Mr. Speaker, just before Christmas the last surviving World War I veteran of Cambridge passed away at the age of 102.
Fred Sabatine lied about his age and joined the armed forces at the age of 16. He served in the 43rd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, fought in France and Belgium including Vimy Ridge, and faced the horror of mustard gas. Although proud of his British War and Victory medals, Fred never thought of himself as a hero. He did not glorify war but he spoke about its horrors and always implored that it never happen again.
To his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and to all those whom he touched, I extend my deepest sympathy.