Congrats, Nose. Tie-clip, heh…The End of an Era … or Gone Down the Road?
On May 8, 2007, Canada could boast only two living soldiers from World War I. But on May 9, 2007, that number went down to one. Percy Dwight Wilson died on May 9th at age 106. He had joined the army when he was only 15 years old. But he was turned back before he made it to the front lines, as soon as his true age was realized. They put him to work digging trenches instead.
With Mr. Wilson’s death, there is now only one surviving Canadian vetran from that war. And many Canadians feel that when John Babcock dies, he should be given a state funeral.
Mr. Babcock, however, disagrees. He doesn’t want a state funeral in Canada. Perhaps its because he moved to the United States many years ago. In fact, he has been an American citizen for the past 60 years.
Frankly, I’m not quite sure what to make of that. Perhaps good neighbours just like to share.
Posted by Michelle
On June 8th, 2007 under History, Military.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from Deborah Aylward
Time: June 9, 2007, 12:34 am
Thank you, Michelle, for a fine post.
I can’t say as I blame Mr. Wilson for moving to the U.S. After the Second World War, attitudes in Canada began to drastically shift the country closer and closer to full-blown socialism. So began a major exodus of some of the best and brightest from fields of expertise, but most particularly those in the Military.
It makes perfect sense that Mr. Wilson wouldn’t want his passing to be used to political advantage; which would be the case.
The Flight Deck always stirs the thoughts, so please accept my thanks.
Veritas et Fidelis Semper
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Time: August 8, 2008, 2:14 pm
[...] in June of this year I posted as to how the death of Percy Dwight Wilson on May 9th at age 106 resulted in there now only being [...]
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