(Jul 14, 2006)
The Hamilton Spectator.
Vandals have defaced a commemorative plaque at the Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park on Hamilton's beach strip.
Among the graffiti scratched into the Heritage Canada plaque's surface is the word Slipknot, likely referring to the name of a well-known heavy metal band. Some of the graffiti appeared about a year ago, said Jack McFarland, 85, a survivor of the Dieppe Raid, but more has been added in the past few days.
"It's terrible, 197 friends' names on the memorial," he said. Two flags, including a French flag, at the memorial were also vandalized during the recent soccer World Cup.
More than 600 Royal Hamilton Light Infantry soldiers crossed the English Channel for the raid on Dieppe on Aug. 19, 1942. They were part of a 6,000-strong Allied force, including 5,000 Canadians. About 197 Rileys died that day. In all, more than 900 Canadians were killed in the disastrous battle that lasted less than eight hours.
Photo- Ron Pozzer, the Hamilton Spectator
More than 600 Royal Hamilton Light Infantry soldiers took part in the Dieppe Raid on Aug. 19, 1942.
Posted with full permission from the Hamilton Spectator.
The Hamilton Spectator.
Vandals have defaced a commemorative plaque at the Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park on Hamilton's beach strip.
Among the graffiti scratched into the Heritage Canada plaque's surface is the word Slipknot, likely referring to the name of a well-known heavy metal band. Some of the graffiti appeared about a year ago, said Jack McFarland, 85, a survivor of the Dieppe Raid, but more has been added in the past few days.
"It's terrible, 197 friends' names on the memorial," he said. Two flags, including a French flag, at the memorial were also vandalized during the recent soccer World Cup.
More than 600 Royal Hamilton Light Infantry soldiers crossed the English Channel for the raid on Dieppe on Aug. 19, 1942. They were part of a 6,000-strong Allied force, including 5,000 Canadians. About 197 Rileys died that day. In all, more than 900 Canadians were killed in the disastrous battle that lasted less than eight hours.
Photo- Ron Pozzer, the Hamilton Spectator
More than 600 Royal Hamilton Light Infantry soldiers took part in the Dieppe Raid on Aug. 19, 1942.
Posted with full permission from the Hamilton Spectator.