www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 26, 2006 - 3 By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF George Duncan Harvey World War II veteran, professional engineer and Elder of St. John's United Church -- was also remembered Tuesday as a devoted family man, accomplished sailor and loyal friend. A Service of Remembrance for Harvey, 87, who passed away "peacefully and gracefully" July 11 at Allendale long-term care facility, was held at the church where loved ones gathered to reminisce about a man who in one lifetime both attempted to tunnel out of a German prisoner of war camp and built a family cottage from scratch. To hear son Doug tell it, both endeavours were carried out in typical Harvey fashion, namely with painstaking attention to detail and never second-best. In the former instance, his life depended on accuracy; on the other, it was "It was not the personal pride in a happiest of job well done. "(The cottage) military operawas a complete tions (the daring labour of love," said deeds that day Doug of the strucwould fill a ture his father conbook), but staff structed on property he bought in officers told us Parry Sound in later that good 1958. lessons were Despite the learned." wartime tribulations Harvey George Harvey, endured, Tuesday's writing in a war service was cast in journal a positive light as Doug, brother Alan and others recalled with love their father's character as everything from a soldier to a family man. "I'm looking at this as a thanksgiving of his life," said Doug. Harvey was born in Hamilton in 1919, after which his family moved to the United States where he developed his interest in sailing. After Harvey's father died, the family headed back to Hamilton. In 1937, as part of the Canadian Boys School, Harvey had the opportunity to travel to England, Scotland and Germany and quickly realized that the latter country was gripped by dark forces. He began his studies at McGill University, but in 1940 enlisted in the army and was soon back in England A life less ordinary undergoing battle training. As a Lieutenant in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI), Harvey participated in Operation Jubilee the legendary raid at Dieppe on Aug. 19, 1942, a day when training collided head-on with brutal reality. In Harvey's personal papers he wrote: "There was a rising inevitableness to the whole business from joining up, training in Canada, training in England, to the time the tank landing craft ramp slammed down on the beach at Dieppe and two men streaming blood climbed aboard. In about three seconds one had to shift gears from make believe simulated battle to the real thing." The regiment was part of the main assault and weathered heavy fire before soldiers managed to make their way across the PHOTO BY BARRIE ERSKINE/ OAKVILLE BEAVER MEMORIAL: This picture (above) of George Harvey and his late wife of 59 years, Margaret, who died three years ago, was in the centre of a table full of Harvey's writings and war memorabilia at his memorial service last Tuesday. (Below) This photo of George Harvey was taken in Dieppe shortly after he was taken prisoner by the Germans. MAP TO FREEDOM: One of the handdrawn maps George Harvey made for his fellow POWs to use after they escaped from prison camp. beach and into the town, where they engaged in heavy street battle. The RHLI succeeded in clearing the enemy, without any support, but the toll was high: the RHLI suffered heavy casualties and many more were taken prisoner Harvey, who was wounded, among them. (His hearing never fully recovered.) "It was not the happiest of military operations (the daring deeds that day would fill a book), but staff officers told us later that See George page 5 oakvillebeaver · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE