​​The Memorial stands as a tribute to all the units that participated in the D-Day assault at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer on 6 June 1944. While it commemorates the efforts of many, it is particularly significant for The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment, which was tasked with storming the village of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, located at the eastern end of Juno Beach.

​Despite intense German resistance, the regiment pressed forward, suffering significant losses along the way. The North Shore Regiment's assault was part of a larger operation to capture strategic positions, including the nearby village of Tailleville and the radar station at Douvres-la-Délivrande. Historian Marc Milner notes that no other Canadian D-Day beach faced such strong inland obstacles.

​The regiment's most significant battle occurred at WN 27, a German resistance nest near Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, where they faced a heavily fortified gun position. The German resistance put up an extended fight, but the North Shore Regiment, supported by tanks, eventually neutralised the position. This was the final stronghold in the town to fall. Their approach was unconventional—after landing on the beach, the regiment moved inland, capturing the town by fighting their way back through the southern part of the village.

​The regiment endured heavy casualties: more than 30 killed and 90 wounded on D-Day. Their perseverance in the face of adversity was evident in their efforts to break through the enemy’s defences, especially when air and naval bombardments failed to destroy the German fortifications as expected. The regiment’s teamwork with tanks and vehicles, particularly the use of AVREs (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers), was crucial in overcoming the formidable German positions.