Winnipeg, MB - Mayor Sam Katz is paying tribute to the memory of the 16 Winnipeggers killed in action on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, by contributing to the efforts of the Juno Beach Centre to commemorate each Canadian death with an individual marker.
“These young men from Winnipeg, representing a number of different regiments, gave their lives on D-Day,” said Mayor Katz. “I commend the Juno Beach Centre for its commitment to create a striking visual memorial to remind the world of each individual sacrifice, as well as the gravity of Canada’s loss.”
The 16 markers sponsored by the Mayor's Office will identify the Winnipeg soldiers who died in the assault on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day. The markers will be made of Canadian maple, with a plaque resting on top, indicating the soldier’s name, hometown of Winnipeg and regiment. The names of the 16 men, ages ranging from 21 to 31 when they died, are as follows:
| Lieutenant Lloyd Herman Adams | Rifleman Frank Holmes |
| Lieutenant Richard Edward Christmas | Private Fleming Ladd Irving |
| Lance Corporal Victor George Henry Conway | Sapper Arthur Herbert Johnson |
| Rifleman Edward John Copeland | Sergeant Percy S. Parkes |
| Flying Officer Melsolm Henry Walter Gee | Rifleman Emil Saruk |
| Rifleman Robert Moirs Gislason | Rifleman James S. Talbot |
| Private George Henderson | Corporal Joseph John Edward Tompkin |
| Gunner William Arthur Higgs | Rifleman Edward Wladyka |
The Juno Beach Centre intends to install one tribute marker for each fallen soldier on the grounds of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France.
"The Juno Beach Centre greatly appreciates and applauds the support of Mayor Sam Katz and the City of Winnipeg,” said Don Cooper, President of the Juno Beach Centre Association. “Winnipeg’s sacrifices on D-Day were not unlike so many other cities across Canada. We hope others will be inspired by this example and honour the memory of their own local Fallen Soldiers."
The Normandy Landings on D-Day were extremely complex, involving warships, transport vessels and aircraft. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade assaulted the stretch of beach code-named Juno. On the day of the landing, 359 Canadian soldiers were killed. Canadian soldiers are buried at cemeteries throughout Normandy.
Tribute markers can be purchased from the Juno Beach Centre Association for $500 each. The Canadian non-profit charitable corporation owns and operates the Juno Beach Centre and works to commemorate the sacrifices made by Canadians in the Second World War.
The tribute markers will be installed on the grounds of the Juno Beach Centre in May and will remain on public display throughout the anniversary year, until Nov. 11, 2014.