August 14, 2023.  When Pieter begins his research into a soldier, and then contacts possible family members, he never knows what to expect.  Sometimes, his outreach surprises family members as they might not know a lot about the soldier he inquires about. 

During the search for a photo of Theodor ‘Ted’ HENSCHEL, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 19, 1914,  Pieter learned that Ted was living in Trail, British Columbia at the time of his enlistment on June 21, 1944 at the No. XI District Depot in Vancouver, British Columbia.

When Pieter was contacted Joy Roberts, daughter of Ted’s brother Emil, she wrote that “…My father didn’t talk about his brother.  So I am a little confused.  Ted Henschel is listed on the Trail, BC war dead. My father and their father lived in Trail…”  But – the family did have photos of Ted!

Ted’s parents had immigrated to Canada from Eastern Europe.  They lived in Winnipeg until Ted was a year old, then in Saskatchewan for 12 years, before moving to British Columbia. “…One brother, Fred, lived and passed away in Vancouver.  He changed his name at some point during the war, because of Henschel sounding German.  He changed it to Hansel and was the only child that immigrated with the parents (though I believe one other son died on the ship while crossing to America).  Fred was about twenty years older than my dad, Emil…” explained Joy.

Besides Fred and Emil, Ted had a brother Rudolf and a sister Annie. When Ted enlisted after being called up for service under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA), he had been working for a decade as a machine operator for the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company in Trail, British Columbia. In addition to English, it was recorded that he could speak German, and that he wore corrective lenses. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

…Ted began his basic training in Camrose….

Ted was sent to No. 131 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CIBTC) in Camrose, Alberta.

Ted was a cornet player and played in the platoon band.

On September 16, 1944, having completed his basic training, Ted was transferred to the A-16 Advanced Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Calgary, Alberta.

Ted remained in Calgary until December 9, 1944, when he was transferred to the No.1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia for final training and preparation for overseas service.

…Ted left Canada for overseas service…

On Christmas Eve – December 24, 1944 – Ted left Canada for the United Kingdom.  Upon arrival in the United Kingdom on the last day of the year, he was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR) for further training.

…Ted was sent to The Netherlands…

On March 23, 1945 he was in North West Europe with the X-4 reinforcement troops of the 21^st Army Group. Then, on April 18, 1945, he was transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment, joining the unit in the area around Zwolle, The Netherlands.  The Regiment had established patrols around Zwolle over an area of 161 square kms (100 square miles), rounding up German stragglers.

…The Battle for Wagenborgen was fierce…

On April 19, 1945, the Regiment moved to a concentration area at Hoogezand, near Groningen. Allied troops next worked to clear the area around Groningen of enemy troops. Patrols reported that Wagenborgen was still held by Germans. 

“…Roads leading in and out of Wagenborgen had been blocked, and covered by machine guns and anti-aircraft guns…. The terrain surrounding Wagenborgen was flat, unobstructed by dense foliage, and criss-crossed by numerous canals and drainage ditches which limited the avenues of approach for the attackers….”  (Excerpt from https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/wagenborgen.htm)

On April 21, 1945,  an attack on Wagenborgen, located south of Delfzijl, began, in what turned out to be a terrible fight.  This was the preliminary battle before the Battle of Delfzijl Pocket. The Canadian Scottish Regiment began the attack with only ‘D’ Company, but very quickly realized that this was insufficient. There were many casualties.

However, a subsequent attack with three companies was successful and troops were able to repel counter-attacks. By the time it was over, Canadian Scottish casualties at Wagenborgen were 23 killed and 41 wounded.

…Ted lost his life during the Battle for Wagenborgen …

The war diary for the Canadian Scottish for Sunday, April 22, 1945 recorded that “… ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ Companies patrolled extensively to their fronts:  ‘A’ Company met small arms fire from the town of Wagenborgen…’B’ Company patrolled…also meeting small arms fire…. ‘C’ Company established 4 strong-points to their front on the dyke running southwest to northeast….”

Ted was in ‘A’ Company, which late in the evening “…pushed east towards the northern part of WAGENBORGEN with the 4.2’s firing on the Company’s left flank. ‘C’ Company sent one Platoon to secure the dyke…with the other two Platoons pushing towards the dyke ….”

The after-action report for ‘A’ Company summarized what happened: “…At 2200 hours on the night of 22 April 45 A Company began their advance on the northern end of the village of WAGENBORGEN. Supporting fire commenced at 2230 and continued until 2245 during which time the Company advanced unmolested. At 2245 the assault commenced and for the first time enemy fire was apparent. The Company advanced through considerable shell –fire which caused several casualties…”

By 11 pm, the war diary reported that “… ‘B’ Company’s attack was started on the southern part of WAGENBORGEN. …. ‘A’ Company secured the northern part of the village…”

Sadly, at some point during the Battle for Wagenborgen on April 22, 1945, Ted lost his life. He likely hadn’t even had time to get to know the soldiers he was with, since he had only joined the Regiment a few days earlier.

…Ted is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten …

Ted was temporarily buried in Siddeburen before being reburied on February 15, 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

…Ted is remembered on memorials in Trail and Wagenborgen …

As Joy wrote in her initial email, Ted is listed on the war memorial in Trail, British Columbia: see https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMN9QE_Trail_Cenotaph_Trail_BC

He is also listed on the war memorial in Wagenborgen, which commemorates the residents of Wagenborgen who died in the Second World War, and 27 fallen Canadian soldiers – 23 of them from the Canadian Scottish Regiment.  See https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/24193/War-Memorial-Wagenborgen.htm

Thank you to Joy Roberts, who wrote “…Thank you very much for your work. Joy, Gail, and Dennis – Nieces and Nephew of Ted Henschel…” A big thank you to Judie Klassen, whose genealogy research helped to find family members of Ted Henschel.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.  

© Daria Valkenburg

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