MOOSE JAW — Zach Dunn never knew his grandfather served in the Second World War, but finding a box of the veteran’s memorabilia prompted the young man to seek out other veterans’ stories to preserve.
Dunn was helping clean out his parents’ home in 2021 when he found a box that belonged to his grandfather, John L. Williams. Inside, he saw the man’s Second World War medals and photos from Africa and Europe.
Dunn, then 21, learned from his mother that Williams had served, but rarely talked about his experiences. Through conversations with other relatives and digging online, the young man discovered that his grandpa had been a British paratrooper who — among other things — jumped on D-Day on June 6, 1944.
Continuing, Williams’ grandson said it was unfortunate that “this incredible man” had never shared his “incredible story” with anyone — born in London, England, fought in the war, then moved to Canada and had eight kids — and that it had been almost forgotten.
Williams, born in 1921, died in 2003 at age 82, when Dunn was three years old. Only pictures and videos survive, showing the two interacting. The grandson noted that his grandfather was a humble and quiet man, typical of men from “the greatest generation.”
His grandfather’s past led Dunn to seek out a Second World War veteran with whom to speak. He met his first vet in Lakefield, Ont., north of Peterborough, which spiralled into the now-26-year-old travelling across Canada monthly, talking to veterans and preserving stories on film.
“And a lot of the veterans I meet have never shared their story before … and even sometimes the families don’t know,” said Dunn, noting his nanny and his two uncles also served in the second war — something the family never knew until they died.
Since November 2021, Dunn has spoken with nearly 170 veterans from the Second World War, Korean War and Vietnam War, with most from Canada and some from the United States and 15 other countries.
“So, it’s been a great journey so far,” he added.
Dunn’s first encounter with a ’Nam vet was random, since he had called a Legion looking for Second World War veterans and learned the president had served in Southeast Asia.
The director/producer said he didn’t know Canadians had served in Vietnam, with the Legion president saying he had “jumped the border” to join the U.S. Army. That story prompted Dunn to seek out other Canadians who had either been drafted while living in America or had crossed the border.
Dunn explained that he finds veterans by contacting Legions, museums and news reporters, while he also has a big social media presence that attracts youths. He then provides schools and non-profits with the interviews he records; veterans’ families also receive a copy.
“I think it’s important to share this history with the next generation. I think there is a large … gap of knowledge … . These stories weren’t being shared,” he said, noting that he had only one history class in high school.
People should “be curious” about their family history and about relatives who may have served, Dunn added. He noted that many veterans are humble and don’t want the spotlight “even though they deserve it.”
One notable veteran Dunn has interviewed was Jack C. Thomas, a 102-year-old veteran who was a tail gunner in a bomber that dropped supplies to the underground resistance in Western Europe.
Dunn recalled that Thomas flew missions on D-Day and during a battle in September 1944 in the Netherlands. It was during the second mission that his bomber was shot down and he bailed out. However, he broke his back upon landing and became a prisoner of war for eight months.
Thomas had never shared his story with anyone, so his interview was “very emotional,” said Dunn, making it one of his best conversations last year.
Dunn pointed out that there are roughly 3,000 Canadian Second World War veterans living, so if he could interview even one per cent, “it would be my honour.” He has interviewed only one World War II veteran in Saskatchewan; that man was from Hubbard.
Another veteran Dunn spoke to was Joseph Hammond, the last World War II vet in Ghana. Due to the time difference, the director/producer interviewed the 100-year-old online at 5:30 a.m. and learned that Hammond had fought the Japanese in the jungles of Burma.
That was “an incredible” story, one that few Canadians have ever heard about, Dunn stated.
The oldest veteran Dunn has interviewed was a 110-year-old Canadian whose memory “was pretty darn good.” He noted that asking open-ended questions helps veterans recall memories of their service and life.
For veterans who have been married for 70 years, their advice has been to never go to bed angry and to smile and laugh daily, said Dunn. For those over 100 years old, the advice has been to exercise and keep an active mind.
Dunn said he would love to visit Saskatchewan to interview veterans of any war, although he can also schedule online conversations. He would also partner with an organization or a Legion and speak to schools as a presenter.
Visit https://globalveteranstories.com to contact Dunn and to watch interviews with veterans.
