‘Lots of charm’: Prince Harry wins over Toronto’s century-old war heroes

John Vennavally-Rao talks with Prince Harry as he visits Sunnybrook Veterans' Centre in Toronto, meeting veterans and military families ahead of Remembrance Day.

Some of Canada’s oldest war heroes received a special visitor Thursday morning at Sunnybook Veterans Centre, and by all accounts, Prince Harry was a hit with the centenarian crowd.

Brenda Reid, 101, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. After chatting with Prince Harry for a few minutes, she found him to be delightful.

“He has lots of charm,” said Reid. “It was fun to talk to him. I practically called him Harry.”

The Duke of Sussex is in Toronto at the invitation of the True Patriot Love Foundation, a military charity. He visited Sunnybook, which operates the largest veterans care facility in the country, and was taken to the creative arts room.

There, veterans from both the Second World War and Korean War are using art therapy to improve their mental and physical well-being.

• IN PICTURES: Prince Harry’s visit to Toronto

In an interview with CTV News, Prince Harry said he enjoyed speaking with the veterans and even joking around with them.

“For me it’s the banter. It’s the humour. It’s the community they are given here,” said Prince Harry.

“It’s really an opportunity for me to show my appreciation to them. Especially this week of all weeks,” he added, with Remembrance Day approaching.

Richard Ratcliffe, who served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Korean War, showed the prince one of the 50 hooked rugs he has made.

“Great guy, down to Earth too,” said Ratcliffe. “He’s really like a breath of fresh air.”

Prince Harry also spent time with Ed Marshall, who is nearly 102. Marshall was a paratrooper with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War.

“I’ve thrown myself out of an airplane,” said the Duke of Sussex, who has participated in jumps with the British Army’s parachute display team.

Marshall was pleased to show the prince some of the handmade wooden poppies crafted by the veterans.

“I saw a picture of you in Afghanistan with a machine gun,” Marshall said to Prince Harry. “You served in the army … we appreciate that.”

Jim LaForce, 101, was a tail gunner during the Second World War, flying 38 missions over Europe, mostly at night, as part of Bomber Command.

After meeting Prince Harry, he called the experience “really special.”

Veterans helped to paint military helmets that were being auctioned off to support True Patriot Love. Prince Harry was invited to paint a poppy on one of them.

Laurie Clark, an art therapist at Sunnybrook, says the program has been running for many years.

“Art therapy is a wonderful opportunity for veterans to express themselves,” said Clark, who expressed appreciation for the visit.

“I think the veterans really related to him well. I think they had a common bond.”

Prince Harry frequently speaks about the importance of remembering not only the fallen, but living veterans. He founded the Invictus Games, an international event for wounded, injured and ill military personnel and veterans, and has a longstanding commitment to military charities.

He also served two tours of duty with the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan.