A Hero's Plea Ignored: WWII Vet Denied Air Ambulance Despite Fragile Condition

The echoes of war may have faded for Andrew 'Andy' Knockaert, a valiant 98-year-old Second World War veteran from Harrow, Ontario, but his recent struggle against bureaucratic indifference is a battle he and his family shouldn't have to fight. A true Canadian hero, Knockaert, whose service in the Royal Canadian Air Force included the harrowing D-Day invasion and the liberation of France and Holland, recently faced an unthinkable rejection from the very department tasked with his care: Veterans Affairs Canada.

Knockaert, described as a 'tail gunner extraordinaire,' found himself in a precarious position after a fall resulted in a broken hip.

Following initial treatment at Windsor Regional Hospital, the next crucial step in his recovery was a transfer to the specialized rehabilitation facilities at Parkwood Institute in London, Ontario. For a man of his age and delicate condition, the journey was a significant concern. His loving family, acutely aware of the risks involved, made a heartfelt plea for an air ambulance, hoping to spare their beloved patriarch the agony and potential complications of a lengthy ground transfer.

Their request, rooted in compassion and common sense for a nonagenarian with a broken hip, was met with a cold, unyielding denial from Veterans Affairs.

Citing a policy that only covers air ambulance for "emergent medical conditions" or when ground transport is "medically unsafe due to a life-threatening illness or injury," VAC effectively declared that a 98-year-old with a broken hip, requiring specialized care hours away, did not meet their stringent criteria.

The family’s plea for dignity and comfort for a man who sacrificed so much was tragically dismissed.

“How can they look at a 98-year-old man who broke his hip and needs to be transferred to London and say it’s not life-threatening?” his family questioned, their frustration palpable. The prospect of a two-hour journey by ground ambulance, with the inherent bumps, movements, and potential for increased pain and further injury, weighed heavily on their minds.

They argued, rightly so, that at such an advanced age, any significant movement carries elevated risks, and an air ambulance would provide the safest, most comfortable, and most dignified transfer possible.

Despite their impassioned arguments, the bureaucratic wall held firm. Andrew Knockaert was ultimately transported by ground ambulance, a journey that undoubtedly added to his discomfort.

This incident isn't just about a single veteran; it casts a harsh spotlight on the policies and priorities of Veterans Affairs Canada. It raises profound questions about whether the system truly honours its commitments to those who laid down so much for our freedom, especially as they reach their most vulnerable years.

The story of Andrew Knockaert is a poignant reminder that while we celebrate our veterans' immense contributions, we must also critically examine how we support them in their twilight years.

For a 'tail gunner extraordinaire' who faced enemy fire, the battle for basic humane treatment in his own country should never have been part of his legacy. His family and many Canadians now wonder: if not for a 98-year-old D-Day veteran with a broken hip, then for whom are these critical services truly intended?