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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 8, 2013 | 10 `That's war and I think young people need to know. It's not fun': veteran continued from p.3 Diab's story is now the subject of an award-winning documentary titled, If I Should Fall. St. Dominic Catholic School students sent a letter and poster to Diab's family following his death and worked to place a plaque recognizing Diab in the Bronte Veterans Garden in Donovan Bailey Park. The luncheon was deeply appreciated by the veterans who attended. Stan Egerton, of Burlington, said he lied about his age to join the army at age 16 in 1941. Attached to a machine gun battalion of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, Egerton entered heavy fighting in Normandy three weeks after the Allies invaded on June 6, 1944. "It was no picnic. I never ever visualized it would be like that because I was young and all the schemes we had in England saw us as the winners. It was really tough," said Egerton. "During six weeks in Normandy, to the closing of the Falaise Gap, there were 5,000 young Canadians killed." Egerton survived the campaign, but lost two brothers, George and Frank, who were in the same company. Following their deaths, Egerton continued fighting in Belgium, Holland and, later, Germany. Oakville's Eric Wells said he served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War, flying bombing missions over France, Germany and Belgium. "When I joined the squadron (September 1944) there were nine of us and when I finished (February 1945) there were four of us left," said Wells. "The 101 Squadron had the highest rate of casualties of any squadron in the Royal Air Force, the reason being they fitted our aircraft with three antennas, two on top and one underneath, so the first aircraft the German fighters picked on was us. We had 1,600 members lost in that squadron. Can you imagine that? I remember one night when seven Lancasters (bombers) were lost in one raid." Wells' squadron's job was to fly with larger bomber groups and use the special equipment onboard to jam the communications of German night fighters -- something, at which, he said, his group was very adept. Burlington's Dudley Coles said it is important for people to remember what war is about and how terrible it is. Coles joined the Royal Navy at age 17 during the Second World War serving as a radar operator on a cruiser that fought in the North Atlantic. He recalls a battle where his cruiser and another British vessel engaged three German destroyers. Afterwards, he found his quarters had been hit. "Lucky, I wasn't there at the time, I was at my action station," said Coles. "That's war and I think young people need to know. It's not fun." Some limitations apply. Cannot be combined with other offer applies to kitchen cabinets only. Valid only on purchases after October 1. Offer expires Nov. 30/13 The Academic Edge + Adventure NJC is a Canadian, independent high school located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Students in their pre-university year (Grade 12 & AP) develop rapidly through inspiring academics, extensive travel and enriching cultural exposure. NJC graduates possess the knowledge, confidence and independence to lead their own lives and others in making a positive difference in the world. RSVP to attend one of our Canadian admission events this fall Neuchâtel Junior College | Founded 1956 | Co-Ed | www.njc.ch Canadian Office | 1.800.263.2923 |