John Babcock, Canada's only living First World War veteran, holds up a photo from the war with his wife, Dorothy, at their Spokane, Wash., home, July 18. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)
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John Babcock: Canada's only surviving First World War veteran
Last Updated November 1, 2007
CBC News
When John Babcock celebrated his 107th birthday in July, he received greetings from around the world. The Queen sent a letter of congratulations; Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave him a tie decorated with red poppies.
They were small tokens of appreciation for the man believed to be the last surviving Canadian veteran of the First World War after the May death of 106-year-old Percy Wilson.
Canada's only living First World War veteran, John Babcock, licks icing from his fingers as his wife Dorothy, 78, cuts him a piece of birthday cake at their home in Spokane, Wash., July 18. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)
Basking in the glow of all the birthday attention and visitors at his home in Spokane, Wash., his wife Dorothy at his side, Babcock spoke with his usual candour.
"I know I'm going to die some day, so what the hell," he told the Canadian Press. "I try to live a good, clean life and I have a good wife who helps me." Yet despite his humility, Babcock has a unique place in Canadian history.
Regrets of a 'tin soldier'
Almost 600,000 Canadians served, and more than 200,000 were killed or wounded, in the First World War. In many ways, the identity of the young country was forged on the bloody battlefields such as Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and the Somme. Babcock, born on an Ontario farm in 1900, enlisted to join the fray at the tender age of 15. He lied about his age to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Sydenham, Ont., and arrived in England a few months later.
The truth about his age caught up to him. So in August 1917, Babcock was sent to the Boys Battalion — 1,300 young soldiers training until they were old enough to fight the Germans.
But peace came first — the war ended a few months after Babcock's 18th birthday. He never saw front-line action.
After almost 90 years, he still regrets being a "tin soldier" who didn't see combat.
"I think if I had a chance, I would have gone to France, taken my chances like the rest of them did," he said. "A lot of good men got killed."
'I still love Canada'
In the 1920s, Babcock moved the United States, becoming a naturalized citizen and serving in the U.S. Army. Since 1932, he has lived in Spokane.
Babcock married Dorothy after the death of his first wife, Elsie, about 30 years ago.
Despite his 107 years, he still likes to go to his favourite restaurant where he flirts with all the waitresses before ordering a burger and fries.
His son, Jack Jr., said his father may now come across as a polite elderly gentleman with lots of stories to tell, but don't think for a second that he's not strong-willed.
"He's humble and bashful about being the last guy and very realistic about it. But you don't do what he's done in his lifetime without getting a little self-assurance."
At his July party, Babcock said he was touched by the birthday wishes. "It means a hell of a lot. It means very much to me because although I'm an American citizen, I still love Canada," he said.
With files from the Canadian Press
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