Willkommen bei Adobe GoLive 6

On 7th of August 2002 a Colour Party from the Royal Canadian Legion, European Branches left for the French coastal town of Dieppe to pay respects to the 913 Canadians who lost their lives in the Dieppe raid 60 years ago. The notification of the event had been posted in the four Legion Branches inviting all members who wish to attend to register, however probably due to the timing and the six days involved the following members attended. Thomas J. Andrews, Zone Commander, Reg Bonnar, Deputy Zone Commander, Lucien Perraut, Sgt at Arms Branch 004 and Jimmy Stewart, Member Branch 004. We were met in Dieppe by two of our Belgium members Daniel Van Landschoot, Branch 002 and his wife Iris, Branch 004.

We arrived early Saturday afternoon, which is market day in the town of Dieppe. The narrow, cobbled streets are filled with vendors and locals, their wicker baskets flowing over with goods. Today this weekly ritual is enriched by the hundreds of visitors, young and old, who have come to pay homage to those who fell in the Dieppe Raid of 1942. Canadian flags stream across streets and in windows. Local businesses display Dieppe paraphernalia in the storefronts. Accommodations had been arranged for our stay at the Tourist Hotel and after checking into our rooms we done a tour of the bustling streets. We visited Canada Square which commemorate the Calgary Tank Regiment and the Toronto Scottish Regiment and took a walk along the near by promenade that is filled with monuments and plaques honouring the units that took part in the raid. The Canadian Regiments represented are the Essex Scottish Regiment, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry as well are plaques dedicated to five of the allied countries: Canada, United States, France, Poland and Belgium.

At about seven in the evening another phenomenon occurs in Dieppe, as the town almost seems deserted. The shops close the beach and the promenade is clear and the never-ending flow of traffic eases for the day. As the local people said the crowds come and go with the tide as the ferries head out for the UK. The many sidewalk cafés, restaurants and pubs become the focal point for the evening. During the evening we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with two distinguished Canadian veterans of the Dieppe Raid.

George Fortnum takes a picture of his good friend Duke Warren.

Douglas "Duke" Warren flew a Spitfire fighter as part of No.165 Squadron on three sorties in support of the Canadian Army at Dieppe with his twin brother Bruce (also nicknamed Duke). Born in Nanton, Alberta in 1922, the twins joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at the age of 18. Their former Commanding Officer recalled, "As pilots they had the right mixture of determination, discretion, and dash to be successful and formidable. They both had inquiring minds and little patience with tradition-bound methods or ways of thought. They represented the New World at its best. And each, with an impartiality and indifference that was sometimes puzzling, called the other "Duke". In recognition of their accomplishments and dedication, King George VI awarded the twins the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945.

Mr. Warren continued his career with the RCAF following the Second World War. He became Commanding Officer of 410 Squadron that was equipped with the F-86 Sabre in 1952. The following year he was attached to the United States Air Force and flew Sabres in Korea. He became chief flight instructor at the RCAF's Operational Training Unit at Chatham, New Brunswick and then served in a similar role in Germany, assisting the post-war Luftwaffe in forming their Sabre Operational Training Unit at Oldenberg as part of a Chief Canadian Aid Team. There he found himself working side by side with Eric Hartmann, the greatest fighter ace of all time with over 350 kills. So just 15 years after assisting in shooting down a German bomber at the Dieppe Raid, Mr. Warren found himself teaching the Luftwaffe jet fighter pilots.

Mr. Warren served a total of 37 years with the Canadian Forces including his time in the RCAF Reserve. He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1973 and is a lifetime member of the Nanton Lancaster Society.

George Fortnum searches for his friends at the Canadian War Cemetery in Dieppe.

Mr. George Fortnum was born on September 20, 1920 in London, Ontario. Before the war, Mr. Fortnum worked in a butcher shop. On June 3, 1940, he enlisted in the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. Two of his three brothers also served in the war. His father served in both the First and Second World Wars. All returned home safely.

Mr. George Fortnum went to the Dieppe Raid. He drove a jeep and trailer onto the beach that was packed with explosives he said it was a good thing that it never exploded or there would be no more Dieppe. He showed me his dog tags, which became his identification as a POW at Stilag VIII. On the beach during the raid while helping another soldier whose explosive pack was on fire, Mr. Fortnum was in full view of enemy fire. Luckily, he was not injured. He was taken as a prisoner of war and was liberated in 1945. In spite of what these POW's must have endured being chained together and hands bound in shackles night and day for the first two years. Being regarded by their captives as less than humans often referred to as criminals and murders not soldiers. The story he wanted to relate to me most was one that happened just before Dieppe: "their unit just received a new Officer who had been instructed by his superiors not to drive any vehicles (not even to touch one). A new motorcycle with sidecar had just arrived, someone had unhooked the sidecar and there it sat in all its glory. The officer seeing this just couldn't resist trying it out. He jumps onto the motorcycle gets it revved up and pooped the clutch, what he didn't know was the motorcycle had a reverse gear in it! He went flying backward into a tree wrecking the brand new motorcycle" George still wonders today what ever happened to this young officer since he was no where to be found in the unit after that incident.

When Mr. Fortnum returned to London, he worked with the Watering Conditioning Farms. He retired in 1985. He currently enjoys woodworking, and he and his wife Ruby have three sons.

Later that evening we met a number of interesting people and made some new friends. There was a group from Nova Scotia a number of them remembered Andy from the Halifax convention in 2000.

Michael & Betty Weller

We met Michael and Betty Weller who come annually from London, England for the Dieppe anniversary. Michael's father was with the No3 Commando and is buried at Berneval. Michael travelled with us and joined us on several of the parades over the next few days with his banner. They were also very helpful to us as they knew Dieppe very well and over the years discovered the best restaurants and pubs with reasonable prices.

On the morning of 18 August the first of the ceremonies of remembrance begin on the esplanade. At each of the plaques and monuments found along the walkway running the length of the pebbled beach a ceremony was held. A brief ceremony was held at the monuments of the Essex Scottish Regiment, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry as the survivors of the misfortune of that days lay wreaths and pay tribute to their fallen comrades who never returned from these shores 60 years ago. As the delegation makes its way along the esplanade, more and more visitors to the town and locals arrive to participate. They walk in step with the veterans as they make their way, applauding, wanting pictures taken or simply smiling with a proud respect. They have not forgotten the sacrifices that were made for their freedom.

By the time the delegation reaches Canada Square, located at the far end of the esplanade, which commemorate the Calgary Tank Regiment and the Toronto Scottish Regiment a large crowds have gathered. Veterans from other countries intermingle with the gathering standing proudly among them were Americans, British, Polish and Dutch; they come to share and applaud their Canadian brothers.

In the afternoon under hot sunny sky's on the beach front we were treated to an enjoyable aerial show performed by the French Air Force. That evening at dusk a vigil was held at the Canadian War Cemetery where each veteran had the opportunity to remember his fallen comrades.

19 August we returned to the Canadian War Cemetery for the major ceremony. This Cemetery is the final resting place of 707 Canadian boys who 60 years to the day crossed the English Channel psychologically and physically pumped to represent their country to the best of their ability. The troops knew only that they were heading to France and were unaware that they were doomed for disaster. The depth of their tragic destiny is evident in the number of headstones, one after the other, which simply state, "A Soldier of the 1939-1945 War - A Canadian Regiment". A single rose, wrapped in ribbons representing the colours of the French flag, lay at the foot of each grave marker. The other unique thing about this cemetery is the way the headstones are placed head to head typical of the way the Germans bury their dead as they gave the Canadians a burial with full military honours.

The sun burns through the haze as the cemetery fills to the brim. Young and old, locals and visitors alike shed tears as the bugles of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band resonate the playing of the Last Post throughout this serene setting. Moments of reflection soon turn to comradeship as we returned to Canada Square in Dieppe, the townspeople stand four to five deep waiting for the upcoming parade. The veterans march from Canada Square to the City Hall through the winding streets of the town. Several marching bands escort the Canadians, sounding out their pipes and drums. The response from the people of Dieppe is overwhelming. Cheering, clapping, "Bravos" and "Merci's" loudly ring out. The elderly cry, young children reach out their hands in the hopes that they will shake hands with these Canadian heroes.

In the afternoon a commemorative ceremony was held at the Royal Regiment of Canada Monument in Puys. The beach, Blue Beach, is located about a mile east of Dieppe. Access to it is rendered difficult because of the steep cliffs surrounding it and flat rocks, which just break the surface of the water. The sea front is lined by a sea wall more than a meter high.

The conquest of this cliff was entrusted to the Royal Regiment of Canada as well as a company of three sections of the Black Watch of Canada. When the landing crafts arrived, a shower of bullets welcomed the soldiers trying to get out. Some died even before having set foot in the water. Others shot at the cliffs from their boats. There were no shelters on the beach and the field going up to the stone wall was under fire.

A veteran remembers, "I was on the first line when our ramp got down. I jumped into water that reached to my breast. God it was cold! I walked to the shore, holding my rifle out of the water, then I ran to shelter behind the wall. I did not have time to have a look around. I wanted to get there as soon as possible. Ten feet from the wall I got hit by shrapnel on the chin and right between the eyes, but I kept going. We could not do a thing. I did not have a chance to shoot. I threw myself on the ground only thinking of my protection". "It was a massacre," said one survivor, "a bloody mess."

After several landings, the ships received order to evacuate. The losses were disastrous. From an original attacking force of 554 in the Royal Regiment, 207 were killed in action, and 20 died of their wounds or in captivity. 264 were taken prisoner. Only 65 returned to the UK. These were to prove the heaviest loses every sustained by a Canadian Regiment throughout the Second World War. From an attacking force of 111 in the Black Watch, 63 were taken prisoner and 44 returned to home base.

A war time correspondent, Ross Munro, would describe the action as they desperately tried to make their way to the beach. Perhaps his words do some justice to what it must have been like that day:

"The men in our boat crouched low. Then the ramp went down and the first infantrymen poured out. They plunged into about two feet of water and machine-gun bullets laced into them. Bodies piled up on the ramp. Some men staggered to the beach, I saw 60 or 70 bodies, men cut down before they could fire a shot. A dozen Canadians were running along the beach toward the seawall. Some fired as they ran. Some had no helmets. Some were wounded, their uniforms torn and bloody. One by one they were hit and rolled down the slope to the sea".

So much blood. So many lost. We are surely called upon to heed the inscription on the plaque here at Puys:

"You who are alive on this beach, remember that these men died far from home that others, here and elsewhere, might freely enjoy life in God's mercy."

The day finished with a plaque unveiling by Parks Canada held at the Grand Casino in Dieppe. Canadian Ambassador to France, His Excellency Mr. Raymond Chrétien unveiled the plaque commemorating the national historical significance of the Canadian raid on Dieppe. Veterans Affairs Minister, the Honourable Dr. Rey Pagtakhan closes his remarks by saying, "Beyond the controversy surrounding the raid, the trauma experienced by the soldiers, their bravery and the strength of their character must be remembered."

20 August the third day of commemorative activities we head to Sainte-Marguerite where in the rain we paid tribute to Number 4 British Commandos. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Lovat, the Commandos was to go ashore in two groups to take an artillery battery 900 yards back from the cliff-top. Lord Lovat and his force of 150 men landed, quickly silenced the gunfire, and headed inland to take the battery from the rear. They first wiped out a German patrol, before successfully storming the battery, killing the majority of its defenders and disabling the six guns. In less than three hours and at the cost of 12 dead and 12 wounded, Operation Varengeville was a total success. The commandos re-embarked for England with four German prisoners.

While British commandos neutralised the coastal batteries, the plan was for flanking attacks by Canadian units to be launched simultaneously on Puys and Pourville to destroy artillery positions on the cliff tops overlooking Dieppe beach, prior to the head-on assault planned for 5:20 a.m. The 523 men of the South Saskatchewan Regiment, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Merritt, landed on the 900-yard long Pourville Beach. Rapidly, the most westerly group overran the village and took the Casino and German officer's mess in a large house on the cliff top.

The situation was far trickier for the other group, assigned to attacking the artillery positions at the eastern end of the cliff and also to joining up at Petit-Appeville with the units and tanks that had beached at Dieppe. Despite reinforcement from the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg, the soldiers, forced with steadily increasing German resistance, failed to reach their objectives. The detachment that had made it to Petit-Appeville eventually turned back towards the beach, after waiting in vain for reinforcements from the Calgary tanks which were supposed to join them in attacking the Saint-Aubin aerodrome and the German Divisional Headquarters. In spite of intense enemy fire and thanks to the courage of a rearguard of some hundred men, mostly taken prisoner, 625 soldiers managed to re-embark. The worst had been avoided. Nevertheless, the two Canadian regiments had suffered 151 men killed and many more wounded. The SSRs would leave 84 dead on Green Beach. Eighty-nine others, including Merritt and eight other officers, became Prisoners of War. Their war was over. For the Highlanders, 76 would never go home.

It was on behalf of these men that Douglas Johnstone laid a wreath on behalf of his Highlanders Regiment. Eight year old Mathilde Brument read the French poem "Liberté" touching the hearts of many. A few minutes later, Ernest "Smokey" Smith, Canada's only living Victoria Cross winner laid a wreath at the Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Merritt Bridge. It was here that Merritt lead his men across the bridge in Pourville and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

The area's residents once again showed their thanks by hosting a vin d'Honneur and lunch. Speeches, toasts, and songs rang out in many languages as veterans traded pins, signed menus, told stories, exchanged addresses, and looked at photos. It was here that Doug Johnstone was presented with a medal declaring him an honourary citizen of Hautot-sur-mer (Pourville, Petit-Appeval, Hautot-sur-mer). Johnstone, who was completely taken by surprise by the presentation said, "It was very much a thrill for me, I didn't expect it." Johnstone considered the fact that he was able to lay a wreath for his good comrades an honour. However, he says the medal was an even bigger honour. "I will present this for them to see (the members back home of his former regiment) but I will keep it for ever".

Next on the agenda was St-Aubin-le-Cauf where two Royal Canadian Air Force men lie in this small community cemetery. Doug Warren of the RCAF (standing beside a picture of the two Airmen) says the two were buried here during the war by the residents when they found their bodies in an isolated area. After the Second World War was over, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission made plans to move the remains to the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery with their comrades. Warren says, "the locals objected. They didn't want the bodies moved because they felt that these airmen had tried to protect them", he says. "So they said to the Commission, leave them here and we will protect them." As a result, the locals hold a special service themselves each year on the 19th of August. Warren says, "We as Canadians should have a great deal of gratitude to the folks who look after the bodies here".

Finally as the sun slowly comes out late in the day, the group arrives in Berneval. It was here that the British No. 3 Commandos landed. Four out of seventeen landing-craft put ashore eighty men, who unsuccessfully attempted to attack the battery from the Eastern side. Very few of them managed to cross the German defences and reach Crèvecoeur woods, on the edge of the plateau. Forced by impassable German troops, and with no hope of re-embarking, the remaining survivors were finally forced to surrendered about 1000 hours. They joined their Canadian partners as POW's for the remainder of the war.

On 21 August the morning begins with a ceremony at St. Sever Cemetery in Rouen - Seine-Maritime. The cemetery even though it is huge is rather hard to find we finally managed to meet with a few locals. All of who seemed to know where the cemetery was but each had is own idea on how to get there. After half hour discussion and viewing of several maps we were able to find the cemetery. During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen, a base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters, were also established in the city of Rouen. Almost all the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general hospitals, five stationary hospitals, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital.

The great majority of those who died in these hospitals (civilian, French and Commonwealth) were taken to this city cemetery. In September 1916, it became necessary to begin an extension. During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as Prisoners of War during the German occupation. In the Military Section, 358 Canadians found their final resting-place, 27 of who were from the Dieppe Raid.

The townsfolk who have come to witness and pay tribute are duly impressed. One elderly lady from the city has come each time a delegation of Dieppe veterans come here. She has never missed a ceremony and has programs from each of the commemorative events signed by the veteran delegation.

It is fitting that a guardian angel named Sister Agnes-Marie has joined us for the ceremony. Like our own Canadian Nursing Sisters, Sister Agnes-Marie is typically proud of the "boys" that she cared for in the hospitals of Rouen. Many of the Dieppe veterans remember her, and in particular her sweet voice. "The Germans had priority, but we managed to spend as much time as possible with the Canadians," recalls the nun.

After the ceremony, the veterans are hosted to a buffet luncheon at the "Préfecture". The building holds particular significance because it was during the war the very hospital where the wounded Canadian soldiers were nursed. Tom Mc Quaid of the Royal Regiment of Canada remembers well, "I was carried up from the beach and came by way of cattle car from Dieppe and then was brought here on stretcher and laid out in front of the hospital. On the area right next to the walls of the hospital, those who were seriously injured were taken care of inside. But they figured that mine wounds could be taken care of by the nurses outside". It would be nearly six days before his wounds were sufficiently attended to.

Next it was on to Petit-Appeville the farthest inland point reached by the Canadian Troops. The village is quaint and rustic. If cars and roads were removed, it would certainly be the same as it was sixty years ago. Once again, the Canadian veterans are heartedly greeted by the local villagers. Canadian flags wave, applause and "bravos" ring out. A half dozen young children in the historical dress of the "Garde républicaine française", ride atop decorated Shetland ponies delighting the group. A flock of pigeons released from pens ends the ceremony. The townsfolk of Petit-Appeville are nothing less than delightful. Following the ceremony, they have the opportunity to mingle with the veterans and depart leaving smiling faces behind.

On 24 August we have breakfast say good bye to our Belgium friends and head for home leaving behind some good memories of new found friends.

During our stay in Dieppe it was amazing how many people of that time most would have been just teenagers they would approach you with photographs and all had a story to tell such as Lillian Martin.

Lillian Martin sits on the seawall overlooking the Main Beach in Dieppe, France. The 71-year-old Portsmouth, Hampshire woman looks fondly at a photo of a handsome 24 year-old man. Born in Canada, but now living in England, Lillian travels to Dieppe as often as possible to visit the grave of her brother Alfred John Vinie. Lance Corporal Vinie is buried at the Dieppe Cemetery, a casualty of the Dieppe Raid, August 19, 1942.

Lillian last saw her brother Alfred in 1937 when part of her family moved to England. Her father was a Canadian serviceman during the First World War when he met her British mother. The war bride moved to Canada and seven children were later born to the Vinie's, including Lillian and her brother Alfred. Unhappy in Canada, Lillian's mother returned to the UK bringing the young girl and two other sisters with her. She never saw her brother again.

Back in Canada, Alfred enlisted and became a member of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and was posted "somewhere in Southern England" where Canadian troops were training for the August raid. Although Lillian knew her brother was in the area, all attempts to visit him failed due to the secrecy of the impending mission. The next news she had of Alfred's whereabouts was not good. Unclear of the actual details surrounding her brother's death, she believes he drowned after launching himself from an assault craft. His body was plucked from the waters near Pourville where the Highlanders went ashore.

Lillian started coming on her own personal pilgrimage to Dieppe many years ago. At first her elder sister used to come regularly but now she is too ill and Lillian comes as the lone representative of the entire family. The cemetery is always her first stop. " just cried all the time. I always do when I walk in that cemetery. I become overcome with emotion when I see all the stones there and think of the loss of life", she says. "They were so young".

This year, Lillian is thrilled to see the extent of the activities surrounding the 60th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. She plans to attend the ceremony at the Dieppe Cemetery, as well as a holy mass, and also tour some of the special exhibits dedicated to Operation Jubilee, the official tactical name of the raid.

After sixty years, Lillian is amazed by the strength of the feelings of the locals, "they're still as strong as they were. I only have to say "je suis Canadian" and I have arms put around me. They don't forget... the local people don't forget". As a former schoolteacher, Lillian has taken on a personal mission educating young people about the fortunes of war and in particular the losses at Dieppe. "I don't think that they're aware of war very much. It doesn't seem to concern them... because we've had many years of peace around us... they've grown up in peaceful times really". She adds, "I tell them it should never be forgotten…and it's because of the sacrifice that young men...younger than they are… made that they are able to live as they do today".

At 71 years of age, Lillian is a youthful looking woman with a quiet strength of character and a strong sense of family. She hopes to continue to make the journey to Dieppe on a regular basis well into the future. She also feels compelled to tell the story about Lance Corporal Alfred Vinie, "It's really mostly gratitude to the young men who sacrificed everything... they couldn't do more than that could they? That's why we are living in freedom because of their sacrifice. That's how I look at it".

She looks down again at the photo of the man in uniform, his strong jaw thrust out proudly. "It means everything to me, as a Canadian, to be here", she says softly.

A woman approaches Lucien on the street in front of her home; she told him that she was nine years old when the Canadians came. All hopes of liberation soon faded as she and her family witnessed young Canadians wounded and dying in the street, blood running in the street as she points the gutter. We wanted so badly to help but to open the door meant sure death for the entire family so all they could do is watch in vane. "It was so horrible not being able to help"…

Following the wrath laying by Smokey Smith at the bridge memorial in Pourville that honours the bravery of Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Merritt Jimmy and I was approached by a lady who had with her several pictures. She shows them to us one at a time and each one was very special to her as she explains she was 14 years old and she points to the house she lived in that was visible on high ground off in the distance. Emotionally she recalled the day the Canadians came her prayers we answered the world didn't forget them and today they would be liberated. When they learned the catastrophe of what really happened they were very sad and disappointed but they knew in their hearts the day would come when they would return. "It gave us hope and the will to survive. For that we will never forget".

While attending the many ceremonies and the evening functions we had the privilege of meeting some other interesting people including several more veterans of the Dieppe Raid.

Mr. Raymond Geoffrion was born on May 10, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec. He entered the reserves on March 10, 1937 and re-enlisted with Les Fusiliers Mont Royal at the age of 18 when the war broke out in 1939.

Mr. Geoffrion went to Dieppe and was taken prisoner of war. Most of his memories of the Raid are not of the actual battle but of the time he spent as a prisoner of war. He was imprisoned for 33 months and was liberated in 1945.

When he returned to Canada, Mr. Geoffrion entered the civil service with the Montreal Police Force. In 1952, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Sergeant. When he retired from the Air Force, he went to work for the school board and then with Ontario Hydro. He retired in 1982. He is presently the National Secretary of the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoners of War Association of Canada. He and his wife Mary have five children and six grandchildren.

We had met Raymond and his wife at a ceremony the previous year at Momignie a small town in the southeastern corner of Belgium near the French border, as they paid tribute to the Canadian Dieppe Prisoners of War with the dedication of a new monument. Early in the morning of 29 August 1942, the Canadians taken prisoner at Dieppe were loaded aboard a train that would take them to Stalag 8 in Lamsdorf, Germany. Raymond explained that at the ceremony last year a error was made in the inscription and the town of Momignie wanted to re-dedicate the memorial and asked us if we would bring a Colour Party to accompany him we were honoured and accepted his invitation.

Claude Petit, CM, CD - National Aboriginal Veterans of Canada

Mr. Petit was born in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan on October 31, 1935. His father, John, was a farm labourer, while his mother, Alice, was a homemaker. Mr. Petit is a veteran of the Korean War. He enlisted in December 1951 in Regina, at the age of 15. He says, "we're a military family and all my friends and cousins were going in". He had a brother, an uncle, and cousins who all served in Korea, and he served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry because "most of my relatives served with this Regiment."

Private Petit was a rifleman and jumper during the Korean War, and was wounded by a mortar shell after a counterattack. He lost a lot of "buddies" during the war, and says his most striking memory was "the fear of getting killed."

He remained with the Canadian Armed Forces until 1966 and is now retired. He and his wife, Ardis, have three sons and two grandchildren. Mr. Petit holds the Order of Canada.

I knew Claud personally having attended a PT Course with him in the early 1960's at Fort Mc Leod in

Deilinghofen Germany. He is quite the sportsman and I can only tell you that if a scrap broke out anywhere it was a lot better for your health if you were on his side. Quite the guy!

60th Anniversary Ceremony at Dieppe, France