Whispers of valour: how John Dekhane revives WWII's silent heroes through storytelling
Image: John Dekhane
'History is not just about dates and facts, it's about people, sacrifice and the stories we choose to remember.'
For John Dekhane, a Paris-born sports professional now based in Monaco, this isn't just a belief. It's a calling, a deeply personal mission that's shaped his life, and, he hopes, the lives of his readers.
Through his work as a WWII tribute writer, Dekhane is turning forgotten names into living memories, inviting a new generation to pause, learn, and reflect. 4
Dekhane's childhood wanderings through the streets of Paris, a city liberated by the bravery of soldiers worldwide, ignited his enduring fascination with World War II.
'Growing up in France, a country liberated by so many brave souls from the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Great Britain, ignited in me a deep respect for this pivotal chapter of our shared history,' Dekhane shares.
Visits to WWII cemeteries left him awestruck by the cost of freedom.
'Seeing row after row of headstones made me realise the immense sacrifices made for us. It wasn't just history, it was personal,' he reflects, echoing findings from the American Historical Association, which stress the power of personal stories in connecting new generations to the past (AHA, 2022).
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Dekhane's journey from passionate observer to active participant began a decade ago. He started collecting WWII artefacts personal belongings of American soldiers found in Europe and donating them to museums across the US, Canada, and the UK.
Image: Kendall Hoopes/pexels
Turning passion into purpose, Dekhane's journey from observer to active participant began a decade ago.
He started collecting WWII artefacts, personal belongings of American soldiers found in Europe, and donated them to museums across the US, Canada and the UK. Over 100 museums have since received these precious reminders of the past thanks to his efforts.
But artefacts, Dekhane realised, are only part of the story.
'I felt the need to do more, so I began writing, determined to preserve the names and stories of fallen heroes before they faded into the archives,' he says.
His heartfelt tributes have since appeared in global publications: "The Armenian Weekly" (Massachusetts), "The StarPhoenix" (Canada), "South London Press" (UK), "IOL" (South Africa), "Jersey City Times" (New Jersey), and more.
Each piece is a carefully researched tapestry, weaving together facts, emotion, and the context of the communities these heroes once called home.
In an age of social media overload and fleeting news cycles, why does memory matter?
Psychologists and educators agree: personal narratives are the most effective way to make history stick. A 2020 study published in "Frontiers in Psychology" found that learning through narrative increases empathy and recall, especially among younger audiences (Green et al., 2020).
For Dekhane, the mission is urgent.
'My only goal is to keep their memories alive so that, many years after I'm gone, their sacrifices aren't forgotten. Even if just one person remembers a forgotten hero, it's all worth it,' he shares, echoing experts who urge us to connect emotionally with the past (Dr. Anna Whitelock, Royal Holloway University).
Recently, Dekhane's work spotlighted Lieutenant Clement Aldwyn Neville McGarr, a South African hero who served and fell during WWII. Over 334 000 South Africans fought for freedom; more than 11,000, including McGarr, never came home.
'McGarr's story stood out to me because, as a child, I was captivated by 'The Great Escape' and I later discovered he was part of that legendary event,' Dekhane says. Honouring McGarr in his hometown of Durban, through IOL, brought the story full circle.
'I'm sure McGarr would be proud to see his legacy celebrated in the city he loved most.'
So, what drives this WWII writer to keep searching, writing, and sharing? 'It's the realisation that freedom, democracy, and justice are not abstract; they were paid for by individuals who gave everything for something larger than themselves,' he explains.
My only goal is to keep their memories alive so that, many years after I'm gone, their sacrifices aren't forgotten- Dekhane
Image: John M /pexels
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