VIDEO: Regina Rifles statue unveiled in France ahead of D-Day anniversary

Wednesday saw the grand reveal of a statue commemorating the Royal Regina Rifles ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The eight-foot bronze rifleman was unveiled in the town of Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse in France, near the beaches of Normandy where the Rifles landed on June 6, 1945.

The Rifles (formerly known as the Regina Rifle Regiment) were the first to storm Juno Beach and advanced further inland than any other allied unit within the first 24 hours of the invasion.

The bronze statue depicts a Rifleman charging into action. Don Begg, who created the statue, said the soldier’s face carries a mix of fear and determination.

“Fear, determination, (fear of) the unknown – but you had a job to do, you were asked to do it and you were going to do it,” said Begg.

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“That’s the way I look at it and how I tried to portray (it), but there’s a lot of fear in the unknown.”

Begg spoke at a sneak preview for the statue that was held in Regina back in April. He said the statue stands eight feet tall so it can be viewed at a distance. The equipment is all accurate as well.

“(The Rifles) were very good about giving us a helmet and jackets and the boots and everything to make it authentic for what they were wearing at that time in 1944,” Begg explained.

The statue was unveiled in France, near the site where the Royal Regina Rifles landed on D-Day on June 6, 1944. (Jamie Nye/980 CJME)

The unveiling of the statue was a surreal moment for Regina Mayor Sandra Masters, who was in France as part of the Saskatchewan contingent.

Speaking on the Greg Morgan Morning Show, Masters said attending in person helped her gain a greater appreciation of the impact the Regina Royal Rifles had on the war, and their sacrifice.

“There is such incredible regard for these Canadian soldiers,” Masters said, describing the scene as their convoy arrived for the ceremony.

“When we passed by the school on the way in, young children’s artwork is posted in memory of the soldiers who fought, but also drawings of the Canadian flag. There are Canadian flags everywhere in this town.

“To hear the crowds burst into spontaneous applause when these veterans – these 100-year-old veterans – were wheeled or walked by, it’s a pretty incredible thing.”

Kelsey Lonie, a military historian on the Royal Regina Rifles Trust committee, said 458 members of the regiment died during the campaign. Their names will be marked at the base of the statue.

The statue was loaded onto an RCAF plane for its journey from Regina to France. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

“There’s just so many stories of brave men who stormed the beach that day,” Lonie said as the statue was about to begin its journey to Europe. “Being able to be a part of preserving their memory is (an) incredibly great honour for me to be a part of.”

“I just hope that the legacy continues (and) the statue promotes further recognition of what Saskatchewan men did during the Second World War.”

Green Zone Host Jamie Nye is in Normandy and attended the unveiling.

He said the statue will serve as a reminder for generations to come about the impact the Regina Royal Rifles had on D-Day.

“Driving down the streets, there’s Canadian flags everywhere. Its Canadian and France flags, a couple of British flags of course and the Union Jack,” he said.

“But it is clear Canada is well represented; well received within this region.”

Trip made. I was able to talk to William Seifried. 99-years old. He is from Ontario and joined the Regina Rifles ahead of D-Day. The only member of the regiment who was on hand for the ceremony in Normandy. A true Canadian hero! pic.twitter.com/Vv29X4PH7E

— Jamie Nye (@jamienye) June 5, 2024