Dwight Wilson (veteran) facts for kids

Percy "Dwight" Wilson (born February 26, 1901 – died May 9, 2007) was a brave Canadian soldier. He was one of the very last Canadian veterans from the First World War to pass away.

A Life of Service: Percy Wilson's Story

Percy Wilson was born in Vienna, Ontario, Canada. He lived a very long life, reaching 106 years old! He is remembered for his service in the Canadian military.

Joining the War Effort

In 1916, when Percy was just 15 years old, he wanted to join the army. He told the recruiting officer he was 16, which was old enough to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force. This was Canada's main fighting force during the First World War.

Percy boarded a ship called the RMS Grampian. It took two weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean to England. During the trip, Percy entertained the other soldiers by singing songs.

A Young Soldier's Journey

When Percy arrived in England, the army soon found out he was too young. He was sent back home to Canada in 1917. But Percy was still determined to serve his country.

He tried to enlist again. He went to Camp Petawawa for military training. However, the First World War ended before he had another chance to go overseas.

Family Life and Later Service

Percy Wilson married his wife, Eleanor, in 1927. They were together for many years until Eleanor passed away at the age of 94. They had two sons, named Dean and Paul.

When the Second World War started, Percy enlisted for a third time. This time, he was considered too old for combat. Instead, he served as a captain in the Perth County Reserves. This meant he helped train soldiers at home.

Percy's Final Years

For the last year of his life, Percy lived at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This is a special place in Toronto for veterans. He passed away at 106 years old.

His death meant that John Babcock, who lived in the United States, became the very last surviving Canadian veteran of the First World War. Percy Wilson is remembered as a dedicated Canadian soldier.