Reunion of famed ‘Devil’s Brigade’ spurs talk of greater recognition for veterans

By Richard Riosa
Local veterans and citizens are demanding more public support and recognition for those who have served their country.
The 67th reunion of the First Special Service Force was held in Windsor starting Sept. 25. The reunion ended with a parade through the Cenotaph at City Hall Square and a memorial service Sept. 28. The FSSF is better known by its nickname The Devil’s Brigade. The nickname was used as the title of a 1968 film depicting their exploits.
The once 1800 member Devil’s Brigade, a joint operation between the U.S. and Canada during WWII, was the original special service force. The Devil’s Brigade set the groundwork for all future special forces in the military.
Among the 21 members of the Devil’s Brigade who attended the parade was Windsor resident Ralph Mayville.
Mayville, 93, said he was first deployed overseas in 1940 and joined the FSSF to get closer to the action.
“We stayed in our dugout most of the day,” said Mayville. “At night time, that’s when we did our patrolling behind enemy lines, cut a few throats and put stickers on all the bodies.”
Mayville said he has enjoyed the publicity the FSSF has received since it disbanded in 1944. Although he said some immigrants may be unaware of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers during WWII, he also said he personally feels appreciated for his efforts.
Dan Hayes, national president and founder of the North Wall Riders Association attended the memorial along with other members of his organization.
Hayes, who is not a veteran himself, said he founded the motorcycle group to support veterans after realizing there were no similar organizations in the local community.
“There’s no support for our veterans,” said Hayes.
Hayes said the FSSF is responsible for the freedom Canadians enjoy today and all soldiers are deserving of more recognition than they currently receive.
“We need to recognize what these fellas have done,” said Hayes. “A lot of people have forgotten because we haven’t had any major fights since WWII.”
Although there is a lack of support, Hayes said he will pass on his beliefs to his children in the hope that future generations will remember the sacrifices veterans have made to ensure their freedom.
Vietnam War veteran Wayne Hillman spoke during the memorial in support of the FSSF.
Hillman said he also thinks there is not enough support for veterans within modern society and said he felt it was important for him to honour those who have come before him.
“I come here, in this particular case, to honour the first special service forces and the guys that did the great job ensuring our freedom,” said Hillman.
Although he said veterans should receive more support, Hillman also said soldiers who return from war now have much more help and support than when he returned from Vietnam.
Hillman said the unwelcome reception was disheartening because the soldiers were simply sent to do a job by their country.
“The boys and girls coming back from Afghanistan have much more entitlements,’ said Hillman. “They have people there waiting for them to get off the plane. They’re welcomed back, where we weren’t welcomed back.”
There was no help and little information on the post-traumatic stress disorder Hillman said he faced upon returning to Canada.
Despite the challenges he faced and the lack of support he received, Hillman said he is proud of everything he did while serving in the military because he was serving for freedom.
“I really enjoyed my military service until I went to Vietnam,” said Hillman. “War changes everybody and I certainly didn’t come back as the same person who went over there.”
Mayville said he also was proud of every moment of his service although he didn’t share Hillman’s unwillingness to re-enlist.
“I’d go back tomorrow if I could, but I don’t think they’d take me now,” said Mayville.