Brockville Rifles to unveil exhibits commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Brockville – 2024 represents the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of occupied Europe. To commemorate this event, The Brockville Rifles and The Brockville Rifles Regimental Museum are providing the City of Brockville with two exhibits honouring the service of The Brockville Rifles and the people of Brockville during the Second World War. These displays will be featured at Brockville City Hall and The Brockville Museum.

In a media release sent out on Thursday by National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces, it said that Mayor Matt Wren will open the City Hall exhibit on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby. Several members of the Regiment will be present, in uniform, along with descendants of Second World War veterans. The City Hall display will remain until the end of June. The Brockville Museum will also feature a display from May 31 to July 3, 2024.

On June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne assault in history was conducted to liberate France and the rest of occupied Europe from the grips of Nazi Germany. The Brockville Rifles and the City of Brockville played a key role during the Second World War, with soldiers of The Brockville Rifles landing on D-Day and fighting their way through France, Belgium, Holland, and into Germany.

The Brockville Rifles provided more than 150 soldiers to The Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders, part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. The unit would land at Juno Beach, fighting off countless fanatical counterattacks from the German 12th SS Panzer Division Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) between Les Buissons and Vieux-Cairon, an area now called “Hell’s Corner.” They also played a critical role in holding the beachhead at Beny-sur-Mer.

The Brockville Rifles are a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. One of 15 units of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Ottawa, The Brockville Rifles train part-time and provide augmentees to domestic and international operations in support of Canadian Army missions. The unit is currently accepting applications and offers both full and part-time employment opportunities. If you’re interested in learning more, contact the Unit Recruiting Officer at 613-342-2755 ext. 2866.

More information on Canada’s role in D-Day can be found here:

D-Day and the Battle of Normandy