Legacy of Honour : Juno Beach Centre

The Juno Beach Centre is compiling a collection of Legacy of Honour videos. In each short video, a veteran shares their story of service. Soon, we will no longer be able to capture veterans’ voices and experiences and it is important to gather and share these testimonies while we still can. Scroll down to discover a story that interests you below.

The Juno Beach Centre Museum has been built to tell the story of the Canadians at war and to preserve their legacy for future generations. Each Legacy of Honour video has been created in direct pursuit of this mission. Here is a sample of veteran stories:

To support this project, select the Legacy of Honour fund on our donation page.

For more information about this project or to suggest a veteran who would like to be interviewed, please contact Alex Fitzgerald-Black: alex@junobeach.org.

James Drummond Grieve (1920-2025)

Veteran James Drummond recalls his journey from joining the Canadian Army in 1942 to his service as a Signal Officer.

Doc Payne

RCAF Veteran Doc Payne recalls his service both during and after the Second World War.

Garth Webb (1918-2012)

D-Day veteran Garth Webb shares how his experiences in the war and pride for his country led him to found the Juno Beach Centre.

Arthur Britton Smith (1920-2023)

Battle of Normandy veteran Arthur "Brit" Britton Smith speaks about his military service.

William Hoy

Second World War veteran William Hoy recounts his service with Royal Air Force Ferry Command.

Gordon Smith

Second World War veteran Gordon B. Smith recounts his experience as a wireless operator aboard Lancasters in Bomber Command.

Don White (1924-2023)

Joining the militia at 16 and volunteering for overseas service at 18, Don White saw action in both Italy and the Netherlands.

Peter Chance (1920-2024)

D-Day veteran Peter Chance recounts his experience on the HMCS Skeena as a navigation officer tasked with defending the English Channel.

Bill Cameron (1924-2024)

D-Day veteran Bill Cameron shares his memories of service in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War.

Havelyn Chiasson (1921-2019)

Second World War and D-Day veteran Havelyn Chiasson shares his memories of service with the Canadian Army in Europe. Have passed away shortly after the 75th anniversary of D-Day, in June 2019.

Norm Kirby (1925-2021) V-E Day 75

Sergeant Norm Kirby served in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He and his comrades liberated the Dutch people, who lived under Nazi occupation for five years.

Jim Parks

D-Day veteran Jim Parks shares his experience as a rifleman with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles landing on Juno Beach reflects on the value of the Juno Beach Centre.

Norm Kirby (1925-2021)

D-Day veteran Norm Kirby recalls his experience in the Canadian Army, serving with the North Shore (NB) Regiment.

Hugh Buckley (1924-2020)

D-Day veteran Hugh Buckley recounts his experience on Juno Beach and in the Battle of Normandy.

“Stocky” Edwards (1921-2022)

D-Day veteran James Francis “Stocky” Edwards recounts his wartime experience as a fighter pilot.

Joe Segal (1925-2022)

Joe Segal reflects on the meaning of the Juno Beach Centre for Canadians and his experiences fighting through the Netherlands and Germany.

Alex Polowin (1924-2022)

D-Day veteran Alex Polowin recounts his experience on HMCS Huron in the English Channel during the invasion of Normandy.

Alphonse Vautour (1919-2022)

D-Day veteran Alphonse Vautour shares his service with the North Shore Regiment during the Second World War.

Roly Armitage (1925-2024)

Battle of Normandy veteran Roly Armitage shares a variety of memorable anecdotes from his time in France and Holland with the Royal Canadian Artillery.

Harry Hardy (1922-2020)

Battle of Normandy veteran Harry Hardy testifies to his Second World War experience. At 97 years old, Harry has worked in recent years to raise awareness of the Typhoon -- giving his beloved plane its due.

Jaye Edwards (1918-2022)

Veteran Jaye "Pete" Edwards shares her Second World War experience as an Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot.

Harry Greenwood

Scottish-Canadian veteran Harry Greenwood served with the rescue tug service in the Royal Navy.

George Flynn (1919-2019)

D-Day veteran George Flynn shares his experience of D-Day and of clearing German bunkers at Carpiquet airfield.

Robert Spencer (1920-2022)

Robert Spencer tells his story of service, including participating in Operation Totalize.

George Chow (1921-2020)

Battle of Normandy veteran George Chow recounts his service as an anti-aircraft gunner and even shares his experience under enemy bombardment.

Jack Commerford (1924-2023)

Battle of Normandy veteran Jack Commerford recalls his time as a gunner with 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

Ed Peck (1924-2024)

Second World War veteran Ed Peck recounts his experience with the Canadian Scottish Regiment.

Jim Summersides (1924-2022)

Jim Summersides describes how he ended up in the 1st Special Service Force, an elite Canadian-American infantry unit.

Juno Beach Centre Hours

Canada in the Second World War

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