propaganda poster, MEN of VALOR They fight for you (Merritt)

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Object Number 19680122-042
Event 1939-1945 Second World War
1942 Dieppe Raid
Affiliation --
Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Rogers, Mr. Reginald Hubert
Wartime Information Board
Date Made 1943

Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
Category Communication artifacts
Sub-category Advertising medium
Department Art and Memorials
Museum CWM
Earliest 1943/01/01
Latest 1943/12/31
Inscription MEN of VALOR They fight for you "When last seen he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach." Except from citation awarding Victory Cross to Lt. Col. Merritt, South Saskatchewan Reg., Dieppe, Aug. 19, 1942; ISSUED BY WARTIME INFORMATION BOARD OTTAWA PRINTED IN CANADA UE-8; HUBERT ROGERS 43
Medium ink
Support paper
Materials Not applicable
Branch Infantry Branch
Service Component Canadian Army
Unit South Saskatchewan Regiment
Person / Institution Subject, Merritt , V.C., E.D., Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cecil Ingersoll
Measurements Height 91.5 cm, Width 61.0 cm

Caption Charles Cecil Ingersoll MERRITT, VC, ED (POW)
Additional Information Merritt earned the Victoria Cross. His citation reads: "For matchless gallantry and inspiring leadership whilst commanding his battalion during the Dieppe raid on the 19th August, 1942. From the point of landing, his unit's advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was swept by very heavy machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire: the first parties were mostly destroyed and the bridge thickly covered by their bodies. A daring lead was required; waving his helmet, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt rushed forward shouting, "Come on over! There's nothing to worry about here". He thus personally led the survivors of at least four parties in turn across the bridge. Quickly organizing these, he led them forward and when held up by enemy pill-boxes, he again headed rushes which succeeded in clearing them. In one case, he himself destroyed the occupants of the post by throwing grenades into it. After several of his runners became casualties, he himself kept contact with his different positions. Although twice wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt continued to direct the unit's operations with great vigour and determination and while organizing the withdrawal, he stalked a sniper with a Bren gun and silenced him. He then coolly gave the orders for the departure and announced his intention to hold off and "get even with" the enemy. When last seen, he was collecting Bren and Tommy guns and preparing a defensive position which successfully covered the withdrawal from the beach. Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt is now reported to be a Prisoner of War. To this Commanding Officer's personal daring, the success of his unit's operations and the safe re-embarkation of a large portion of it were chiefly due."
Caption Hubert Rogers (1898-1982)
Additional Information A native of Prince Edward Island, Rogers served with the Royal Canadian Artillery during the First World War. He received art training in Toronto and Boston, then went on to extensive book illustrations work in the United States, where he was noted for pictures related to science fiction. In 1940 he offered his talents to the Canadian government, bur there was little for him to do. He returned to New York, but by 1942 Canadian authorities were better organized, Rogers was subsequently employed by the Wartime Information Board. His "Men of Valour" posters were among the most striking Canadian designs of the period. He also painted a large oil, Quebec Conference. Following the war he became an accomplished portrait and landscape painter; many of his works were acquired by the Royal Bank, Manotick, Ontario, where he was a longtime resident.
Caption Men of Valor They Fight for you
Additional Information Issued by the Wartime Information Board Ottawa. Lieutenant-colonel C.C. Merritt commanded the south Saskatchewan Regiment at the Dieppe Raid (August 19th 1942). Throughout the action he exposed himself to great danger; ultimately he organized a rear guard which covered the re-embarkation of many soldiers. Merritt was taken prisoner; in captivity he learned that he had been awarded the Victoria Cross.