Jim Parks was just 15 when he joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, later transferring to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He was sent to Britain in 1941 and two-and-a-half years later landed with the mortar platoon as part of the very first wave of the Allied landing at Normandy. He survived the Battle of Putot-en-Bessin two days later and eventually became a sergeant. He returned to Winnipeg in 1945 without any major injuries.