Remains of soldier killed in CFB Wainwright fire returned to B.C

VANCOUVER · The remains of Private Aidan Goulding, one of four soldiers killed in a grass fire at a military base in Alberta, were escorted home to British Columbia by a police motorcade on Wednesday. A large Canadian flag was suspended between two fire truck ladders as the hearse passed from Vancouver International Airport to a funeral home in New Westminster. Police officers and firefighters stood at attention and saluted along the route. The 23-year-old from North Vancouver had completed basic occupational training in August, according to his social media.

Sgt. Maj. Ray Gardner of the Vancouver Police Department, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, was among those honouring Goulding. "It's so important that they can at least take that with them, that we all feel deeply, deeply affected," Gardner said. He shared his deepest condolences for Goulding's family and said the young soldier "mattered to the country." Gardner added, "I know that all of Canada is feeling heartbroken about what happened."

Fire Chief Jim Wishlove from Richmond Fire-Rescue said first responders had come from across Metro Vancouver to pay their respects. "It brings it to light for us how incredibly dangerous all of these jobs are, and particularly the Armed Forces," Wishlove said. "These people are serving their communities, serving Canada." Brennan MacLachlan, a reservist and emergency programs manager for Richmond, said no words could assuage the grief the families are feeling. "But we stand with them," MacLachlan said after the motorcade passed.

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Goulding was killed on Oct. 17 when a fast-growing grass fire overwhelmed a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. The other soldiers killed were Private Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C., Sergeant Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton, and Private Shaun Farrell, 23, from Prince Albert, Sask. Thirty-nine others were injured in the blaze, and many remain in hospital. Nosy Mag reported in October that 33 of the injured soldiers remained hospitalized.

Farrell's funeral was held in Prince Albert on Wednesday, attended by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and members of his unit. Lieutenant-Colonel James Cressall, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, told the service he learned about Farrell from his instructors. "His instructors described him as a good, hard-headed, stubborn, determined dog. One simply said there was no breaking him," Cressall said. He noted Farrell had the words "Comfort Kills Dreams" tattooed on his side.

Farrell's mother, Patricia Farrell, wrote in a letter read at the service that her life would never be the same. "My heart aches that I will never get the last hug I asked for," she wrote. "I would give anything for one more naughty smile, one more cupcake, one more sassy comment, one more, 'Yes Mommy,' and one more, 'I love you, Mommy.'" Premier Moe presented the family with a Canadian flag that had flown at half-mast at the Saskatchewan legislature. Funeral processions for Goulding will be held this Sunday, where his family and commanding officers from his unit are expected to make remarks. The body of Private Hyden Lykkemark will be flown home next Monday. The cause of the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright remains under investigation by 50 investigators.

With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News