Image: Major Lockhart R. Fulton, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, in 1944
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Major Lockhart “Lockie” R. Fulton was a soldier in the 12th Manitoba Dragoons who rose through the ranks. On D-Day Fulton was one the first officers to land on Juno Beach, as he came ashore with his “D” Company on Mike Red Beach in front of the present-day site of the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.
He recollected afterward:
"The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were designated an assault battalion for the D-Day landings, and Companies “B” and “D” were chosen to lead the assault …. We boarded the LSI [Landing Ship Infantry], the Canterbury, on June 3, but it was not until the evening of June 5 that we weighed anchor, moved out into the Channel, and headed for Normandy."
"Only the ship’s captain, the landing craft commander, and I knew the exact destination. Once past the point of no return, I issued true maps to all detachment commanders, who, for security reasons, had been briefed on false ones. I went over the battle plans with “D” Company’s platoon commanders, then tried to get some sleep. Tension was mounting, however, and I went up on the bridge and spent the remainder of the night with the ship’s captain."
"The LCAs took us as far as they could, but we still went into waist-deep water. The Germans were now alert ... and mortars began shelling the beach. It is hard to describe the difficulty of getting through sea water and across the beach to the relative safety of the sand dunes, with your battledress full of water and carrying a heavy load of ammunition and equipment…."
"On top of the sand dunes the Germans had laid minefields, stretching right across the company’s front. Lacking time and equipment to lift them, we would have to make our way through them and trust to luck …. Lieutenant Jack Mitchell, who won the Military Cross, led his platoon through the minefields and with tank support was able to overcome the weapon pits and capture the Germans manning them. Our other two platoons moved through the minefields meeting little resistance and attained our objective, the high ground behind Graye-sur-Mer overlooking the beach…. June 6, 1944, is a day that will remain forever in the memories of those who survived."
Fulton was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his heroics on June 6, 1944, and in the days that came after. In late 1944 Fulton took command of the regiment and was viewed an intelligent and respected commanding officer.