Aidan Goulding, just 23, was one of four Canadian Armed Forces service members killed at CFB Wainwright, Alta., on Oct. 17 when fire erupted during a combat training exercise with live munitions.

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Goulding, of North Vancouver, had completed his infantry training just three months ago. He celebrated the milestone with family and documented his training in a series of joyful photos on social media. “A lot of long days, tough moments and even better people,” Goulding wrote.

Tributes pour in for two young B.C. soldiers killed in Wainwright fire Back to video

In a statement, his mother Sonia Monk Goulding and brother Wylder said: “Although he was making excellent money and had a good life, he decided he wanted to defend his country. His goal was to work for special ops and then onto CSIS.

“He was the guy that kept people’s spirits up, a contagious laugh and a cheeky smile, he took his role in the army seriously, and our family and his dear friends have suffered a great loss.”

That smile is evident in Goulding’s exuberant social media posts. Goulding had trained as a mechanic prior to enlisting, and was an avid snowboarder who loved powder days at Whistler, and had travelled to Ibiza and Barcelona. He attended Royal Bay secondary school in Colwood, near Victoria, and Camosun College, but was based in North Vancouver before his move to Edmonton for training earlier this year.

Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, from 3rd battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton, also was killed. He was from Langley.

Lykkemark was an avid youth rugby player who joined the army at the same time as his close friend Kane Lewis. Both ended up in the same platoon for basic training, according to Lewis, who started a GoFundMe to help Lykkemark’s family.

During basic training, Lykkemark became “more than just a friend,” said Lewis in his GoFundMe post. Lykkemark was well liked by staff and soldiers, said Lewis. “He was always looking out for everyone and always kept himself in check.”

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The Langley Rugby Club remembered Lykkemark as a dedicated student, athlete, teammate and friend who was committed to public service, and had a positive effect on those around him whether on the field or in the classroom.

His foster mom, Nadine Dunford, posted an emotional farewell on Facebook. “I may have been your foster mom but you were part of our family and you will be missed son. We will forever love you, think of you and will keep you in our hearts always,” she wrote.

There are two GoFundMe campaigns to provide support to Lykkemark’s family. The first, organized by Lykkemark’s friend Lewis, raised more than $20,000 by Monday. The other campaign, organized in support of another victim, Nadine Dunford, had raised close to $600.

Other CAF members killed included Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, and Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask.

Maj.-Gen. L.W. Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said soldiers were undergoing a preparatory training activity at the base when a grass fire broke out at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17. Rutland said the fire began a kilometre away, then the wind suddenly shifted. 

The fire broke out as members of the 3rd battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, attached to the 1st Canadian mechanized brigade group, were conducting live-fire training as part of an exercise called Apollo Shooter, according to a statement from the Department of National Defence in Ottawa.

Rutland said despite the forecast for wind conditions, the weather for much of Saturday was within standard protocol — well below 50 km/h.

Within 20 to 30 minutes of the incident being reported, the first evacuation occurred. Rutland described the response as “extremely rapid action.”

Rutland said search and rescue parachuters were flown in as part of air force and government efforts to get more capacity on the ground.

The training activity was for the 3rd battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Infantry for roles with the global response task force and for deployment to Latvia in spring. Rutland said it was the Charlie company that was affected.

dryan@postmedia.com

With files from the Edmonton Journal