Contributed
The City of Swift Current has been given a unique gift from the Royal Canadian Legion to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Dieppe and Luneray, and the role that the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) played in the events of that fateful day.
HISTORY:
The Liberation of Dieppe took place just over two years after the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942, where Canadians made up the bulk of the “Operation Jubilee” attack force of more than 6,000 against the German occupation of the town. Tragically in that event, 916 were killed, 2,460 were wounded, and nearly 2,000 were captured. On September 1, 1944, the reception toward the 2nd Canadian Division in Dieppe was vastly different, as Allies swept through northern France following D-Day. A reconnaissance unit – namely, the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) reported with great urgency to Bomber Command, just twenty minutes before a planned air attack, that the Germans had already evacuated Dieppe. Instead of the expected greeting of conflict, the Canadians were welcomed by cheering French citizens celebrating their liberation.
LOCAL IMPACT:
The 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Dieppe was recently honoured in Swift Current by members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56. City of Swift Current Mayor, Al Bridal, was invited to say a few words at the ceremony, and gratefully received the commemorative Silver Salver as a gift for the City. He also learned that both the local Royal Canadian Legion branch and the city of Dieppe and the town of Luneray in France, would also receive copies of the same 80th Anniversary plate.
The Commemorative Silver Salver emblazoned with the 80th Anniversary is on display at City Hall until it is added to the collection at the Swift Current Museum, when it will join the original artifact.
MEANING:
The original Silver Salver is an important artifact relating to the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) and acted as both a camp flag and guidon for the regiment. Lt. Col. Clarence Churchill Mann – the first Commanding Officer – designed and commissioned the regimental cap badge (the silver maple leaf) and commissioned a commemorative salver to be made from Sterling Silver. It features the VIII Recce cap badge in the center, which is replicated in the 80th Anniversary edition. The original artifact now proudly sits in the collection of the Swift Current Museum and stands as a bastion of remembrance to the achievements and service of the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) and its valiant personnel.
