Canada's last surviving WWI vet sworn in as Canadian citizen
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 | 9:49 PM ET
CBC News
Canada's last surviving veteran of the First World War, who lost his citizenship when he moved to the U.S. nearly 90 years ago, has become a Canadian again.
Standing beside his wife in their living room in Spokane, Washington, on Tuesday, 107-year-old John Babcock raised his right hand as he took the oath of citizenship.
"This is unexpected and great news," Babcock said in a statement. "I was born in Canada and now I am a Canadian. This completes my circle of life."
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Veteran Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, who had visited Babcock last month to present him with an award recognizing the sacrifices and achievements of veterans.
During the visit, Babcock told Thompson about his desire to be Canadian, and Thompson urged him to contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Babcock reportedly wrote Harper a simple note, stating: "Dear PM. Could I have my citizenship restored? I would appreciate your help. Thank you, John Babcock."
Thompson presented the note to Harper during a recent cabinet meeting, and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean agreed to grant Babcock his citizenship.
"Bestowing Canadian citizenship upon Mr. Babcock is a fitting tribute to a man who represents the very best of what we rightfully call Canada's 'Greatest Generation,'" said Thompson.
Babcock, who was born on July 23, 1900, and raised on a farm near Kingston, Ont., lied about his age and enlisted in the army at 15. In 1917, he and the 146th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force landed in England, but the war ended before Babcock got to the front lines.
He moved to the United States in the 1920s and became a U.S. citizen in 1946. At the time, dual citizenship was not allowed, so Babcock had to give up his Canadian ties.
Babcock said that despite his long life in the U.S., he's always felt like a Canadian.
