By LCol Doug Foreman, OMM, CD
Shaw, Wayne Charlebois, Stan Dolezal, Sticky
Lepage, Wilf Banfield, Terry Lockhart, Jim Calder
and Gerry Brons. Dolezal and Banfield are circled
On arrival in theatre, the Diving Section of 1 Airborne Field Squadron fulfilled the role of Defence and Employment Section for CANCON HQ at Wolseley Barracks on the outskirts of the old city in Nicosia. On a rotational basis, two members of the Section were detached to Kyrenia, in the Finnish Battalion's area of responsibility, to operate the unofficial CANCON Boathouse and provide recreational diving and waterborne opportunities to the contingent. This support included providing recreational water excursions and diving for contingent personnel. The section was well set up in the Kyrenia Boat House and liaised with local diving legend Andreas Cariolou. Andreas. While working with the National Geographic Society, Andreas was instrumental in discovering the 'Kyrenia Ship', and ran tourist expeditions out to the site. The ship is now located in the Kyrenia Castle. Just prior to the outbreak of hostilities, the Diving Detachment had been preparing to support an upcoming 4 Fd Sqn Diving Exercise scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on Wednesday, 22 August, and had all their equipment shipped from Lahr to CANCON on earlier flights.
On the morning of 20 July, the two divers then assigned to the Boathouse, Corporals Banfield and Dolezal, awoke to witness a Turkish amphibious assault at Seven Mile Beach and Kyrenia area, where the 4 Fd Sqn crew had planned their camp. They immediately notified FINCON to declare Code Red, who being for the most part, civilians, immediately started to evacuate the area leaving 100s of tourists and refugees behind. The two divers were the only UN troops left in the area and faced the advancing Turks armed with only five rounds each, plus their UN flags. These two sappers organized, shepherded and attended to the refugees maintaining protection, water and medical aid until they were able to commandeer local buses and trucks leading a convoy through the Turkish lines to Nicosia. In the confusion of the days that followed the landing, these two were out of touch with their parent HQ in Nicosia and were listed as being AWOL. For their efforts, and based to a large extent on a letter of commendation from a Turkish Captain, both soldiers were awarded the Order of Military Merit.
Corporal W. Banfield has been appointed to the Order of Military Merit in the grade of Member for exemplary initiative and professionalism while isolated from all Canadian command and direction during evacuation of refugees during the first seven days of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. His independent action in the Kyrenia area during this period is an outstanding example of unselfish often heroic devotion to duty beyond what would normally be expected of an individual.