Sonia Monk says her son, 23-year-old Private Aidan Goulding, died with his fellow Canadian Armed Forces members after a fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
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A deadly fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta on Saturday killed four Canadian Armed Forces members, including two soldiers from British Columbia.
One of the victims was 23-year-old Private Aidan Goulding, whose mother Sonia Monk said he “loved his army family just as much as he loved us.”
Monk said she asked that people not dwell on his death and instead pray for other soldiers who were injured in the incident.
She described Goulding as “the one who made us laugh” and said the family could take comfort in the fact that he died with his brothers.
Goulding, from North Vancouver, served with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Monk’s statement also included what she said were reflections on her son’s character, including that every conversation she had with him ended with “I love you.”
Goulding’s brother, Wylder, said Goulding and he were “best friends” and that he “lit up a room” with his “contagious laugh.”
A second B.C. member killed in the fire was 19-year-old Private Hayden Lykkemark, from Langley, who also served with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Officials said a grass fire quickly overwhelmed soldiers at the base, and investigators said it could be weeks before details about how the fire started can be determined.
Dozens were reported injured in the incident. Family members said their thoughts are with those still recovering.
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