3. “Wait for me, Daddy” is a touching example of a soldier’s sacrifice in WWII, however, it does not have a fairytale ending.
This charming photo entitled “Wait for me, Daddy” was taken by The Province photographer, Claude P. Dettloff on October 1, 1940. It captures the moment when five-year-old Warren “Whitey” Bernard rushes from his mother’s side to his father, Jack Bernard, who is leaving to fight in the Second World War. The touching moment illustrates perfectly the sacrifice these men made in serving their country, leaving their families behind and risking their lives. (Note in the photo that Jack has his right hand stretched out to his young son, having switched his rifle to his other hand, and how all of the other soldiers in the line have their weapons in their right hands.)
The regiment in question are The British Colombia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles) and are pictured marching down Eighth Street at the Colombia Street intersection, New Westminster, Canada. The photo received a lot of media exposure, it featured in Life magazine and was used to promote war bonds at the time. The City of New Westminster unveiled a statue depicting the photo in 2014 and the Royal Canadian Mint issued three coins featuring the image. Canada Post also issued a commemorative stamp based on the photo.
Jack and the rest of the army regiment were sent first to Nanaimo in Canada, before serving overseas in the European Theatre. Happily, Jack returned safely home in October 1945 and the photo below captures the moment father and son were reunited.
Sadly, the story does not quite have a “happily ever after” fairy-tale ending. Jack’s decision to go overseas to fight in England put a strain on his marriage to Bernice and they ultimately ended up divorcing not long after his return. Both went on to remarry and Jack had another two children. He passed away in 1981 aged 75.