Canada's last WW1 vet passes away at 109

[T@T]

I remember playing snooker against a WWI vet about 25 years ago, I "stupidly" asked him some details about what it was like to fight back then and up until he described how he shot 2 young soldier kids to death he was very jolly and funny. After that he had wet eyes and I felt like an idiot.

He said something with those tears in his eyes:

"Win or lose,war will never be worth the agony it brings to good people"

It's a quote that I'll remember till I die.

[Joborule]

Incredible how long he lived. He's seen the transition of the world from one century to the new millennium.

RIP.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Great, now we can move on. I find it really ironic that Canada's "coming of age" came mindlessly fighting for Great Britain in a meaningless war. It's too bad Germany didn't win during the 1918 offensive. No Versailles, no Hitler, no atom bomb, no Israel, and less potent USSR and USA.

You can't argue that. I can Zionism existed prior WWI and probably would have eventually created a Jewish State in Palestine. The Atomic bomb would have happened. I could go on. There is no way to empirically create an alternate history. I'm willing to bet most of would have happened anyways.

[SteveToms]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Great, now we can move on. I find it really ironic that Canada's "coming of age" came mindlessly fighting for Great Britain in a meaningless war. It's too bad Germany didn't win during the 1918 offensive. No Versailles, no Hitler, no atom bomb, no Israel, and less potent USSR and USA.

You are such a idiot, be respectful you asshat.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

You can't argue that. I can Zionism existed prior WWI and probably would have eventually created a Jewish State in Palestine. The Atomic bomb would have happened. I could go on. There is no way to empirically create an alternate history. I'm willing to bet most of would have happened anyways.

To go a little farther as bad as WWII was can you imagine if it was started with the Atomic bomb.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Great, now we can move on. I find it really ironic that Canada's "coming of age" came mindlessly fighting for Great Britain in a meaningless war. It's too bad Germany didn't win during the 1918 offensive. No Versailles, no Hitler, no atom bomb, no Israel, and less potent USSR and USA.

This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Do you really think the world would be a better place if it had ended up being ruled by a coalition of backwards empires instead of free democracies?

These kind of totalitarian empires still exist today, why don't you go live in one if you think they do so much good for the world.

Anyways, back on topic. It's sad to see this guy go, but it also means that a horrible part of the world's history is far behind us.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Great, now we can move on. I find it really ironic that Canada's "coming of age" came mindlessly fighting for Great Britain in a meaningless war. It's too bad Germany didn't win during the 1918 offensive. No Versailles, no Hitler, no atom bomb, no Israel, and less potent USSR and USA.

Your a a piece of work you know that. You have 0 clue what your talking about. With or without a german victory in the 1918 offensive we probably would have still eventually had a German defeat, it just would have taken longer, we probably would have had a more punative version of the Versailles treaty, Nazi interests would have still risen in Germany or elsewhere, Stalin would have still come to power in Russia since they would have still had a communist revolution.

With the anti-semitism that was prevalent in Europe you would have still ended up with Israel after a WWII that might have started for a different reason and lasted longer.

Lets hope that someday when you die that the people that disagree with your ignorance don't hold a 24 hour virtual block party followed by a mass pissing on your grave. Because that's the equivalent of what your doing. You don't like the guy, then keep your mouth shut in a thread that was designed to show respect for the man's passing, and start up your own ignorant rant somewhere else.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

He fought for an army that was noted for a) executing prisoners b)starving enemy civilians c)using poison gas
maybe he should have shown some class.

I am sure a 16 year old kid, desperately eager to serve his country, fully understood the horrors he was about to witness before he got an a boat for England. You know with all of the free flowing information on the internet, and mass media in 1916 you'd think he could have stoked up his steam powered Pentium and referenced Wikipedia to make a more informed decision.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Your a a piece of work you know that. You have 0 clue what your talking about. With or without a german victory in the 1918 offensive we probably would have still eventually had a German defeat, it just would have taken longer, we probably would have had a more punative version of the Versailles treaty, Nazi interests would have still risen in Germany or elsewhere, Stalin would have still come to power in Russia since they would have still had a communist revolution.

With the anti-semitism that was prevalent in Europe you would have still ended up with Israel after a WWII that might have started for a different reason and lasted longer.

Lets hope that someday when you die that the people that disagree with your ignorance don't hold a 24 hour virtual block party followed by a mass pissing on your grave. Because that's the equivalent of what your doing. You don't like the guy, then keep your mouth shut in a thread that was designed to show respect for the man's passing, and start up your own ignorant rant somewhere else.

^^^^^^^^^
Note to MagnumPEI, that is what is called an informed opinion.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

He fought for an army that was noted for a) executing prisoners b)starving enemy civilians c)using poison gas
maybe he should have shown some class.

Yes we get it, it was a savage war and the rules that apply to warfare didn't apply back then. Both sides executed prisoners civillians on both sides suffered as happens in every war.

Its important to note the distinctive use of the word poison gas. While its true that the French were considered to be the first to use poison gas during WW1, their weapon of choice was tear gas or minor irritants. The German's were the first to use poison gas when they deployed chlorine gas on April 22, 1915.

Where was your condemnation of them when you were hoping that they had won the offensive in 1918?

As they shot prisoners, as they starved civillians and opened up the pandora's box truly hideous poison gasses such as Chlorine, Mustard Gas and Phosgene?

[kipperiggy]

There always has to be that one person who shoot off his or her mouth after something like this happens.

I say, Rest in peace and Thank you.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

You can't argue that. I can Zionism existed prior WWI and probably would have eventually created a Jewish State in Palestine. The Atomic bomb would have happened. I could go on. There is no way to empirically create an alternate history. I'm willing to bet most of would have happened anyways.

I don't think Turkey would have given up prime real estate for a Jewish homeland. Don't forget Britain was granted a "mandate" over most of the middle east after the war (they then proceeded to gas the Kurds, because they had "a right to bomb nig**rs.")
You're probably right about the atomic bomb, though. America at some point would have invented it and used it (probably against Japan) to gain world dominance.

Originally Posted by blankall

This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Do you really think the world would be a better place if it had ended up being ruled by a coalition of backwards empires instead of free democracies?

Right, because the world is such a wonderful place right now. Well, I suppose it is if live in North America, Western Europe or Japan (about 10%). If not, well good luck.

Originally Posted by blankall

These kind of totalitarian empires still exist today, why don't you go live in one if you think they do so much good for the world.

It's funny that these "backwards" Empires didn't go around commiting genocide and conquering every nation they could. The USA Britain and Russia sure did. I guess Belgium and Bosnia were special enough to have independence but The Philllipines, India and Ireland were not. (Germany had a parliament and democratic elections during World War One, btw.)

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Your a a piece of work you know that. You have 0 clue what your talking about. With or without a german victory in the 1918 offensive we probably would have still eventually had a German defeat, it just would have taken longer, we probably would have had a more punative version of the Versailles treaty, Nazi interests would have still risen in Germany or elsewhere, Stalin would have still come to power in Russia since they would have still had a communist revolution.

I disagree. I know it's pure speculation, but with Russia already out of the war I think if Germany captures Paris the allies make peace.

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

With the anti-semitism that was prevalent in Europe you would have still ended up with Israel after a WWII that might have started for a different reason and lasted longer.

There was the odd pogrom in what was then Poland and the Ukraine. But I think in order for there to be Holocaust, Hitler had to rise to power and use Jewish people as a scapegoat for the defeat in World War One.

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Lets hope that someday when you die that the people that disagree with your ignorance don't hold a 24 hour virtual block party followed by a mass pissing on your grave. Because that's the equivalent of what your doing. You don't like the guy, then keep your mouth shut in a thread that was designed to show respect for the man's passing, and start up your own ignorant rant somewhere else.

I regret using the word great. It is sad that a man died, but people die every day. This man did nothing significant enough to deserve this much attention.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yes we get it, it was a savage war and the rules that apply to warfare didn't apply back then. Both sides executed prisoners civillians on both sides suffered as happens in every war.

Its important to note the distinctive use of the word poison gas. While its true that the French were considered to be the first to use poison gas during WW1, their weapon of choice was tear gas or minor irritants. The German's were the first to use poison gas when they deployed chlorine gas on April 22, 1915.

Where was your condemnation of them when you were hoping that they had won the offensive in 1918?

As they shot prisoners, as they starved civillians and opened up the pandora's box truly hideous poison gasses such as Chlorine, Mustard Gas and Phosgene?

Germany was under a blockade by the world's largest navy, and couldn't feed its people. How else are supposed to fight enemies that resort to this tactic? But I guess a million starving German children isn't a concern when 'the Empire is at stake!"

[CaptainCrunch]

You do understand that it was a declared war, and that naval blockades were and remain a standard tactic?

Its also important that Austria-Hungry and Germany kicked off the war, it wasn't like the Naval Blockade was done pre-war.

Your also ignoring the German use of U-Boats in WW1 where they were also going after unarmed merchant ships, and eventually started ignoring the prize rules that were in place. I believe in 1914 the Germans had sank 10 merchant ships.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Great, now we can move on. I find it really ironic that Canada's "coming of age" came mindlessly fighting for Great Britain in a meaningless war. It's too bad Germany didn't win during the 1918 offensive. No Versailles, no Hitler, no atom bomb, no Israel, and less potent USSR and USA.

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

I don't think Turkey would have given up prime real estate for a Jewish homeland. Don't forget Britain was granted a "mandate" over most of the middle east after the war (they then proceeded to gas the Kurds, because they had "a right to bomb nig**rs.")
You're probably right about the atomic bomb, though. America at some point would have invented it and used it (probably against Japan) to gain world dominance.
Right, because the world is such a wonderful place right now. Well, I suppose it is if live in North America, Western Europe or Japan (about 10%). If not, well good luck.

It's funny that these "backwards" Empires didn't go around commiting genocide and conquering every nation they could. The USA Britain and Russia sure did. I guess Belgium and Bosnia were special enough to have independence but The Philllipines, India and Ireland were not. (Germany had a parliament and democratic elections during World War One, btw.)

I disagree. I know it's pure speculation, but with Russia already out of the war I think if Germany captures Paris the allies make peace.

There was the odd pogrom in what was then Poland and the Ukraine. But I think in order for there to be Holocaust, Hitler had to rise to power and use Jewish people as a scapegoat for the defeat in World War One.


I regret using the word great. It is sad that a man died, but people die every day. This man did nothing significant enough to deserve this much attention.

I guess I just can't understand where you're coming from. The attention this guy is receiving is more about what he represents, nobody is alive from that era, vs. what he did or didn't do and whether or not it was significant. You even admit this in your first post by saying "now we can move on" so I assume you can grasp this concept. I don't understand what the big deal is about paying a guy some respect, regardless if you agree or disagree about whatever happened in history.

It's real easy to sit back and criticize history, but it is just so pointless. What happened has happened and we can't change it. We just have to deal with the cards we've got right now. I think your perspective is futile. I think we should take history and learn from it, but begrudging an old guy's death based on the "what if" game is a total waste of time, not a great contribution, and frankly just trying to piss everyone off.

You think 10% of the world is great, but that's just your opinion, and that could never be proven. At least you have the good fortune to speak your mind today. Do you think you could do that under some of the regimes you seem to hope had won?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

I disagree. I know it's pure speculation, but with Russia already out of the war I think if Germany captures Paris the allies make peace.

I disagree, I have my doubts that the capture of Paris would have been allowed to stand under German occupation. The war would have gone on for more years, the German's and their allies would have eventually been pounded into submission. The treaty of Versailles would have probably been far more punitive and the War Reparations required would have been much higher.

Also with the rise of Communism in Russia the natural hedge spot was radical facism, it would have risen in response to the policies of Lenin and later Stalin who was already deep into planning a European invasion.

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

There was the odd pogrom in what was then Poland and the Ukraine. But I think in order for there to be Holocaust, Hitler had to rise to power and use Jewish people as a scapegoat for the defeat in World War One.

The seeds of Facism were already growing in Europe as was anti-Jewish sentiment. The National Socialists were already mobilizing in the 1920's, I have no doubt that they would have eventually found Hitler or another like party figure head. Its not like the Nazi's were a fringe secret society pre-Hitler. The Depression would have still arrived even with a theorized change of the ending of the first war and would have acted as a similar trigger event as the economies collapsed. Japan would have still been a facist State, as would Italy and others.

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

I regret using the word great. It is sad that a man died, but people die every day. This man did nothing significant enough to deserve this much attention.

Its not the actions of the man that have bought attention on his death as much as the link to an event that allowed for the arrival on Canada to the world stage as more then a mere British colony.

[Mr.Coffee]

It's just that it's kind of interesting that somebody from that era was still alive just a few days ago. To me, that is newsworthy regardless of an irrelevant historical pissing match debate.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Do you think you could do that under some of the regimes you seem to hope had won?

Good post, and I was with you right up to here. Why ask him (even rhetorically) for his opinion about some hypothetical alternate history after you call him out for focusing on doing just that?

End of an era for Canada. I wonder if there can possibly be any other WWI vets from other countries that are still alive. Considering this guy joined early and died at 109, I have my doubts.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by pylon

I am sure a 16 year old kid, desperately eager to serve his country, fully understood the horrors he was about to witness before he got an a boat for England. You know with all of the free flowing information on the internet, and mass media in 1916 you'd think he could have stoked up his steam powered Pentium and referenced Wikipedia to make a more informed decision.

True enough, but does that mean we should honour him and give him a state funeral? No. Just like how we shouldn't celebrate Victoria Day or Columbus Day.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

He fought for an army that was noted for a) executing prisoners b)starving enemy civilians c)using poison gas
maybe he should have shown some class.

Wow! I think it is very sad that these young men had to endure such horrors during that conflict. You may be right about the meaningless of that war. To blame a single individual for such atrocities is just mind blowing.