Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, flourishing his “V for Victory” hand gesture to a crowd of 50,000 from the balcony of the Ministry of Health building in London, England.

Jubilant Americans in Times Square holding newspapers proclaiming the cessation of German hostilities. 

Canadians flooding Bay Street in Toronto, waving flags, cheering and climbing on streetcars in celebration.

These are among the iconic photographs snapped on May 8, 1945 — Victory in Europe Day. On this date, Allied powers in the Second World War formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender to put an end to fighting in the European theatre.

This glorious moment, nearly six years in the making, was largely realized due to the mettle and heroic deeds of many brave men and women, many of whom offered the ultimate sacrifice.

Soldiers, pilots, sailors, doctors and nurses, chaplains and other military personnel involved in the deadliest conflict in human history — there were between 50 million and 85 million fatalities in World War II — enlisted because of love of country and family. It is fair to say an infinitesimal few had any notion of fame in mind.  

It could be suggested the responsibility lies with us, today's generations who still benefit from past valour, to make meaningful attempts to learn about the comparatively unsung heroes.

The Diocese of London’s archives department has made it possible to get to know one of Canada’s Second World War heroes comprehensively and intimately. A virtual biographical tour in honour of Reverend Major Michael Joseph Dalton has featured prominently on the diocesan website (dol.ca) homepage since before this past Remembrance Day.

The chaplain, born on May 5, 1902, who served with the Essex Scottish Regiment (based in Windsor, Ont.), became the first Roman Catholic priest to be named a Member of the British Empire (MBE). Upon passing on April 6, 2009, at 106, he was Canada’s oldest Catholic priest and the oldest living Second World War veteran.

Archivist Debra Majer knew that a meaningful tribute for Dalton was needed because he “stands out as this unique figure in our diocese and our country.”

Four copies of notated diaries — 111 pages in total — and an interesting array of photographs provided Majer and archival assistant Mark Ambrogio with a bevy of compelling material to curate.  

The biographical tour showcases selected quotations from Dalton’s war diary. The earliest spotlighted entry is March 1, 1942, detailing how he celebrated Mass and offered benediction that day in the vestry of the local Anglican Church and at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury and English Martyrs, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea. In addition to the three liturgies, he also ministered to members of the Essex Scottish Regiment, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the Royal Canadian Air Force that day.

The final handpicked passage is from March 17, 1946: “Landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia. I would have kissed the ground of Canada, if people weren’t looking."

On D-Day (June 6, 1944) he wrote concisely, but powerfully: "We are not only living in the presence of History, we are makers of History."

Five weeks later, on July 13, 1944, Dalton recorded that “Terrific blasts of mortar fire fell like hail," but “I was too busy to be alarmed, as next minute I ran out to help a dying British gunner to recite (the) 'Jesus mercy' (prayer)."

Early into his deployment, on March 6, 1942, the chaplain scribbled a sad truth: “Young blokes get lonesome.”

Majer said Dalton’s diary is a portrait of a man who was present and attuned to the young men around him.

“He met these boys where they were at and he wrote so casually and so honestly,” said Majer. “He was writing about the horrors and just the everyday aspect of war without being colourful and just being so real. He had a certain stamina about him. I had read about the experiences of a number of different military chaplains. They weren't able to capture the time there the way Dalton did.”

Ambrogio added that Dalton had this way of “connecting to the average soldier and the emotion of the moment.”

The Essex Scottish received battle honours for the Dieppe raid (1942), the Battle of Verrières Ridge (1944), the liberation of Dieppe (1944), Battle of the Scheldt (1944), the Rhine (1944-45) and northwestern Europe.

Dalton, ordained a priest in 1931 at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in London, was named an MBE on June 2, 1943, during the birthday honours of King George VI. He received the medallion on July 13, 1943. He wrote in humility that day "... the Canadian Army would not tell me why they jockeyed me into position before His Majesty ..."

Based on Ambrogio’s understanding, “it was put forward on the advice of the Canadian government” that Dalton receive this award, and this honour ultimately preceded many of the most defining moments of the Essex Scottish Regiment’s wartime experience. This meant “they must have seen something in him already, even though the best and the worst was yet to come.”

Before enlisting at the outbreak of the Second World War, Dalton served as pastor of two Windsor, Ont., parishes: Holy Name of Mary from 1932-36, and St. Alphonsus from 1936-39.

After returning from army service, Dalton was named pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in Windsor in 1947. He remained there until 1953 and then he moved on to St. John’s in Woodslee, Ont. His final full-time priestly assignment from 1959-70 was at St. John de Brebeuf Parish in Kingsville, Ont.

Not much is written about his post-war life as a parish priest.  

“When you live that vow of obedience out there is nothing written about you,” said Majer with a chuckle. “He was just a very good pastor. There's really not a whole lot about him when he was in the churches except that he was an excellent pastor. He built community, he grew community, he served when the bishop asked him to relocate.”

While Dalton’s name and achievements are largely unfamiliar to many Canadians, he was named Windsor’s Veteran of the Year and Citizen of the Year in 1967. In London, Father Dalton Avenue is named in his memory.