Bill Cameron, Canadian D-Day Veteran, Passes Away Shortly Before 80th Anniversary Commemoration Events

Bill Cameron was eagerly anticipating this week for quite some time.

The Second World War veteran was set to join Canada’s delegation traveling to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6.

Last Friday, his daughters Cheryl Powell and Donna Roy assisted him in getting ready, and the trio had lunch together.

After extensive preparation, including obtaining medical clearance, everything was in place for a Saturday morning flight from Vancouver.

Tragically, Mr. Cameron fell ill and passed away the night before at the age of 100.

“We were in disbelief,” Ms. Roy expressed in an interview. “His bags were packed, we were all ready to pick him up.”

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Ms. Powell mentioned that the staff at the care home where he resided had organized a special sendoff as they were aware of his enthusiasm for the trip. The past few days have been surreal, she added.

“He attended the 70th, was present for the 75th, and was very much looking forward to the 80th anniversary, knowing it would likely be his final opportunity to stand on Juno Beach and pay tribute to his fellow veterans,” Ms. Roy explained.

With Mr. Cameron’s passing, the Canadian delegation now consists of only 13 veterans aged between 99 and 104. It appears that this event may be the last major anniversary involving the men who experienced D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, the grim 11-week Battle of Normandy commenced, marking the beginning of the Allied liberation of France.

Nearly 160,000 soldiers landed on Normandy’s beaches that day, including about 14,000 Canadians. Mr. Cameron served as a gunner on the HMCS Kingston, providing protection for American troops landing at Omaha Beach.

The D-Day landing resulted in devastating casualties: 4,414 Allied troops lost their lives, and over 5,000 were wounded.

Throughout the Battle of Normandy, 73,000 Allied forces were killed and 153,000 were wounded. The battle, along with Allied bombings of French towns and cities, claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 French civilians.

The exact number of German casualties remains uncertain, but historians estimate that between 4,000 and 9,000 German soldiers were killed, injured, or went missing during the D-Day invasion alone. Around 22,000 German soldiers are buried in Normandy.

“He strongly believed that more recognition and education were needed to ensure we never forget,” Ms. Powell remarked.

Mr. Cameron’s grandson Craig Powell and his wife, Rachel Soares, will represent him at the Canadian ceremony on Thursday. His daughters plan to observe the event from afar in Surrey, B.C.

“It will be challenging,” Ms. Powell acknowledged. “But we will definitely do it to honor Dad.”