Pointe de Maisonnette, New Brunswick. The attempted escape was codenamed Operation Kiebitz by the German authorities. Only one prisoner, Wolfgang Heyda, made it from Bowmanville to Pointe de Maisonnette. Piers, after questioning him at the lighthouse, unmasked Heyda despite his initial denials. Recollecting the event after the war, Piers remarked, "I offered my regrets, but I had to return him to detention. I telephoned the RCMP. They came in a car and, a few moments later, I handed him over to them." While none of the POW's got away, the submarine sent to pick them up was able to escape, only to be sunk a few weeks later. Post-war Piers returned to the Royal Military College of Canada as Commandant in 1957. In 1967, Piers retired to his home in Chester, Nova Scotia, doing community work until 1977 when he was appointed Agent General of Nova Scotia in London. This appointment entailed the support abroad of Nova Scotia's interests. In this role, he promoted the province's use of tidal energy. In the following year, 1978, he was made a Freeman of the City of London. To Desmond's seven grandchildren, he was always referred to as Grandeb and will always be remembered as the one engaging in musicals and small plays with the grandchildren. He never gave up a chance to teach them how to play the harmonica, as it was one of his favourite hobbies. He was a true inspiration to everyone. Desmond "Debby" Piers died in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 1 November 2005. He had married Janet Macneill in 1941, the couple had had one stepdaughter Anne. On June 2, 2007 a memorial monument in recognition of Rear Admiral Desmond William Piers was placed outside his Chester home. It can be seen on Front Street, down by the ocean in Chester, Nova Scotia. See also Military history of Nova Scotia Notes References 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976. H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969. H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982 H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of