Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada stands in front of a projection set to preview Historica's new Heritage Minute honouring Archie MacNaughton and the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment.
As the world prepares to mark the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, a new Heritage Minute released this week from Historica Canada tells the story of Major Archie MacNaughton and the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment.
The soldiers of the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment, (NSR) were mainly young men, few of whom had seen much of the world beyond their own farming communities before the war. Part of the first wave of infantry, the NSR’s ‘A’ Company arrived on Juno Beach at the town of St. Aubin sur Mer around 05:30 and pushed through intense fighting to reach the town of Tailleville.
Historica Canada President and CEO, Anthony Wilson-Smith presented a sneak preview of the Heritage Minute to an audience at The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, May 15.
A still shot from the new Heritage Minute released May 30 from Historica Canada tells the story of New Brunswick’s North Shore Regiment. (Image courtesy Historica Canada)
In an interview, Wilson-Smith described the production of the new Heritage Minute and how it introduces all Canadians to Major Archie MacNaughton. MacNaughton led North Shore’s “A” Company into Normandy on D-Day. He was 47 when when he was killed in action while pushing inland from Juno Beach.
“Here was this guy who was a veteran of World War I, who had every reason and right to stay at home and not be engaged,” Wilson-Smith said. “He signed up again at age 42, (for WWII) who was repeatedly offered a chance to go home and be with his wife and his kids and instead said, ‘No, I need to be with these boys.’ So, his country called not just once, but twice and he said ‘I’m in’ both times.”
According to Wilson-Smith, MacNaughton’s decision to return to fight for Canada in World War II was a decision he didn’t have to make, describing him instead as an outlier among those who enlisted.
“He was 18 when he signed up in 1915, but then to go again, he was a farmer, had a property to oversee, children at home, a wife – to be in his 40’s and go again…” Wilson-Smith paused when trying to even compare the thought of MacNaughton making the decision to risk his life again for his country, “…It was something exceptional.”
While the NSR’s story is not as widely known as some of the other Canadian regiments who participated in the D-Day invasion, the regiment played a crucial role in the fight – but paid a high price. Of the 1,074 Canadian casualties on D-Day, the North Shore suffered 124 – equivalent to 11.5% of the Canadian total.
“Most of the men who fought on D-Day were not, and never will be, well-known. They were ordinary Canadians who made unthinkable sacrifices,” said Wilson-Smith. “In sharing the story told in this Minute, we honour the memory 75 years later of all those who fought and risked everything they had.”
Historica Canada consulted with historians and military organizations including Dr. J. Marc Milner of the Gregg Centre, Author Mark Zuehlke (Juno Beach: Canada’s D-Day Victory) and Jen Sguigna of the Juno Beach Centre. Peter Mansbridge also provided the end narration of the piece.
A behind the scenes shot from the shoot for the new Heritage Minute. (Photo courtesy Historica Canada)
Wilson-Smith says the new Heritage Minute is also available Thursday on Historica Canada’s website.
“It will be available online and on television otherwise, but the easiest way to find it is online, it’s free and it’s in both official languages.”
Wilson-Smith adds Historica makes no money from the Heritage Minutes, adding the goal is to have as many Canadians possible watch them and get engaged with each story.
