Forces recognize captain who died on home leave as Afghan casualty

Published Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 10:43AM ESTLast updated Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 12:24PM EST56 comments

A soldier who died at home of natural causes while on leave from Afghanistan will be formally listed as an Afghan casualty, the Defence Department said Friday.

Capt. Frank Paul, 53, of Badger, Nfld., died last February.

Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff, said Capt. Paul was considered to have been on duty when he died.

“Although his death came suddenly while on leave from his deployment in Afghanistan, he was still on duty and considered part of the mission, and therefore his death is no less important than any other CF member who served and died while in Afghanistan,” Gen. Natynczyk said.

“It is important that his name be added to the list of fallen.”

His photo has been added to the Fallen Canadians website and his name inscribed in the formal book of remembrance.

Capt. Paul was adjutant of the health services support unit for the Afghan mission.

The Canadian military death toll in Afghanistan now stands at 153, along with two civilian deaths.

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