Men of Valour - Poster | The Dieppe Raid | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

Lt. Col. C.C. Merritt earned the Victoria Cross for his heroism during the Dieppe Raid; this recruitment poster uses his bravery as motivation for other men to enlist. The poster (1943) includes his full award citation as well. Please find a transcription below.

An illustrated poster. A drawing of a moustachioed Canadian solder, arms full of weapons, show him running through fields of barbed wire, crouched to avoid bullets. Around him, shells explode. — (Canadian War Museum, No. 19870123-005.)

*The full text of the poster is transcribed.*
MEN of VALOR They fight for you
"When last seen he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach." Except from citation awarding Victory Cross to Lt. Col. Merritt, South Saskatchewan Reg., Dieppe, Aug. 19, 1942; ISSUED BY WARTIME INFORMATION BOARD OTTAWA PRINTED IN CANADA UE-8; HUBERT ROGERS 43
*The full text of Lt. Col. Merritt's Victoria Cross award citation is transcribed.*

"For matchless gallantry and inspiring leadership whilst commanding his battalion during the Dieppe raid on the 19th August, 1942. From the point of landing, his unit's advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was swept by very heavy machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire: the first parties were mostly destroyed and the bridge thickly covered by their bodies. A daring lead was required; waving his helmet, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt rushed forward shouting, "Come on over! There's nothing to worry about here". He thus personally led the survivors of at least four parties in turn across the bridge. Quickly organizing these, he led them forward and when held up by enemy pill-boxes, he again headed rushes which succeeded in clearing them. In one case, he himself destroyed the occupants of the post by throwing grenades into it. After several of his runners became casualties, he himself kept contact with his different positions. Although twice wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt continued to direct the unit's operations with great vigour and determination and while organizing the withdrawal, he stalked a sniper with a Bren gun and silenced him. He then coolly gave the orders for the departure and announced his intention to hold off and "get even with" the enemy. When last seen, he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach. Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt is now reported to be a Prisoner of War. To this Commanding Officer's personal daring, the success of his unit's operations and the safe re-embarkation of a large portion of it were chiefly due."

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