CBC Digital Archives

Soldiers decorated for Dieppe service

It has been called the most controversial battle Canadians have ever fought. On Aug. 19, 1942, after nearly three years of waiting in England for a chance to fight, Canadian troops were sent to raid the French coast at Dieppe. But the Germans were ready for them, and the attack became a massacre. Of nearly 5,000 Canadians sent to Dieppe, only 2,000 returned. More than 60 years later, the operation remains divisive: was Dieppe an essential trial run for D-Day, or a shocking waste of lives?

It took just nine hours in Dieppe to turn "unblooded" Canadian soldiers into grizzled veterans. Now, a few weeks after their first European clash, it is time to recognize their valour. Unfortunately, not all of the 86 Canadians to be decorated are around to receive their honours. Among those absent: Lt.-Col. Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt, the first Canadian to be awarded a Victoria Cross in this war.

Merritt, described here as "a sharp shooting, grenade throwing lawyer," is a prisoner of war. (He is one of nearly 2,000 Canadians captured by the Germans at Dieppe.) This CBC Montreal broadcast, emphasizing the roles played by men from Quebec, details Merritt's heroic acts, and those of other officers and soldiers to be decorated. 
. The Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth's highest military decoration for bravery. It is given "for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."
. Three Victoria Crosses were awarded for participation in the Dieppe raid. One was given to Scottish Capt. Patrick Anthony Porteous of the No. 4 Commando. In addition to Merritt, another Canadian, Rev. John Weir Foote, was awarded the V.C.

. Lt.-Col. Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt, whose actions are discussed in this clip, was a barrister and solicitor from Vancouver. He served as an officer of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada from 1929 until 1942, when he was transfered to the South Saskatchewan Regiment.
. During the Dieppe raid, Merritt led his unit across a heavily defended bridge. Though he was wounded twice, he personally destroyed an enemy pillbox with a grenade, and took out a sniper with a Bren gun.

. Merritt was captured by the Germans and remained a prisoner until the end of the war. In 1945, he was elected to Parliament, serving as MP for Vancouver-Burrard until 1948. He then returned to law, and was later made a commanding officer of the Seaforth Highlanders. He died in 2000.

. Rev. John Weir Foote of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry is the only member of the Canadian Chaplain Services to receive the Victoria Cross. He spent eight hours under fire, helping move injured men to an aid post. When the retreat order was given, Foote jumped off his landing craft and surrendered to the Germans, so he could continue to minister to other Canadian PoWs.

. Foote was a PoW until the end of the war. He remained a military chaplain until 1948, when he was elected to the legislative assembly of Ontario as MPP for Durham. He served as deputy commissioner for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, and in the Progressive Conservative cabinet from 1951 to 1957. He died in 1988.

Other military awards discussed in this radio item:

. Distinguished Service Order: Generally only awarded only to officers in command, this order rewards "individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war."
. Distinguished Conduct Medal: Awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men "for distinguished conduct in the field."

. Military Cross: Awarded to officers (captain or below) and warrant officers "for distinguished and meritorious services in battle."
. Military Medal: Awarded to warrant officers, NCOs and men "for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field."

(Source: Veterans Affairs Canada)
Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio Special
Broadcast Date: Oct. 2, 1942
Duration: 14:54
Photo: © House of Commons

Last updated: January 19, 2012

Page consulted on April 23, 2013

All Clips from this Topic

Related Content

Marc Garneau: Canadian Space Pioneer

His bravery is inspiring, his grace is charming and his credentials are out of this world. In ...

1941: Churchill's 'chicken' speech

Winston Churchill delivers an electrifying address to the Canadian Parliament during the Secon...

1939: King George VI's Christmas message

The King broadcasts a message of hope to the Empire in the early months of the Second World Wa...

1942: War effort spreads to butter

Government adds butter to the growing list of rationed food.

1941: Japanese attack Canadian troops in Hong...

Outnumbered and outgunned, Canadian soldiers are overwhelmed in their first major battle of th...

The Avro Arrow: Canada's Broken Dream

It's the closest thing Canadian industry has to a love story and a murder mystery. The Avro Ar...