June 6, 2014 – OTTAWA—The Ukrainian Canadian Congress today marks the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy by releasing the names of Ukrainian Canadians who gave their lives on 6 June 1944.
The UCC pays its respects to the memory of those Canadians who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. Among those who gave their lives on behalf of Canada in the name of freedom on D-Day and buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery (located about 1 kilometre east of the village of Reviers, on the Creully-Tailleville-Ouistreham road) are many Ukrainian Canadians.
“The Ukrainian Canadian community would like to honour the contribution of the thousands of heroes who gave their lives in the Battle of Normandy and throughout WWII fighting on the side of good and freedom,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod. “It is only appropriate that we pay tribute to their sacrifices.”
Among the 150,000 Allied troops who landed or parachuted in the invasion area, over 14,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces participated in D-Day. There were 1,074 casualties at Juno Beach, of which 359 were killed.
It has been reported that up to 49,000 Ukrainian Canadians served in the Canadian Armed Forces in World War II, with 3830 having been killed, missing, captured or wounded.
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Ukrainian-Canadians killed at D-Day
Buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is about 1 kilometre east of the village of Reviers, on the Creully-Tailleville-Ouistreham road (D.35). Reviers is a village and commune in the Department of the Calvados. It is located 15 kilometres north-west of Caen and 18 kilometres east of Bayeux and 3.5 kilometres south of Courseulles, a village on the sea coast. The village of Beny-sur-Mer is some 2 kilometres south-east of the cemetery.
Feschuk, William: Trooper, 25 Squadron, 6th Armored Regiment, 1st Hussars, R.C.A.C. Son of Michael and Mary Feschuk, of Vita, Manitoba. Age 26.
Franko, Harry: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of William and Stella Franko, of Selkirk, Manitoba. Age 19.
Prokopchuk, Steve: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C Son of Tony and Pauline Prokopchuk of Sandy Lake, Manitoba. Brother of Donald, Charles, Teenie, Mary, Irene and Anne. Husband of Mary (nee Waldron) Prokopchuk of Manchester, England. Age 28
Makichuk, Michael John: Cpl., Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Saffron Sam Makichuk, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Husband of Elizabeth Amelia Makichuk, of Debert, Nova Scotia. Age 23
Leskiw, John: Rifleman, 1st Bn Regina Rifles
Miskow, Wesley William: Sergeant Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Son of Philip and Mary Miskow, of Shoal Lake, Manitoba Age 23
Pockiluk, Henry Andrew: Corporal, , Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Nicholas and Julia Pockiluk, of London, Ontario, Age 27
Skwalchuk, Metro: Trooper, Fort Garry Horse, R.C.A.C., Son of John and Sophie Skwarchuk, of Devil Lake, Saskatchewan. His brother John served with the Fort Garry Horse Regiment and he died on July 4, 1944. John is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, age 24
Solodiuk, Michael: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C,
Spilchak, George: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Anthony and Teennie Spilchak, of Pine Ridge, Manitoba. Age 22
Warun, William A.: Gunner, 14 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Son of Alex and Annie Warun, of Geraldton, Ontario. Age 22
Wintoniw, Mikie: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Nykola and Nellie Wintoniw, of Zhoda, Manitoba Age 26
Wladyka, Edward; Rifleman, Regina Rifle Regiment, R.C.I.C. Son of William and Frances Wladyka; husband of Louise M. Wladyka, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Age 30.
Woronchuk, Eugene: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of Michael and Pauline Woronchuk, of Brandon, Manitoba. Age 28.
The above list was compiled for UCC by Mr. Ron Sorobey and Mr. Myron Momryk.
