This cemetery in Normandy served as a temporary burial ground for Canadian servicemen who fell on, and after, D-Day. Image PL-31925%20, DND.
Wreckage on Juno Beach, 1944. Image: Public Domain.
Canadian Soldiers preparing to land on Juno Beach. Image PMR92-452, DND.
Memorial
Currently, there is very little recognition that the Regina Rifles landed in front of Courseulles-sur Mer on Juno Beach in 1944. This will soon change! To capture and commemorate the history and legacy of those who sacrificed so much on 6 June 1944, an 8 foot tall bronze statue of a Regina Rifleman will be permanently mounted at the Place des Canadiens in Normandy.
The statue’s base will be set in place by the townspeople of Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse, and it is our intention to have HRH Princess Anne, Colonel in Chief of the Regiment in attendance to do the unveiling.
The statue is as authentic as possible: it depicts a Regina Rifleman storming the beach, wearing his gear, and carrying a Bren gun. His face is set in determination as he charges forward.
Mounting a statue in Normandy places a permanent bookmark on this momentous page in history and acts as a reminder for all those who visit in the years to come that the Regina Rifles were here and volunteered to lay down their lives in the name of freedom.
Maquette created by Don Begg
About the Sculptor
The statue is being designed and built by Don Begg of Studio West Bronze Foundry & Art Gallery in Cochrane, Alberta. He is known in North America for his excellent monuments, many of which can be viewed at https://www.donbeggstudiowest.ca/
Creation Timeline
December 2023 - Statue mold complete
1 February 2024 - Statue Complete
6 April 2024 - Statue viewing in Regina.
1 May 2024 - Statue moved to Normandy
5 June 2024 - Statue is mounted and ceremoniously unveiled at the Place des Canadiens in Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse.
Reference photograph used when designing the statue