CFB Wainwright's Jewish victim: Pte. Aidan Goulding’s family remembers their ‘ambitious’, ‘brilliant’ hero

When Pte. Aidan Goulding was given his Hebrew name, his family chose Ilan, after Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, who died in 2003, just a month before Goulding was born. Goulding, 23, was raised in an interfaith home. He attended Hebrew school at a Vancouver synagogue and celebrated Jewish holidays with his grandparents and extended Jewish family.

Goulding was one of four soldiers serving with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment who died Oct. 17 at CFB Wainwright when a wildfire engulfed the terrain during a training exercise. He had been in the army for only eight months. His family says the young mechanic loved being in uniform and was “laser-focused” on a future serving his country. They remember him as “brilliant,” “very ambitious” and big-hearted. He hoped eventually to work as a police officer in a tactical unit.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Goulding’s body was released by the medical examiner’s office in Calgary and escorted by motorcade through the city, accompanied by Calgary police, RCMP and military members, to a local funeral home.

His remains will be flown to Vancouver next week, The CJN was told, ahead of several services. An official military service is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, with a rabbi participating to honour Goulding’s Jewish roots. Before that, his father, Sean Goulding, and other family members will attend services Friday, Nov. 6, at Temple Sholom in Vancouver. There may also be a separate Catholic service.

On today’s episode of The CJN’s North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner and The CJN’s news editor, Lila Sarick, speak with the young soldier’s grieving family about how they want him to be remembered.

Related links:

• To watch the synagogue service Friday Nov. 6, follow the livestream at 8 p.m. Vancouver time.
• To donate to the Jewish-founded charity helping all the military families impacted by the CFB Wainwright fire:
• Watch our interview with the late Pvt. Goulding's father and aunts, on The CJN's YouTube channel.

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner )
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer and video editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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