Below is Stan's obituary for anyone interested in learning if he returned from overseas and his general history after the war. DUDKA, Stanley: Friday March 7, 2008, Halifax Herald: DUDKA, Stanley - 85, formerly a resident of Stellarton, New Glasgow, and Lawrencetown, Halifax Co., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children on March 5, 2008, in Camp Hill Veterans' Building, QEII, in Halifax. Born in New Glasgow on January 16, 1923, he was the eldest son of the late Andrew and Margaret (Kowalski) Dudka. He had a quest for adventure that awarded him great recognition throughout his life. He enlisted in the army in 1939 at the age of 16. His first call of duty was as a guard for the Western Union cables that came ashore from overseas in Hazel Hill (Canso-town). It was there in Canso that he met his wife, Alice Cecilia (Ryan). They married in 1941 and celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2001. He served in the Second World War with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and fought on D-Day against the 12th SS Panzer Division. He was captured three times and escaped each time to rejoin his regiment. Post war he became a witness in the Nuremberg War Trial against General Kurt Meyer for the murder of 24 Canadian Prisoners of War. He was awarded the Military Medal by King George VI. Dad joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 1958. Upon joining DFO he was selected as a member of the "Special Force", a selected group of officers to enforce the regulations in the troubled areas of the Maritimes. He went on to become the leader of the Special Force. Stan was then selected to head the enforcement role of Sealing Operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He received the Centennial Medal for Merit of Service to Canada in 1967. In 1974 he was singled out again for distinction when he was presented with a Public Service Merit Award, the civil service's highest award. He will be greatly missed by his children, Marilyn (daughter-in-law), Melody (Aubin), Barbara (Ablett), Judith (Lloyd Haggerty), Thomas (Sharon), Helen (David Johnson), Alicia, Bernard (Brenda), Katherine, Sonya (Leo van Dijk), Stephen, and Christopher (Liz). Stan was a devoted father and husband. His wife, Alice, and his oldest son, Stanley Frederick, predeceased him. Stan also joins his siblings, Andrew "Dukie", Helen, Annie, and Bill in heaven. He was the very proud "PAPA" to 25 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He looked forward to every visit and rejoiced in joking and carrying on with them all. Papa you will always be their "monkey face". Stan pursued his passions with a great commitment, and they included his faith in God, his belief in the Catholic Church, and his love of gardening. The gardens of his Lawrencetown home and the grounds of Pope John XXIII Church were his delight. Special thanks to Mary Galliott for her faithful and loving care of our father for the past five years. Visitation will be held in H.W. Angus Funeral Home, King Street, New Glasgow, today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Stellarton, with Father Don Boudreau officiating. Burial will follow in Lourdes Cemetery. A reception will be held in Branch 28, Stellarton Legion, following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cardiac Care Centre, care of the QEII Foundation, 902-473-7932 or www.qe2foundation.com. On-line condolences may be made at: [email protected] Carolyn Wallace wrote: > The posts I put on the List took place during the war years so I would like to share two letters that were in "The News" in New Glasgow this week. They presented them as love letters leading up to Valentines Day. The letters were from Stan Dudka from this area to his wife from overseas. Quote from an earlier edition of "The News" :(Stanley Dudka served with distinction in the Second World War. He was wounded and captured in France and later decorated by King George VI. Dudka was also called as a witness in the war crimes trial of Kurt Meyer who was on trial for ordering the execution of Canadian prisoners.) > > LETTERS TO HOME > > Stan Dudka writes his wife, Alice, after he escapes captivity in the Second World War... > Dear Mom and Alice, > I hope this letter finds you in the very best of health. I am feeling great. I know you will be glad to hear from me as you probably think I am dead. I was taken prisoner by the Germans on the 7th of June. I escaped though and am now at Bill's unit with him... I had quite a chilling time escaping from the Germans. It wasn't very easy either but the good Lord was with me. The Germans treated us real bad, just like in a movie only twice as worse. However it's over with now but I will never forget them ba.t..ds for what they done to us. Tell Henry White's folks that he is a prisoner of war, he is quite well...I tried to escape three times but I got caught. I was away from them ten days but I couldn't get through the German lines. We are sure giving them hell now.. I was wounded a couple of times but all that is left of them is scars. I am completely better. We had an awful battle on D.Day and the day after. We had a real important job to do also. We suffered heavy though b! ut! > we done our job. We met the S.S. troops. They are real ba.t..ds. The main thing though mom is that I made it and am safe and sound. I don't think the war will last much longer. I hope not anyway. Mom, I wish you could see the priest and have a mass offered for my safe return in thanks to God because without him I don't think I would ever have made it. He was with me all the time because I was in some very tight spots. Well mom I guess I will have to close for now with all my love to my dear wife and baby and Dad and you Dear Mom and the rest of the family. > Your loving son > Stan > xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > FROM THE FRONT > > Stan Dudka writes his wife, Alice, after returning from leave... > My darling wife, > I am in the middle of my leave now. I came back last night and I received about 50 letters, mostly all from you... I also received a cheque from you, thanks a lot dear. I will send it back as soon as I get my pay fixed up. The Germans took my pay book and now I have to wait to get all my pay but as soon as I do I will send it to you but thanks a lot darling. I am a lucky fellow to have a wife like you darling. > Your letters were swell, every one of them. I've read every one over twice and I will read them again tonight. Some day when this war is over and I do come home I'm going to make up to you for all the time I've been away.It'll be hard to get rid of them. I understand how much you love me and baby Stan. I do also love you dear and baby Stan just as much. Keep up the good work darling and keep waiting for me with patience and I will love you twice as much when I do come home. > I think I am going for a commission dear, don't build too much hopes on it because I have quite an examination to pass. I think I can though. I will work hard for it thought wont be my fault if I don't pass it. It takes a long time though. I am getting a little civilized again. I am losing my hate and longing to kill Germans. > I received a letter yesterday from Mr.and Mrs. Massey, the High Commissioner of Canada in London, congratulating me for good and gallant service in the Front. I also received a photo of you and baby Stan. He sure is a fine looking son dear, isn't he. When I come home we will, like you say, have a daughter too. > All my love to my dear wife&baby > I love you,Your loving husband Stan > Xxxxxxxxooo For you > Xxxxxxxxooo For Baby > > xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Carolyn Wallace > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >