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Mother Of Canadian Soldier Killed Fighting Islamic State Is Waiting To Bring Her Son's Body Home

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Nov, 2015 02:05 PM

The mother of a Canadian who was killed while fighting the Islamic State said she doesn't know when she'll be able to bring her son's body home.

Valerie Carder said that right now, repatriating John Robert Gallagher's body is her priority, but for the time being, all she can do is wait.

Gallagher, 32, was killed in Syria fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Wednesday.

"There is definitely action ongoing right now to bring him home," she said. "And that is our focus right now. To bring him home."

While initial reports said Gallagher was killed by a suicide bomber, the National Post reported Saturday he was shot at close range.

Carder said she's received conflicting information about the cause of his death.

Gallagher was volunteering with a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia, known as the YPG, when he died, and Carder says Foreign Affairs officials are working together with the YPG to bring Gallagher's body back to Canada.

Carder said she has many fond memories of her son, who used to be a member of the armed forces.

"Right now, I suppose I'm thinking most of our last drive together to the airport, and saying goodbye to him," Carder said.

Officials at Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Photo: Nick Brancaccio / Windsor Star

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