Month: June 2022

On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. The WW2 Soldier Who Was Appointed Company Sergeant Major

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

June 29, 2022. When we knew we would be travelling to North Bay, Ontario in May for an Author Talk at the North Bay Public Library, Pieter also wanted to help the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands fulfill their photo wish lists of six soldiers from the North Bay area.

Little did we know that a chance meeting with retired history teacher John Hetherington, organized by Don Coutts, to bring together like minded individuals interested in military research, would be the key to receiving one of these photos.

…A meeting that led to a photo of a WWII soldier….

IMG_20220518_195343443_BURST000_COVER May 18 2022 With John Hetherington photo by Don

John Hetherington with Daria and Pieter at the North Bay Public Library.  (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

John Hetherington takes groups to visit war memorials and cemeteries in Europe, and we were delighted to meet him one evening during our visit to North Bay.  After he and Pieter discussed the soldiers on the photo wish lists from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, John recalled that two nephews of Anthony PETTA, one of the soldiers on the list, had been on one of his tours, and had visited their uncle’s grave.

Leave it with me, he said.  He’d look up the contact information and call them.  He did, and within a few days, a photo was sent to Pieter by Anthony Repa, which was in turn sent to The Netherlands.

anthony petta colourized

Anthony Petta.  (Photo courtesy of Anthony Petta Family.  Photo submitted by Anthony Repa. Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Antonio ‘Anthony’ PETTA was born November 8, 1915 in North Bay, Ontario, the son of Michael and Raffaela (nee Rota) Petta.  Before enlisting with the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay on May 12, 1941, he was employed as a freight handler with the Temeskaming and Northern Ontario Railroad.

Anthony’s Occupational History Form indicated that he spoke English and Italian fluently, not surprising as both his parents had been born in Italy.  He also indicated that after the war he hoped to take a Commercial Agriculture Course and become a chicken farmer.

On July 12, 1941, he was sent for training at Camp Shilo in Manitoba, followed by a promotion to Acting Corporal and a transfer to Newfoundland on August 8, 1942.

On February 16, 1943, he requested a demotion to Private and was sent to Debert, Nova Scotia, a camp that prepared soldiers for overseas service. The demotion lasted one day, and he was reappointed Acting Corporal.  On April 6, he was confirmed as Corporal, and the following day, received another promotion, to Lance Sergeant.

By July 2, 1943 he was in the United Kingdom. While in the United Kingdom, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant on February 28, 1944, and then promoted again, this time to Sergeant, on May 28, 1944.

His stay in the United Kingdom ended when he left for Normandy, France with the Algonquin Regiment on July 20, 1944. On July 25, 1944, all four companies of the Algonquin Regiment landed on Juno Beach where, in the following days, they supported the 4th Canadian Armoured Division in closing the Falaise Gap. From there they fought to secure many bridgeheads over canals in The Netherlands and into Germany.

From November 5 to 8, 1944 the Algonquin Regiment had a rest period in the area around Steenbergen, in preparation for Operation Blockbuster, which began in February 1945, part of the final push towards the Rhine.   (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

According to his service record, while in Europe Anthony was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major (CSM) with the rank of Acting Warrant Officer 2. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_sergeant_major)

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was fierce and under wet and muddy conditions….

On February 26, 1945, Anthony’s regiment advanced towards the Hochwald Gap, the scene of what became a fierce battle. (See https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

The war diary for the Algonquin Regiment for February 27, 1945 noted that they were huddled beside the tanks which had brought them forward.  Unfortunately, one company and part of another were missing, as the tanks carrying them had bogged down.

The objective for the Algonquin Regiment was a rounded hill which filled the western end of the gap between the Hochwald and the Balberger Wald.

The war diary for the Algonquin Regiment for March 2, 1945 explained that “… ‘D’ Company managed to mount two platoons on the available tanks, and with one platoon on foot, started for their objective. The two platoons on tanks managed to get as far forward as the Lake Superior Regiment position, but by this time 5 of the 8 tanks had been knocked out.  The infantry therefore debussed and the tanks returned to the protective cover of the hill….

The third platoon of ‘D’ Company joined the small force of Lake Superior Regiment holding the furthest position forward.  ‘A’ Company then tried to get forward to join ‘D’ Company, but they were pinned down by murderous fire from both flanks and were being shelled at every moment. It was decided to abandon this effort as casualties had been very heavy.  A/CSM Petta was killed in this action….

Lt Hamilton, taking part in his first action, was also killed. Captain T. P. Richardson, Acting Commander ‘A’ Company, who was with CSM Petta, was missing, believed killed….”

It was later confirmed that Captain Richardson had died.  Although the official records state that Anthony Petta died on March 3, 1945, the war diary indicates that he had died a day earlier.  His brother Alexander ‘Leslie’ was also in the Algonquin Regiment and survived the war.

…Tanks helped protect infantry regiments…

A 46 minute YouTube video on the Battle of Hochwald Gap explained the fierce battle that took place.  While this video depicts the tank battle, it shows the horrifying conditions troops were up against.  Infantry units like the Algonquin Regiment depended on the tank regiments for protection.

…The photo at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek that triggered John’s memory…

n346 Maurice Petta and Anthony Repa by John Hetherington

Anthony Repa, left, and Maurice Petta, right, by the grave of Anthony Petta at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek in April 2010.  (Photo courtesy of John Hetherington)

After meeting us, John did look for the photo of the two nephews, and sent it to us.  When Anthony Repa sent us the photo of his uncle, he also gave permission to include the 2010 photo taken of himself and his cousin in Groesbeek.

Anthony went on to share that he has visited the cemetery in Groesbeek “…three times. The first, I was 23, in 1968 and backpacked around England, Belgium and Holland for 2 weeks. The second trip, I was with my wife and young son in 1987. The third was on John’s tour in 2010.

On the second trip, my wife and son and I were taking a Rhine River cruise which originated in Nijmegen.  We booked into a hotel in Nijmegen and after I asked the desk clerk if there was a bus to Groesbeek, he directed us to a bus stop.  As we waited at the stop, a bus came from the direction of the cemetery and stopped. 

The female driver said something to us in Dutch. I told her we were Canadian and she then said in English that this was the last bus and that she was finished her shift. She then asked where we wanted to go.  I said the Groesbeek Cemetery as my uncle was buried there.  She told us to get on the bus, turned the bus around and drove us to the cemetery.  I offered to pay the fare but she declined.

When we arrived she told us to take as long as we wanted to, that she would wait.  After we paid our respects she drove us back to the hotel.

I have told countless people about this experience. I have many wonderful memories of my travels, one of my fondest, is the kindness she showed us on that day….”

…The Memorial Plaque from St. Rita Roman Catholic Church…

St. Rita Plaques - Petta death

Part of the memorial plaque originally placed by St. Rita Roman Catholic Church. (Photo courtesy of Karen Steel)

We thought we had reached the end of the research for Anthony Petta when we were contacted by 92 year old Don Unger, who said he grew up in the neighbourhood around St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church and remembered seeing a memorial in the church yard.  The memorial “….mentions Anthony Petta and other Italian boys who served…” he told Pieter.

The church was closed in 2010, but we asked Don Coutts, who lives in North Bay, if he could see if the memorial was still in the yard.  It wasn’t.

Don then went to the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption and asked Karen Steel if she had any information.  Karen explained that “…the plaques were donated to the North Bay Museum…” but she sent us “…a copy of the plaque information that I took for historical purposes before the plaques were taken to the museum.  I always knew someday someone would be looking for this information!…”

The July 23, 1946 edition of the North Bay Nugget newspaper had a picture of the war memorial when it was dedicated.  The text under the picture said “…His Excellency R. H. Dignan, assisted by Rev R. F. Venti, officiated at the unveiling of a splendid war memorial at St. Rita’s Park on Sunday.  Dedicated to the memory of four members of the parish who gave their lives in the Second World War, the memorial is also in honour of those who served during the war. 

The four corners are dedicated to Sgt Joe Demarco of the RCAF, Sgt A. Petta, Pte Gordon Hogan, and Cpl William Lafontaine, all of whom gave their lives during the recent conflict. The honour roll is also inscribed on the memorial. The dedication ceremony was an impressive one…”img church memorial for petta North Bay Nugget Jul 23 1946

Thank you to Don Coutts, John Hetherington, and Anthony Repa.  Thank you also to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville for researching the newspaper and genealogy archives.  Thank you to Karen Steel and Don Unger for the information on the memorial from St. Rita’s Church. Thanks also go to the North Bay Nugget newspaper as it had extensive coverage of WWII soldiers from the time period and the newspaper archive is digitized.

Our North Bay adventures continue in upcoming postings.  If you know of any soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Previous stories told about soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Hochwald Gap ….

Two previous stories were told about soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Hochwald Gap.  Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig was in a tank regiment that supported the infantry.  Gerald Coolen, like Anthony Petta, was in an infantry regiment.  To read the stories about Clarence and Gerald, see:

…Missed the previous postings about our North Bay Memorial Trail visit?…

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. Remembering WW2 Soldier Cecil Edward Goodreau

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments

June 17, 2022. Some families span generations of military service, as we discovered when researching the life of WWII soldier Cecil Edward GOODREAU of North Bay, Ontario. Not only did Cecil serve during WWII, but two of his brothers did as well:

  • Murrel Robert, who worked at National Grocers in North Bay before enlisting in 1942
  • William (Bill) Joseph, who worked at Rankin’s Grocery in North Bay before enlisting

Both Murrel and Bill returned home from the war. Cecil didn’t.

The three brothers followed in the footsteps of their father Henry (Harry) Goodreau, who enlisted in WWI and served in France. While in England he met and married Margaret Daisy. They had 2 boys born there before returning to Canada in March 1919 on a ship full of troops and their wives and children.

improved_photo(3) Cecil Goodreau

Cecil Edward Goodreau.  (Photo courtesy of the Goudreau family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Cecil was born July 9, 1924 in Cache Bay, Ontario, the son of Harry Joseph and Margaret Daisy Goodreau.  He attended St Joseph’s Separate School in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, and after the family moved to North Bay when he was 12, he was a student at St Mary’s School in North Bay. 

Before enlisting in Sudbury, Ontario on March 15, 1943, Cecil worked at the International Nickel Company (Inco) in Copper Cliff, Ontario. He was sent for training as a gunner at Camp Borden, Ontario before going overseas.  He left Canada on November 25, 1943 and arrived in the United Kingdom on December 1, where he became part of the Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit (CACRU).

While in the United Kingdom, he attended Gunnery and Wireless courses in preparation for the D-Day landings on June 4, 1944 in Normandy.  Remarkably, he survived D-Day and on June 9, 1944 was transferred to the 27th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers). 

… Cecil lost his life during Operation Blockbuster in Germany….

On November 1, 1944, while still in France, he was wounded when he sustained shell fragment wounds to his head and face, as well as his knee and shin, in an infantry accident.  At the time of his death he was still carrying scars of the face and head shell wounds received in November.

Unfortunately, a few months later, Cecil was killed in action in Germany in the Battle of Keppeln on February 26, 1945 during Operation Blockbuster, the last part of Operation Veritable. He had been transferred to the 25th Armoured Delivery Regiment (Elgin Regiment) just the day before. 

Cecil was initially buried near Kalkar, Germany. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable)

… Cecil’s great-niece contacted us….

Nancy Gribbons, daughter of Cecil’s niece Marie, wrote that “…My grandfather, Harry Goudreau, and Uncle Cecil were brothers.  My mother talked of Uncle Cecil staying with them all the time and that they all loved him.

When he was 18, Uncle Cecil moved from North Bay to stay with Harry and Grandma Helene at their home in Copper Cliff, Ontario.  Uncle Cecil worked at Inco mines before signing up in Sudbury to join the war. 

My grandparents helped many persons by letting them stay at their home while working at the Inco mines.  Inco was a large employer and people could make money to save.

In 1940 there was not a lot of work, especially in Northern Ontario, and men flocked to Sudbury to work in the mines.  It was a mining town, and still is.

Grandpa Harry never got over losing his brother Cecil.  He and Grandma Helen named their next child, a girl, Cecilla after him, and then the next and last was a boy and his name is Cecil Goudreau too. 

Uncle Cecil was so loved and was saving to buy a farm in Verner, a farming community between North Bay and Sudbury, near Sturgeon Falls and Cache Bay, where he was born….” 

…Memorial Plaque at Pro-Cathedral Of The Assumption Church in North Bay….

20220518_165029 May 18 2022 Procathedral

Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church in North Bay, Ontario.

After Nancy told us that Cecil’s name was listed on a memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church in North Bay, we asked Don Coutts if he could arrange a visit there to see it. 

Don contacted Karen Steel, Parish Administrator, who was present when we came to view the plaque.

20220518_154353 May 18 2022 Pieter Karen Steel Don Coutts by memorial plaque in Procathedral

Pieter with Karen Steel and Don Coutts beside the memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church. Pieter is pointing to Cecil’s name.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)


20220518_154254 May 18 2022 Memorial plaque for Goodreau in Procathedral

Memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church. Cecil’s name is second from the bottom in the far left column.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Cecil’s nephew had a photo….

Nancy Gribbons contacted her uncle Johnny Goudreau, a retired veteran, who wrote “…Thank you for your work on this project….” Johnny and his wife Beverley contributed the photo of Cecil, noting that there was a “…difference in the spelling for our last name. Goudreau is how this branch of the family spells the last name….”

Cecil was initially buried near Kalkar, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

12903776_137245225378 Goodreau from Find A Grave

Cecil Edward Goodreau is buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Johnny and Beverley Goudreau and Nancy Gribbons for sharing anecdotes about Cecil Goodreau and his photo. Heartfelt thanks to Don Coutts and Karen Steel for arranging the visit to the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church to view the memorial plaque. Thank you also to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville for researching the newspaper and genealogy archives. 

Our North Bay adventures continue in upcoming postings.  If you know of any soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

… Stories about other soldiers who lost their lives on February 26, 1945 during Operation Blockbuster…

…Missed the previous postings about our North Bay Memorial Trail visit?…

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog. 

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. The North Bay Public Library Author Talk

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 7 Comments
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Outside the North Bay Public Library. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

June 11, 2022. The main reason for coming to North Bay was an invitation from the North Bay Public Library to do an Author Talk about my book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’.

The library had two copies of the book, and it was heartening to hear from some of those who attended the talk that they had already read the book.

20220519_192808~2 May 22 2022 Don Nora Daria Pieter by book display

A photo op before the Author Talk!  Left to right: Don Coutts, Nora Elliott-Coutts, Daria and Pieter Valkenburg.  (Photo credit: Bethany Brownlee)

…Pre-preparation ensured no technical glitches…

A presentation requires technical support, and this was provided by Rebecca Larocque, Manager IT and Information Services, and Bethany Brownlee, Program Coordinator.  Researcher Norma Wall took an interest into the soldiers from the North Bay area that had been identified by researchers at the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/05/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-author-talks-in-north-bay/)

CIMG5586 May 19 2022 Library staff

The North Bay Public Library staff ensured the event ran smoothly and without technical difficulties!  Left to right: Rebecca Larocque, Norma Wall, Nora Elliott-Coutts, and Bethany Brownlee. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The library arranged for an article about the book and upcoming Author Talk at the North Bay Library, which was published in Bay Today.ca on May 15.  See Soldiers honoured in new book. Author talk set for public library: https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/soldiers-honoured-in-new-book-author-talk-set-for-public-library-5357955

…The Author Talk allowed us to meet and greet people interested in the subject…

May 19 2022 North Bay Library Author Talk Presentation Slideshow

A diverse group attended the Author Talk.  One couple had a family member who had participated in the liberation of The Netherlands during WWII.  Several had made war memorial journeys of their own.  A few were members of various military heritage groups, while others had Dutch heritage.  We very much enjoyed the evening and everyone that we met.

IMG_5146 May 19 2022 North Bay Public Library Author Talk

Pieter participated in the Q and A session!  (Photo credit; Beth Brownlee)

20220519_205310~2 May 19 2022 Dorothy Leitch with book

Book purchaser Dorothy Leitch is writing a memoir of her own.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

20220519_205440 May 19 2022 Anne Thomas with book

Book purchaser Anne Thomas has Dutch roots. She had attended the shorter Rotary Club presentation earlier in the day. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Don Coutts and North Bay Public Library Head of Children’s Services and Deputy CEO Nora Elliott-Coutts for arranging our visit.  Kudos to the excellent staff at the North Bay Public Library for ensuring we had a glitch-free presentation.  Plus… thank you to all who took the time to come out for the Author Talk.  More North Bay adventures are coming up in the next posting.

If you know of any soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

…..Upcoming Author Talk….

  • 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: 2:00 pm.

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. The North Bay Cenotaph In Memorial Park

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments
CIMG5568 May 18 2022 Pieter and Don at North Bay Memorial

Pieter and Don Coutts by a section of the Wall of Honour in Memorial Park in North Bay, Ontario.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

June 8, 2022. Whenever we visit a place, the local Cenotaph or monuments are always on the ‘must see’ list. North Bay, Ontario has the largest municipal war memorial in Canada. The 2000 installation of the Honour Wall listed the names of 636 men and women from the area that lost their lives. 

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Cenotaph in Memorial Park in North Bay, Ontario. You can see the Wall of Honour in the background. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

…Soldiers buried in The Netherlands on the photo wish lists by Dutch researchers…

The names of 6 WWII soldiers from the North Bay area who are buried in The Netherlands were on photo wish lists from Dutch researchers, and four of these were on the Cenotaph:

  • Albert Joseph COTE
  • Cecil Edward GOODREAU
  • Anthony PETTA
  • John Langford ‘Jack’ WALKER

DSCN2391 A J Cote name is at the very bottom

Albert Joseph Cote, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo credit: Don Coutts)


CIMG5565 May 18 2022 North Bay Memorial Cecil Goudreau

Cecil Edward Goodreau, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)


CIMG5564 May 18 2022 North Bay Memorial Anthony Petta

Anthony Petta, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)


DSCN2395 J L Walker name

John Langford ‘Jack’ Walker, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

All four of these soldiers will be featured in upcoming stories on this blog.  For a list of all known soldiers from the North Bay area who are buried in The Netherlands, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/05/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-author-talks-in-north-bay/

….End Polio Now Tulips….

DSCN2414 May 18 2022 Tulips at North Bay Memorial Don Coutts

‘End Polio Now’ Tulips by the Cenotaph in Memorial Park in North Bay, Ontario. (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

While at the Cenotaph, we were surprised to learn that the tulips gracing the monument were ‘End Polio Now’ tulips.  Pieter grows several varieties of tulips in our yard, but this is one we had never heard of, so we asked Don Coutts for more information.

“… In the Fall of 2020, I had seen an article in The Guardian of how the Rotary Clubs on Prince Edward Island and Atlantic Canada had raised funds for Rotary International’s project to eradicate Polio in the world by selling the End Polio Now Tulip Bulb Boxes.

Around 1985 Rotary International took on a project to eradicate Polio throughout the world. My wife Nora’s uncle, Tom Elliott, was quite involved with the Rotary International in getting the project started. Tom was a senior manager with the North Bay Public District Health Unit at the time. At the present time, there are only a handful of Polio cases in the world.

In 2020, proceeds of $43,192 were made by Rotary Clubs on PEI and in the Atlantic Provinces, plus sales of the bulbs that had been made to the public separately. With matching grants, including the Melinda and Bill Gates’ Foundation for the Polio Eradication Programme, the total amount of money raised was $154,715.00 US Dollars.

 In 2021, members of our Rotary District 7010 Rotary Clubs in Ontario bought 665 Tulip Bulb Boxes. The proceeds were $10,267.60 and with matching grants the amount became $30,802.00 Canadian Dollars.

The three (3) Rotary Clubs in North Bay bought 132 Tulip Bulb Boxes and donated many. Other Rotary Clubs in the District bought the Tulip Bulbs and donated them to various organizations as well. 

There is only one supplier of the Tulip Bulbs in the world—–they come from Holland (this was music to Pieter’s ears!) Veseys Seed Company was involved and is the sole Canadian Distributor.  There are twenty-five (25) Tulip Bulbs in each box. (For more information, see https://www.veseys.com/ca/end-polio-now-tulip-76289.html)

Once Polio has been eradicated, the supplier of the Tulip Bulbs in Holland will no longer produce them….”

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the ‘End Polio Now’ Tulips will be on Pieter’s bulb purchase list for this fall! 

Thank you to Don Coutts for taking us to the Cenotaph.  More North Bay adventures are coming up in the next posting.

Missed the previous posting about North Bay?  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/06/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-in-north-bay-adventures-in-north-bay/

If you know of any soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog. 

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is now available.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. Adventures In North Bay

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 6 Comments
CIMG5579 May 19 2022 Pieter and Daria by North Bay welcome sign (1)

We arrive in North Bay, Ontario!  (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

June 7, 2022. When we accepted an invitation from the North Bay Public Library in North Bay, Ontario to do an Author Talk, we never expected it to be such a thoroughly engaging and interesting few days.  The next few postings will highlight the events, but first here are a few adventures from our travels.

Our guide for the trip was Don Coutts, nephew of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART of Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island, who is buried in The Netherlands, and whose story has been featured on this blog.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/07/28/the-elmer-bagnall-muttart-story/ and/or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Rzg07kPw0&list=PLaJcEVojJra-ZwR6rvb-THj8Zr2QbUXLT&index=2)

Of course, we visited many places related to the research being done on soldiers from the North Bay area who are buried in The Netherlands.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/05/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-author-talks-in-north-bay/)  One of the stops was at the North Bay Museum.

20220518_165730 May 18 2022 Pieter and Don outside North Bay Museum

Don Coutts and Pieter outside the North Bay Museum. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Author Talk At North Bay-Nipissing Rotary Club….

May 19 2022 Rotary Club Nipissing Presentation Slideshow

Pieter and I were invited to the North Bay-Nipissing Rotary Club meeting in North Bay, where I gave a brief Author Talk, a prelude to the main event at the North Bay Public Library.  It was interesting that after I shared our challenges in finding St Sever Cemetery in Rouen, France, in spite of (or maybe because of?) GPS, one of the Rotary Club members came up and shared his own travel challenges in getting around Rouen.  It wasn’t just us!

May 19 2022 Rotary Club Jonathan Jolkowski, Daria, Pieter, Kevin Smith, Don

Jonathan Jolkowski, Daria, Pieter, Kevin Smith, Don Coutts.  (Photo credit: Shona Camirand)

…The North Bay Heritage Carousel….

For me, however, a stop on MY Must See list was the North Bay Heritage Carousel.  Fans of Hallmark Movies will find this carousel familiar if they saw ‘A Christmas Carousel’.  I was overjoyed when Don said we could not only see the carousel, but go for a ride.  My reluctant Hallmark hero gamely went along, but couldn’t understand what the fuss was all about!

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A ride on the North Bay Heritage Carousel made me feel like a Hallmark heroine!  (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

In this very short clip from the movie preview, you can see the carousel:

Thank you to Don Coutts for guiding us around North Bay and arranging for the events we were able to participate in.  More North Bay adventures are coming up in the next posting….

If you know of soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog. 

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WW2 Soldier Who Lost His Life In A Monastery Garden

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

June 5, 2022. After seeing Pieter on the news during Remembrance Week 2021, Sylvia Churchill of Nova Scotia contacted us.  “… My husband’s father, Bruce W. Churchill, was killed in Hulst, The Netherlands, buried there, and later exhumed after the war was over and buried in the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.  He was killed in a garden near a Monastery while their Regiment was cleaning their Bren guns. He died instantly, on September 29, 1944.  My husband was born January 1945 and named after his father, Bruce W. Churchill (Jr). …”  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-ctvs-atlantic-live-at-5-update-on-the-photo-search-for-soldiers-buried-in-the-netherlands/)

Bruce W Churchill Sr Sep 21 1942

Bruce Wilbur Churchill in a September 21, 1942 photo.  (Photo courtesy of Bruce (Jr) and Sylvia Churchill)

Bruce Wilbur CHURCHILL was born April 17, 1921 in Sandford, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, the son of Ralph Lloyd and Ethel Mae Churchill.  He had 5 brothers and 6 sisters, and worked as a farm labourer and fisherman after leaving school at the age of 16.

…Bruce was not the only family member who served in the military…

When he enlisted in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on October 10, 1939 with the 6th Anti-Aircraft Battery,  not only were 4 of his brothers in the Army, but also his father, who was a gunner.

Bruce’s service file noted that he played volleyball and swam, and liked to read popular magazines and novels.

On November 1, 1941, Bruce was transferred to the 1st Anti-Aircraft Search Light Battery as a member of the search light crew, all the time remaining in Canada, understandable given that 5 members of his family were already serving.  He had been a cook since April 11, 1940 and held the rank of Gunner.

He married Dora Mae Goodwin on February 14, 1942, and they became the parents of a daughter, Donna Fay, born in Argyle Sound, Nova Scotia on September 3, 1942.

…Bruce was anxious to serve overseas…

In an August 4, 1943 interview with the Personnel Selection Board of the Army, it was noted that Bruce was “…anxious to see action in an active theatre of war.  For this purpose he has volunteered for the parachute battalion…”

Bruce didn’t meet the requirements for the parachute battalion, but was considered suitable for the artillery.

On February 14, 1944, Bruce and Dora Mae’s son Eric Bruce was born in Argyle Sound, but sadly he passed away on May 28, 1944.  May 28 is the same day that Bruce’s desire for overseas service was about to be granted, as he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia.

He was on his way to England as of August 3, 1944, arriving on August 10, and at his request, he changed from cook to general duty as of August 21, 1944.  He became part of the Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU) and sent to France on September 4, 1944.

…Bruce lost his life when a gun ricocheted…

On September 15, 1944 he was transferred to the Algonquin Regiment. On September 29, 1944, he lost his life in Hulst, The Netherlands, accidentally killed when a Bren gun ricocheted.

Soldiers Service Book with bullet hole

Soldier’s Service Book showing the bullet hole.  (Image courtesy of Bruce (Jr) and Sylvia Churchill)

Among the documents that Sylvia shared was “…the first page of Bruce Churchill Sr.’s Soldier’s Service Book. I want to point out the bullet hole in that book (which is on all the other pages) ….he obviously was wearing that when he died. How sad to see that….”

When Bruce died, his wife Dora Mae was pregnant with their son Bruce, who was born in January 1945.

…Account of the accident by George Spittael…

cms_visual_1335496.jpg_1582646467000_600x858An account of the incident was recorded by George E. Spittael of Belgium in his book ‘Librera Me’, published in 1989 in Flemish.  By September 27, 1944, several companies were given a rest period in Hulst while others patrolled the shoreline of the Scheldt.

A translated excerpt from September 29, 1944 explained what happened to Bruce.  “…Although there was no enemy activity in Hulst, there were two casualties when a Bren gun ricocheted. Pte. Poole was wounded and Pte. Bruce Wilbur Churchill, F/7185, killed. The 27-year-old Canadian from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, was temporarily buried in Hulst General Cemetery, but after the hostilities his remains were transferred to Adegem…”

According to the Graves Registration Card, however, Bruce was buried on the Monastery grounds, not in the Hulst General Cemetery.  A letter from the Protestant Chaplain to Bruce’s family noted that Bruce had been buried on the Monastery grounds.

…. A letter from the Chaplain….

In a November 19, 1944 letter from Canadian Army Chaplain, Honorary Captain A. Phillips Silcox to Bruce’s parents, he described what happened on the day Bruce lost his life:

“…a small group of soldiers were sitting in a garden, cleaning weapons, or taking them apart and reassembling them, when in some way a single shot was most unexpectedly fired from a Bren Gun close to Bruce.  He was instantly killed as the bullet passed through his body.  It then continued through a hedge and lodged in another soldier’s leg – though fortunately he was not seriously wounded…..

Our location at the time was in a small town in Holland not far from the border of Belgium, but well away from the enemy and we felt fairly secure for a few days rest.  The garden was the most unlikely place to expect death – a lovely spot, across from a Roman Catholic monastery….

The Father Superior of the Monastery (where I was staying) offered a pleasant corner of their garden for the grave, so there we laid him to rest while his Company stood ground, a few of the priests and a civilian woman looking on, for the brief military service.  Afterward the soldiers who completed the grave laid a lovely spray of flowers and I know that the priests will care for it until the day that our government agents transfer all graves to certain central cemeteries….”

…Sylvia and Bruce Churchill visited the grave of his father…

Sylvia explained that “…in 2019, Bruce and I were fortunate to have visited Belgium and The Netherlands for two weeks, and we were able to visit his father’s gravesite for the first time….”

P1040467 Bruce Churchill at his fathers grave in Adegem

Bruce Churchill at his father’s grave in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem in 2019.  (Photo courtesy of Bruce (Jr) and Sylvia Churchill)

…Sylvia and Bruce Churchill also visited Hulst…

In addition to the visit to the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium, Sylvia explained that “…when we went to Belgium/Netherlands, in particular to the town of Hulst, we went to the Town Hall and spoke to a historian. Prior to our visit to Europe, we had mailed him everything we had as far as finding the grounds where Bruce’s father had originally been buried, and they gave us a location where an old Monastery used to be. It is a school now. …”

P1040331 Tree in Hulst taken by Sylvia

The former Monastery in Hulst, The Netherlands, and the tree that jogged a memory.  (Photo courtesy of Bruce (Jr) and Sylvia Churchill)

The visit to Hulst brought back a memory of an old photo Bruce remembered seeing.  “…There was a huge tree that jogged Bruce’s memory of his Mother showing him a picture of his dad sitting on a tree (which was small then but low lying).  That particular photo is lost. I’ve attached a picture I took of that tree when we were in Hulst….”

P1040431 Hulst taken by Sylvia

A view of Hulst. (Photo courtesy of Bruce (Jr) and Sylvia Churchill)

Sylvia noted that “…Bruce felt a connection with Hulst, perhaps because he knew that is where his Father died. It was so peaceful and beautiful. …”

Thank you to Sylvia and Bruce Churchill for sharing photos and information on Bruce’s father, and their own memorial journey. Do you have more information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For Wilfred Giroux

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments

20200529_154800 Adje van der Sanden

Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk wants to return cards and a photo to the family of WWII soldier Wilfred Giroux.  (Photo submitted by Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk)

June 2, 2022.  When Pieter begins a research project into a soldier from either WWI or WWII, it’s usually because it’s a soldier on a list.  Sometimes a photo is missing, or a soldier participated in a particular battle, or was in a specific regiment.  In each case, the name of the soldier and a few particulars about the military service are known.

So we were intrigued when Pieter received an email from Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk in The Netherlands.  She contacted him after reading an article which translated to ‘Quest For Faces’ in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on May 4, 2022. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/05/04/article-in-de-telegraaf-quest-for-faces-zoektocht-naar-gezichten/)

…A photo and Christmas cards were found….

Adje had a photo of a WWII soldier from Canada, and two Christmas cards.  All had been found in her parents’ house and she wanted to return them to the soldier’s family.  The challenge Pieter faced was that she knew nothing about the soldier or family.

In a translated excerpt of her email, Adje wrote “….In the house of my deceased parents, Toon and Marie van Lisdonk-Nooten, we found Christmas cards, a one-dollar bill, and a photo of the soldier Wilfred with his baby sister. In 1944 he stayed in Gilze Rijen, Holland, near my parents.  

I would like to send this to the relevant family and I wonder whether the soldier survived the terrible war and whether he returned home to Canada. 

I read the article about you in De Telegraaf today. Then I googled and that’s how I found your wife’s email address. I have a lot of admiration for both of you. Today is the Commemoration Of The Dead here and the flag is now at half mast….”

…The photo gave a clue to the soldier’s identity… 

20220504_133002 Best Wishes Wilf Giroux

Photo found in the house of Adje’s parents. The front of the photo reads ‘Best Wishes Wilf Giroux December 1944’.  On the back was written ‘my baby sister and myself’. (Photo submitted by Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk)

The photo that Adje submitted was signed ‘Best Wishes Wilf Giroux December 1944’ and on the back was written ‘my baby sister and myself’.

We had our first clue – the soldier’s name – Wilfred GIROUX.  Gilze Rijen has a large air base, and at first we thought he might have been in the Air Force.  However, it appears that he is wearing an Army uniform, and likely the photo was taken in Canada before he was posted overseas.

Gilze Rijen was liberated at the end of October 1944, and Allied troops were stationed there for about two months.  It may be that Wilfred was part of a maintenance or mechanical regiment.

The photo inscription suggested that it was given to Adje’s parents, so Pieter asked her if she knew how Wilfred could have met her parents.

Adje replied that “…He was quartered diagonally with several soldiers across the road from my parents. Opposite was a cafe so my father, who enjoyed a beer, may have met him there. My father was a very social person….”

… Wilfred survived WWII…

With a name uncovered, the Canadian Virtual War Memorial database was consulted.  No Wilfred Giroux, which suggested that he had survived the war.  We were no further ahead in determining where he came from, which regiment he served in, or what happened to him.  We then looked for clues in the Christmas cards.

…The Christmas cards led to clues about Wilfred’s family…

Two Christmas cards, written by Wilfred’s sisters, provided more clues.   One card, written by his sister Peggy, read “…I know that there will be nothing around you to remind you of Christmas, so I am sending you this Christmas tree – just imagine you are sitting in front of it in our living room…” (The card had an image of a tree, along with the names Dada, Dot, Katie, Peggy, Toady, and Addie.)

“… Next year we will have one just like it and with you here it will be just as if Santa Claus has come to us once again….

 Try and forget about this Christmas and just keep thinking of next.

 Loads of love and the very best of luck at Christmas and all through next year.  Peggy…”

The second card, dated December 1, 1944, was written by Toady and read: “…Dear Wilfred, Things are shaping up for a white Christmas here, it has been snowing all day.  It’s the kind of weather that is bad for straight hair. My permanent is grown out and I have to put it up every night…..

We are all fine and will remember you in our Communions at Christmas.  Love Toady…”

Toady’s card indicated a family that was Catholic and that they lived in an area where winter came early.

… Wilfred’s sister Toady helped unlock the mystery…

The name Toady was unusual and was the clue that unlocked the mystery of who Wilfred Giroux was.  I found an obituary for Marie Antoinette ‘Toady’ Giroux, who died in Oshawa, Ontario on August 30, 2014, the last surviving sibling of eleven.

If there had been any doubt that this was the same Toady as in the Christmas card, it was dispelled when the obituary mentioned that Toady and her sisters Katie, Peggy, and Dot raised two nephews – Butch Mann and Archbishop Anthony Meagher. Unfortunately the sisters and the nephews were also deceased. (See obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oshawa-on/marie-giroux-6104629)

I called the funeral home, and they checked, but the contact number for the person who arranged the funeral was no longer in service.  A call to a woman who had left a condolence message led to the information that her mother had lived across the road from the Giroux family in Whitby, Ontario.

… Pieter finds the birthplace of Wilfred…

20220518_123551 May 18 2022 Pieter takes photo of Mattawa town sign birthplace of Wilf Giroux

Pieter by the sign for Mattawa, Ontario.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

With the names of Wilfred’s sisters and the locations of Oshawa and Whitby gave Pieter enough information to find Wilfred’s family.  His father was a railway contractor, and was posted in various locations.

Wilfred Octave Joseph GIROUX, the son of Octave Joseph and Elizabeth Ellen (nee Hickey) Giroux was born September 25, 1912 in Mattawa, Ontario, a place we had a chance to drive through on a recent trip to North Bay.

… A few more clues…

A search through newspapers available online did not turn up any information on Wilfred, but Judie Klassen was able to find the names of two of Wilfred’s brothers:

  • John William, who married Janie Annie Martha Britt
  • James L (Jim), who married Lola Mabel Varr

Wilfred and sisters Dorothy (Dot), Peggy, and Toady (Marie Antoinette) never married.  Addie (Adelaide) married Howard Kane.  Lillian was married to Francis Joseph Meagher.  Marie Lydia Marguerite married Joseph Harold Mann.

Wilfred did survive WWII and moved to Toronto, where he was listed as a mechanic in a 1974 voters list.  He was still alive when his brother Jim passed away on December 10, 1977.

… Unanswered questions…

Still unanswered are the following:

  • Which Regiment did Wilfred Giroux serve in?
  • When did he pass away?
  • Are there any family members left for Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk to contact?

Thank you to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville for their assistance in uncovering family members and where Wilfred settled post WWII. Thank you also to Don Smith for researching the uniform that Wilfred is wearing to help assess whether it was an Air Force or Army uniform.

We very much appreciate the care that Adje van der Sanden-van Lisdonk took to preserve these cards and photo, and for wishing to return them to Wilfred’s family.  Can you help with information on Wilfred Giroux or his family members?  Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg