The Dieppe Raid: August 19, 1942

BATTLE ACCOUNTS

Battle Account of Rev. John Foote, VC

Royal Hamilton Light Infantry

One of the many who had helped rescue the wounded when boats were still available was the Rev. John Foote, RHLI padre. That day, he saved at least 30 lives. He lifted one man on his back, walked into the water, waded to the nearest boat and, despite the crowd around it, persuaded men to help him transfer the wounded man on board. He waded back to shore, walked to the LCT, lifted another wounded man to his back and turned toward the beach.

PHOTO: Rev. John Foote, VC  

So it went for more than an hour, the incredible padre seeking out boats and calling to all who could hear: "Every man carry a man." When only one boat remained, two men pulled him into it. The boat moved astern when suddenly the padre leaped into the water and returned to the beach because, he said, "It seemed to me the men ashore would need me far more in captivity than any of those going home." Foote, a prisoner until May 1945, was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.

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