Canada will recognize its last First World War veteran, who died earlier this year, at the annual Vimy Ridge Day ceremony in the nation’s capital Friday morning.
About 30,000 people are expected to attend a commemorative ceremony to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, held at the National War Memorial at 11 a.m., said Veterans Affairs Canada spokesman Simon Forsyth.
The ceremony will pay tribute to John Babcock, Canada’s last known First World War veteran, as well as honour the service and sacrifice of men and women who served during the First World War.
More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served between 1914 and 1918. About 68,000 were killed, while another 170,000 were wounded.
Four Canadian Forces CF-188 Hornets and a Great War Flying Museum replica Sopwith 1/2 Strutter will perform separate fly-pasts at 500 feet over downtown Ottawa. There will also be speeches by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, as well as by a youth from Encounters with Canada.
Babcock died in February at the age of 109.
