Month: September 2023

On The War Memorial Trail….. ‘The Only Yukon Territory Soldier Buried In Holten’

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September 30, 2023. With an extensive photo wish list from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, it can be difficult for Pieter to determine who will be next in line for his research.  But when we learned there is one soldier from the Yukon Territory buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, and he was on the photo wish list, we knew he was a priority.

Henk Vincent, one of the research volunteers at the Information Centre in Holten, explained that “…Harry Davis is the only Yukon Territory soldier buried in Holten, which is not surprising when you realize that although the Yukon Territory is about the size of Spain in terms of area, it had less than 10,000 inhabitants in 1945….”

Map of Canada with border

Yukon is in northern Canada.  (Map source: http://www.babysits.ca)

Yukon is not only in the far northern part of Canada, but on the opposite coast from where we live in Prince Edward Island.

The search for a photo of Harry Henry DAVIS, born December 9, 1921 in Selkirk, Yukon Territory, son of Harry and Grace (nee Woods) Davis, began with an online search. 

…Chief Roberta Joseph from the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation commemorated Harry …

A CBC article from November 8, 2022 immediately came up: ‘Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin soldiers honoured at annual event in Dawson City’, in which Chief Roberta Joseph “…shared a story that her grandmother would tell her every Remembrance Day when she was growing up.

‘She would always remember her cousin Harry Davis,’ Joseph said. ‘She would always talk about how he sacrificed his life for his platoon. He passed away in World War Two. He let his platoon go ahead so that they could escape the enemy and he stayed behind by throwing a grenade and got caught up in that.’…”  (See https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tr%CA%BCond%C3%ABk-hw%C3%ABch%CA%BCin-soldiers-honoured-at-annual-1.6644908)

image001 Band logoFrom this one article, we learned that Harry Davis was Indigenous. His mother was a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (loosely translated as ‘people of the river’), a First Nation whose members are descendants of the Hän-speaking people who have lived along the Yukon River for millennia. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%CA%BCond%C3%ABk_Hw%C3%ABch%CA%BCin_First_Nation)

 …The Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation provided a photo of Harry …

Chief Joseph was contacted, and shortly afterwards, a photo of Harry Davis was received from Sue Parsons, Collections Manager, Heritage, of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government.  “…I received a request to forward the attached photograph of Harry Davis to you.  Mähsi…” she wrote.  Sue explained that the photo was courtesy of Martha Kates private collection, “…a family member of Harry Davis….”

harry-davis-600-kates-collection-2006-1_1_-restored-3

Harry Henry Davis.  (Photo courtesy of Martha Kates Private Collection)

Harry was orphaned young, as his father died in 1926, and his mother in 1927.  Henk noted that “…Harry grew up in the First Nations Reservation of Fort Selkirk in the Yukon Territory, located on the Yukon River, a few hundred kilometres from the Arctic Circle….”  His half-sister, Mary Isabel Harriet, was listed as his only remaining direct relative on the Estate Form after his death.

…Harry enlisted in 1942…

After finishing school Harry worked in the Triangle Cafe in Dawson City, Yukon Territory.  At the time of his enlistment with the No. XI District Depot on February 19, 1942 in Dawson, he was working as a driver for Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation.

On March 16, 1942, Harry was sent to No. 110 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Vernon, British Columbia for his basic training.  A few weeks later, however, he ended up in the Vernon Military Hospital for almost a month with measles, followed by mumps.

After being discharged from hospital on May 7, 1942, and completing his basic training, Harry was transferred to A-4 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Brandon, Manitoba on June 10, 1942, for training as a gunner.  

…Harry was sent overseas and assigned to the 8th LAA Regiment…

On July 22, 1942 Harry was on his way to the United Kingdom, on ‘Special Duty’, arriving a week later, and attached to No. 3 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (CARU), where he received more training.

On November 27, 1942, Harry was assigned to the 8th Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.  On January 6, 1943 Harry qualified as a driver i/c (W), meaning he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars. 

On July 20, 1944, Harry left with the 8th Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment for France aboard the Malayan Prince.  (See https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/1768.html)

According to the war diary for July 26, 1944, “… we arrived at the anchorage at Juno Beach, off Courselles-Sur-Mer, at 1600 hours.  We don’t expect to get off ship until sometime tomorrow so everyone is taking advantage of the fine weather and sun bathing on the decks…”

The interlude didn’t last, as the war diary for July 27, 1944 stated that “…during the early hours of the morning we were treated to quite an anti-aircraft barrage some miles inland…” After landing, the Regiment moved up through France.

…Allied patrols across the Maas River were dangerous …

On September 19, 1944, Harry was transferred to the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), joining them as the Regiment advanced “…through France, Belgium and the south of the Netherlands…”

Henk noted that during “… the winter of 44/45, the Lake Superior Regiment, together with other Canadian regiments, was tasked with guarding the northern front line, in this case the Maas River. Patrols were also regularly deployed across the Maas to reconnoitre enemy positions. This often led to violent confrontations with the Germans….”

Screenshot 2023-06-01 at 07-58-01 kerkdriel maps at DuckDuckGo

Harry Davis was badly wounded during a patrol near Kerkdriel.  (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

The Lake Superior Regiment was in the area of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands in January 1945.  The Regiment’s war diary for January 14, 1945 recorded that at 2:00 am “…a recce patrol under the command of Lt. D.A. Johnson left to cross the Maas in two boats.  The first boat contained a beach party of 1 N.C.O., 1 sergeant, and 6 men, the second boat contained the recce group of 1 officer, 1 sergeant, and 5 men…”    N.C.O. refers to non-commissioned officer.

“…Due to a heavy fog on the river, the beach party became lost and returned to the start point after some difficulty with the strong current.…” The recce group landed, but the beach party was nowhere to be found. 

Lt Johnson decided to proceed with the patrol anyways.  As the group moved east towards the town of Kerkdriel, they “…heard an enemy patrol coming down the road toward them…”  The group moved to “…the east side of a house in the hope that the enemy patrol would continue down the road, and could be engaged …”

Instead, they were ambushed.  “…The enemy patrol, however, came through a copse to the left and rear of our patrol, who immediately engaged them, killing one and wounding two others…”

…Harry was the patrol’s only casualty …

There was one casualty from the recce party.  “…One of our men K-76942 Pte DAVIS H.H., was killed and had to be left behind. Lt. Johnson and the remaining scout made a run for it and managed to escape and contacted the covering party. Artillery fire was called down and the patrol returned to our side without further mishap….”

However, Harry hadn’t been killed.  He was badly wounded and taken prisoner of war.  Unfortunately, he died the following day, Monday, January 15, 1945.  He was 23 years old.

…Harry’s sister received a letter with a statement from Lt Johnson…

A February 26, 1945 letter from Colonel R.T.E. Hicks-Lyne, Acting Director of Records for Adjutant-General, to Harry’s sister Mary, quoted a statement from Lt Johnson: “…Private Davis received a burst of 9 m.m. automatic fire, which ignited a # 80  smoke Grenade, carried on his belt. I, the patrol commander, was approximately six feet away from him as at the time. After the explosion I attempted to engage the enemy from the opposite  side of the haystack; coming back Lance Sergeant Burrison said: ‘Davis is dead, a grenade is burning in his side.’ As it was an extremely dangerous situation we decided to get out as fast as possible…” 

Colonel Hicks-Lyne went on to note that “…This statement is also corroborated by Sergeant Burrison, who was also with your brother at the time…”

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

Harry was temporarily buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Kerkdriel. We had wondered who had initially buried him – the Canadians or the Germans.  Henk explained that “…since Harry Davis became a prisoner of war on January 14, 1945 and died on January 15, while Kerkdriel was only liberated on April 23, we can assume that he was buried by the Germans…”

On August 2, 1946, Harry was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Grave of Harry Henry Davis in Holten from CVWM

Grave of Harry Henry Davis at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

….Davis Lake in Yukon Territory is named in Harry’s honour…..

Screenshot 2023-09-29 at 17-00-29 Davis Lake · Yukon Y0B 1J0

Davis Lake in Yukon Territory is named after Harry Henry Davis.  (Map source:  Google maps)

Harry has been honoured by having Davis Lake in Yukon named after him. (116I01- 66° 10’ 37”- 136° 24’ 57”)

Thank you to Roberta Joseph and the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin government for providing a photo of Harry. Thank you also to Henk Vincent for additional information on the patrols made along the Maas River and letting us know that Harry Davis was the only soldier from the Yukon buried in Holten.

Do you have a story to tell? Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.    

© 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. ‘If Only It Still Flew!’

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September 23, 2023.  After researching the story of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART of Cape Traverse, who sacrificed his life in order to save his crew and the Dutch village of Wons after his Halifax bomber was fatally targeted by a nightfighter on October 12, 1941, seeing an actual Halifax bomber plane was on Pieter’s bucket list.

20230914_140657 Sep 14 2023 Pieter outside Natl RCAF Museum in Trenton

Pieter outside the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Pieter crossed an item off his bucket wish list!…

Pieter’s wish became a reality earlier this month when we travelled to the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario.  Elmer Muttart and his crew of Halifax L9561 were among the first to fly in the new Halifax bomber, Mark I.  The one in Trenton was a Mark VII, which had many modifications to make it safer. 

CIMG6456 Sep 14 2023 Pieter by Halifax Bomber

Pieter by the Mark VII Halifax bomber.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…The Halifax bomber was very versatile, once the initial design flaws were corrected…

Although designed during WWII, the original Halifax was intended for daytime flights – a foolish decision on the part of the British Ministry of Defence, given that there was nothing wrong with the eyesight of German pilots. 

It quickly became clear that sorties needed to be done at night.  However, flames from the exhaust emitted a red glow, making the bombers easy to spot by German pilots.  A cost-cutting measure by the Ministry of Defence resulted in using engines that were NOT recommended for the heavy Halifax bomber.  This meant that the bombers were slower than other planes, such as the Lancaster, and could not reach higher altitudes.  They were ‘sitting ducks’ and there were many losses of planes and airmen that could have been avoided had the safety of airmen been top of mind. 

Later models of the bomber, such as the Mark VII we toured, had these issues corrected, and our tour guide, Tim Whitehouse, an RCAF veteran, explained that the Halifax was beloved by the RCAF. “…5,797 were built over the years, along with 7,374 Lancasters...”

The RCAF found that the Halifax bomber was very versatile.  “…They were flown by Bomber Command, Coastal Command, and 100 Group…”  We’d not heard of 100 Group before.  “…This was the electronic countermeasures group.  For example, they jammed German radar….”

20230914_130746 Sep 14 2023 Tim Whitehouse and Pieter by Halifax bomber

Pieter with our guide, Tim Whitehouse, beside the Halifax Bomber we toured. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 …The outside of the plane was huge …

We didn’t know what to expect, but the overwhelming sense we got was just how BIG the Halifax bomber was when we saw it inside the museum building.  Huge on the outside, it was quite cramped and narrow once you got inside. 

CIMG6461 Sep 14 2023 see the steps to get into the plane and guns

The tail turret in the foreground, but take a look at the step-stool, which shows where we entered the plane, and the small entry way.  Can you imagine doing that while carrying a parachute and in a flight suit?  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 …Getting into the plane required agility …

Getting into the plane was a challenge.  How air crew did it in woolen flight suits and carrying their parachutes and other gear is a testament to their agility!  There was a tiny entrance near the bottom of the plane which we had to crawl through. 

20230914_121954 Sep 14 2023 The hatch to get in and out of the bomber

This is the small space from which we entered and exited the plane.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

20230914_122334 Sep 14 2023 Daria in belly of Halifax bomber

Once I got into the plane, I found that I was not agile enough to tour the cockpit or the rear gunner areas.  The flash of light at the bottom right is the entrance! The hexagonal shape was used to drop off secret agents behind the front. (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

With help, I was able to get into the plane, but was unable to manage the steep step up to get into the cockpit area.  So I sat in the belly of the plane and had a nice rest. We asked Tim what the hexagonal shape was, as it looked like an escape hatch.

Tim explained that this feature was not in the early versions of the Halifax bomber, but was added later.  It wasn’t an escape hatch like we thought, but we weren’t too far wrong.  It was an exit out of the plane, used to drop off secret agents behind the front!

…Pieter in the pilot’s seat was a dream come true …

While I sat, Pieter and Tim continued the tour, beginning with the cockpit area.

20230914_123226 Sep 14 2023 Pieter in the pilot seat of a Halifax bomber

Pieter in the pilot’s seat of a Halifax bomber! (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

It was an emotional moment when Pieter sat in the pilot’s seat. “…I was overwhelmed by the instruments and how complex it was to operate this heavy plane with no computers….” 

20230914_125111 Sep 14 2023 Pilot control panel for Halifax bomber

The pilot’s control panel in the Halifax bomber. (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

He kept thinking about the young men that flew these planes.  “…45% made the ultimate sacrifice in the first years of the war...” he told me.  But oh, how he wished that the plane still flew!  Luckily, the tour was the next best thing.

… ‘Where’s the ignition switch?’I asked …

After seeing what the control panel looked like, I asked him where the pilot turned the key into the ignition, as I didn’t see one.  OK, obviously I’ve never been in the cockpit of a plane, as I soon learned there is no key!  Starting a plane as complex as a Halifax bomber was not an easy task, and required each engine to be started separately, with a lot of steps that had to occur before that. 

For a sense of what is involved, you can watch this short video on the Halifax Bomber – Engine Start Sequence:

… Several crew members sat BELOW the pilot …

Pieter next toured the area BELOW the pilot where the navigator had his table and charts.  The wireless operator sat directly under the pilot.  The flight engineer sat behind the pilot and the  bomb aimer also sat below past the navigator in the nose of the plane.

CIMG6458 Sep 14 2023 Pilot sat on top navigator below

The small window at the top was where the pilot sat.  The windows below indicate where other crew members sat.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Exif_JPEG_420

The table used by the navigator, in the level below where the pilot and co-pilot sat.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

20230914_124329 Sep 14 2023 Pieter the bomb aimer

The bomb aimer also sat in the level below the pilot and co-pilot. This ‘bomb aimer’ got distracted! (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

20230914_125156 Sep 14 2023 Pieter comes out of the bomb aimers position

Pieter coming out of the bomb aimer’s position.  The pilot’s seat is to the left. (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

… The rear gunner sat in the tail turret …

After touring the front of the plane, Pieter moved to the back of the plane where the rear gunner sat in the tail turret, with the guns in front of him.   

20230914_125739 Sep 14 2023 Inside the rear gun tail turret

The rear gunner control panel.  (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

20230914_125919 Sep 14 2023 Pieter in rear gunner position in tail turret

Pieter in the rear gunner’s seat.  (Photo credit: Tim Whitehouse)

… There were no ejection seats if you needed to quickly exit the plane …

We could only wonder at the bravery of the aircrew and marvel at Elmer Muttart’s piloting skills that he was able to keep a burning plane steady enough for the crew to safely exit on October 12, 1941– at night and while under attack.  There were no ejection seats!  There were several escape hatches on the plane, but normally the crew left the same way we did – through that little trap door!  The rear gunner had an alternate escape hatch through the window of the tail turret.

We were reluctant to leave the plane, but all good things come to an end, and our adventure as Halifax bomber crew members left us with an even deeper respect for those brave men who flew during the war. 

Thank you to our excellent tour guide, Tim Whitehouse, for making the experience so memorable, and to the National Air Force Museum of Canada for allowing tours of the plane.

Do you have a story to tell? Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.    

© Daria Valkenburg

…Previous stories about aircrew who lost their lives in a Halifax bomber….

…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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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/

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Airman From Bras d’Or Who Was Aboard The Last Flight Of Halifax JD215

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September 19, 2023. In November 2021, following a CTV Atlantic interview with Pieter, he received an email from Linda Hood Jobe.  “…I read your story with interest. I have a great-uncle who died in the war…”  (See Forever grateful: Dutch Canadian tries to put faces to names of soldiers who fell liberating the Netherlands: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/forever-grateful-dutch-canadian-tries-to-put-faces-to-names-of-soldiers-who-fell-liberating-the-netherlands-1.5659567)

E5516B6AB48B433F86A9DE70197C45C3 Linda Jobe

Linda Hood Jobe on a trip to Isle of Skye (Isle of Raasay) in September 2019. (Photo courtesy of Linda Hood Jobe)

Linda’s great-uncle, William Andrew HOOD, of Little Bras D’or, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, was in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and lost his life on June 29, 1943 when the plane he was in was shot down over The Netherlands.  He’s buried in Eindhoven General Cemetery, The Netherlands.

“…My father was only a baby when William died, but I know that his death affected my grandfather very much. He was greatly missed by his sisters and brothers…” Linda explained.

Born on May 22, 1921, William was the son of Wilson and Maria (nee Ross) Hood.  At the time of his enlistment on July 8, 1941 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was working for Lloyd Johnstone, a farmer in Bras d’Or.  His application to the RCAF was sent to No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto, Ontario.

Among the special skills that would be useful to the RCAF, William noted that he could swim and skate.  He listed hockey, softball, and bowling as sports he participated in. 

…William enlisted in the RCAF with a preference for ground duty….

6A89D893483A45939CC3320E521725B3 newspaper clipping

William Andrew Hood. (Photo submitted by Linda Hood Jobe)

When asked for his preference in enlisting, he said it was for ground duty – not flying duty – but that did not happen.

William was transferred to the RCAF’s No. 4 Repair Depot in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on July 20, 1941.  He was assigned to General Duties, which covered anything from guard duty to cleaning latrines.

On October 28, 1941, he was transferred to the No. 4 Repair Depot in Scoudouc, New Brunswick.  The Scoudouc airfield was a repair depot used to service aircraft employed on long range anti-submarine patrols, including Liberators or B-24s, American built four engine bombers.  It was used for aircraft testing and also served as an auxiliary landing field for #8 Service Flying School at Moncton.

…William trained as an air gunner….

In a June 23, 1942 interview at the No. 15 Recruiting Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, William was assessed as “…frank and sincere…Good material for air gunner…” 

On August 30, 1942 he was sent to the No. 9 Bombing & Gunnery School in Mont Joli, Quebec, located about 322 km (200 miles) east of Quebec City.  In the 6 week course, William would have learned about the construction and fusing of bombs and the factors affecting bomb trajectories, how to take a gun apart and put it back together again, and participated in practice bombing exercises.

On December 19, 1942, William was awarded his Air Gunners Badge, and given 14 days embarkation leave.

…William left Canada for overseas service….

William left Canada on January 25, 1943, arriving in the United Kingdom on February 4, 1943, where he was assigned to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre (PRC) in Bournemouth, England.  This was the arrival point for thousands of aircrew after training in Canada.

On March 3, 1943, William was sent for further training at the No. 7 Air Gunnery School (AGS) at Stormy Down, a Royal Air Force station near Pyle, Brigend in Wales.

On March 23, 1943, he was sent to No. 22 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Wellesbourne for 10 weeks of further training as a member of a bomber crew.

On May 18, 1943 William was briefly sent to No. 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe in Yorkshire. This was a 5 week course to familiarize crews with the four-engined Halifaxes or Lancasters on which they would be flying on operations when they were posted to a squadron. The May 18, 1943 war diary noted that “…ten crews from 427 Squadron and four from 22 OTU reported in for Conversion Training…”

On June 10, 1943, having completed his training, William was posted to 419 Squadron, part of the No. 6 RCAF Group. He would not have participated in many operations as part of the Squadron before what would be his last flight – Halifax JD215.

…William was aboard the last flight of Halifax JD215….

Middleton St George to Colognemap from Wendy

Map shows the plane’s path from England towards Cologne.  It was shot down over The Netherlands on its return to England.  (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

Just after 11:04 pm, on the evening of June 28, 1943, the crew of Halifax JD215 left Middleton St. George in England for a bombing raid over Cologne, Germany. 

Halifax_Bomber_2_ExCC

A Halifax Mark II bomber, similar to the one flown by Halifax JD215. (Photo credit: George Woodbine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Halifax JD215 was among 608 Allied aircraft that participated in the raid over Cologne – 267 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons, 75 Stirlings, and 12 Mosquitos.  Unfortunately, 25 planes never made it back to England.  According to a report on Canadian airmen lost in WWII in 1943, an “… intense Aurora Borealis display over the cloud base…” may have “…illuminated the bombers…” thereby contributing to the loss of aircraft by making them easier to spot.

Halifax JD215 successfully reached Cologne, but on its return to England, the plane was shot down over The Netherlands by Luftwaffe Major Günther Radusch in his German nightfighter.  It was just after 2:13 am.  Radusch claimed to have shot down 3 other Halifaxes that night.

… Halifax JD215 came down in a farmer’s field near Loon….

20230521_151545 Waalre Town Sign on bicycle path

The plane came down over Waalre, located 5 km from Eindhoven. (Photo credit: Robert van der Ende)

The plane crashed near Loon in the municipality of Waalre, in a farmer’s field close to where a watermill, the Loondermolen, on the Dommel River, once stood.  Waalre is just 5 km from Eindhoven.  The mill was destroyed in 1940. (You can see a photo of the mill at https://www.molendatabase.org/molendb.php?step=details&nummer=5094)

20230522_124021Loondermolen in Waalre

The plane came down in a farmer’s field near Loon, near where a watermill, the Loondermolen, on the Dommel River, once stood. (Photo credit: Robert van der Ende)

A. Hendrikx, the mother of a friend of Robert van der Ende, remembers the crash. Born in December 1933, she lived in Waalre at the time, and told Robert that “… everybody had to take cover in shelters….”

Robert explained that “…during the war there were of course much fewer buildings and since the plane was shot down at night, it must have given a frightening sound. Incidentally, another plane was shot down not much later. That plane ended up in Aalst (nowadays also the municipality of Waalre)….”  This was Lancaster ED979 of 619 Squadron, with a crew of 6 British and 1 Canadian.  The Canadian was one of the two Air Gunners, Flight Sgt John Harvey William WALKER of Sunny Brae, New Brunswick. All were killed.  This plane was also shot down by Major Radusch.

There were no survivors from Halifax JD215.  All 7 crew members are buried in The Netherlands, but in 3 different cemeteries.

…The crew of Halifax JD215….

  • Pilot – Flight Officer Harry Wilfred FOWLER of the RCAF – buried Mierlo War Cemetery. From St. Thomas, Ontario.
  • Flight Engineer – Sgt John Edwin DICKSON of the RAF – buried Eindhoven General Cemetery.
  • Navigator – Pilot Officer Warren Bretall MAYES of the RCAF – buried Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. From Bellwood, Illinois, USA.
  • Bomb Aimer – Pilot Officer David Renwick AGNEW of the RCAF – buried Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  From Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
  • Wireless Operator/Air Gunner – Flight Lt Almer Clement RAINE of the RCAF – buried Eindhoven General Cemetery. From Brampton, Ontario.
  • Mid Upper Gunner – Sgt William Andrew HOOD of the RCAF – buried Eindhoven General Cemetery.  From Little Bras D’or, Nova Scotia.
  • Rear Gunner – Sgt William George OTTERHOLM of the RCAF – buried Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. From Dixonville, Alberta.

…William is buried in Eindhoven General Cemetery….

After Linda, Sgt Hood’s great-niece, contacted us, Robert van der Ende visited his grave at Eindhoven General Cemetery. 

20230520_140435_001 Grave of WA Hood

Grave of William Andrew Hood at Eindhoven General Cemetery.  (Photo credit: Robert van der Ende)

John Edwin DICKSON and Almer Clement RAINE were originally buried in Woensel Cemetery as unidentified airmen.  After their remains were identified, they were reburied in Eindhoven General Cemetery, but not beside William Andrew HOOD. 

Harry Wilfred FOWLER’s body was not found until 1949, during the excavation of the aircraft wreckage.  He is buried in Mierlo War Cemetery.

Warren Bretall MAYES, David Renwick AGNEW, and William George OTTERHOLM are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.

…A short video on The Last Flight Of Halifax JD215….

You can watch a short video summarizing the last flight of Halifax JD215:

Thank you to Linda Hood Jobe for telling us about her great-uncle. Thank you to Robert van der Ende for visiting the crash site and Eindhoven General Cemetery on our behalf.  Thank you to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made the The Last Flight Of Halifax JD215 (S4E2) YouTube video a reality, and for preparing the map showing the flight path for Halifax JD215.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. “Archie Was A Good Guy”

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

September 12, 2023.  When Pieter begins researching a soldier whose name is on a photo wish list from one of the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, he quite often finds current family members in various parts of Canada or the USA. 

A zigzag virtual search is not uncommon, but it’s rare that a search from one part of the country leads him right back to our own province of Prince Edward Island! But that’s what happened in the search for a photo of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN of Edmundston, New Brunswick!

The son of Allan John and Mary Rose ‘Minnie’ (nee Comfort) McLean, Archie was born August 5, 1920 in Edmundston.  When he enlisted in Edmundston on May 14, 1941 at the No. 7A District Field Office, he listed his occupation as paper maker with the Fraser Pulp Company in Edmundston, a pulp mill. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Papers – the Edmundston mill is still in operation, owned by Twin Rivers Paper Company.)

His enlistment form recorded that he had been serving in the 2nd Battalion Carleton & York Militia since July 1940.  It also noted that he enjoyed skating, and playing hockey and baseball.

Three of his brothers were also serving – and survived the war: Lawrence and Wilfred were in the Canadian Army.  Allan was in the Canadian Navy.  He also had five  sisters: Mae, Patricia, Emma, Theresa, and Hilda.

…The search for a photo of Archie led to two nephews….

The key to finding family came from two of the sisters.  Mae married Bertrand Clarence Michaud, and Pieter contacted her son Michael, who lives in Brunswick, Maine.   Michael didn’t have a photo but said his cousin, Donald Moore, who lives in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and is himself a veteran, likely would.  Donald’s mother Theresa was another sister of Archie’s.

Pieter then contacted George Dalton, a veteran who lives in Summerside. Did he know him?  “…Yes…” George said.  “…He’s not been well, but someone from our group will contact him…”

In the mysterious way that the Island works, it turned out that Pieter had previously met Donald Moore’s daughter, Tina Mundy!  It wasn’t very long before Tina’s daughter, Erin Mundy Montgomery, sent photos and information.  And a few days later, we met with Donald.

CIMG6452 Aug 29 2023 Pieter Don Moore Tina Mundy

Pieter with Donald Moore and Tina Mundy.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

“…Archie was a good guy…” Donald said.  “… I became 84 years old on July 23, and am the oldest of the cousins.  I spent 38 years in the military, with the RCAF, including a 4 year posting in France.  I made about 20 trips to Holland, but I never knew where Archie was buried…”  A planned trip to visit his grave in 2020 got cancelled due to Covid.

… Archie joined the Royal Canadian Engineers as a sapper….

On May 21, 1941, Archie was assigned to No. 71 Basic Training Centre in Edmundston.  After completing basic training, he was sent to the A5 Royal Canadian Engineers Training Centre in Petawawa, Ontario for training as a sapper on July 25, 1941. 

Archie McLean slightly corrected

Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean. (Photo courtesy of Donald Moore)

Life moved quickly for Archie, as on September 27, 1941 he was transferred to the 1st Field Squadron of the Royal Canadian Engineers.  On October 1, 1941, he passed the Standard Army Trade Test for Pioneer Class ‘C’.   This classification took into account a soldier’s civilian trade skills and experience and meant formal training might not be needed. 

…Archie left Canada for overseas service….

Shortly afterwards, on October 6, 1941, he left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on October 19, 1941.

On March 9, 1942, he was reassigned to the Engineer Reinforcement Unit (ERU) for a short period, then was transferred to No. 2 Canadian Construction Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers.  Archie was sent for a number of courses.  He completed a firefighting course on April 6, 1942, a Steel Square course on May 23, 1942, and received a qualification as a Carpenter ‘B’ on June 5, 1942. Around this period, No. 2 Construction Company was designated as No. 6 Canadian Construction Company.

Among the tasks that Archie would have participated in was the building of an RCAF bomber airport in Dunsfold, a task that was completed in a record-breaking 6 months. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunsfold_Aerodrome)

Following the completion of the airport, the Company underwent training in bridge construction.  In January 1943, according to the Company’s Regimental history, ‘The Story of 2 Battalion R.C.E. 1940-1945’  “…we moved briefly into the Worthing area to construct pillboxes to a German design, for a tank outfit to shoot at…”

After that they were tasked with renovations to an airport in Cornwall, in what was not a happy experience. “…After a battalion movement by train, we arrived at scintillating St Eval in the most fearfully depressing rain storm imaginable.  Day after day it lasted…”  Their assignment was “…to construct extensions to the existing standings and runways of the airport….” 

However, “… as soon as the cement had been poured, the rain would drum down, ignore tarpaulins and matting placed over the cement to protect it, and rot it, before it had a chance to set. Yard after yard of it had to be torn up and re-laid…”   (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_St_Mawgan)

Renovations of the airport finally completed, the Company went to “…Bedford, for another spell of bridging…” so that heavy artillery could cross gaps in fields.

On June 1, 1944, Archie was transferred to No 1 Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit (CERU).  He briefly entered the world of show business between September 18, 1944 and October 10, 1944, when he was attached to ICA Shows when the Canadian Army Show came to England to perform for troops. He would have been involved in preparing stages and sets. (See https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-army-show-first-canadian-army-in-the-north-west-europe-campaign-of-1944-1945)

On November 18, 1944, Archie was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC) and assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).

…Archie joined the Carleton & York Regiment in Italy….

Screenshot 2023-09-04 at 16-28-14 Map of Russi Italy

The Carleton & York Regiment was north of Rossi on February 13, 1945.  (Map source: http://www.gosur.com)

On January 4, 1945 Archie left the United Kingdom for Italy.  Then, on February 13, 1945 he was transferred to the Carleton & York Regiment, and reclassified from Pioneer ‘C’ to General Duty.   He joined them as the Regiment was north of Rossi, part of a group of reinforcements, at the tail end of the Italian Campaign. (See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_campaign_(World_War_II))

On March 16, 1945, he left Italy as part of Operation Goldflake, arriving in Marseilles, France two days later.  Operation Goldflake was the codename for moving troops from Italy to North-West Europe.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Goldflake)

The Carleton & York Regiment was now part of the 21st Army Group. From France, troops were moved up to the Belgian front, into The Netherlands, through the Reichswald Forest in Germany, and then back into The Netherlands.

On April 12, 1945 the Regiment was part of Operation Cannonshot, which led to the crossing of the IJssel River between the villages of Gorssel and Wilp in the eastern part of The Netherlands. (See https://www.liberationroute.com/stories/190/operation-cannonshot)

According to the April 12, 1945 war diary entry of the Carleton & York Regiment, they “…moved across the Ijssel River at 14:30 hours….” to relieve the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

Map western holland showing Posterenk

On April 13, 1945, the war diary of the Carleton & York Regiment noted that troops were south of Deventer. “…Weather – morning, dull and foggy, sunny in the afternoon, cold at night….”

The objective was to clear Posterenk and move further up. Four Companies of the Carleton & York Regiment were engaged.  ‘D’ Company was to clear Posterenk, while the rest followed in support.  After Posterenk was cleared in the early afternoon, “…At 1538 hrs ‘B’ Company began to move up in carriers with one platoon of tanks in support…”  ‘D’ Company was then held up due to enemy fire.

“… ‘B’ Company pushed through ‘D’ Company but were held up … by small arms and mortar fire…. At 1723 hrs ‘B’ Company moved forward again under heavy mortar fire, these mortars were engaged, also an enemy SP firing on ‘B’ Company from their left…” SP refers to self-propelled weapons.

It got worse. “… ‘B’ Company met with stiff enemy resistance….”  However, “…at 1925 hrs ‘B’ Company had cleared enemy and were moving forward slowly…” Then came a report of more problems. “… ‘B’ Company ….are now … meeting considerable enemy resistance…”

“…So far during B Company’s attack they have eight wounded and one killed, Lt. W.E. Brousseau being one of those wounded…”

Both ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies came under attack from high explosives. ‘D’ Company reported two wounded during the liberation of Posterenk.  One of these was Daniel ‘Dan’ Peter MACKENZIE. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-victoria-cross-fatally-wounded-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk/) 

Archie was among those wounded on April 13, 1945. While it’s possible that he was one of the two wounded from ‘D’ Company, he has never been mentioned as one of the soldiers that liberated Posterenk.  Therefore, we believe that he was one of the 8 soldiers wounded from ‘B’ Company.

The medical file stated that Archie received shrapnel wounds from a high explosive that penetrated his left chest.  He was taken to No 3. Casualty Clearing Centre, a Canadian military field hospital in Lochem, where he died in the very early hours of April 17, 1945.  He was 25 years old.

The records of his death go back and forth between April 16 and 17, but an ‘Amendment As To Date Of Casualty’ finally determined it was April 17, 1945.  That was the date that he was ‘struck off strength’ for his final pay, for the Estates Department, and on his New Brunswick Death Certificate.

…Archie is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

On April 17, 1945, Archie was temporarily buried in the Lochem Civil Cemetery, before being reburied in 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.   

IMG_1003 Sep 4 2023 Grave of Archie McLean with photo

Grave of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean in Holten, The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Henk Vincent)

Thank you to Erin Mundy Montgomery, Don Moore, and Tina Mundy for sharing photos and information on Archie McLean.  Thank you to George Dalton and Michael Michaud for help in finding family. Thank you to Barry Miller for helping with information on troop movements on April 13, 1945.  Thank you to Edwin van der Wolf and Henk Vincent, volunteer researchers for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten and at the Information Centre Canadian Cemetery Holten, for placing Archie’s picture beside his grave and taking a photo for us.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Honouring The Memories Of The North Novies Who Lost Their Lives During The Battle of Bienen

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments
20210220_111030 Feb 20 2021 Pieter with photo wish lists

Pieter surrounded by some of the photo wish lists from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 2, 2023. When Pieter decided to research the names of a number of soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment that lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945 last year, he undertook a mammoth challenge.

40 North Novies died in that battle, with 39 buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  We told the stories of 13 of them this spring. Several of the names were on the cemetery’s photo wish list, and Pieter was successful in finding all the photos. 

The research took months and spanned the country, with help from other researchers, Legion branches, and the media in trying to track down families and photos.  We heard a lot of heartfelt stories about loss of a loved one and met – virtually – many wonderful people.

As summer days start turning into autumn and we begin to think ahead to Remembrance Week activities, it’s a good time to reflect on almost a year’s work of research to honour and remember these men.

…Battle of Bienen video on our YouTube Channel….

A short tribute to honour some of the soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment that lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen can be seen here:

….A monument in Bienen commemorates those who died in battle….

Screenshot 2023-09-02 at 08-56-31 Bienen · 46459 Rees Germany

Map shows route between Bienen and Groesbeek.  (Map source: Google maps)

In 2000 a monument to honour the Allied soldiers that lost their lives in the Battle of Bienen was placed in Bienen by surviving veterans. 

SONY DSC

Bienen Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Foundation. Photo by Kim Huvenaars)

The English version of the German text reads as follows:

 ‘BIENEN TABLET
This tablet has been placed by a group of surviving Canadian veterans of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 3 Canadian Infantry Division, in proud and grateful memory of those forty members of their regiment who fell in battle at Bienen, Germany on Sunday, March 25, 1945 and in memory of those fellow combatants of 9 Canadian Infantry (Highland) Brigade and 51 British Highland Division who died in the same battle and in the same cause and as well, in respectful memory of those adversaries in the German army who died on that fateful day.

At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

Erected at Bienen on the 55th Anniversary of the event in the year 2000.‘

….Stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Did you miss the stories we told about 13 of these soldiers?

Thank you to all who provided photos and information that allowed these stories to be told this spring.  Each individual story identifies them. Thank you to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made the Battle of Bienen (S4E1) YouTube video a reality.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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