Date: October 1, 1940
Photographer: American photographer Claude Dettloff for Life magazine.
Details: The backstory of this iconic photograph is rooted in Canada’s declaration of war against Germany. During that time, a man named Jack Bernard was enlisted in the British Columbia Regiment. Months later, his regiment was ordered to relocate to an undisclosed overseas location. As the soldiers marched through the streets of New Westminster, heading towards their unknown destination, photographer Claude Dettloff was present to capture the moment. Positioned strategically to photograph the entire regiment, Dettloff witnessed an unexpected and touching scene: a young boy ran onto the road, shouting, “Wait for me, Daddy!” His father, smiling, shifted his rifle to one hand so he could briefly hold his son while the regiment marched behind him. Dettloff captured this spontaneous moment, which became an artistic masterpiece due to its authenticity and emotion. Over time, the image spread across global newspapers and gained widespread recognition. It resonated so deeply that it was displayed in every school in British Columbia during the war. Life magazine later included it in its list of the 10 most famous photos of the year.
Warren Bernard, the child in the photo, recounts his memories of that day. While he doesn’t recall much from the moment the photograph was taken, he does vividly remember being driven to the location by his grandfather in an old car, along with his mother. He also remembers the day after the photo was published when he suddenly became famous. The image attracted the attention of the military, who sought his mother’s permission to include him in various events organized to support the war effort. One of his most significant roles was delivering speeches at fundraising events, encouraging people to purchase war bonds to help bring soldiers, including his father, home. His speeches had a strong impact on the audience, leading to increased bond sales.
Interestingly, the “secret destination” of Jack Bernard’s regiment was revealed to be the city of Nanaimo, located on Canada’s eastern coast, just three hours from where they had been marching. Later, the regiment was deployed to fight in battles in France and the Netherlands. After the war ended, Jack Bernard returned home in October 1945, with the same photographer present to document the family’s reunion. The photograph’s lasting impact inspired the creation of a bronze statue, commemorating that heartfelt moment, which was placed in the same spot where the original image was taken. Additionally, a commemorative stamp featuring the iconic image was issued, as well as a set of three coins depicting a scene inspired by the photograph.
