Canada restores WWI vet's citizenship

OTTAWA, May 9 (UPI) -- The Canadian government has restored citizenship to a 107-year-old World War I veteran who became a U.S. citizen by attrition.

John Babcock, who lives near Spokane, Wash., was born in Kingston, Ontario, and is the only remaining Canadian to have served in the first world war, the Canwest News Service reported.

He was visited last month by Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, and Babcock told him he'd like his citizenship back. Thompson suggested he write a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which Babcock did, the report said.

"Dear PM, Could I have my Canadian citizenship restored? I would appreciate your help. Thank you, John Babcock," his note said.

The prime minister approved and fast-tracked the request to Governor General Michaelle Jean, who gave royal assent on Thursday, the report said.

Babcock was too young to join the forces in 1915, so he lied about his age to sign up and ended up in England with the Boys Battalion. He moved to the United States after the war and served in the U.S. army from 1921 to 1924, the report said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International