April 27, 2020. Today is Kings Day (Koningsdag) in The Netherlands, the national holiday in that country, equivalent to our Canada Day on July 1. It celebrates the birthday of the Dutch King Willem-Alexander. Normally there are lots of activities, but with social distancing due to the coronavirus, events have been cancelled, and people have been asked to celebrate at home.
On a windy Island, Pieter has to hang on to the Dutch flag for dear life! (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
Here on the Island, a proud Dutch-born Pieter put out the Dutch flag by our garage and held on to it long enough to take a photo before the wind whipped it around the pole. The day is a reminder of next week’s 75th Liberation of The Netherlands on May 5. Most events have been cancelled or curtailed, but the day will still be marked.
Cartoon found on geheugenvannederland.nl
Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Face To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, has advised that stories and photos collected on those buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek are now online at www.facestograves.nl. She will be interviewed by CBC Calgary reporter Erin Collins on May 5. (For more information see: Press Release Digital Monument May 2020)
Readers of this blog are aware of Pieter’s efforts to help the Foundation and other researchers with photos and stories about Prince Edward Island soldiers buried in The Netherlands. (See Photos and Info Requested For WW2 Soldiers From PEI Buried In The Netherlands)
Of the Islanders buried in Groesbeek, photos for all but two have been found. Still missing photos are two who lost their lives in 1945:
- Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY, born in Morell, was with the Royal Canadian Engineers -33rd Field Company. He died on April 20, 1945, aged 25. UPDATE: Photo found!
- Barney Ruben MCGUIGAN, born in St. Peter’s, son of Thomas and Sadie McGuigan, was with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. He died on February 26, 1945, aged 17. UPDATE: Photo found!
If you have photos or information to share about Henneberry, McGuigan, or other Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.
© Daria Valkenburg
….Want to follow our research?….
If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so. Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/
4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/
You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.
Never miss a posting! Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.
On The War Memorial Trail Research Project........ with Pieter and Daria Valkenburg 
Hi Pieter and Daria,
Happy day after Dutch Kings Day! Another windy one! I didn’t realize that you were home from Florida. Hope the forecast snow doesn’t happen. Our 53rd anniversary is April 29 1967 and here on the Island we had a very heavy snowstorm! Steve was in Albany at my Uncle Sterling’s and the plow got stuck getting him and his best man out!! I have some info collected about my Uncle Gordon Rogerson who was wounded in Italy in WW2. When social distancing is over ,I’ll bring it over to you I trust that you are both well in these strange times!
All the best to you both, Barbara.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Thanks Barb. We look forward to learning more about your uncle, Gordon Rogerson. Hope you had a happy anniversary! See you soon.
Daria and Pieter
LikeLike