Canada's Last WW1 Vet Dies

[The.Delegate]

John Babcock died yesterday, aged 109. I guess that's the end of an era. And all those WW2 vets are dying off like mad now. Funnily enough he went and lived in the US after the war and served in the US army.

I think he should be given a state funeral in honour of his service and in commemoration of every other WW1 vet. Rest in Peace Mr. Babcock.

[OTZ]

I don't believe he actually saw combat though. That distinction (last CDN vet to be in action) goes to Charles Laking - he passed a couple of years ago.

[The.Delegate]

I don't believe he actually saw combat though. That distinction (last CDN vet to be in action) goes to Charles Laking - he passed a couple of years ago.

Yea I think you're right. Babcock was only 15 and wasnt allowed to go overseas.

Last British veteran, not last veteran full stop. I think theres a couple still around in Australia last time I checked aswell. Quite sad to know that the horrors of WW1 are passing out of living memory and really becoming part of the past. One of the few plus points is that it was the first war that really left behind a comprehensive legacy of itself through every form of media, video, photo, writing etc.

My Great Uncle was one of the first Americans to arrive in France in 1917, so the war has always held a fascination for me.

I think there's a couple of British vets left too.

[Domen123]

I don't believe he actually saw combat though. That distinction (last CDN vet to be in action) goes to Charles Laking - he passed a couple of years ago.

Charles Laking was not the last veteran who saw ground combat.

The last veteran who saw ground combat (Passchendaele) was Harry Patch (he died on 25.07.2009).

Harry Patch came to France in June of 1917 (he was 19 years old) and fought until being seriously wounded on 22.09.1917.

Two veterans of WW1 are still alive - Frank Buckles (didn't see combat) and Claude Stanley (he served in Royal Navy).

Claude Stanley is also the last living veteran of both world wars.

[OTZ]

Charles Laking was not the last veteran who saw ground combat.

The last veteran who saw ground combat (Passchendaele) was Harry Patch (he died on 25.07.2009).

Harry Patch came to France in June of 1917 (he was 19 years old) and fought until being seriously wounded on 22.09.1917.

Two veterans of WW1 are still alive - Frank Buckles (didn't see combat) and Claude Stanley (he served in Royal Navy).

Claude Stanley is also the last living veteran of both world wars.

Sorry Domen - there is a bit of a misunderstanding here - Charles Laking was the last CDN to see action - not the last soldier...

[Khazrak]

Thats the end of a living Canadian history. May we never forget

[Captain Blackadder]

Yes there is really only one person left who I would consider to be an actual vet and that is Chouleswho is the only person left who saw active service during the war.

[Angrychris]

thought the last ww1 vet died within a year ago and he was british?

[Londinium]

Last British veteran, not last veteran full stop. I think theres a couple still around in Australia last time I checked aswell. Quite sad to know that the horrors of WW1 are passing out of living memory and really becoming part of the past. One of the few plus points is that it was the first war that really left behind a comprehensive legacy of itself through every form of media, video, photo, writing etc.

My Great Uncle was one of the first Americans to arrive in France in 1917, so the war has always held a fascination for me.

[Azog 150]

There is one surviving British veteran who lives in Australia. He served with the Royal Navy in World War 1, and the Royal Australian Navy in World War 2. He is the last veteran to have seen combat (There are a few others. One American who was an ambulance driver, one Brit who was a bycycle courier and another Brit who was in the Womens RAF as a waitress). However, Britain's last Tommy (Harry Patch who fought at Passchendaele) died last year.



Anyway, this is incredibly sad news. The Great War, or War to End All Wars is so close to fading out of living memory. The remaining veterans must feel very lonely.


Has anyone ever watched 'the last voices of World War 1'?. I believe it is from the late 90's and it contains extensive interviews with the last handful of WW1 veterans (It also has to be one of the most depressing things ever)

[Jingles]

I thought there was still a German veteran alive? Anyway, this is always sad to hear, but on the bright side, 109 is certainly a ripe old age. I doubt I shall live as long. It boggles the mind to think that the man was a century old.

[Phier]

Due to Canada's military impotence now, many people in the US are unaware of the massive and impressive contributions they played in the world wars. They really outperformed for their size, population, and development.

[The.Delegate]

Due to Canada's military impotence now, many people in the US are unaware of the massive and impressive contributions they played in the world wars. They really outperformed for their size, population, and development.

Yup that's for sure.

[OTZ]

Due to Canada's military impotence now, many people in the US are unaware of the massive and impressive contributions they played in the world wars. They really outperformed for their size, population, and development.

Canada is a humble nation (for the most part). We know we're the best, but we don't care to cram that fact down everyone's throats.

[ShADoW]

R.I.P

[Lysimachos11]

I see only Anglican names listed here, I know the last supposed German veteran died some time ago, but is there really noone else left outside the US and the British territories? No Russian, former Ottoman or Balkan veterans? A lot of people live there, but maybe they dont keep record of such things.

[hellheaven1987]

RIP. WWI is probably one of most brutal conflicts in 20th Century, together with Pacific War in WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam conflict.

[Yorkshireman]

I see only Anglican names listed here, I know the last supposed German veteran died some time ago, but is there really noone else left outside the US and the British territories? No Russian, former Ottoman or Balkan veterans? A lot of people live there, but maybe they dont keep record of such things.

Germany's 'last' WWI veteran dies

The man believed to have been Germany's last World War I veteran has died peacefully at the age of 107.

Erich Kaestner, who at 18 was sent to the Western Front but served only four months in the army, died in a Cologne nursing home, his son said.

The death on Sunday of Louis de Cazenave, France's second-last World War I veteran, made global headlines.

But in a country that keeps no record of its veterans, Kaestner's death on 1 January went largely unnoticed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7210346.stm

According to that report the Germans don't really keep tabs on it.

[tonymurphy1888]

R.I.P, Best kinna person.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

D: How could they. Well last british ww1 vet I think didn't see action cuz he endured training, where the Germans surrendered before he was dispatched.