Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt

At Dieppe, he led men across a bridge in deadly German fire.

Charles Cecil Ingersoll Merritt was born in Vancouver on 10 November 1908. A Royal Military College of Canada graduate and lawyer, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and mobilised for the Second World War. He later took command of the South Saskatchewan Regiment.

On 19 August 1942, his battalion landed at Pourville during Operation Jubilee. German fire stopped its advance at the bridge over the River Scie. Merritt repeatedly crossed the exposed bridge to lead groups forward and directed attacks on defended positions. Wounded twice, he kept command, dealt with a sniper and organised the rearguard during withdrawal. His gallantry and leadership earned the Victoria Cross, announced in The London Gazette, issue 35729, on 2 October 1942.

Captured at Dieppe, Merritt spent almost three years as a prisoner of war. He joined an escape from Oflag VII-B in June 1943, was recaptured and later held at Colditz. His leadership in captivity earned a Mention in Despatches.

After liberation in 1945, he returned to law and represented Vancouver-Burrard in Parliament. He maintained his association with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Merritt died in Vancouver on 12 July 2000.