CANORA — The story of one of Canora’s Second World War veterans was presented as part of Decoration Day in Canora.
Cathy Trach, the president of the Canora Legion, shared the results of research by Shelley Price-Jones, in attendance at Canora’s 2026 Decoration Day service, on the life and death of Lieutenant Hugh “Shug” MacMillan Walker, born in Yorkton in 1922, educated in Canora, and killed in action in 1944 in France during the Normandy invasion. Excerpts from her research are shared below:
“It was only minutes after midnight on June 6, 1944 when the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion set out from Britain, bound for Normandy, as part of Operation Overlord. Lieutenant Hugh (Shug) Walker was onboard a C-47 Skytrain (Dakota) aircraft. Walker, along with 18 to 22 other paratroopers, were carrying 70 lbs. of gear, including a knife, toggle rope, escape kit with French currency, two 24-hour ration packs, and depending on the role they were serving, a Bren or Sten gun, grenades, pistol, or respirator.
“Following emigrating from Scotland to Canada William Walker (Shug’s father) initially settled in Yorkton. This is where his two sons were born and within a few years of Lieutenant Walker’s birth, the family moved to Canora.
“Shug Walker graduated from Royal Military College in June, 1941. On June 10, 1941 Gentleman Cadet Hugh Walker, enlisted with the 19th Field Battery, R.C.A. in Port Arthur, Ont.
“Becoming a paratrooper involved extreme physical and psychological condoning including progressive parachute jumping from 10m-75m towers with a fall arrest harness, or zipline, that helped overcome the fear of heights and teach proper falling/landing measures.
“‘Stand up and hook up!’ Operation Tonga [the codename for the airborne operation undertaken by the British 6th Airborne Division for D-Day], under the umbrella Operation Overlord [the codename for the Normandy landings], was about to begin and all of Lieutenant Walker’s thoughts would have cleared as he prepared to jump.
On June 6, 1944, ‘C’ Company ‘[had been given] the task as part of Operation Overlord,’ of clearing out the enemy garrison at Varaville, the gun emplacement at the road near the Chateau just east of Varaville, the destruction of the bridge over the Divette River, and the radio transmitter station near Varaville as well.
“Given the size of the force represented by ‘C’ Company, the undertaking was formidable. At the Chateau de Varaville, a 75 mm anti-tank gun and fortifications, which included bunkers and trenches, had been established to control the road intersection. This was manned by a much larger force than had been anticipated, as was the estimated number of enemy troops in Varaville itself. The scattered drop of ‘C’ Company only served to exacerbate the problems facing the small group that landed in the immediate area. Only 30 in all ranks landed on the Drop Zone, the remainder being distributed as far away as 10 miles. ‘C’ company ‘discovered that the gate house had been used as a barracks, with six double-deck bunks to each of the eight rooms. The building was empty, but the state of the beds indicated that they had been recently slept in, and the occupants had led in haste, probably when the bombing started. Major MacLeod moved his men into position around the gate house.
“Lieutenant Walker positioned 12 men in a shallow ditch where the ‘covering fire’ group would have set up their machine guns had things gone according to plan. He placed the rest of the men around the building.’
“Major MacLeod and Thompson went up to the second floor of the gate house to observe the enemy position, leaving Swim and Rudko to guard the doors. Minutes later, a thunderous crash sprayed Rudko and Swim with bits of flying brick and plaster, and filled the lower part of the building with choking plaster dust. The two men stumbled to the door and into the yard for air. At this point, MacLeod realized that he was up against a heavy gun, as well as a heavily entrenched force. Their only hope of dealing with the gun was to score a hit with a PIAT bomb. MacLeod summoned Cpl. Oikle with his PIAT to the second floor, and asked him to try for the gun. Oikle took careful aim and fired, but the shell landed a few feet short of the gun, exploding ineffectively in front of the concrete gun emplacement. Oikle reloaded for a second shot, but before he could fire, the heavy gun answered his first round. A high explosive shell tore through the wall of the building, exploding Oikle’s PIAT bombs. Cpl. Oikle and Lieut. Walker were instantly killed by the explosion, and McLeod mortally wounded.
“Lieutenant Hugh Walker was reinterred in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. The grave reference number is VA.B.2. He was awarded the 1939–1945 Star, France and Germany Star, and Defence Medal, along with the War Medal, 1939-45 CV and Clasp. In 1950, the Government of Saskatchewan named Walker Bay on Otter Lake in his memory.
“Despite heavy losses and casualties, Operation Tonga’s objectives were reached and Operation Overlord was a success. This changed the course of the Second World War. Today we remember those who fought and served, and those who sacrificed their lives. We thank you for your service, Lieutenant Hugh “Shug” MacMillan Walker.
“We will remember.”
Anyone interested in reading Walker’s complete story is encouraged to contact the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Canora producing veterans
Cathy Trach indicated that Canora’s “production and raising” of veterans has continued after the Second World War.
“I am concentrating on the living and/or active hometown children who have chosen the military and/or RCMP as their career,” said Trach. “By creating the Tribute and Recognition Wall you can see that we presently have six of our hometown children's stories. I also have at least another 10 names in my back pocket that I am working on getting their stories added to the Wall. In fact I have been in contact with one child who is unable to provide his story as he is employed with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, responsible for conducting high-readiness special operations to counter terrorism and protect Canadian interests worldwide.
“You see this on TV and in the news all the time, who would have thought that one of those people out there is a Canora child!” continued Trach.
“Another thing I want to note today is that not only has Canora ‘produced and raised’ children who have chosen the military and/or RCMP as a career path but also Canora has had the opportunity to ‘raise’ children who have moved to Canora at some stage of their young life, being educated in our school system, playing sports and even joining the Canora Air Cadets. One of these children is a girl who at a young age knew caring for others was her passion, however upon joining the cadets an interest in military was sparked. While taking her nurses training a unique opportunity was offered to her by the Canadian Air Force to continue with her passion for nursing while also giving back to her country; she accepted the offer. This spring she has completed her qualifications as a nursing officer.
“Another child being raised in Canora had enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces under the Regular Officer Training Program as a Naval Warfare Officer and continued his military career to the point where this February he was appointed the next Commanding Officer of the HMCS Harry DeWolf.
“These two stories of children raised in Canora will also be making our Tribute and Recognition Wall.
“And last but not least, the one that intrigued me is an Indigenous young man who entered into Canora's school system at Grade 9. He has noted in his memoir that he credits his full-time career as a police constable and his part-time career of serving his country with the Canadian Armed Forces to the fact that while living in Canora for three years he joined the Canora Air Cadets. To quote from his book, ‘I met so many great people during my time in the Air Cadets and am glad that I did the program. It prepared me to be a productive member of society.”
“My point here is that today, Decoration Day is not only a time to remember, recognize and honour our fallen veterans but to be aware and honour our hometown children, past, present and future. We will remember them.”
