Seven paratroopers who tragically lost their lives in a training exercise will be remembered once again in a sombre ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 in Sooke.
Three members from the Royal Canadian Regiment and four members from the Royal Canada Corps of Signals were on a night-time training exercise on May 8, 1968 when a strong wind picked up without warning, said Joe Danyleyko, sergeant- at-arms at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54.
The paratroopers - part of three groups of 20 on three Buffalo aircraft, drowned when they landed in the Ottawa River. Although some of the men were able to shed their equipment and float in the water or or take refuge on sandbars until they were rescued, Master Warrant Officer Reg Riddell, Warrant Officer Mike McDonnell, and Corporals Bruce Chiswell, Dennis Clements, Hugh Fields, Bob Knight, and Jim Misner drowned.
The significance of the event is not lost on Danyleyko, who was able to recite the names and ranks of the fallen from memory.
“We will be laying wreaths with a photo for each man,” Danyleyko said. “It was the biggest loss of life by Canadian parachutists since the Normandy invasion during the Second World War.”
The ceremony was held on Saturday, May 25 at 10:40 a.m. and was conducted by the Drop Zone Vancouver Island, a group of retired parachutists who served an operational role in the Canadian army.
Danyleyko also serves as sergeant- at-arms for Drop Zone Vancouver Island.
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