He was 20 years old, a soldier in the Regiment de Maisonneuve of the Canadian Forces, on a ship carrying TNT, ready to fight the Nazis on the French beach during the critical operation of the Second World War. “I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t scared. I had a policy: live today, f–k tomorrow. That was our motto. I couldn’t speak English then, but I knew that word,” he said. he said laughing. Labrie’s contribution to the liberation of France will be recognized on November 17, when he is to be made a Chevalier of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor. The honor can be traced back to Napoleon Bonaparte, later Napoleon I, who created the award in 1802 to reward French citizens for their service, regardless of social or hereditary reasons. The ceremony will be held in Labrie’s hometown of Duncan, BC, and will be officiated by the Consul General of France in British Columbia, Nicolas Baudouin. Baudouin said the recognition is meant to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe raid, which was largely fought by Canadian soldiers. Personnel landing craft are removed from a motor torpedo boat to begin their run on the beaches during the Dieppe Raid in 1942. (Canada. Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada) “It is very important to recognize those who came from far away, from Canada, to liberate my country during World War II, so that we never forget these friends and allies,” Baudouin said. “They did something very brave, to join the army and fight for the values we care about, which is liberty and freedom.” Born in Montmorency Falls, Que., Labrie was drafted as an 18-year-old and sent to England in 1940, not knowing a word of English. The Régiment de Maisonneuve did not end up fighting at Dieppe, although Labrie served until the end of World War II, landing on Juno Beach, France just after D-Day in 1944 and fighting through France, Belgium, Germany and Holland. Family photo of Fernand Labrie, center, upon his return to Canada from World War II, January 10, 1946. (submitted by the Labrie family) He re-enlisted after the war and became a career soldier, even surviving a plane crash in 1949. He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1973. Daughter Pierette Morgan said her father doesn’t often talk about his experiences during the war, but being awarded the Legion of Honor opened the door to some stories the family is hearing for the first time. “We’re excited for my dad,” she said. “He’s very appreciative of the honor, but I think a lot of soldiers didn’t feel the significance of what they were doing. They didn’t feel special.” That remains to this day, though Labrie will admit to being a little humbled to receive the Legion of Honor. “It seems pretty impressive. I never expected that. I was just one of millions, so why?” he said. Labrie joined the Régiment de Maisonneuve in 1940 and landed on Juno Beach, France just after D-Day in 1944, before fighting in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. (submitted by the Labrie family) Baudouin said his nation’s efforts to honor veterans like Labrie are especially important at this time in history. “Unfortunately, due to Russian aggression, war has returned to Europe. I think it’s important that everyone acknowledges the help we received [during the Second World War] and that these bonds forged in very difficult times remain strong,” Baudouin said. To date, France has awarded 1,154 medals to Canadian soldiers, including 232 in B.C. Labrie will officially receive the Legion of Honor medal at a ceremony on November 17. (submitted by the Labrie family)
