Hundreds of Canadian military personnel stood at attention and saluted as a flag-draped casket carrying Pte. Shaun Farrell was escorted into the Prince Albert Armoury in Saskatchewan on Wednesday morning. The 23-year-old soldier died at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Oct. 17 alongside three other service members when a grass fire fanned by strong winds grew out of control during a live-fire training exercise.
Full Military Honours in Prince Albert
The military service with full honours began around 11 a.m. CST at the armoury on Exhibition Drive. Members of the public, military officials, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe arrived before the ceremony. Farrell served with the Edmonton-based 3rd Battalion, Canadian Light Infantry, which had 84 members participating in the training exercise while preparing for an overseas deployment to Latvia.
Farrell’s family received the Memorial Cross and Memorial Ribbon during the service, according to paNOW. Black Betty played as his casket was carried from the building. A gun salute followed. Members of Farrell’s unit placed their Remembrance Day poppies on his photo as they departed (The Globe and Mail).
The Canadian Armed Forces have confirmed that Private Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver and Private Hayden Lykkemark of Langley have tragically died at CFB Wainwright. In this moment of profound heartbreak, as British Columbians and Canadians, let’s wrap our arms around their… https://t.co/OjVeXnCi0h
Remembered as a Fighter and a Friend
Col. James Cressall, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, shared reflections from those who trained alongside the private. He described him as a stubborn, determined dog with a strong sense of humour.
Being a Patricia is not measured by rank or years of service. It is measured by character, commitment, and the respect of those who serve alongside you. By those measures, Shaun had more than earned his place among us,
Col. James Cressall, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion
Shaun’s story will always be a part of our battalion’s story, our regiment’s story. And we will not forget him.
Col. James Cressall, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion
Farrell eyed future roles within the Canadian Armed Forces, including reconnaissance and special operations, according to Cressall. Pte. Luke Jessiman recalled meeting Farrell at basic training.
No matter how difficult things got, Shaun always had a way of lifting the spirits of those around him,
Pte. Luke Jessiman
Sometimes the difference between giving up and carrying on is simply knowing that someone believes in you. And for me, that person was Shaun.
Pte. Luke Jessiman
Jacob McDougall spoke of his time together with his childhood friend on backroads and ATV trails.
If I had to describe Shaun in a few words, I’d describe him as outgoing, courageous, loyal, my best friend and especially my older brother,
Jacob McDougall
A Childhood Dream Realized
Farrell was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada with his family, settling in Prince Albert in 2017. Patricia Farrell previously noted that her son spoke of becoming a soldier when he was roughly five years old. He maintained that ambition while overcoming diagnoses of dyslexia and Asperger’s syndrome before graduating from Carlton Comprehensive High School.
Heloise Vermeulen read a statement from Patricia Farrell during the proceedings.
My boys have always been my whole world. And a piece of my life, my soul, went with you. I salute your courage, your strength, and determination. From the day you were born, I knew you were destined to make a difference,
Patricia Farrell
Premier Scott Moe addressed the gathering and stated that Saskatchewan shares in the grief of the tragedy (CBC, The Globe and Mail). He cited Farrell’s personal motto, Comfort kills dreams.
The Oct. 17 fire at CFB Wainwright also claimed the lives of Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton; Pte. Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver; and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C., while injuring nearly 40 other personnel (CBC, The Globe and Mail, Yahoo News Canada). Goulding’s remains returned to British Columbia on Wednesday ahead of a service scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver.
