Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram December 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Grave Marker – The grave marker at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery located approximately 5 km. from the beach of Dieppe, France. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens)

Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery – The Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, located just outside Dieppe, France. (J. Stephens)

Wedding Photo – This is my uncle, Pte. William Hawes. He was stationed in England and met Jean Ballantyne, a Scottish lady. They married in London and planned to start a new life in Canada when the war was over. His family (my mother's), sent little gifts through the mail for them. Unfortunately, the silk stockings meant for Jean never arrived. It was possible that the ship carrying the mail was sunk. Tragically, William perished at Dieppe two months after their marriage. The family never met Jean. The whole family was devastated. He was buried in France-so far away...Too far for the impoverished family to ever be able to lay flowers at.

Newspaper Clipping – This is a scanned copy of a newspaper clipping of the Royal Regiment of Canada seen here at the Exhibition grounds in Toronto. My uncle, Pte. William Hawes is marked off with an X on the original newspaper clipping. He perished at Dieppe, August 19, 1942. This very photo was on my grandmother's living room wall for years. One day, I would locate a copy and display it in my home. My uncle is someone I never met but feel that I had. My mother talked fondly of her brother. He was athletic and loved to go fishing. He left early in the morning before everyone but his mother was awake to leave for his army training, never to return again. The family was devastated. He left behind a Scottish bride in the U.K. and six siblings in Toronto.