« How not to loosen a lug nut... | Main | Article on new ATFE Director »
Last surviving WWI vets
Via Instapundit comes this story. A total of three WWI vets survive. The story focuses on Frank Buckles, the one who sent to France, is 106 years old, and drove a tractor until he was 104. (And back in 1917, lied about his age in order to enlist).
Here's another story about a vet who died two years ago, age 113. He was a black American, and his parents had been slaves (and must have been long-lived themselves, since his father was born in the 1830s. Gad, to be alive in the 21st century, and have fought in WWI, born in the 19th century, and have had parents who'd been slaves. He'd have been born when Banjamin Harrison sat in the White House, and his father's life might have overlapped with that of James Madison.
Comments
Percy Dwight Wilson, who was Canada's second-last surviving veteran of the First World War, died in Toronto on Wednesday at the age of 106.
Wilson was just 15 when he lied about his age and headed overseas with a Toronto battery in 1916, despite his parents' objections. When he arrived in England, his age was discovered and he was sent back to Canada without ever having fought.
First World War veteran Percy Dwight Wilson, shown waving goodbye from the veterans wing at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto in November, lied about his age to enlist. He died Wednesday at 106.
(Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) His son, Paul Wilson, said his father knew the risks involved but was desperate to serve his country.
"I think maybe in 1914, when the war broke out, some of the young boys signing up thought it would be a lark," Paul Wilson said. "By 1916, there had been thousands upon thousands of them just killed. They had some horrendous battles."
When Wilson got back to Canada, the teenager re-enlisted, but was discharged again because of his age. The second time, he was let go before he even left for Europe.
At the start of the Second World War, Wilson again tried to re-enlist but was told he was too old.
Continue Article
The Prime Minister's Office announced Wilson's passing Wednesday afternoon in a statement offering condolences to his family.
"All Canadians, no matter where they live, should not forget him, and the others of his generation, who gave so much for their country," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.
"The sacrifices made and remarkable bravery displayed by Mr. Wilson and his comrades is a lesson for us all."
Born Feb. 26, 1901, in the southwestern Ontario town of Vienna, Wilson was one of more than 600,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who joined the military to fight in what was then known as the "war to end all wars." Newfoundland and Labrador did not join Confederation until 1949.
About 66,000 Canadians died in the four-year conflict.
Wilson went overseas with the 69th Battery of Toronto, after doing basic training in Petawawa, Ont. A year before his deployment, he served as a bugler with the 9th Mississauga Horse militia.
First Nov. 11 with no WWI veteran at hospital
After the First World War, Wilson met his wife, singer Eleanor Dean, while studying music at Toronto's Royal Conservatory. The couple and their children eventually moved to Stratford, Ont.
Wilson worked for Bell Canada for 47 years, and also sang semi-professionally. After his wife died in 1993, he spent the last years of his life in the veterans wing of Toronto's Sunnybrook hospital, where he often sang to staff and other residents.
Staff member Suzanne Plowman said Wilson will be missed.
"I knew as soon as we saw the flag go down [at the residence] that something had happened," she said. "This [Nov. 11] will be the first Remembrance Day we have without a World War I veteran here."
"His death leaves John Babcock, who lives in Spokane, Wash., as the last surviving Canadian to have served in the 1914-18 war."
A blast from my hometown.
Marc
Posted by: Marcus Poulin at November 13, 2007 07:53 PM
These old timers fascinate me. My grandfather was born in 1867. My Daddy died in March. 2007. 140 years from birth to death of two generations. I look at these hills and try to imagine the life-style change from one to the other, and even though Daddy tried to tell me of the changes in his life time (1918-2007) it's hard to assimilate.
God Bless these old timers and what they did for us.
Posted by: AntiquCop230 at November 14, 2007 09:46 AM
At the 2002 Re-Dedication of the Liberty Memorial here in Kansas City the handful of WWI vets who could still travel were there. I have pictures but not in digital form.
They 'finished' the new museum last November (yes, they worked really hard to meet that deadline). It's an incredible experience that they're not only maintaining, they're actively working to enhance (thuse the 'finished' above). They just lucked into a WWI tank, as a matter of fact. For them the shell that blew a large hole in one side is a bonus.
Posted by: KCSteve at November 14, 2007 10:30 AM
And to think with being a WWI Scholar
there have been 2 WWI Veterans here in Spokane
and I never got the chance to talk to either.
I did try at the Spokane Veteran's Home though.
They had a nice commercial with this 106-year-old
Vet named Pete.
Best,
Marc
Posted by: Marcus Poulin at November 14, 2007 12:59 PM