Statue honouring Saskatchewan soldiers killed during Second World War arrives in France

An eight-foot bronze statue depicting a Second World War Canadian soldier, commemorating the Royal Regina Rifles and their contributions on D-Day, has arrived in France for the 80th anniversary of the Juno Beach landings. 

The statue will be unveiled this week in Normandy. 

Staff Sgt. Chad Scheske with the Moose Jaw Police Service has also travelled to France since he served with the Rifles in the 1990s and 2000s.  

The Hon. Laura Ross, minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, is travelling to France to represent the Province of Saskatchewan and participate in the unveiling of the Royal Regina Rifles’ statue and the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

“This statue has travelled thousands of kilometres to be unveiled as part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day celebrations,” Ross said. “The Royal Regina Rifles have a proud history, and our government is honoured to have supported them in commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Regiment’s sacrifices during the Second World War.”

Then called The Regina Rifle Regiment, the unit landed in the first wave on Juno Beach as part of the Normandy D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Nicknamed “The Johns,” the regiment was made up of young men from across the province. 

During the war, 458 members of The Regina Rifle Regiment made the ultimate sacrifice, including 108 casualties, on D-Day. 

“The Rifles were a dagger pointed at the heart of Nazi tyranny,” said Lt.-Col. (retired) Ed Staniowski, lead planner, OMM, CD, who spoke to the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners about the project last November.

“Over the next 11 months, soldiers from across Saskatchewan made countless sacrifices, often the ultimate sacrifice for liberation and freedom. For generations, the statue will be a reminder of the connection between the liberated people of France and the Province of Saskatchewan.”

The Government of Saskatchewan provided $40,000 to support The Royal Regina Rifles Trust’s Tour of Honour for the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord (D-Day). The statue was created by world-renowned sculptor Don Begg of Cochrane, Alta., who will also be in attendance. 

In April, the Royal Regina Rifles Trust participated in a commemorative ceremony on the Peepeekisis Cree Nation. More than 50 members of the Peepeekisis First Nation served in the Second World War. Many landed on Juno Beach as Regina Rifles. 

The statue will be officially unveiled on June 5, at Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse at la Place des Canadiens.