William Grayson holds Remembrance Day service for students

William Grayson School held a Remembrance Day service for students yesterday, with special guest Moira Grayson in attendance. She is the daughter of Captain William David Grayson, and great-granddaughter of William Grayson, after whom the school is named, and she spoke to the students about her father’s military past. 

Born in Moose Jaw 1918, Captain William David Grayson earned his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan prior to training as an officer with the Regina Rifle Regiment. He was deployed during World War II and was with his regiment on June 6, 1944 for D-Day as they crossed the choppy waters to land on Juno Beach.  

“He by himself captured an 88-millimeter gun in a large concrete gun emplacement,” said Grayson of her father. “He was able to capture a number of Germans in the emplacement by himself with the pistol, and that basically stopped the firing onto the beach so that the remaining men were able to then continue on, and eventually liberate the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer.” 

His acts of bravery that day led to him being awarded the Military Cross. 

Grayson was happy to be included in the school’s Remembrance Day ceremony. “It’s quite magical to be here in a school named after my great grandfather and talking about my dad. I’m very proud to know and pleased to know that people continue to remember.” 

Major Paul Park, a teacher with the school and an Army reservist as a cavalry officer since 1992, also showed the students videos including “Highway of Heroes” and “What a Soldier Left Behind”. He told students about his time as a reservist serving domestically fighting fires in BC and floods in Manitoba, as well as his deployment overseas to Afghanistan. He spoke about the military history of Canada and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of members of the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. 

Major Paul Park

During the hour-long ceremony, students participated in a colour party, laid wreaths, and recited the poem ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ in multiple languages.  

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