Canadian Killed fighting ISIS to be repatriated Thursday

Published by CTVnews

The body of John Gallagher, a Canadian soldier who was killed while fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, will be flown back to Canada this week.

Gallagher's mother, Valerie Carder, told CTVNews.ca that her son's body is set to arrive in Montreal on Thursday morning. She said the flight between Montreal and Toronto is not yet booked.

“The amount of time he will spend in Montreal depends on paperwork and things that are required officially," Carder said in a Facebook message on Tuesday. "Hopefully, he will get to Toronto fairly soon after that."

Facebook Photo of John Gallagher.

"You are encouraged to line the bridges and streets were safely possible, wave your flags and bring any messages of support that you may have for the family," the group wrote on its website.Meanwhile, the Canadian Heroes Foundation, a group that supports front-line responders, is encouraging Canadians to welcome Gallagher home by lining Hwy. 401 between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Blenheim, Ont., which is located about 100 kilometers west of London, Ont.

The Ontario Provincial Police told CTVNews.ca earlier on Tuesday that the police service will not be involved with the convoy.

Gallagher, 32, was killed in Syria earlier this month while fighting with a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia known as the YPG.

Shortly after his death, Carder said Canadian diplomats were working with the YPG to bring his body home.

Gallagher had once served in Bosnia under the Canadian Armed Forces. He left the military in 2005.