The body of Edmonton-based Lt. Andrew Nuttall made its way home to Canada on Monday, just five days after the 30-year-old was killed while on foot patrol in a volatile area of Afghanistan.
The repatriation ceremony, originally scheduled for Sunday, took place at CFB Trenton in the afternoon. Military officials say a mechanical problem with a transport aircraft is the reason behind the delay.
Large droves of Canadians turned out to the Highway of Heroes to pay their respects to the native of Prince Rupert, B.C., who was with the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out of our city.
Along with an Afghan soldier, he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Dec. 23rd in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan. An interpreter was also seriously injured in the blast.
In a letter, his family states, "[Andrew] was attracted to joining the Canadian Forces through his personal ideals to help others, plus his love of adventure, physical fitness and the outdoors. In his almost three years in the army, his spirit embraced the camaraderie, and he developed a second family."
Nuttall is the 134th Canadian soldier who has been claimed during the Afghan mission.
-With Files from Kevin Armstrong and CTV.ca
