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Hundreds of supporters line an overpass near London, Ont., on Friday as they await the procession for former Canadian soldier John Gallagher, who was killed while fighting against Islamic State in Syria.Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press

Throngs of people lined bridges along Highway 401 in southwestern Ontario on Friday to pay their respects as a motorcade carrying the body of a man who died fighting ISIL made its way from Toronto to Blenheim, Ont.

John Gallagher of Wheatley, Ont., was killed in Syria earlier this month.

The Canadian Heroes Foundation says Gallagher's family was "very appreciative" of all the support from people who lined the route.

In Chatham-Kent, they released balloons, while many others who turned out had pictures of Gallagher, or waved Canadian flags as the convoy passed by.

A family member tweeted that a Second World War veteran in his 90s also joined the motorcade.

There have been conflicting reports about how Gallagher died.

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