Finally Being Free!

Twice I escaped. The first time we were sleeping in a barn, we must have been marching somewhere and we were in a giant barn and me and another guy decided to take off in the middle of the night and away we went. I think we got caught though in about, I’m thinking only twelve or thirteen days, somewhere in there, and back to the camp. The second time, we didn’t get caught so that’s when I met with the Russians. That was a good experience then. When the war ended, we weren’t far from the British and then we could get to the British lines and flew to England. Interviewer: Do you recall the day, this day. Tell us about the liberation, of being liberated. Boy, that is something else. I think a lot of happiness would be in those days when we were freed cause now we’re going home. See, I had... three of us joined up in my family, I was the only one that came back. Yes, to get free was really great. I never thought you’d see home again, you know.

Mr. Stanley tells of how he escaped twice during his time as POW and expresses emotion at finally being free to return home.

Stanley Edwards

Mr. Stanley Edwards was born February 17, 1923 in Big Valley, Alberta. He enlisted in the army on February 19, 1941 as part of the Calgary Tanks holding rank of trooper. He first received training on the Churchill tanks at Stettler, Alberta and for another year trained in Camp Borden, Ontario before travelling overseas to Scotland. In the summer of 1942, the crew went to England to undergo advanced training. Mr. Stanley fought in the Dieppe Raid as a member of the tank crew. He was soon captured and taken prisoner where he would remain until 1945, shortly after the war ended. Returning home to Canada, Mr. Edwards began working at the Calgary Brewery, married Anncherri and raised four children with his wife. In retirement, Mr. Edwards volunteered within his community and to this day is a member of the local legion. Now residing in Calgary, Alberta with his two daughters, Mr. Edwards is honoured in having an opportunity to travel back to France for the 75th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. This being his first time back since wartime, Mr. Edwards looks forward to seeing the terrain where he fought and visiting the gravesite of his brother who never returned home and pay tribute to those who served alongside him during this battle.