David_Bluestein Posted 6 March , 2003 Share Posted 6 March , 2003 The Toronto Star reports today (in part) "Last Living Foot Soldier At Vimy Dies At 103" ….Charles Reaper 103, of Winnipeg died Saturday just over a month shy of the 86th anniversary of that decisive war victory in 1917. His death leaves only about a dozen surviving Canadian soldiers who fight in World War One. Reaper was born on July 27, 1899 in Scotland and came to Canada at an early age as an orphan. As a teenager, he did back breaking work on farms until he decided at the age of 15 that being a soldier would be easier than what he was doing. He got into the army because he was taller than most boys his age…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 6 March , 2003 Share Posted 6 March , 2003 David - Thanks for the information. It is a sobering thought that as we totter on the brink of another war the men who fought 'The War to End All Wars' are nearly all gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 6 March , 2003 Share Posted 6 March , 2003 Thanks for that David - another chapter in the history of the CEF closes. It's incredible that in 1987 when I was at Vimy for the 70th anniversary, there were several dozen Vimy veterans present... as Lee says, won't be long before we read the obituary of the last survivor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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