Veterans honoured at Hamilton service on anniversary of 1942 Dieppe Raid

A memorial service was held in Hamilton on Tuesday in remembrance of one of the worst days for Canadian soldiers during the Second World War.

Tuesday was the 83rd anniversary of the raid on Dieppe, where thousands lost their lives — including members of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI).

“Bullets by the millions literally sweeping them off their feet,” says regimental historian Tim Fletcher.

On Aug. 19, 1942, members of the RHLI took part in a one-day raid on Nazi forces in Dieppe, France during the Second World War.

The objective was to get ashore, do as much damage as possible, gather intelligence and return to England.

Many never made it off the boat, but they were all remembered at a service at the Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park at Hamilton Beach.

“When you look at the movie Saving Private Ryan in the opening scene and the landing craft goes down, machine guns, bullets come in and everyone just crumples down. That’s what happened,” says Fletcher.

“It breaks my heart that these people went on the beach and many of them didn’t know why,” says Zig Misiak.

A Polish combatant of 30 years and later a member of the RHLI — also known as the ‘Rileys’  — Misiak is now an award-winning author, writing about the war.  

“They left Canada, singing the national anthem, waving the flag and going over in brand new uniforms and once over there they’re getting ripped apart,” says Misiak.

Of the 582 members of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry that were in the raid on Dieppe, 197 members died that day. Many people were at the service to keep those memories alive.

Organizers say the number of chairs get less and less every year, because there are no living members of the Rileys that fought at Dieppe left.

“Shortly after the war, the Association was formed by soldiers that came back from the war. They used to have veterans, Dieppe veterans. They used to have a whole weekend,” says Lynda Murdoch of the RHLI Regimental Association.

“It kinda makes me sad there’s no one left,” says Canadian war veteran Gerald Fraser.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Fraser spent 32 years in the military doing four tours in Afghanistan.

He’s seen the destruction war can cause and continues to show support for veterans.

“I miss the guys that aren’t here anymore but that’s why it’s important that you attend these things, these events show your support,” says Fraser.

Showing support for those Canadians who fought for the people of occupied Europe and died for the freedom of those they never knew.

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