Wait for Me, Daddy!, Black and white photograph in New Westminster, Canada
This black and white gelatin silver print shows a young boy running from his mother toward his father, who is marching with a column of soldiers on Eighth Street. The image captures a moment of everyday life in 1940 from the perspective of an observer on the street.
The photograph was taken on October 1, 1940, when the British Columbia Regiment prepared for military service. Photographer Claude P. Dettloff captured what became a lasting symbol of how war affected families and communities.
The photograph shows an emotional moment between a father and son that speaks to many people about separation and family bonds. It captures how war affected the relationships of ordinary families in the community.
The original remains preserved in Canadian archives and museums, accessible through exhibitions and historical collections. Visitors can go to the location in New Westminster where bronze statues now mark the historical moment.
Bronze statues were installed at the location in 2014, and the Royal Canadian Mint issued commemorative coins to mark the spot. These physical memorials turned the street corner into a lasting monument to the emotional story frozen in time by the photograph.
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