Our Heroes

Gus Nelson was one of only four Canadians captured during the Dieppe Raid who escaped and were never recaptured. In the spring of 1944, he tunnelled out of the Stalag VIII-B prisoner-of-war camp and, using his ability to speak Swedish, passed himself off as a Swedish labourer.

Gus made his way to the Baltic port of Swinemünde, where he and fellow escapee Red McMullen hid for 16 days in the diesel-filled engine room of a bomb-damaged Swedish freighter being towed to Sweden. The diesel fumes caused permanent damage to their lungs but prevented German search dogs from detecting their scent.

In October 1944, Gus was presented with a medal for bravery by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. His remarkable courage, determination and resourcefulness remain an enduring source of pride for his family.

Lest we forget.