In previous years, the City of Toronto D-Day commemorative ceremonies have featured Canadian veterans as guest speakers. We were honoured to listen to the stories of the following veterans in the past few years.
Martin Maxwell, a Captain in the Glider Pilot Regiment, British 6th Airborne Division and a Veteran of D-Day, enlisted in the British Army in 1942. He was among the first few to land in Normandy the night before D-Day. You can also listen to Capt. Maxwell at The Memory Project.
Seventh-generation soldier, Captain Charles Scot-Brown was 17 years old when he enlisted in the Canadian Army. He received his commission in 1943 when he turned 19. He volunteered with the British Army, and was assigned to the Gordon Highlanders.
Edward Stafford joined the Governor General’s Horse Guards as a trooper on June 30, 1941. He served primarily in the United Kingdom and in Italy, driving a Daimler Dingo: an armoured reconnaissance vehicle.
Honorary Lieutenant-General Richard Rohmer – Royal Canadian Air Force and veteran of D-Day – began his military career in 1936 serving in the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) at Eagle Rock High School in Pasadena, California. Arguably one of Canada’s most decorated citizens, he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fighter-reconnaissance pilot during 1942-1945.
Jim J. Parks (Joseph James) joined the Army Cadets at the age of 10 in 1934. At 15 years of age, he joined the Winnipeg Rifles. In 1940 he joined the Active Force in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. In May 1941, he transferred back as a Rifleman in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.