November 16, 2021. After reading about the Remembrance events here on Prince Edward Island, we received some feedback. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/11/14/2021-remembrance-week-events/)

… A wreath was laid at the Dutch memorial outside Pier 21 in Halifax….

George Zwaagstra of Halifax, Nova Scotia sent a photo and email, explaining that “…I had the honour of placing a wreath at the Dutch monument at Pier 21....” George, who was born in Friesland, The Netherlands in 1933, is a longtime volunteer at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax.  (See https://pier21.ca/content/the-immigration-story-of-george-zwaagstra-dutch-immigrant)

George Zwaagstra in centre of photo.  Beside him, on the right, is The Honourable Peter Alexander ‘Andy’ Fillmore, MP for Halifax.  (Photo submitted by George Zwaagstra)

….Flowers laid in Harlingen General Cemetery….

Douwe Drijver, of the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, wrote: “…Last Thursday I visited the cemetery in Harlingen in the pouring rain.  I was there to put flowers on the grave of an English aviator, R.G. BOSWELL.  Boswell was killed on August 19, 1941. I also brought a rose for Elmer MUTTART….Both pilots are buried next to each other…”  (Translation from the original Dutch)

The story of Elmer Bagnall Muttart and the crew of Halifax L9561 has been extensively told on this blog.  Missed the story of our last visit there in 2019? Please see https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-visit-to-harlingen-general-cemetery/ .

On November 11, 2021, a rose was placed on the grave of Elmer Muttart at Harlingen General Cemetery in Harlingen, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Douwe Drijver)

On November 11, 2021, flowers were placed on the graves of Elmer Muttart and R.B. Boswell at Harlingen General Cemetery in Harlingen, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Douwe Drijver)

You can also watch the short documentary we made about the commemoration events that took place on October 12, 2019 in The Netherlands:

….A 99 year old WW2 veteran shares recollections….

Donald Arsenault shared a video from Ontario in which a relative, 99 year old WW2 veteran Edmond ARSENAULT spoke about his experience during WW2 in Italy.  See https://www.chch.com/ww-ii-veteran-edmond-arsenault-recalls-countless-close-calls-while-serving/

Edmond Arsenault (right) and his friend Hermas Gallant (left) who was later killed in a minefield in Italy during the war. Both Mr. Arsenault and Mr. Gallant hailed from neighbouring small towns in Prince Edward Island. (Photo from Canadian Virtual War Memorial and their source indicates courtesy of the Memory Project: http://www.thememoryproject.com)

In the video clip, Edmond mentions the loss of his friend Antoine Hermas GALLANT of Cape Egmont, Prince Edward Island, son of Sylvain and Matilda Gallant.  Hermas lost his life in Italy on August 31, 1944 when he stepped on a mine.  He’s buried in Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy.

Thank you to Donald Arsenault, Douwe Drijver, and George Zwaagstra for sharing these acts of remembrance. If you can help with a photo or information about Canadian soldiers, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

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© Daria Valkenburg