Written and researched by Matthew Scarlino
Seventy-seven years ago, Nazi Germany was defeated after almost six long years of war.
PC Harry Connall celebrates the end of the war with citizens on Bay Street.
On May 8th 1945, Torontonians of all backgrounds came together in this city to celebrate “Victory in Europe Day”. The Fourth Reich who had invaded and occupied large swaths of the globe and committed unspeakable atrocities was no longer a threat. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who ended the menace, including the 236 members of the Toronto Police Service who took leave to serve overseas.
They served aboard Corvettes crossing the deadly Atlantic; flew on murderous missions over the skies of Europe; and fought up the hills of Italy, through the bocage of Normandy, and slogged through the polders of the Low Countries and into the Rhineland. Many were wounded, and nine members of the Toronto City Police and two members of York Township Police would make the ultimate sacrifice.
We must never forget the debt we owe for our freedom. We will remember them.
Please click the link below to learn more about our Second World War fallen.
The Khaki and Blue Project 