Dieppe Raid remembered

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It was 74 years ago when nearly 5000 Canadian soldiers took part in one of the deadliest battles in our military history. The two last known survivors who fought in the Dieppe raid were in Hamilton today to remember those who survived and those who didn’t make it back.

On August 19th 1942 thousands of Canadians and allied soldiers stormed the beach at Dieppe, France during WWII.

The results were disastrous. More than 1000 soldiers killed and 2000 taken prisoner- Including Fred Englebrecht and Ken Curry.

“I was 24 when I was laying there watching my comrades die and luckily I survived, so I figure somebody up there loves me because it was a massacre.” said Curry.

Ninety-four year-old Curry travelled from British Columbia to be here for today’s ceremony.

He joined 96-year-old Fred Englebrecht as the last two known survivors from that ill-fated day.

“I knew a lot of those people and their lives were robbed and I am still here. Why me. Why me.” said Englebrecht.

Nearly 600 soldiers from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry landed on the ports of Dieppe that day.

“It was really a Canadian led raid. There was over 5000 Canadians, 1000 Brits and 100 Americans involved – but we really were the spearhead of this raid on the ports of Dieppe.” said J.P. Hoekstra.

Today at the Dieppe Veteran’s Memorial Park on Beach Blvd, more than 100 people gathered – remembering the fallen, laying wreaths and saying prayers.

Earlier this year Jack McFarland who served with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry died at the age of 95.

Organizers say with only two remaining survivors it’s more important than ever to remember their sacrifice.

“Life is so good today compared to what it was when our veterans were young and it is very important for our youth to understand why it is that way.” said Lynda Murdoch-Furchner from the Veteran’s Association.

Englebrecht has a few words of advice to those looking to serve their country.

“It is a good job, but it is a job that you got to be prepared for. It is not a job for cowards.”