The Government of Canada is planning an overseas commemorative event to mark the Dieppe Raid’s 80th Anniversary. An official delegation will travel overseas from approximately August 14 to August 21, 2022 to attend events at several sites in Dieppe, France.
The National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada (NCVA) has been asked to nominate one Canadian veteran to represent our organization. This veteran should have connections to the Dieppe Raid or Second World War.
Nominations for any Canadian Dieppe Raid veterans interested in joining the delegation can also be made. The nominees should be in good health, able to travel overseas, and comfortable with formal and candid presentations regarding their military service.
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) requires veterans older than 80, or those with a medical condition that requires help with daily living requirements, have a caregiver accompany them on the trip.
VAC has asked that we send any nominations by June 3, 2022, so please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to nominate someone. I can be reached via [email protected] or 1 800 465-2677, extension 2224.
My grandfather, Major John Kristjan Hjalmarson was at Dieppe. He was shot in the head, but made it back to a ship safely to return to England. He then had a hand in repatriation of dead Canadian soldiers to England. For this, he was awarded the MBE by King George (directly) at Buckingham palace. He has several items from the Dieppe raid that are now in the Canadian war museum in Ottawa. In 2007 I had the opportunity to do a battlefield tour with the Royal Military College, and visit those very beaches.
My father, Major John Kristian Hjalmarson told me a different story.
He did not make it to any beach. He was never shot in the head. Arriving to the battle in a later wave of landing crafts, the carnage on the beach was observed by the captain of the boat he was on and the German artillery was beginning to land closer to the boat. The captain of the boat instructed that a smoke screen be deployed so that the boat could safety retreat to safer waters.
That’s what my father told me.
Sincerely,
Peter John Hjalmarson
After receiving his service records from Library and Archives Canada (LAC), it appears were he told me he was grazed by a bullet, he in fact, had another injury on the ship later on in the war (1945) according to his LAC records. I wish I had these actual records before I made this comment. It appears oral history may have been embellished.