OTTAWA — The widow of First World War veteran John Babcock will be given the Canadian flag that flew from the Peace Tower the day he died, as the federal veterans affairs minister joins the family for Babcock’s funeral Saturday in Spokane, Wash.
“As the Prime Minister noted, the passing of Mr. Babcock marks the end of an era,” Jean-Pierre Blackburn said in a statement. “We as a country feel a tremendous sense of loss with the passing of our last known First World War Veteran, but we are committed to remembering the sacrifices of all those who served in the Great War.”
Babcock was the last surviving Canadian veteran of the war until his death on Feb. 18 at age 109. He had rejected the idea of a state funeral in Canada; instead, his family organized Saturday’s events.
Blackburn will present Babcock’s widow with the flag, and chief of defence staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk will represent the Canadian Forces. Members of The Royal Canadian Regiment, with which Babcock served in the Canadian Army, will also take part, Veterans Affairs said.
