Soldier's body back on Canadian soil

The body of an Edmonton-based medic killed in Afghanistan is back on Canadian soil.

Pte. Colin Wilmot arrived at CFB Trenton, Ont., Wednesday afternoon. His casket was surrounded by family members and friends.

Wilmot, 24, was on an early morning foot patrol in the Panjwaii district near Kandahar City when he was killed by an explosion Sunday morning.

Wilmot was with 1 Field Ambulance of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, based in Edmonton. He had not been scheduled to join the current rotation in Afghanistan but he had demanded to be sent.

Wilmot is the 87th Canadian soldier to be killed in the mission in Afghanistan.

He is the first Canadian soldier killed in combat since early June.

Wilmot is survived by his fiancee Laura.

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  Defence Minister Peter MacKay (centre) looks on as family members embrace by the hearse carrying the casket of fallen Canadian soldier, Pte. Colin William Wilmot, during a repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton, Ont., Wednesday July 9, 2008. Wilmot, who was based in Edmonton, Alberta, was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan on July 5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand