Dorothy Babcock accepts a Canadian flag from Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 27, 2010, in Spokane, Wash. This was the flag that flew over the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill the day Jack Babcock, Canada's last known First World War veteran passed away.Veterans Affairs Canada
The federal government plans to hold a national commemorative ceremony April 9 to honour Canadians who served in the First World War now that the last of them has died.
The ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa is one of several events to be held countrywide on the anniversary of the day in 1917 when Canadians famously took Vimy Ridge in France.
Remembrance ceremonies will also be held at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and the Canada Memorial at Green Park in London, Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn announced Tuesday.
Mr. Blackburn and other Canadian dignitaries attended a memorial service in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday for John Henry Foster (Jack) Babcock, who died Feb. 18 at the age of 109.
Mr. Babcock was acknowledged to be the last of 650,000 Canadian men and women who served in what was then known as the "war to end all wars." About 68,000 of them died between 1914 and 1918.
"While we have lost our last direct link to the First World War, we will continue to encourage young Canadians to remember and understand our proud military history and heritage," Mr. Blackburn said.
"The First World War is a defining part of the Canada we know today and it is a legacy that must be preserved for generations to come."
Ottawa is displaying special books of reflection which people can sign at locations across Canada, including Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, the Canadian War Museum, and in all legislatures.
Books will also be available overseas at the Vimy Ridge National Historic Site, the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial National Historic Site, Canada House in London, and at the Canadian Forces Base in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
An electronic version of the books will also be available on the Veterans Affairs website .
Because he never saw combat, Mr. Babcock never made much of his veteran's status. He moved to the United States after the war, where he eventually became an electrician.
While he was said to be a proud veteran, he turned down the honour of a state funeral: "They should commemorate all of them, instead of just one," he said.
At Mr. Babcock's memorial service last Saturday, Mr. Blackburn presented the soldier's widow, Dorothy, with the Maple Leaf flag that was flying over the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill the day he died.
Canadians can also pay their respects to Mr. Babcock and family in a virtual book of condolences available on the department's website.