80 years on it is hard to imagine the predicament the world was in in 1944. Anyone who has read WWII history or visited Commonwealth War Graves across Europe is under no illusion as to the incredible loss of life; over 45,000 Canadians in uniform gave their lives and another 55,000 were wounded.
Many of the men and women who served are being honoured this week as indeed they should be all year round. As a letter carver I wanted to honour the men of the Canadian Navy that took part in D-Day in 1944. During the winter I came across a poem written by T/Lieutenant Hugh Campbell, DSC, RCNR. He was the Commander of HMCS Fort William, one of the Canadian minesweepers that were part of the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla. On 5th June, about 350 vessels, making up the various minesweeper flotillas, left England ahead of the landing ships and began to cross the Channel. The sea was rough with some waves 2m high. Even at a reduced speed the weather made sailing difficult let alone the ability to clear the mines along the designated routes. Throughout the crossing it was essential the flotillas remained in formation to ensure no mines were missed; great seamanship was a critical necessity for their success. And succeed they did. In all over 10,000 Canadian sailors in 110 warships took part in D-Day.
The first two lines of Campbell’s poem reads:
“Great yarns are told of squadrons bold, of actions fought at sea.”
Captured here in Italian Marble as my homage to those who sailed to France in June 1944, some never to return.
The poem can be seen in its entirety at this link http://www.forposterityssake.ca/RCN-DOCS/RCND0049.pdf.