Remembering our Vets

My grandad was a private in the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Regiment of the Canadian Forces. He fought in the Second World War, and was part of the First Battalion that went overseas as part of the Canadian Active Service Force in 1941. As a young man, my grandfather was known amongst his peers as a jokester, pulling pranks and keeping the spirits of his fellow soldiers high. My grandfather often told our family that his jokes may have gotten him dismissed from his rank, had he not been the one to put smiles on faces and instill confidence when times were bleak. My grandfather met my grandmother while his battalion was stationed in England for training. My grandmother was a children’s nurse, who walked a little girl to school every day and would pass his battalion as they were stationed on her route. Never did she imagine that my grandfather’s friendly face would be the man she would later marry and travel to Canada for, on a War-Bride ship in 1946. My grandmother’s own memories of WWII are coloured by stories that are similar to many-  of the Blackout, solidarity, rations, and tragedy; all of her brothers served in the British Royal Navy, two of whom would give their lives in battle.

The story of the Black Watch in WWI and WWII are legendary in Montreal, and across Canada. My grandfather, alongside his regiment fought first at the Battle at Dieppe (where the battalion was a key component of the assault force) and later landing in Normandy shortly after D-Day. The Black Watch participated in over 30 battles throughout France, Belgium and Germany. The 1st Battalion suffered more casualties then any other Canadian infantry battalion in Northwest Europe, to which my grandfather lost many friends.

Remembrance Day has always been an important holiday for my family. As countries around the world hold ceremonies today to remember the millions of people who have died in conflict, I remember not only my grandfather and his story, but the sacrifice of all sides involved in conflict.  The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the time 91 years ago that the armistice agreement was signed essentially ending WWI. Services are being held across the world to remember the Great War, country leaders standing next one another remembering the veterans who have fought before and since that day. In the US, November 11 is known as Veterans Day, but the message is the same- gratitude and great respect to the soldiers who have lost their lives, but also to the forces that have and continue to defend the freedoms of our countries. Despite the differences in missions or the political ideologies that are often disputed- the significance today remains unchanged.  Lest we forget.

For more information about the Black Watch history, click here.