March 24, 2022. Pieter and I would like to thank everyone who contacted us about our book, ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’, about our 2017 war memorial tour in Europe. We appreciate the comments and photos you’ve sent of yourselves with the book. Please keep them coming!
When the book was first published in January 2022, it was available in print format only. Now, thanks to Wendy Nattress, it is now available in e-book format for Kindle, Kobo, and other reader format. Please visit https://nosoldierforgotten.com/for links to where it is available.
Wendy has ensured that both the Table of Contents and the Index have hyperlinks to the appropriate places in the e-book, making for a more user-friendly reading experience.
Invitations have been received and accepted for these ‘Author Talks’:
Thursday, May 19, 2022 – North Bay, Ontario, hosted by the North Bay Public Library. Time 7:00 pm.
Thursday, August 11, 2022 – Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island, part of the ‘Our Island Talks’ series, and hosted by Victoria Playhouse and Victoria Historical Association. Time: 3:00 pm.
Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. For more information seehttps://nosoldierforgotten.com/
One soldier, who came from an area near where Edmond Coloumbe lived, was Philip LAFORTE. With the help Philip’s niece Michelle Wazny, Diane Dube of the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum in St.-Georges, and genealogy researcher Judie Klassen, a photo was found, as was information on his Métis roots.
Philip was born September 12, 1911 in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, the son of Napoleon and Rosalie (nee Mainville) LaForte. His mother’s Métis status meant that Philip too was Métis.
A trapper before he enlisted in Winnipeg with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on July 31, 1941, Philip was married to Eva Jane (nee Johnston) and they had one son, Felix Joseph. Another son, Donald Philip, was born shortly after he enlisted. Philip had previously been married to Sarah Louise Bird, who had died of tuberculosis. Their son Leon was brought up by his grandparents, Mr and Mrs Joseph Daniels, of Sagkeeng First Nation.
Philip Laforte. (Photo courtesy of the Laforte family)
Philip’s service file noted that he was fluent in English, French, and Cree, and had trapped furs for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and worked as a bush labourer for Brown and Rutherford.
As a new recruit, Philip was sent to Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay), Ontario for two months of basic training. Then he was attached to the Infantry Advanced Training Centre (Rifle) in Winnipeg, Manitoba..
On December 12, 1941, he became part of the 3rd Division Infantry Reinforcement Unit (DIRU) as a Rifleman, and was on his way to the United Kingdom, arriving on December 23, 1941.
On May 28, 1942, Philip was transferred to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Still in the United Kingdom, he was taken on strength to the #1 Educational Company on November 1, 1942, and stayed in that unit until February 1943, when he was transferred to the #2 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).
…. Philip is involved in the liberation of North-West Europe….
On April 12, 1943, Philip was reassigned to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. On September 1, 1944 he arrived in France as reinforcement for troops lost during the Battle of Caen and the Battle of Falaise Gap.
He participated in the fight to clear the Scheldt Estuary to allow the re-opening of the Antwerp harbour. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt) By January 1945 the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in The Netherlands, and spent the New Year in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
On February 1, 1945, the war diary recorded that the Regiment was informed of the part that the men “…would play in Operation Veritable…” This would take them into Germany. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable) The Regiment arrived in Millingen, Germany on February 9, 1945.
By February 16, 1945 the Regiment was based in Essen, Germany, as they cleared German positions in flooded areas of the Rhine flood plain and the Reichswald forest, which is close to the Dutch-German border.
On March 11, 1945 the Regiment began moving back towards ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands and the greater battle towards liberating the country.
A short video produced by the Canadian Army gives an idea of what troops faced in this period:
….The battle for Deventer involved crossing the Schipbeek ….
Movement of Canadian troops towards Deventer. Note that all first had to cross the Schipbeek. (Map provided by Edwin van der Wolf)
On April 7, 1945 the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were ordered to cross the Schipbeek and establish a bridgehead as preparation for an assault on the city of Deventer by the 7th Canadian Brigade.
Crossing the Schipbeek was vital to the success of the bridge operation, not an easy feat as the Bridge was strongly defended by the Germans.
Unfortunately, one of the casualties during the events of April 7, 1945 was Philip Laforte, and it seems most likely that he lost his life during the crossing of the Schipbeek.
Along with 45 other soldiers, he was temporarily buried beside an estate in Oxe, which had been the site of the murder of Dutch resistance fighters.
On April 6, 1945, just before the Schipbeek, Royal Winnipeg Rifles troops arrived at an estate in Oxe (Oxerhof). This had been taken over as Gestapo Headquarters, but had been hastily vacated ahead of the Regiment.
In January 1946, all 46 Canadian soldiers were reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.
Grave of Philip Laforte in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of the Information Centre Canadian Cemetery Holten)
…The Colmschate Memorial commemorates 46 Canadians….
On April 8, 2015, a memorial was placed in Colmschate to commemorate the 46 Canadians who had been temporarily buried on the Oxe estate.
Memorial in Colmschate, commemorating 46 Canadians, including Philip Laforte. (Photo courtesy of Edwin van der Wolf)
Text of Memorial in Colmschate, commemorating 46 Canadians, including Philip Laforte. (Photo courtesy of Edwin van der Wolf)
Translation of the Dutch text was prepared by Pieter Valkenburg:
They Gave Their Lives
The liberation of Colmschate
During their advance from the Achterhoek, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, the Regina Rifle Regiment, and the Canadian Scottish Regiment, led by Brigadier General T G Gibson reached the neighborhood of Oxe on Friday April 6, 1945. Next to the house on the Oxe estate (Oxerhof), the liberators discovered the bodies of ten Dutchmen who had been murdered in cold blood by the occupiers the day before. The Canadians passed the Schipbeek via a quickly struck bailey bridge, which replaced the destroyed Swormertoren Bridge.
Despite heavy German resistance, they continued north. Many farms went up in flames and houses were badly damaged. Many families sought refuge in the already liberated Oxe. Some residents lost their lives.
On April 8, 1945, the liberators captured (a small part of) the Snippeling, Colmschate, and the Bannink. Via the Vijfhoek they reached the Crödden Bridge over the Overijssels Canal. Schalkhaar and Deventer were then liberated and with the help of the Queen’s Own Rifles the remaining part of the Snippeling.
Many Canadians lost their lives in the battle in this area. In April 1945, the bodies of 46 fallen Canadians were buried in a temporary resting place opposite the Oxerhof house. In January 1946 they were transferred to the Canadian Cemetery in Holten (Plot I and II).
…..Philip is listed on the National Métis Veterans Memorial Monument….
Thank you to Philip’s niece Michelle Wazny, Diane Dube of the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum in St.-Georges, and genealogy researcher Judie Klassen. It can be a challenge to find family and photos, and we appreciate the help we receive! If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.
….Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog….
To read about other Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog:
Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. For more information seehttps://nosoldierforgotten.com/
During our visit, Lindsay mentioned that his grandfather William ‘James’ SEAMAN, the father of Chaplain Seaman, served in WW1, and later became the postmaster in Breadalbane, Prince Edward Island.
Pieter (standing) with Norma and Lindsay Seaman, and a photo of Lindsay’s grandfather, William ‘James’ Seaman. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
According to his military attestation record, William ‘James’ SEAMAN was born in Wheatley River, Prince Edward Island on August 18, 1874, the son of Thomas and Sophia (nee Andrews) Seaman.
…James participated in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897!…
According to family records, James received a decoration from the Princess of Wales, the future Queen Alexandra and wife of the future King Edward VII, at Buckingham Palace.
William ‘James’ Seaman. (Photo courtesy of The Seaman Family)
On February 6, 1901, James married Sophia Brown and they farmed in Springfield, while raising four children: Lorne, Irene, Alfred (the WW2 Chaplain who died in France), and Cedric (Lindsay’s father).
…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with James Seaman….
In July 1916 he went overseas aboard the SS Empress of Britain. Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, were on that same ship. Among them were:
The ship docked in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916.
…James had a transport role in England…
Given that he was over 40 years old at the time of enlistment, he was not sent into battle, but was appointed Acting Transport Sergeant with the Regiment in Lower Dibgate, England on August 20, 1916. Lower Dibgate was about 1.6 km (1 mile) west of the Shorncliffe camp outside of Folkestone and located by the English Channel.
As Transport Sergeant, James had a vital logistical role in ensuring that artillery, food and medical supplies, etc went across the English Channel to the front lines in France and Belgium.
On January 20, 1917 he was transferred to the 13th Reserve Battalion in Witley Camp in Surrey. On September 18, 1917, proceedings from the medical board indicated that he was not fit for trench warfare, given his age of 44.
A few days later, on September 22, 1917 he was transferred to the New Brunswick Regiment and based in Shoreham while awaiting transport back to Canada. On November 6, 1917 he left from Liverpool and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 17, 1917. On December 5, 1917 he was officially discharged due to being ‘overage’.
James and Sophia Seaman on their 50th anniversary. (Photo courtesy of The Seaman Family)
James died May 8, 1960 and is buried in the Breadalbane People’s Cemetery.
Thank you to to Lindsay and Norma Seaman for sharing photos and information on William ‘James’ Seaman. If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.
Brien Robertson reads the book. (Photo credit: Moira Robertson)
Brien and Moira Robertson wrote “…We received No Soldier… today and have been reading it ever since. Such a wonderful journey telling of your travels and memorializing those lost in the tragedy of wars. And here we go again, thinking about what could happen in Ukraine. Reading the book brings home the thought that all wars are really civil wars. Lives lost for nothing.Great job telling the story so not to forget those lost. We are proud to be your friends….”
Mindy Patrick and Daria with the book. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg family collection)
Mindy Patrick wanted a book for her father, a veteran who served in the US Coast Guard.
Don and Nora Coutts at the North Bay Public Library in Ontario. (Photo taken by Brad Jacobs)
Don Coutts, nephew of WW2 pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, who is featured in the book, explained he ordered copies for himself and for the North Bay Public Library in North Bay, Ontario, where his wife Nora is Head of Children’s Services and Deputy CEO.
Alexander Tuinhout of the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation: Original comment in Dutch: “…We hebben het boek “No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten” besteld en inmiddels ook al uit Canada ontvangen. Hoewel we nog geen tijd hebben gehad om alles te lezen is de eerste indruk voortreffelijk! Zo’n publicatie is een monument op zich en zeker een felicitatie waard!…”
(English translation by Pieter: “…We ordered the book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ and have already received it from Canada. Although we haven’t had time to read everything yet, the first impression is excellent! Such a publication is a monument in itself and certainly worth congratulating!…”)
The Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation organized the memorial panel to honour Elmer Bagnall MUTTART and the crew of Halifax L9561. During the events in October 2019, Alexander gave a presentation on the crew and what happened on October 12, 1941. You can watch part of his presentation in the documentary made about the events.
Henk Vincent, a volunteer at the Holten Cemetery Information Centre, with the book. (Photo courtesy of H. Vincent)
The work done by the Holten Cemetery Information Centre to remember Canadian soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands is ongoing. Pieter is one of the volunteers helping with photo wish lists for a digital archive. (For more information on the Info Centre, see https://www.canadesebegraafplaatsholten.nl/en/home/)
Alan McIvor, nephew of WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles McIver, wrote a book on his uncle’s service. (Photo courtesy of A. McIvor)
Alan McIvor wrote “…Congratulations on your book, “NO SOLDIER BURIED OVERSEAS.” Good work. I am sure it was a labour of love but lots of work, research, writing and editing…”
Alan’s uncle, WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles MCIVER of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, was one of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion – the research project that launched this blog.
Daria visits with Susan and Charlie Choi. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
Last fall, Charlie CHOI, who was 4 years old when the Korean War started in June 1950, shared his memories in a 3 part series. If you missed these postings, please see:
Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and photos with themselves with the book, and for your support. Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.
…Book trailer and website….
Thanks to the amazing talents of Wendy Nattress, who does the post-production editing for the On The War Memorial Trail YouTube Channel, we have a book website: see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/. The website has a book description, preview pages, and ordering information.
When we signed the Guest Register Book, we were astonished to find that the previous visitors had come to honour their great-uncle and great-great uncle Theodore (Ted) Francis ARSENAULT from Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island.
Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)
…4 generations of the Arsenault family have served in the military….
Shortly after this, Stephen Arsenault sent us research on Ted Arsenault, and explained that 4 generations of his family served in the military. “…Theodore and his brother Camille were both from Abrams Village. Further descriptions as follows:
Camille Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)
Gnr Camille J Arsenault, 2nd Canadian (Overseas) Siege Artillery Battery CEF. Saw action at Vimy Ridge. Survived the war and re-enlisted during WW2 serving with the Canadian Army Service Corps at a POW camp in New Brunswick at the time. Camille was born August 22, 1895.
Francis Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)
Stephen’s grandfather: Sgt Francis J Arsenault, served with 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Edgar Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)
Stephen’s father: LCol Edgar F Arsenault, Logistics Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force. Later Honorary Colonel of 14 Mission Support Squadron, 14 Wing CFB Greenwood.
He went on to say that “…Interestingly, in my (limited) spare time, I am an Artillery Officer serving in the Primary Reserves with 1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA, which makes 4 consecutive generations of military service to Canada spanning over 100 years. …”
… Ted Arsenault enlisted in the 105th Overseas Battalion….
Ted Arsenault was born May 14, 1897 in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island, the son of François (Frank) and Adeline (nee Gallant) Arsenault. When he enlisted with the 105th Overseas Battalion in Summerside, Prince Edward Island on May 1, 1916 he listed his occupation as farmer.
In June 1916, Ted travelled to Valcartier, Quebec with the Regiment for training prior to sailing to England from Halifax a month later aboard ‘Empress of Britain’.
…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with Ted Arsenault….
Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, were on that same ship. Among them were:
The ship docked in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916. The troops were sent to Shorncliffe and attached to the 1st Training Brigade. They were later transferred to different training brigades in Surrey.
…Ted was gassed at Passchendaele….
In November 1916, Ted was sent to France as part of the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment). A year later, on November 5, 1917, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, Ted was poisoned by a mustard gas shell that exploded. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Passchendaele)
He was invalided to England and sent to the King George Hospital in London for treatment. According to his medical file, he “…had a sore throat and loss of voice for a month…”and“…breathing was difficult at night…” until January 13, 1918.
From the hospital in London he was sent to Manor War Hospital, a convalescent facility in Epsom. It wasn’t until March 4, 1918 that the medical staff declared his chest was clear, and he was discharged 4 days later. On May 16, 1918 he returned to France and the 14th Battalion.
According to the war diary of the 14th Battalion, on the morning of August 9, 1918, the Regiment was ordered to “…march towards Cayeux, the headquarters of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. The march was very difficult owing to the congested traffic on the road. The Battalion was ordered to support the 8th Canadian Battalion and moved to assembly positions….”
By 11:40 am they were in position, for the expected attack at 1 pm. “… The attack was made over very flat ground and many casualties were caused by the intense machine gun fire…” Among the casualties killed in action that day was Ted Arsenault.
As mentioned at the beginning of this posting, James CAIRNS, who served with the 8th Canadian Battalion, also lost his life that afternoon.
…Buried at Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix…
Pieter at the entrance to Manitoba Cemetery just outside Caix. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
Like so many WW1 cemeteries in France, Manitoba Cemetery, where both James Cairns and Theodore (Ted) Francis Arsenault are buried, is in a rural location, surrounded by farmers’ fields. It was fitting that during our visit in September 2017, bales of hay, a familiar site on Prince Edward Island during this period, surrounded the cemetery.
Bales of hay surround Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
Grave of Theodore Francis Arsenault of Abrams Village. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)
Thank you to Colleen Arsenault and Steven Arsenault for sharing information on their great-uncle and their family’s ongoing military service. If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.
Daria’s book
Daria’s book
On The War Memorial Trail Research Project........ with Pieter and Daria Valkenburg 
