May 9, 2007
Ottawa - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, encouraged Canadians to celebrate and remember the life of Canadian First World War Veteran Dwight Wilson who passed away at age 106 on May 9, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Wilson was the youngest of the last two remaining Canadian First World War Veterans known to the Canadian Government.
"I would like to express my sympathy to the family and friends of Dwight Wilson, who died today at age 106," said Minister Thompson. "Every time we lose Veterans such as Mr. Wilson, we lose a direct link to an important part of our history. This loss reminds us of how important it is for all Canadians, especially youth, to reflect on our past and celebrate Veterans' contributions to our country."
Mr. Wilson was born February 26, 1901 in Vienna, Ontario. In 1915, he trained as a bugler in the militia and in July of the following year, at age 15, he enlisted. Discharged twice for being too young, the determined boy showed bravery at a very young age. Since June 2006, Mr. Wilson had been a resident of Kilgour wing at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, in Toronto, Canada's largest Veterans' care facility.
With the passing of Mr. Wilson, the only known surviving Canadian Veteran of the First World War is John F. Babcock of Spokane, Washington.
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
(613) 992-7468
Gerald A. Lefebvre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
(613) 996-4649
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
