow to receive Parliament Hill flag
Remembering John Babcock
The body of the last known First World War veteran who served Canada will be laid to rest Saturday in Spokane, Wash., where he spent much of his working life.
The Canadian flag John Babcock's widow, Dorothy, will receive from Canada's veterans affairs minister at her husband's funeral Saturday, will be the one that was flown on Parliament Hill the day he died.
Babcock, who was Canada's last known soldier of the First World War, died last Thursday. His funeral will take place Saturday in Spokane, Wash., where he lived for much of his working life.
Although details are scarce, the Royal Canadian Legion has confirmed a service to honour veterans of the First World War will take place in Ottawa.
Veterans Affairs has been mum on the subject. Isabelle Bouchard, director of communications for the minister, said the government is working on an "end of an era service" to take place in Ottawa, and will release details when they are finalized.
Meanwhile, there's a movement afoot to have the Red Ensign, one of two flags Canadians fought under during the First World War, flown permanently outside the Canadian War Museum as a tribute to Babcock. The Red Ensign served as Canada's unofficial flag until 1965, when the Maple Leaf was adopted. Canadians also fought under the Union Jack.
Two men behind the campaign — Bill Danby, a former Kingston, Ont. man now living in New Hampshire, and Bill Bishop, of Maple Ridge, B.C. — say it would be a fitting tribute to Babcock, who signed a letter in 2007 asking the prime minister to permanently fly the flag at Vimy Ridge. That wish was granted.
"This is the flag that veterans of the First World War, Second World War and Korean War fought under yet it has no presence at the Canadian War Museum," Danby said. "That needs to be fixed and this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that."
War vet's widow to receive Parliament Hill flag
Remembering John Babcock
