My colleagues, you will permit me to say a few words about Dr. Railton inasmuch as he was the member of Parliament for the riding which I presently represent.
Dr. Railton as was pointed out served as a participating member in many of the debates. He had a very special affinity for veterans
because he was one. I am reminded of a story. During the second world war in the Falaise gap Dr. Railton was performing surgery in a tent on our wounded soldiers and it came under fire. As a matter of fact the tent at one point was almost overrun by enemy soldiers. Dr. Vic Railton through all of that stayed at his post and continued his surgery until that area was retaken.
As members of Parliament, many times things happen to us nearby where doctors are just not readily available for one reason or another. I can recall in the 1970s, around 1977, when one of our members had a heart attack. We were all running around bumping into one another. Thank God Vic Railton was there because I do think that in that case it was a matter of life instead of death for one of our members.
Vic Railton was very highly regarded in our community of Welland. He served in various posts. He will be remembered more than anything because he was an accessible person. We are going to miss him in Welland. In the last few years he was not feeling very well.
May I, on behalf of the House, offer our condolences to his wife Deirdre, to his sons and daughters and to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I do not use the term loosely when I say that Vic Railton contributed a great deal to this House and a great deal to Canada both in war and in peace. To his remaining family we do extend our very sincerest condolences. We are going to miss him.