"First Canadians in France " Topic

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An article from a newspaper about Canadian pathfinder paratroopers.

Tomorrow, I will post about the Canadians at Juno.

Thanks for the great link ScoobyDoo and looking forward to more

Like many wartime stories headlines are often misleading
While there is no question that the airborne forces were the first Canadians to arrive in France in 1944 they were certainly not the "First Canadians into France".

In May/June 1940 parts of the Canadian First Division landed for a short visit to Calais before they were quickly withdrawn Also we should never forget the Dieppe Raid of Aug 19,1942 which was actually Canada's bloodiest day in WW2

How about the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) WW1?

I had no idea we had paratroopers that day.

Many thanks for posting !

@CraigH – yes, they were part of the British Airborne drop.

Remembering of course the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

A great reminder of the Canadian effort. Of course the Canadians were a large proportion of the troops involved in D-Day, I imagine about the third largest by size, but its staggering how many nations were involved, including the French themselves of course. And more than a handful of Aussies too, mainly in the air force and naval forces.

Was at Juno beach last Sunday as they were preparing for today's celebration.

The Juno Museum staff were preparing 300+ brass plaques mounted on wooden posts arranged next to the Museum, one for each lost at Juno on D-Day.

Found a post front and centre bearing a plaque of a soldier with my surname of a Canadian from Ontario killed 6th June. Found that he was with his brother as they went ashore and his brother survived.

Story described here:
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Fred and Don Barnard – 'Go Canada!'

Wow, thanks for sharing that Battler! Very moving. I'm very glad that the commemoration is large this year, many vets may not be there for 75th.

Of all the D-Day celebrations the Canadians at Juno seemed the most organised.

Took some photos of the plaques, all sponsored by Canadians back home. Very impressive.

Will try and upload them somewhere this w/e and will try and send a link to them to the Canadian Queens Own Rifles Museum (good site at: link )

Look forward to seeing them!
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Just made my update to the site for the actual D-Day anniversary.

I intend to go for the 75th, and tour Juno to Falaise. Only five more years!

ScoobyDoo – comment posted on your blog.

By the way I spent the summer of 1989 in Edmonton with my Uncle and Aunt. I worked for an aerospace firm then called Northwest Industries but now called Spar Aviation. Visited Calgary and liked it :)

Also have cousins in Vancs. Love Canada – great place and people.

Go Canada!