“We had just finished reducing a Nazi pocket and had pushed it to the coast across the Ems Estuary from Emden during the fight for the port of Delzil, when the German Commander surrendered unconditionally, and we did get a small surrender too in the Zuider Zee on our push north after taking the Arnheim. About three days later we were listening to the radio in a hay-loft when the programme was stopped to announce that at 8 a.m. the next morning we would get the “Cease Fire”, and that the Germans were negotiating a V-surrender to General Montgomery. We had not been expecting such colossal news, so you can imagine our surprise! We just looked blankly at each other for a few seconds, and then automatically let out a holler that was heard far and wide and resulted in half the troops within earshot running into the barn to see what on earth was the matter. We told them the great news. Everyone cheered, and then carried on as usual. That may seem strange, but it was far too big a thing for us to grasp, and at odd moments, I think more than one person, including myself, was thinking of our chaps in the Regiment who would not hear it, some of whom lay away down in Italy.”

From Gunner H.D. Suckling, Jr. of St. John’s branch, Nfld., who is with the 107/8 Canadian Field Regiment (S.P.) R.C.A. Canadian Army Overseas.

“As Canada’s oldest bank, we have an archival collection that doesn’t just speak to our origins as an institution but to the stories of people and communities. Our history with the Canadian Defence Community goes back to our earliest days and we are lucky to have a collection that speaks BMO’s long history of support. Captain Wilson is more than a name and picture, and I’m glad that through our archival collections we were able to share more about his life.”

Shawna satz, corporate archivist