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Memory of the Soldiers’ Return at Bonaventure Station

Translated excerpt of an interview with Noëlla Bisson (N.B.) and her husband René Bisson (R.B.) by historian Serge Durflinger. N.B.: They arrived at the hotel, at the Bonaventure […]

Good News

Letter sent by the Department of National Defence to the family of soldier Fernand Vachon informing them of his imminent arrival in Canada on the liner Île-de-France. Transcription […]

A Much-Awaited Telegram

Telegram from Halifax sent on July 5, 1945, from Fernand Vachon to his family on Wellington Street, with the following message: “ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND HOPE TO BE […]

Jane Leavitt

This article features Jane Leavitt, a British immigrant, born in London, who arrived in Verdun in 1913 with her family. She was chosen by the War Memorial Committee […]

A Very Sad Announcement

This telegram, dated March 14, 1945, announced the very sad news to Gisèle Garand, mother of a soldier from Verdun, Gérard Garand, who disappeared, and was presumed dead, […]

A Letter from the Sea

Here is a letter sent by Helen King D’All to her son, Harry King D’All, who was serving in England with the Royal Montreal Regiment. The letter was […]

Memory of a Ceremony That Marked the History of Verdun

Audio clip: interview with Douglas Whyte (D.W.) , conducted by Serge Durflinger ( S.D.). Transcription: D.W.: And we in ‘42, I believe, ‘42, Beurling came home. S.D.: Yes, […]

George F. Beurling at the Verdun Auditorium

Pilot Officer George F. Beurling returned to Verdun on November 10, 1942, and was celebrated by some 6000 people at the Verdun Auditorium, the largest crowd gathered for […]

A Celebrity Pilot

George Frederick Beurling rarely went unrecognized when in Verdun. Residents would often rush to get a glimpse of him in person. This admiration was also reflected in Verdun […]

The Dunver Bell

The Dunver bell is now exhibited at Branch 4 Verdun of the Royal Canadian Legion. The bell was given to Verdun as a gesture of gratitude for supporting […]

HMCS Dunver at Sea

The Dunver was built in Lauzon by Morton Engineering and Drydock Company. The frigate’s first commanding officer was a Verdunite, Lieutenant Commander William Woods, who received the Order […]

Noëlla Bisson Recalls the Blackouts

A blackout was an anti-air raids measure that involved plunging an area into total darkness. During a blackout, all house lights had to be turned off, and opaque […]