Jack McFarland passes away at 95

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The City of Hamilton has lost one of it’s best. Jack McFarland who served with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry in Dieppe died on Monday at the age of 95.

McFarland was one of nearly 5 000 Canadians who landed at Dieppe. A devastating loss for the Canadians, where over 900 were killed. McFarland was captured and with a wound to his left arm would remain a prisoner until January of 1945 when he was sent home. Every year, McFarland would honour the 197 comrades who fell, right up until the 73rd anniversary last summer.

Captain Tim Fletcher of the RHLI’s says that for his entire life, McFarland was the perfect example to follow. “They could absorb his lessons even through ozmosis. If jack at 95 could do that, well then the young soldiers of today at 18, 19, 20 can do it and they learned that lesson, and they learned it well.”

McFarland joined the Hamilton Police Service where he served until retirement in 1981. But it was Dieppe that he was best known for and his tireless efforts for people to learn the lessons of war. “He wanted people to learn the lessons of Dieppe, he didn’t want people sent into slaughter again.”

The visitation will take place at  Bay Gardens Funeral Home at 947 Rymal Road East, on Saturday from 7-pm, and Sunday from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm.

The funeral be on Monday February 29 at 1 pm at Bay Gardens.

The NWRA has set up a gofundme campaign in order to raise money for the flights for Ken Curry, one of two remaining RHLI veterans from Dieppe, and his daughter to attend the funeral.