Soldier killed in Afghan ambush buried in Ottawa
Last Updated: Saturday, October 21, 2006 | 11:32 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
A soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last week was buried at the national military cemetery on Saturday.
Pte. Blake Williamson, 23, was killed on Oct. 14 when militants ambushed a patrol on a road connecting the volatile Panjwaii district and Kandahar. The road, Highway 1, is often referred to by Canadian soldiers as "Ambush Alley."
Also killed in the attack was Sgt. Darcy Tedford. Both soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Petawawa near Ottawa. Tedford will be buried in the military cemetery, which is a part of Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, on Oct. 23.
Pte. Blake Williamson's coffin is seen arriving back in Canada last week.
(DND)
They were among several Canadian soldiers killed in the area in recent weeks.
"The Taliban don't like roads because roads mean progress," Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, the Canadian and NATO commander in southern Afghanistan, said after the attack.
Williamson was raised in Kemptville, Ont., about 35 kilometres from Ottawa.
NATO investigates teenager's death
In another development, Fraser said Saturday that NATO is investigating an Afghan man's claim that "foreign" soldiers shot his wounded 16-year-old son to death in his home last week.
Abdul Karim told the Canadian Press his wife, one of his sons and two daughters were killed when a NATO bomb hit their home early Wednesday. Then, he said, "foreign" soldiers entered the house. "When they saw my son in wounded condition, they shot him and killed him in front of my eyes," he said.
Karim and his 18-year-old son are in hospital.
NATO has not confirmed that its soldiers were in the community of Ashogha, where Karim lived, but Fraser said he was sorry about the deaths.
A NATO air strike killed nine civilians and wounded others in the community. The same day, 11 civilians were killed in Helmand province.
The civilian deaths are expected to make it harder for coalition troops to win over the population in southern Afghanistan, where Canadian soldiers have been trying to root out Taliban militants.
A diplomat and 34 Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this year.
With files from the Canadian Press
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Athens burns as Greece bailout passed
- Riots engulfed central Athens and at least 10 buildings went up in flames in mass protests late Sunday as lawmakers prepared for a parliamentary vote on harsh austerity measures aimed at keeping the country solvent. more »
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- A small Quebec town is in mourning Sunday after a Quebec man was charged with killing his nieces and his mother, who were found dead in their family home. more »
- Whitney Houston's body set for autopsy
- Investigators worked Sunday to piece together what killed Whitney Houston as the music industry's biggest names prepared for a Grammy Awards show that will undoubtedly feel as much like a memorial as a celebration. more »
- Musicians who died before their time
- The growing list of musicians who have died young. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- NDP leadership hopefuls face off in Quebec City
- Federal NDP leadership candidates argued over Canada's global standing, climate change and language during a French-only debate in Quebec City on Sunday. more »
- Manitoba man dies after falling off moving SUV
- A 23-year-old man from Elie, Man., has died from injuries he sustained after falling off the outside of a vehicle as it was driving down a highway, according to RCMP. more »
- Vets board member says privacy raided
- A prominent, long-standing member of the country's Veterans Review and Appeal Board had his privacy violated twice in an alleged smear campaign meant to discredit him using his private medical information as ammunition, The Canadian Press has learned. more »
- Calgary dancer says Whitney Houston made him laugh
- Canadian dancer and choreographer Sean Cheesman, originally from Calgary, remembers Whitney Houston as a funny, talented singer from the times they worked together. more »
On Tonight's National
Top stories
Shafia Jury Deliberations
- Dan Halton
- The jury in the Shafia murder trial begun deliberations today. Mohammad Shafia, his wife and his son are accused of killing four of their family members. They are charged with four counts of first-degree murder and have all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Watch the Best of the Show
- Get Connected
- Syria cracks down on protesters, one day before an Arab League delegation arrives.
Stay Connected
- Carolyn Dunn
- An English soccer captain is facing racial abuse charges after an on-field exchange with another player.
The Current
- Panda Diplomacy Feb. 10, 2012 2:43 PM Zoos in Canada are getting ready to welcome two giant pandas despite concerns about whether this will actually generate revenue and awareness about conservation.
- Pop queen Whitney Houston dies at 48
- Whitney Houston's body set for autopsy
- Athens burns as Greece bailout passed
- Carleton University confirms death of student
- Ultimate Tazer Ball combines shock and soccer
- Whitney Houston's death sparks chorus of grief
- Adults-only trade show cancelled in B.C. Bible belt
- Quebec man charged with killing mother, 2 nieces
- Attawapiskat receives first modular home
