News Release

January 4, 2005

Canada Mourns the Passing of First World War Veterans

Ottawa - The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today joined Canadians in expressing their condolences and support to the families of two of Canada's First World War veterans, Paul Métivier, 104, and Alice Strike, 108, who passed away recently.

A Funeral Mass will be held on January 5th for Mr. Métivier at the Canadian Martyrs Church in Ottawa. A private family burial was held for Mrs. Strike on December 28 in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens in Nova Scotia.

"My condolences go out to the families, friends and the people whose lives were touched by Mr. Métivier and Mrs. Strike," said Minister Guarnieri. "Their passing reminds us of how important it is to honour those who have served our nation. We will not forget their courage and sacrifice."

Born on July 6, 1900 in Montreal, Mr. Métivier was 16-years-old when he lied about his age and enlisted in March of 1917. He served in Belgium and France between July 12, 1917 and May 18, 1918. Once Mr. Métivier's age was discovered, he was sent back to England to serve in the Young Soldiers' Unit, and returned home in October of 1918. He re-entered civilian life after the war and, in 1920, he joined the Public Service of Canada.

Over the years, Mr. Métivier was actively involved in the celebration of veterans' accomplishments and in the commemoration of their sacrifice. In 1998, on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Armistice, Mr. Métivier was presented with France's highest decoration, the Legion of Honour. He was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for his service. In May 2000, Mr. Métivier was an honoured guest at the ceremony of the repatriation of the remains of The Unknown Soldier from French soil. He was presented the Minister of Veterans Affairs' Commendation in April 2002 and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in March 2003. Mr. Métivier was consistently sought out in the community for his integrity, humility, intelligence and sense of humour. He died on December 22 in Ottawa.

Mauril Bélanger, Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, will attend the Funeral Mass for Mr. Métivier, representing the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Mrs. Strike was born and raised in Surrey, England and was 17 years old when she took an office job with the British Army. During the war she met her future husband, Jim Stobie of Winnipeg. In 1986, Mrs. Strike moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and most recently resided in Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building. Mrs. Strike was a life member of The Royal Canadian Legion, active in the Poppy Campaign and an avid volunteer with veterans. She was the recipient of the Queen's Certificate and the John McRae Medal on the 80th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Mrs. Strike also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and was the last surviving female veteran and the oldest surviving Canadian veteran of the First World War. She died on December 22 at Camp Hill.

With the passing of Mr. Métivier and Mrs. Strike, Canada has only six known surviving veterans of the First World War:

Lloyd Clemett, Toronto, ON
Clare Laking, Toronto, ON
P. Dwight Wilson, Oshawa, ON
Lazare Gionet, Caraquet, NB
William (Duke) Procter, Vernon, BC
John F. Babcock, Spokane, WA

Canada entered the First World War in 1914. Almost 620,000 Canadian men and women served in the First World War and more than 66,000 were killed.

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