Knowing the Risk yet took the Chance

Interviewer: What do you think contributed to you surviving where so many others didn’t? Well, I suppose if you don’t get sick is one thing. Sickness would generally kill you but ya, I was just newer there. You know you can’t get out and if you escape you got a danger of being shot. I took that chance but it wasn’t a good idea either cause the Germans always threatened if you escape, they’ll shoot you dead. But we ended up coming back alive so that was a good thing. Interviewer: And yet in the story that we just shared you did escape, you did escape twice. (I did.) But there was no harm done to you when you came back to the camp? First time no, they just locked you back up again and then second time I never got caught so that was ok. That was good.

Mr. Edwards speaks about his decision to escape camp, knowing the possible consequences.

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.