Paul Métivier
Encyclopedia
Paul Antonio Métivier was one of last surviving Canadian
veterans of the First World War
. He was born in Montreal
, Quebec
.
at the age of 16, having told the recruiter he was 19. He served with the 4th Canadian Division Ammunition Column, delivering munitions by mule. He was awarded the British War Medal
and Victory Medal
.
During the Second World War
, his son Joseph Roland was killed in combat on August 17, 1942 while serving with 58 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force; he has no known grave.
for his service in the First World War. He became well known for his attendance at the Remembrance day
ceremony in Ottawa every November 11, despite his advanced age, regardless of the weather or even his own health. He was also involved with Veterans Affairs Canada
in the repatriation of Canada's Unknown Soldier from Vimy, France
in 2000.
He became the sole surviving veteran of World War I living in Ottawa
, Ontario
and, upon his death, one of only six 6 veterans of the First World War still living in Canada. He was survived by four children, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His wife Flore had died in 1992, after some 72 years of marriage
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
veterans of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was born in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
Service
Metiver enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
at the age of 16, having told the recruiter he was 19. He served with the 4th Canadian Division Ammunition Column, delivering munitions by mule. He was awarded the British War Medal
British War Medal
The British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918...
and Victory Medal
Victory Medal (United Kingdom)
The Victory Medal is a campaign medal - of which the basic design and ribbon was adopted by Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Siam, Union of South Africa and the USA in accordance with decisions as taken at the Inter-Allied Peace Conference at...
.
During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, his son Joseph Roland was killed in combat on August 17, 1942 while serving with 58 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force; he has no known grave.
Veteran
In later life, Metivier was awarded the French Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
for his service in the First World War. He became well known for his attendance at the Remembrance day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
ceremony in Ottawa every November 11, despite his advanced age, regardless of the weather or even his own health. He was also involved with Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada
The Department of Veterans Affairs , also referred to as Veterans Affairs Canada , is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for pensions/benefits and services for war veterans, retired personnel of the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their families,...
in the repatriation of Canada's Unknown Soldier from Vimy, France
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
in 2000.
He became the sole surviving veteran of World War I living in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and, upon his death, one of only six 6 veterans of the First World War still living in Canada. He was survived by four children, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His wife Flore had died in 1992, after some 72 years of marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
.