The International Legion of Territorial Defence was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 1. Visa requirements have been temporarily lifted for foreign volunteers who wish to enter the country to join the fight against Russian forces.
“I’ve been watching it on the news and the government can’t get involved, so the people are getting involved - you know?,” said England. “It just doesn’t make any sense, why can’t anything be done? If there’s children over there fighting I’ll gladly take one of their places.”
England, who lives in Kawartha lakes but works as a pipeliner in the Edmonton area, previously worked as a firefighter in western provinces and hopes his medical training will be helpful in Ukraine.
“I’ve done forest firefighting, oil field firefighting, natural disaster response - I’ve survived things I shouldn’t have survived countless times,” he said. “You learn how to control your fears. I am nervous absolutely I’m going to an active combat zone, it’s normal to be nervous.”
Before leaving on Monday, England picked up supplies like a bulletproof vest, ammunition holster, medic kits and army helmet. In hit kit he also included a box of tampons, which he says work well for plugging bullet wounds before bandaging.
England leaves on his journey on Monday, flying from Edmonton to Toronto, then to Warsaw, Poland where he will meet volunteers from America, Ireland, Scotland and England.
“We all have similar views, we’ll help the people as much as we can, we’ll be smart and pick our fights.”
He has been in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa, filled out the paperwork, and meets the requirement of having some sort of medical, police or military background. He does not know what he will be doing when he arrives.
