The Chairman, Councillor Bob Lacey, visited Dieppe at the weekend at the invitation of the Mayor, Edouard Leveau, to lay commemorative wreaths at cemeteries and memorials around the town. He also met many Canadian, French and British veterans who had been billeted in East Sussex before their fateful journey.
Casualties from the Dieppe Raid were catastrophic. Of the original 5,000 who took part, over 3,300 Canadian troops and almost 300 British Commandos were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The Royal Navy also suffered more than 500 casualties and over 100 RAF aircrafts were lost.
Sussex Sea Cadets and members of the Royal British Legion also made the journey to Dieppe to help commemorate the raid. The Canadian Ambassador to France, the Canadian Minister for Veterans and the British Defence Attaché in Paris were present to honour the courage and bravery of the troops involved.
Sister Agnes Valois, who is now in her nineties, was the special guest of honour. During the raid in August 1942, she ministered to the wounded and dying servicemen on the beach at Puys near Dieppe while under continuous gunfire.
Councillor Lacey said: “I feel very honoured to have been part of the Dieppe Raid commemorations. It was a very humbling experience and especially poignant at the cemetery vigil when Sister Agnes Valois met with veterans beside the gravesides of the fallen. The ranks of the tombstones stood like a silent city.
“I was particularly proud of the highly visible role played by the Sussex British Legion and the Newhaven and Seaford Sea Cadets at the ceremonies. The standard bearers and cadets, with their colourful banners marched at the head of the final parade, with bands and soldiers leading the Canadian veterans in WWII jeeps along the promenade and through the town to applause from the large local crowds. It was very moving.”
Reference:
1585
Contact the press team
