Manitobans gathered at the Legislative Building on Thursday, May 8 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), when the Allied forces accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi commanders during the Second World War.
After six years of global conflict and millions of fatalities from the war, news of the surrender in 1945 caused celebrations and street parties across the globe. In Winnipeg, public gatherings took place with music, dancing, singing and crowds gathering at Portage and Main.
“With the 80th anniversary approaching, we thought we might want to do that same thing — celebrate or commemorate the date,” said Bill Zuk, secretary of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society’s Manitoba Chapter.
A VE Day parade occurred in Winnipeg on May 8, 1945. Photo from the National Air Force Museum of Canada
Zuk is part of a group that has organized a series of upcoming events in Winnipeg to commemorate the end of the Second World War, including Thursday’s reception that took place for veterans and their families.
“We honour […] our courageous Canadian veterans on this day who served in the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, across our Canadian Armed Forces, the Merchant Navy as well, in recognition of their bravery and sacrifices,” said MLA David Pankratz, special envoy for military affairs.
Amongst those in attendance at the reception were three veterans from the Second World War — Bob Watkins, Percy Rosamond and Len Van Roon.
“Thank you for standing up to fascism, thank you for defeating a dictatorship and thank you for preserving democracy here on Earth and in Canada,” said Premier Wab Kinew.
Each veteran was gifted a commemorative silver coin from the Royal Canadian Mint which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
“It is a very small token of appreciation for your tremendous service to our country,” said Pankratz.
‘Don’t start a third one,’ says Second World War veteran
Robert “Bob” Watkins served in the Royal Canadian Navy aboard the HMCS Loch Achanalt during the Second World War. Photo by Zulkifl Rafah
Watkins, 100, is a veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy and began his naval career as a Sea Cadet in Winnipeg when he was 14 years old. He joined the Navy at 18 and served aboard the HMCS Loch Achanalt, a warship that participated in the Battle of the Atlantic.
“It was very interesting really for a prairie boy,” said Watkins while reflecting on his service.
“I enjoyed it. I think I would do it again if I had to,” he said, though his message to the younger generations was “don’t start a third one.”
His most memorable combat experience occurred in 1944 when his ship engaged the German submarine U-1006 near the Faroe Islands. Though another ship ultimately sank the submarine, Watkins’ crew helped rescue 24 German survivors who they held as prisoners of war for a week before delivering them to Scotland.
“We were what they called a strike force. We went out looking for submarines, and if you had a contact, you dropped your […] depth charge.”
Rosamond, who turned 102 earlier this month, was another veteran in attendance and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was 19 years old during the Second World War.
“No good can come of [war],” said Percy Rosamond, who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Photo by Milan Lukes
After the war, he transitioned to the Canadian Army where he dedicated approximately 22 years working on helicopters.
“No good can come of [war], for anybody,” he said.
Van Roon, 103, was conscripted in 1943 and trained in anti-aircraft artillery, becoming a forward observation officer’s assistant in the 19th Field Artillery Regiment.
Leonard “Len” Van Roon landed in the first wave at Juno Beach during the Second World War. Photo by Zulkifl Rafah
The Canadian Army veteran landed in the first wave at Juno Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day and fought through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany in a Sherman tank. He still has the boots that he wore on D-Day.
“I was called up, and when you’re given a job, you did the best you could,” he said.
During the war he wrote over 1,100 letters — sometimes from foxholes or tanks — to his soon-to-be wife back home in Winnipeg, whom he married after the war.
All three veterans were invited into Manitoba’s legislative chamber later that day, where they were formally recognized during a sitting.
Bob Watkins (right), Len Van Roon and Percy Rosamond were recognized in Manitoba’s legislative chamber on Thursday. Photo from Manitoba Legislative Assembly (YouTube)
Over one million Canadians served in uniform at home and overseas during the Second World War, according to the federal government. Over 45,000 were killed and another 55,000 were wounded.
