29 June 1922
France grants Canada land surrounding Vimy Ridge for a memorial park; the Canadian National Vimy Memorial is unveiled there in 1936.
Author: MCannon
D-Day – 80 years on
Today we remember those who fought on the beaches, in the air, on the land and at sea this day, 80 years ago. D-Day.
00:00 - 04:00
Allied Airborne troops secure the flanks of the invasion area in Normandy in order to cut off access for the Germans. British 6th Airborne Division were successful in their operation.
Then the American Airborne drop began as aircraft carrying 13,000 Paratroopers flew to the Cotentin Peninsula in northwest Normandy. 101st Airborne were the first, preceded by elite pathfinder units, then an hour later 82nd Airborne jumped into Normandy.
They were met by heavy anti aircraft fire and bad weather but succeeded in achieving many of their objectives. There were high casualties, with 2,500 men killed, wounded or missing by the end of D-Day. Of this number 338 were killed.
04:15
The British 3rd Parachute Brigade’s 9th Parachute Battalion had a special mission to destroy the German Artillery battery at Merville to protect those landing at Sword Beach. Despite anti-aircraft fire they were successful at destroying the guns, but with a cost of 75 casualties.
© IWM (EA 26941)
05:26 - 06:30
The Naval bombardment of German defences began to protect the troops landing on Normandy Beaches. HMS Belfast and HMS Orion among the first at Gold sector beach. After 2 hours the landing craft surged up the beaches and troops from the 7th Battalion Green Howards found smashed German bunkers with shellshocked troops inside due to the bombardment.
06:30
American troops from the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, and units of elite Army Rangers began to land on Omaha Beach. Omaha was the largest of all five Allied landing beaches, stretching 6 miles in length. The objective was to secure 5 beach exits off the beach, but there was heavy defence with German machine guns, mortar and artillery strongpoints, as well as obstacles and mines on the beach.
As soon as the landings started there was chaos, many men forced to leave their boats in deep water with heavy equipment drowned, and units were landed far from their designated landing points. Almost all the amphibious tanks sank, and from one landing craft all 32 men were killed as they moved up the beach. The commander of American ground forces, General Omar Bradley, considered withdrawing the troops and diverting to Utah and the British beaches.
Slowly the situation stabilize, by the end of the day 34,000 troops had landed on Omaha, at a cost of 2,400 killed, wounded or missing.
Utah, the westernmost of the five Allied landing beaches was half the length of Omaha and had flat sandy dunes that made it harder to defend. This task fell to the US 4th Infantry Division. There was lighter resistance here partly because of the earlier airborne landings behind the beach, by the end of D - Day over 20,000 American troops had landed at Utah at a cost of 197 casualties.
© IWM (B 5218)
07:25
Landings at Sword and Gold Beaches. Sword Beach was taken by several Regiments, the East Yorkshire and South Lancashire, the Royal Engineers and the 22nd Dragoons. By the end of the day 3rd Division and 27th Armoured Brigade were ashore, amounting to 28,845 soldiers, with 630 casualties.
07:45-07:55
Landings at Juno Beach.
Juno beach stretched from La Riviere to St Aubin and H-Hour there was slightly later than Gold and Sword beaches so that the incoming tide gave a few more inches over the rocks on either side of the small fishing port of Courseulles. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles landed on Mike Beach from 07:45 hours, but as the supporting armour were delayed, they had no covering fire and suffered heavy casualties. The Regina Rifle Regiment landed on Nan Beach. Once they took the beach they were involved in house to house urban fighting for Courseulles. By early afternoon Courseulles had been taken and the Canadians were heading south towards Reviers.
Landing among partially submerged beach obstacles, the commanders of the landing craft bringing men to the beaches were forced to decide whether to try to avoid the obstacles or go forward and hope for the best. Amidst rough seas and effective incoming mortar fire, some 30% of the landing craft were either destroyed or damaged.
09:30
Allied Communication to the press
D-Day has come. Early this morning the Allies began the assault on the north-western face of Hitler's European Fortress.
© IWM (CHP 975)
An Act of Heroism
On 12 June, Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski of the Royal Canadian Air Force was serving as a gunner on board a Lancaster, flying a mission over France. His plane was hit by enemy fire and the crew were ordered to abandon it – but as Mynarski headed to the escape hatch, he saw the rear gunner had become trapped in his turret. He attempted to free his colleague, even as his clothes and parachute caught fire. The rear gunner told him to try to save himself.
‘Reluctantly P/O Mynarski moved to the escape hatch and there, as a last gesture, turned towards the trapped gunner, stood to attention in his flaming clothing, and saluted before jumping,’ the London Gazette reported.
Mynarski suffered severe burns and died from his injuries. The rear gunner survived, able to escape the aircraft after it crashed to the ground.
For his ‘conspicuous act of heroism’, Mynarski was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
The source for this post is the Imperial War Museum website.
Today we remember those who fought on the beaches, in the air, on the land and at sea this day, 80 years ago. D-Day.
00:00 - 04:00
Allied Airborne troops secure the flanks of the invasion area in Normandy in order to cut off access for the Germans. British 6th Airborne Division were successful in their operation.
Then the American Airborne drop began as aircraft carrying 13,000 Paratroopers flew to the Cotentin Peninsula in northwest Normandy. 101st Airborne were the first, preceded by elite pathfinder units, then an hour later 82nd Airborne jumped into Normandy.
They were met by heavy anti aircraft fire and bad weather but succeeded in achieving many of their objectives. There were high casualties, with 2,500 men killed, wounded or missing by the end of D-Day. Of this number 338 were killed.
04:15
The British 3rd Parachute Brigade’s 9th Parachute Battalion had a special mission to destroy the German Artillery battery at Merville to protect those landing at Sword Beach. Despite anti-aircraft fire they were successful at destroying the guns, but with a cost of 75 casualties.
© IWM (EA 26941)
05:26 - 06:30
The Naval bombardment of German defences began to protect the troops landing on Normandy Beaches. HMS Belfast and HMS Orion among the first at Gold sector beach. After 2 hours the landing craft surged up the beaches and troops from the 7th Battalion Green Howards found smashed German bunkers with shellshocked troops inside due to the bombardment.
06:30
American troops from the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, and units of elite Army Rangers began to land on Omaha Beach. Omaha was the largest of all five Allied landing beaches, stretching 6 miles in length. The objective was to secure 5 beach exits off the beach, but there was heavy defence with German machine guns, mortar and artillery strongpoints, as well as obstacles and mines on the beach.
As soon as the landings started there was chaos, many men forced to leave their boats in deep water with heavy equipment drowned, and units were landed far from their designated landing points. Almost all the amphibious tanks sank, and from one landing craft all 32 men were killed as they moved up the beach. The commander of American ground forces, General Omar Bradley, considered withdrawing the troops and diverting to Utah and the British beaches.
Slowly the situation stabilize, by the end of the day 34,000 troops had landed on Omaha, at a cost of 2,400 killed, wounded or missing.
Utah, the westernmost of the five Allied landing beaches was half the length of Omaha and had flat sandy dunes that made it harder to defend. This task fell to the US 4th Infantry Division. There was lighter resistance here partly because of the earlier airborne landings behind the beach, by the end of D - Day over 20,000 American troops had landed at Utah at a cost of 197 casualties.
© IWM (B 5218)
07:25
Landings at Sword and Gold Beaches. Sword Beach was taken by several Regiments, the East Yorkshire and South Lancashire, the Royal Engineers and the 22nd Dragoons. By the end of the day 3rd Division and 27th Armoured Brigade were ashore, amounting to 28,845 soldiers, with 630 casualties.
07:45-07:55
Landings at Juno Beach.
Juno beach stretched from La Riviere to St Aubin and H-Hour there was slightly later than Gold and Sword beaches so that the incoming tide gave a few more inches over the rocks on either side of the small fishing port of Courseulles. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles landed on Mike Beach from 07:45 hours, but as the supporting armour were delayed, they had no covering fire and suffered heavy casualties. The Regina Rifle Regiment landed on Nan Beach. Once they took the beach they were involved in house to house urban fighting for Courseulles. By early afternoon Courseulles had been taken and the Canadians were heading south towards Reviers.
Landing among partially submerged beach obstacles, the commanders of the landing craft bringing men to the beaches were forced to decide whether to try to avoid the obstacles or go forward and hope for the best. Amidst rough seas and effective incoming mortar fire, some 30% of the landing craft were either destroyed or damaged.
09:30
Allied Communication to the press
D-Day has come. Early this morning the Allies began the assault on the north-western face of Hitler's European Fortress.
© IWM (CHP 975)
An Act of Heroism
On 12 June, Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski of the Royal Canadian Air Force was serving as a gunner on board a Lancaster, flying a mission over France. His plane was hit by enemy fire and the crew were ordered to abandon it – but as Mynarski headed to the escape hatch, he saw the rear gunner had become trapped in his turret. He attempted to free his colleague, even as his clothes and parachute caught fire. The rear gunner told him to try to save himself.
‘Reluctantly P/O Mynarski moved to the escape hatch and there, as a last gesture, turned towards the trapped gunner, stood to attention in his flaming clothing, and saluted before jumping,’ the London Gazette reported.
Mynarski suffered severe burns and died from his injuries. The rear gunner survived, able to escape the aircraft after it crashed to the ground.
For his ‘conspicuous act of heroism’, Mynarski was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
The source for this post is the Imperial War Museum website.
Colour Party Volunteers
Colour Party Volunteers
We are looking for new, volunteer members for our Colour Party.
The Colour Party is the official flag group of the Maple Ridge Legion, carrying the flags with reverence and pride.
There are few civic events and parades in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows that are not proudly led by our outstanding Colour Party.
We are now seeking a few good members to be a part of this wonderful team,
No experience is necessary and the comradeship is very rewarding.
Contact the Branch Office for more details.
We Are Hiring
We Are Hiring
About Our Opportunity
Join us as our new, dynamic Branch Administrator, leading a passionate team to uphold the administrative and leadership heartbeat of our organization!
This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated individual with a strong background in the food and beverage, hotel, or service industry, ideally in an operations leadership position, to contribute to a purpose-led, member-driven not-for-profit organization.
Apply online at Indeed
583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets
583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review
On Saturday 25th May, members of Branch 88 had the pleasure of attending the 70th annual ceremonial review of the Air Cadet Squadron, and presenting the Cadet Medal of Excellence Certificate and medal to one of the cadets.
The parade was excellent, the Drill Team performed a display of various different marching styles and formations, the band played and managed to coordinate complicated manoeuvres at the same time. It was very impressive.
There were also several displays made by the Cadets, and on display was this cougar skin that is part of the traditional ceremonial uniform worn by the base drummer. This cougar was the last one legally shot in Maple Ridge. Unfortunately the skin is large, and the cadets are not so tall, it’s also very hot to wear so it isn’t usually worn now.
The Cadets, the Reviewing Party and all members of 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets did a fantastic job, it was an impressive display and an enjoyable afternoon.
583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review
On Saturday 25th May, members of Branch 88 had the pleasure of attending the 70th annual ceremonial review of the Air Cadet Squadron, and presenting the Cadet Medal of Excellence Certificate and medal to one of the cadets.
The parade was excellent, the Drill Team performed a display of various different marching styles and formations, the band played and managed to coordinate complicated manoeuvres at the same time. It was very impressive.
There were also several displays made by the Cadets, and on display was this cougar skin that is part of the traditional ceremonial uniform worn by the base drummer. This cougar was the last one legally shot in Maple Ridge. Unfortunately the skin is large, and the cadets are not so tall, it’s also very hot to wear so it isn’t usually worn now.
The Cadets, the Reviewing Party and all members of 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets did a fantastic job, it was an impressive display and an enjoyable afternoon.
583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review
VE Day
Victory in Europe (VE) Day
VE Day
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA 3256572
Today, May 8th, is the 79th anniversary of VE Day, which meant an end to nearly six years of war that had cost the lives of millions, and brought suffering to populations of entire countries. This is the first of three posts covering this significant historical period.
Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Hitler had surrendered, but this was not the end of the conflict. The war against Japan did not end until August 1945, and the repercussions of the Second World War, economic, social and political, were felt long after Japan and Germany surrendered.
Canada’s greatest challenge was the economy, and how to move from one geared for war to one that could provide the goods for peace. Unlike most of Europe, we did not have to rebuild bombed cities and deal with the legacy of an invading army passing through the country and destroying everything in its path.
© IWM (EA 65715)
Germany Signed an Unconditional Surrender
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30th 1945, his successor was Grand Admiral Karl Döniz, who, as Germanys President, negotiated an end to the war with the Allies, at the same time trying to save as many Germans as possible from falling into Soviet hands. On May 4th the surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands, northwest Germany and Denmark was accepted by the British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. On May 7th, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower accepted the surrender of all German Forces signed by General Alfred Jodl.
The Soviet leader Josef Stalin wanted his own ceremony, and in Berlin on May 8th a further document was signed. Döniz plan was partially successful as millions of German soldiers surrendered to Allied forces and escaped Soviet capture.
© IWM (HU 41808)
VE Day Announced
The announcement that the war had ended was made late in the day on May 7th. The BBC in Britain interrupted its scheduled programming to announce that Victory in Europe Day would be a National holiday, but lots of people began celebrating early. News of VE Day soon spread to the rest of the world.
In the next sectionwe cover how VE Day was marked in Britain and across the World.
WM (MH 21835)
VE Day was a National Holiday in Britain
A National Holiday was announced after Churchill gained assurances from the Ministry of Food that there were enough beer supplies in the capitol, and the Board of Trade announced that people could buy red white and blue bunting without using ration coupons. There we even special ‘victory’ menus in some restaurants and commemorative items quickly produced in time for the celebrations.
There were parades, thanksgiving services and street parties, and dancing in the street. In New Zealand VE Day was officially on May 9th due to the time difference.
Britains Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the man of the hour on VE Day. He made a radio broadcast and gave a speech in London. For him, nothing would match his time as a wartime Prime Minister, he wrote later that everything afterwards was ‘all anti-climax’.
The British Royal Family also took part in the celebrations, with eight appearances on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. The family had remained in London despite the palace and buildings surrounding them being bombed, as they wanted to portray to the British people their support and resolve not to give in to the Germans.
While the King and Queen were waving to the crowds for the last time, the future Monarch, Princess Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret were allowed to leave the palace and join the people on the street- anonymously- and take part in the party atmosphere. Afterwards Princess Elizabeth said ‘I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life
© IWM (EA 65796)
Victory in Europe was marked around the world
The news that the war was over in Europe spread quickly, people in Allied countries and the British Empire wanted to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany.
There were scenes of rejoicing in the US, in New York 15,000 police were mobilized to control the crowds in Times Square. Due to the recent death of President Roosevelt, who had led his country through the war, the flags were kept at half-mast.
In Australia the mood was somewhat sombre due to the war in the Far East and the Pacific still being fought, with many Australians still serving there, but there were services in churches to give thanks, and many cities did rejoice.
In Paris, France, huge numbers of people partied on the Champs Élysées, in the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe singing ‘Its a long way to Tipperary’.
However, in Halifax, Canada, there were riots among the large concentration of military personnel stationed there. Thousands of soldiers, sailers and civilians looted the liquor stores - which had been closed for the VE Day holiday - and the resulting riots and vandalism resulted in several deaths.
It was a day of mixed emotions for those who had lost loved ones. Amongst the street parties and rejoicing there were many people who had lost a friend or relative and who were mourning those deaths. People were also weary with air raids, wartime life and rationing, and were aware that there were more difficulties to endure.
In the final part of this review of VE Day, we explore the legacy of the necessary war on Canada.
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA 3194885
It was not the end of the war
In May 1945 thousands of Allied serviceman were still fighting in the Far East and thousand were held as prisoners of war in terrible conditions. The battle conditions had been some of the toughest of the war. This finally ended in victory for the Allies, but not after continuing heavy casualties on both sides. Japan surrendered on August 14th, and the act of surrender signed on September 2nd.
The Legacy of the Necessary War in Canada
After the war, there was widespread unemployment in Canada, this brought discontent and unrest, which led to the creation of programs for the one million returning veterans. There was also a want to ease the transition back to civilian life, and reward those who had served in the war.
Prime Minister King, who had lost his beloved nephew in the Battle of the Atlantic promised support ‘the man who was offering his life voluntarily for the service of his country’. There were cash payments issued for length of time in uniform, along with loans for purchasing farms, starting businesses, and buying homes, and also retraining programs. This included the fifty thousand women who served in the Armed Forces.
NANCY MCLEAN
University access was granted to veterans when before only the people who could afford education gained entry, apart from a few scholarship winners. Universities had to expand to meet the needs of fifty four thousand veterans turned students. This State support became the Veterans Charter, with its grants, programs and educational opportunities.
The State also cared for the around fifty five thousand wounded veterans providing health care similar to the programs offered after the First World War, despite there being no Universal Health Care yet in Canada.
CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES G&M 102055
There were also the nearly fifty thousand ‘War Brides’ who had married Canadian soldier stationed overseas who arrived in Canada between 1945 and 1946. They and their children faced challenges adjusting to post war life in an unfamiliar country, but became part of the legacy of the war. They also were part of the first wave of the baby boom - more than a million births between 1945 and 1950.
Mothers Day Brunch
Mother's Day Brunch
Come and celebrate Mom at Legion 88 this Mother's Day
Chef Shawn is creating a beautiful buffet brunch, and the bar will be serving Mom-mosas! 
Live Music at the Legion
Community donation
Community donation
One of our veterans is behind a Branch donation, giving back to the Maple Ridge sports club where he found success as a teen.
Thanks to a request from Rob Seckler we donated $500 to the Maple Ridge Boxing Club.
Seckler, aka Punchy, was part of the boxing club as a teen. He fought out of the club for two and a half years from 1980 to 1983, and during that time he won the 106 pound division of the provincial Bronze Gloves championships in Cranbrook, B.C. when he was 14-years-old.
He would go on to win a handful of fights out of the Maple Ridge Club before moving onto to other clubs , winning the bronze, emerald, and silver gloves at different provincial championships between 1983-84.
Seckler thought he would turn pro, but when a friend was injured in the ring, he had second thoughts, envisioning a life of multiple concussions and various other injuries.
So, he joined the army instead in 1985 when he was 17-years-old.
Read the full story at Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News
We are so very thankful to be a part of this feel-good, full-circle, member's story and happy to help out all the very worthy community organizations!
Meet the Executive – Judy Ballard
Meet the Executive - Judy Ballard
I have been a Member of Legion 88 since 2009. I went to the first meeting in January to pledge my allegiance to the Legion. I stayed for that first meeting and saw how the Legion was run.
In 2010 I decided to run for Executive, was elected and did the Youth Education portfolio for 6 years until I retired from work. I then took on the Poppy Campaign for 5 years. During that time I ran for table officer and continued helping in any way I could.
So why did I want to become a Legion Executive? Because of my Dad. He was not a Veteran in the eyes of the Legion. We came from Denmark where my Dad was in the Danish underground when the war broke out. Many times he was captured and released until the final time he was caught and sent to a work camp somewhere in Austria. We are not sure of exactly where he was but when he came home he had what was called "Shell Shock" which is now called PTSD. If it was not for Allied forces who liberated his camp, I would not be here doing all I can for Legion 88.
It is an Honour and a privilege to serve.
Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.