10.3°C Vancouver

Jun 6, 2024 5:17 PM - The Canadian Press

D-Day veteran from Abbotsford, B.C., to receive France's highest honour

Share On
d-day-veteran-from-abbotsford-b-c-to-receive-frances-highest-honour
A statement from the Consulate General of France in Vancouver says Vogelgesang will be decorated as a Knight of the Legion of Honour to acknowledge his contribution and bravery in the liberation of France.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

A British Columbia Second World War veteran who landed at Normandy on D-Day 80 years ago will be presented with France's highest decoration in a ceremony in Vancouver today.

Joseph Vogelgesang, who is 99 years old, went to France along with 14,000 other Canadians, in what would be the start of the liberation of Western Europe.

A statement from the Consulate General of France in Vancouver says Vogelgesang will be decorated as a Knight of the Legion of Honour to acknowledge his contribution and bravery in the liberation of France.

Consul General Nicolas Baudouin says the medal shows “profound gratitude” for Vogelgesang's service during the war, including his contributions on D-Day when he was 19 years old.

Vogelgesang, who now lives in Abbotsford, B.C., volunteered in his home province of Saskatchewan at the age of 17 and left for England in early 1944 as part of the Calgary Highlanders.

His youngest daughter, Sharon Bunn, says their family was “bursting with pride and gratitude” upon hearing the news that their father is being decorated with the French honour.

“We know that he went to the war at a very young age and nowadays, I can’t imagine how a 17- or 18-year-old would get through what he got through,” said Bunn, who flew from Saskatchewan to Vancouver to celebrate the occasion.

“All of us are very, very proud and really grateful for what he did and the sacrifices he made,” she added.

Although Vogelgesang has been a hero in both Canada and France, Bunn said her father hesitated to share what he went through in the war.

“I think that as you can imagine, it was difficult. He shared little, tiny bits, but nothing really graphic,” said Bunn.

She said Vogelgesang, who lives in his own apartment in the Fraser Valley city, is staying up-to-date on current affairs. “He's very no-nonsense,” she said with a laugh.

Vogelgesang married his wife, Irene, in 1945 and they had three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Legion of Honour is the highest decoration bestowed by France, and more than a thousand Canadian veterans have received a medal since 2014.

The consulate general said anyone who knows a living Canadian veteran who took part in the operations on French soil can contact the French Embassy in Ottawa because they may be eligible for the medal.

France's Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to reward citizens for their merits, no matter their background.

Latest news

WorldSep 24, 2025

3 people shot at immigration facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead, official says

The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says three people have been shot at a Dallas ICE facility and the shooter is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed the shooting during an interview on CNN on Wednesday. Lyons said it wasn't immediately known whether employees, civilians or detainees were shot. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says details were still emerging, but the agency was confirming there were ``multiple injuries and fatalities'' at the field office. Dozens of emergency vehicles were seen along a highway near the
AlbertaSep 24, 2025

Alberta won’t enforce federal firearm buyback

The Alberta government is calling a federal gun buyback program an ``attack on law-abiding firearms owners.'' A pilot project in Nova Scotia will be open to eligible gun owners in parts of Cape Breton before being rolled out nationwide. Participants can either deactivate their firearm using a licensed gunsmith or return it to police. Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis say the province will not be enforcing the ``gun grab,'' and they expect law enforcement to focus on violent criminals, not hunters and sport shooters.
b-c-advances-new-mass-timber-demonstration-projects
BCSep 23, 2025

B.C. advances new mass-timber demonstration projects

Four new buildings in B.C. are each receiving $500,000 — totalling $2 million — to demonstrate and showcase the benefits of mass-timber construction. “Mass timber represents a transformative, locally sourced solution that’s generating significant employment opportunities, spurring cutting-edge innovation, and revitalizing rural economies across British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our continued strategic investments in projects throughout the province, we’re positioning B.C. as a leader in mass-timber construction, while building the
dera-beas-chief-visits-bikram-majithia-in-nabha-jail
IndiaSep 23, 2025

Dera Beas chief visits Bikram Majithia in Nabha jail

Dera Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon reached Nabha jail today, where he met Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The Akali leader (Bikram Majithia) has been kept in judicial custody in the jail by the Punjab government in a case of exceeding income.The two held a closed-door meeting that lasted 35 minutes, jail officials said. Reports quoted a jail official who requested anonymity, “The Dera Beas chief had sought permission to meet Majithia as a family member, and it was granted strictly according to the jail manual.” Dhillon has close family ties with Majithia’s wife
search-for-missing-five-year-old-boy-in-southern-alberta-enters-third-day
AlbertaSep 23, 2025

Search for missing five-year-old boy in southern Alberta enters third day

The search for a five-year-old boy in southwestern Alberta is entering its third day. RCMP say two nights of searches have yielded no results in finding Darius Macdougall. Macdougall went missing Sunday after he didn't return from a walk with six family members to their campsite near Island Lake Campground, south of Crowsnest Pass. Mounties have said people should avoid the area and leave the search to the professionals. Darius is described as four feet tall with short brown hair, and he was last seen wearing a blue-grey hoodie and sweatpants. Police said the boy has autism, w

Related News