A World War One Veteran from Kamloops, who died fighting for this country, was not allowed Canadian citizenship at the time and the current Commanding Officer of his unit wants to see that changed.

Private Frederick Lee was a member of the Rocky Mountain Rangers and one of many young men that died in the battle for Hill Seventy in France.

Lieutenant Colonel Amadeo Vecchio was on the NL Morning News and said at the time Lee, the son of Chinese immigrants, was not allowed to be Canadian citizen, even though he was born here. “He was enlisted and enrolled in the Rocky Mountain Rangers.”

“Unfortunately, he wasn’t a Canadian citizen. He wasn’t acknowledged as a Canadian citizen and Canada was still a dominion, it wasn’t a country as we know now and as such he went over and fought.”

“Just a brave, brave individual and unfortunately, during the last counter assault, his body and remains were never found.”

The Ranger’s C.O. described what kind of person the young private was. “He’s a Kamloops Boy who went to Beattie Elementary, if you can believe it.”

“We got some of his records and a very brilliant young man and was a machine gunner which at that time, was a specialist. He went over and did one of the most noblest deeds any Canadian or individual can do and paid the ultimate price for it.”

Lieutenant Colonel Vecchio was asked if there was any way the son of Chinese immigrants could be given his Canadian citizenship. “It’s one of the projects I’m going to take on and the worst thing you can tell me no we can’t do it because I’ll do the research.”

“Also too, there could be some medals that weren’t awarded because he wasn’t a Canadian citizen and they could be awarded posthumously.”

A contingent of members of the Rocky Mountain Rangers were recently in France for the official opening of a memorial at Hill 70 that includes a walkway dedicated to Private Lee.

Private Frederick Lee was only 21 when he was killed in action in August of 1917.

Photo: findingfredlee.com