Victory Was Never In Doubt In England

Heroes Remember

Victory Was Never In Doubt In England

This was during the days of Churchill’s wonderful speeches and the atmosphere of the British people was exactly the same as Churchill’s. There was no question about it. We were going to win, we didn’t know how or when but, but there was no thought of anything but victory. Interviewer: And the Canadian Infantry Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Division shared that view? Oh yes. After all, we were part of the empire.

In the early months of the war, Colonel Merritt and his company - the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - were on an “Invasion Alert” in England. However, the people of England - including the Canadian Forces stationed there - were confident of an Allied victory.

Charles Cecil Ingersol Merritt

Colonel Merritt’s father was killed in Ypres during the First World War. 7 or 8 of his uncles from both sides of the family also served during the First World War - three of whom were killed in action. He received his early education in Vancouver and Victoria and then went on to Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He articled with a Vancouver lawyer for three years before being called to the bar there in 1929. During this time, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada militia unit - the unit with whom he enlisted with when the Second World War was declared. Eventually, in late 1941, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the South Saskatchewan Regiment, and served with the Regiment until the war was over. During his service he earned the Victoria Cross for his gallant efforts on Aug. 19, 1942 in the Dieppe Raid. Mr. Merritt was taken prisoner during the Dieppe Raid. Following the war Mr. Merritt returned to his law practice in Vancouver and served in the Canadian Federal Parliament from 1945 - 1949. He continued to live in Vancouver until his death on July 12, 2000.