Month: September 2025

On The War Memorial Trail……The WWII Carpenter Buried In Seven Mile Bay Who Does Not Have A CWGC Headstone

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Postcard promoting CWGC’s National Volunteer Program included a photo of Pieter (top left) that Daria took at Cape Traverse Community Cemetery.

September 28, 2025. One of the cemeteries that Pieter was assigned when he became a volunteer under the National Volunteer Program for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was Seven Mile Bay (St Peter’s) Cemetery in Seven Mile Bay, Prince Edward Island.  There are 4 CWGC war graves at this cemetery. 

…3 soldiers buried in Seven Mile Bay are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion…

Pieter at Seven Mile Bay (St Peter’s) Cemetery.  Can you spot the Confederation Bridge in the background?  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Three of the WWII soldiers buried in this cemetery are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island.  Their stories have been previously told on this blog….

Frank Lewis ARSENAULT of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, was serving in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Home War Establishment Unit, and based at the Petawawa Military Hospital in Ontario, when he drowned accidentally in the Ottawa River on September 30, 1942, aged 29.  His body wasn’t found until a month later.  He left behind a wife and 4 children.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/12/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-who-drowned-in-quebec/)

Leonard Stephen AVERY of Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, died accidentally in Ontario while on guard duty at the Chippewa Power Canal in Welland County on the evening of August 23, 1943, aged 19, when he was accidentally shot through the head while examining a rifle.  He was serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Canadian Army, and stationed in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/11/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-who-was-accidentally-shot/  and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/12/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-photo-for-wwii-soldier-leonard-stephen-avery/)

John Daniel ‘Jack’ FERGUSON of Borden (now Borden-Carleton), Prince Edward Island, was serving in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve, and on patrol duty out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  After becoming ill while serving aboard the patrol ship ‘Ross Norman’, he was sent to Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax on August 19, 1942.  On August 30, 1942 he went into shock from peritonitis. Despite treatment, he died on September 6, 1942, aged 19. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/03/04/the-ww2-able-seaman-who-died-of-peritonitis/)

…1 soldier buried in Seven Mile Bay did not have a CWGC headstone…

Grave of John Peter ‘JP’ White.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

The fourth grave, that of John Peter ‘JP’ WHITE, was listed as a CWGC grave, but did not have the distinctive CWGC headstone, and the name of the soldier was unfamiliar to Pieter.  Instead, the headstone listed the soldier, and his wife, Frances (nee Smith), who had died 3 years earlier.

His curiosity aroused, Pieter decided to research the soldier and look for a family member.  It wasn’t long before he came in contact with JP’s niece, Alice Cash Blakeney, and we had a chance to meet her in Summerside.  “….My mother was his sister Martina, and she always referred to him as JP…”  Alice explained.

Pieter with Alice Cash Blakeney, who is holding a photo of her uncle, JP White. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…JP grew up in Emerald Junction.…

The family homestead where JP White grew up.  (Photo courtesy of Alice Cash Blakeney and Estate of Bernadette White Adler)

Born in Emerald Junction, Prince Edward Island, on June 2, 1912, JP was the son of John Thomas and Janie Josephine (nee Cameron) White.  JP had 2 brothers and 4 sisters, and although their father was a carpenter, the family also ran a small farm.

Front row, left to right:  JP, Martina, Dave, Bernadette.  Back row, left to right: Matthew, Agnes, John Thomas, Janie Josephine, Mary Catherine. (Photo courtesy of Alice Cash Blakeney and Estate of Bernadette White Adler)

….JP enlisted in 1942…

After completing Grade 8, JP began working as a carpenter.  On February 4, 1942, he married Frances Teresa Smith in Charlottetown.   “…The Whites were noted as being great dancers, so it’s likely that JP met his wife Frances Smith at a dance….”  Alice reflected.

JP originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 6a NRMA Clearing Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on August 27, 1942 and began basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre in Charlottetown. At the time, he stated he had been a carpenter for the past 10 or 12 years, having learned the trade from his father. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

Just as JP was completing his basic training, tragedy struck on October 1, 1942. Alice said that “…JP’s wife died in childbirth….”

On October 30, 1942, JP was sent to A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Petawawa, Ontario for infantry training as a gunner. 

While in Petawawa, JP tried to enlist as ‘Active’, but was “…advised to remain…” under the NRMA, as he was considered “…unsuitable for operational duty…” due to bad knees.  

In January 1943, he was granted a 2 week furlough, allowing him to return home to Prince Edward Island. The furlough was then extended by another 11 days, after which he returned to Petawawa.

John Peter ‘JP’ White in January 1943 during his return to Prince Edward Island while on furlough. (Photo courtesy of Alice Cash Blakeney and Estate of Bernadette White Adler)

….JP was transferred to the 10th LAA for a short period in June 1943…

After qualifying as a Carpenter Group ‘B’ on April 26, 1943, JP was transferred to the 10th Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) on June 15, 1943, and sent to Tracadie, New Brunswick. The 10th LAA was part of the 7th (Home Defence) Division and JP was posted to the 8th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RCA in Saint John, New Brunswick.

He spent the next months working as a carpenter, but starting in August 1943, he had medical issues, resulting in brief hospitalizations.  Health issues ended his assignment with the 10th LAA and on October 28, 1943 he was transferred to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In a November 30, 1943 interview that was recorded in his Personnel Selection Record, he was described as “…a mature serious-minded soldier of steady judgement….”  It went on to state that JP “…wished to remain in the service and would prefer duty in his trade…” and that his knee condition “…should not impair his efficiency as a tradesman…”  It was recommended that he be transferred to a suitable Home War Establishment (HWE) for duty as a carpenter.

….JP was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers as a carpenter…

John Peter ‘JP’ White. (Photo courtesy of Alice Cash Blakeney and Estate of Bernadette White Adler)

On January 19, 1944, JP was transferred to No. 6 Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers in Debert, Nova Scotia.  He remained there until May 24, 1944 when he was granted 6 weeks of spring farm leave in order to return to Prince Edward Island and work on the family farm.  His father had died in 1936, meaning that JP and his brothers had to help out his mother.

Upon his return back to duty on July 29, 1944, he was assigned to No. 6 Engineer Survey and Works (ES&W) Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and continued to work as a carpenter. 

Unfortunately, he had another medical issue on November 28, 1944, when he was hospitalized for 3 weeks in the Military Hospital in Debert, Nova Scotia with appendicitis.

He was discharged from hospital on December 19, 1944 and sent to No. 5 Casualty Retraining Centre (CRC) in Sussex, New Brunswick for 71 days for further recovery.  On January 19, 1945, he was hospitalized again, this time at the Sussex Military Hospital.

On March 8, 1945, he was deemed ‘fit for duty’.  A report on his condition in the Supplement To Personnel Selection Record stated that JP was “…pleasant and straightforward….” and had “…cooperated well and followed the training in all grades at this Centre making satisfactory recovery…”  He was assessed as remaining “…suitable for employment in RCE for base duties…” as a carpenter.

….JP enlisted in the Active Army in April 1945…

On March 21, 1945, JP was again sent to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in preparation for his change in status when he was deemed fit enough to enlist in the Active Army on April 5, 1945.   He returned to No. 6 Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers in Halifax on April 29, 1945, where it was noted that JP requested to return to No. 6 Engineer Survey and Works (ES&W) Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers.

No sooner had JP been assigned to No. 6 Engineer Survey and Works (ES&W) Company than he requested a 3 month leave of absence without pay for compassionate farm leave.  This was granted from June 28, 1945 until September 27, 1945.

When he returned back to duty, however, it was to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax.  On October 2, 1945, a few days after returning to duty, he applied again for farm leave without pay, which was granted until April 1946.

….JP died following an operation in December 1945…

JP never returned to his army duties.  While back on Prince Edward Island for the farm leave that had been granted to him, he was hospitalized in Charlottetown, and died following an operation on December 15, 1945, aged 33.

JP was buried alongside his wife Frances in Seven Mile Bay (St Peter’s) Cemetery in Seven Mile Bay, Prince Edward Island. 

A note on his death record noted that he would not receive a separate Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone unless the family applied for it.  It further stated that ‘next of kin does not answer correspondence’. 

JP’s family was overwhelmed, not only by his death, but by the death of his mother in March 1946, leaving his brother Matthew, who lived in Charlottetown and had a family of his own, in addition to managing the farm, as the next-of-kin.

Pieter now knew what happened to JP, and resolved to ensure that his service is acknowledged when the Legion in Borden-Carleton places flags by graves of veterans during Remembrance Week 2025. No flag had been placed by his grave in previous years as no one at the Legion was aware that JP had served during WWII.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/03/on-the-war-memorial-trail-borden-carleton-legion-honours-veterans-by-placing-flags-at-their-graves/)

Thank you to Alice Cash Blakeney for providing the photos and information on her uncle. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….. Staghound Fatality Part 2: The WWII Trooper From Brookfield Killed By A Mine During The Battle For The Küsten Canal

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Pieter at the entrance to the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 25, 2025.  While in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, Pieter placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers he’s researched over the years, which took us to 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium. Out of this total, 156 flags were placed at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  

Pieter’s research results are faster than I can keep up with, and so several of the graves we visited were for soldiers whose stories have yet to be told.  Two of these soldiers, both of them with the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), lost their lives on April 19, 1945 when the armoured car they were in hit a mine. 

In Staghound Fatality Part 1, the story of Stewart Lyon ANDERSON was told. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-staghound-fatality-part-1-the-wwii-trooper-from-bagot-killed-by-a-mine-during-the-battle-for-the-kusten-canal/)

Staghound Fatality Part 2 tells the story of Merle Vincent HAMILTON, who was born in Brookfield, Nova Scotia on October 23, 1918, the son of George Elwood and Gertrude Edna Anderson.  He was the husband of Margaret Bessie (nee Johnston) Hamilton and the father of two daughters: Marilyn Jean and Karen Vera.

Pieter’s search for a photo of Merle ended when Jill Ley contacted him, saying “…Merle was my mother’s father…. I have passed your message on to my mother, Marilyn (Hamilton) Fallon and her sister, Karen (Hamilton) Davis….” A few days later, a photo was received.

….Merle enlisted in 1943….

When Merle enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 26, 1943, he had already been with the 2nd Battalion of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, a reserve unit, since June 1941. 

It was noted on his service file that he had completed Grade 10 and taken auto mechanics courses at Nova Scotia Technical College.  He also had worked as a car mechanic, in a box factory running various machines.  At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a store clerk at Agricola Coop.

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record, Merle was described as having a “…quiet, cooperative, nonaggressive manner….” and was a “…steady, reliable type…” who had “….definitely superior learning ability….”

….Merle qualified as a Driver Mechanic….

Merle Vincent Hamilton.  (Photo courtesy of his daughters: Marilyn Fallon and Karen Davis.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg )

On April 1, 1943, Merle was sent to No. 60 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  After completing his basic training, he next was sent to A27 Canadian Reconnaissance Training Centre at Camp Dundurn in Dundurn, Saskatchewan for a driver operator course.

Merle qualified for a Class III Certificate as Driver (i/c) Wheeled on July 23, 1943 and Driver Class III Tracked on August 6, 1943.  (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.  Receiving a Class III in both Wheeled and Tracked meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, as well as tanks.)

On September 24, 1943, Merle qualified as a Driver Mechanic Group ‘C’.  This meant that, in addition to being a driver, he would also be responsible for minor vehicle repairs on vehicles in his unit.

From October 25, 1943 until November 14, 1943, Merle was granted a furlough and embarkation leave, for what turned out to be the last time he saw his family.

….Merle left Canada for overseas service….

Shortly after returning from his leave, Merle left Canada on November 25, 1943 for the United Kingdom.  Upon arriving on December 1, 1943, he was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit (CACRU). 

While in the United Kingdom, Merle continued training, and qualified as a Driver Mechanic MV ‘C’ on February 17, 1944. He qualified to drive a Staghound on August 26, 1944.  A Staghound was an armoured vehicle that could also be used as a scout car. 

T-17E1 Staghound armoured cars of “A” Squadron, 12th Manitoba Dragoons, in the Hochwald, Germany, March 2, 1945. The first car has tire chains on all four wheels. (Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, taken by Jack H. Smith)

A few weeks after his Staghound training, Merle was transferred to the X-4 CAC (A) Reinforcement list of the 9th Battalion on September 12, 1944, arriving in Northwest Europe two days later.  (CAC refers to Canadian Armoured Corps.)

On September 24, 1944, he was attached to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) as a Driver Mechanic MV ‘C’ for a few weeks.  The RCASC was responsible for moving supplies from the rear areas to the front-lines. They delivered rations, ammunition, petroleum products, and other essentials.

….Merle was transferred to the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons) …

On October 10, 1944, Merle was transferred to the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), joining them in De Haan, Belgium.  As a self-contained unit attached directly to II Canadian Corps, the Regiment had long range reconnaissance regiment, equipped with a wireless transmitting and receiving set, for their role as scouts in finding the best roads for the troops.  Providing route information over the radio was of great importance to the troops that followed in their path, often 50 or more kms behind.

In an entry on the ‘Flames of War’ website (see https://www.flamesofwar.com), John (Jock) Buckmaster wrote that in Belgium, “….Nieuwport, Ostend and Bruges were all liberated by the Dragoons, with Bruges and Ostend naming roads and squares after the regiment…”

After the war ended, a memorial in Zeebrugge, Belgium was placed to honour the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), who liberated the city on November 3, 1944.

Memorial of the liberation of Zeebrugge (Belgium) on November 3, 1944 by the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, taken by Marc Ryckaert)

The ‘Flames Of War’ entry went on to note that by late 1944, “…the front-line between German and Canadian troops was now the Maas River, and for three months the Dragoons patrolled the river in one of the coldest, wettest, winters to hit the region. The regiment ….. liberated multiple cities, including Lichtenvoorde, Leeuwarden, and Almelo…” in The Netherlands “…before heading into Germany….”

The Regiment experienced difficulties in Germany. “….Heading into the Hochwald forest proved difficult for the regiment, as the armoured cars did not fare well in the restricted terrain. The weight of the Staghounds proved to be a problem when recovering bogged-down vehicles…”  At one point, horses from a German village were needed “….to pull two 14-ton Staghounds from the mud…” The Regiment continued “…through Bad Zwischenahn, and further into the Hochwald forest…”

….Merle lost his life during the Battle for the Küsten Canal…

Map showing location of Küsten Canal, and Esterwegen where Stewart Anderson was initially buried. (Map source: Google maps)

The next objective for Allied troops was the clearing of the 70 km (43 mi) long, 100-metre (330 ft) wide, Küsten Canal, a significant obstacle to Allied forces advancing from the Ems estuary into Germany.

In the ‘Regimental History of the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons)’, published in 1945, author Charles Eric Henry writes that “…the Regiment was detailed to take over a sector of the Küsten Canal 14 April 1945….The enemy did not seem to be overactive but did send over quite a few shells.  The main task seemed to be to remain on the southwest side of the canal until the friendly troops on the other side had worked their way along it to a point opposite our positions…”

Unfortunately, casualties still occurred, and on April 19, 1945, Merle was one of 5 men who lost their lives during the Battle for the Küsten Canal.  The War Diary for that day recorded that “…17 Troop lost their Sgt’s Stag and all his crew on a mine today.  It took place at 14:33 hours…The mine completely destroyed the Stag and caused a crater 20 feet by 20 feet.  It must have been one of these marine mines containing some 500 pounds of explosives…”

In addition to Merle, the rest of the crew that died were:

  • Sgt Alexander James BALFOUR of Lindsay, Ontario, aged 25
  • Trooper Stewart Lyon ANDERSON of Bagot, Manitoba, aged 25
  • Trooper Patrick James DEVINE of North Bay, Ontario, aged 22
  • Trooper Willard James MORRIS of St. James (now part of Winnipeg), Manitoba, aged 23

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

Merle was temporarily buried in Esterwegen, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands in 1946.

Grave of Merle Vincent Hamilton with Canadian and Nova Scotia flags placed by Pieter.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Thank you to Jill Ley, Marilyn Fallon, and Karen Davis for providing a photo of Merle. 

The flags placed at Merle’s grave were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flag.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….. Staghound Fatality Part 1: The WWII Trooper From Bagot Killed By A Mine During The Battle For The Küsten Canal

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Commemoration for Stewart Lyon Anderson. (Courtesy of the William Anderson family)

September 23, 2025.  While in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, Pieter placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers he’s researched over the years, which took us to 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium. Out of this total, 156 flags were placed at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  

Pieter’s research results are faster than I can keep up with, and so several of the graves we visited were for soldiers whose stories have yet to be told.  One of these is the subject of this posting:  Stewart Lyon ANDERSON, who was born in Rignold, Manitoba on November 22, 1919, the son of William and Isabella (nee Lyall) Anderson.

Map showing Rignold, Bagot, and Edwin.  (Map source: http://www.mapcarta.com)

Pieter’s search for a photo of Stewart ended when he got in contact with Lindsay Edmunds–Judson and her mother, Lana McCleary Edmunds, daughter of Stewart’s sister Agnes ‘Isabelle’.  “…Mum is so excited to be part of this!…” Lindsay wrote. “…How wonderful that your birth and upbringing has undoubtedly fostered your interest in this project which will be bringing joy to so many….”

Lana explained that “…two of Mum’s brothers and one sister served.  Stewart was killed.  Willie came home a broken man and died because of that.  Elizabeth showed us how to be the most wonderful aunt.  In Mum’s last days, she called for Stewart in her sleep- he had been the favourite I think….” Stewart’s brother William served with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry and was wounded in Italy.  His sister Elizabeth served at the First Base Post Office in London, England.

….Stewart enlisted in April 1941…

Stewart Lyon Anderson. (Courtesy of the William Anderson family)

Stewart grew up in Bagot, Manitoba, attended school in Edwin, and worked on his parents’ farm before enlisting under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 10 NRMA Clearing Depot in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on April 17, 1941 and began basic training at No. 100 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Portage La Prairie. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

He was described as having red hair and blue eyes, that he was cheerful and neat, robust in appearance, and that he enjoyed swimming and playing softball.

A little over a month later, on June 25, 1941, Stewart enlisted in the Active Army at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was immediately attached to A15 Canadian Infantry Advanced Training Centre (Rifle) at Camp Shilo in Shilo, Manitoba.

He remained there until September 4, 1941, when he returned to No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, and attached to the Tradesman Training Wing of the 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion, ‘D’ Company, for basic training.

From December 19, 1941 until January 7, 1942, Stewart was granted a furlough, for what turned out to be the last time he saw his family.

….Stewart was assigned to the 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion…

Stewart was transferred to 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion’s ‘D’ Squadron on February 2, 1942, and sent to Work Point Camp in Esquimalt, British Columbia. While Work Point Barracks served as the headquarters for Military District 11, which oversaw Canadian military operations in British Columbia, Stewart was there for a driver operator course. 

On February 5, 1942, the 18th (Manitoba) Reconnaissance Battalion was re-designated as the 18th (Manitoba) Armoured Car Regiment and was part of the Canadian Armoured Corps.

Stewart remained at Work Point Camp until May 4, 1942, when he returned to his unit at Otter Point in Sooke, British Columbia.   

….Stewart qualified as a driver operator…

On July 13, 1942, after qualifying as a Driver Operator Class III, Stewart and the rest of the  18th (Manitoba) Armoured Car Regiment moved to Debert, Nova Scotia, for final training and preparation before going overseas.

While at Debert, Stewart qualified as a Driver i/c Class III Wheeled on July 21, 1942. (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.  Class III meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, but not tanks.)

….Stewart left Canada for overseas service….

On August 22, 1942, Stewart was aboard the ‘Letitia’ with the 18th (Manitoba) Armoured Car Regiment when they sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia for the United Kingdom, as part of the Scotland bound convoy T-20. Upon arriving in Glasgow, Scotland on August 31, 1942, they remained on board until September 2.

While in the United Kingdom, the 18th (Manitoba) Armoured Car Regiment trained for their role as a reconnaissance unit for the II Canadian Corps. As a reconnaissance unit, its purpose would be to gather tactical information for its parent infantry division, scouting ahead and screening flanks.

Initially based in Aldershot, England, the Regiment trained in Bramley, Surrey, and other locations, from November 1942 to June 1943.  

On December 16, 1942, the regiment was re-designated the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons).

….Stewart landed in Normandy a month after D-Day…

On July 8, 1944, Stewart and his Regiment left England, landing the next day at Juno Beach in Normandy, France. They were reported to have brought 72 Staghounds with them, an armoured vehicle that could also be used as a scout car. 

T-17E1 Staghound armoured cars of “A” Squadron, 12th Manitoba Dragoons, in the Hochwald, Germany, March 2, 1945. The first car has tire chains on all four wheels. (Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, taken by Jack H. Smith)

As a self-contained unit attached directly to II Canadian Corps, they had long range reconnaissance regiment, equipped with a wireless transmitting and receiving set, for their role as scouts in finding the best roads for the troops.  Providing route information over the radio was of great importance to the troops that followed in their path, often 50 or more kms behind.

In an entry on the ‘Flames of War’ website (see https://www.flamesofwar.com), John (Jock) Buckmaster wrote that as they reached Belgium, “….Nieuwport, Ostend and Bruges were all liberated by the Dragoons, with Bruges and Ostend naming roads and squares after the regiment…”

After the war ended, a memorial in Zeebrugge, Belgium was placed to honour the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons), who liberated the city on November 3, 1944.

Memorial of the liberation of Zeebrugge (Belgium) on November 3, 1944 by the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, taken by Marc Ryckaert)

The ‘Flames Of War’ entry went on to note that by late 1944, “…the front-line between German and Canadian troops was now the Maas River, and for three months the Dragoons patrolled the river in one of the coldest, wettest, winters to hit the region. The regiment ….. liberated multiple cities, including Lichtenvoorde, Leeuwarden, and Almelo…” in The Netherlands “…before heading into Germany….”

The Regiment experienced difficulties in Germany. “….Heading into the Hochwald forest proved difficult for the regiment, as the armoured cars did not fare well in the restricted terrain. The weight of the Staghounds proved to be a problem when recovering bogged-down vehicles…”  At one point, horses from a German village were needed “….to pull two 14-ton Staghounds from the mud…” The Regiment continued “…through Bad Zwischenahn, and further into the Hochwald forest…”

….Stewart lost his life during the Battle for the Küsten Canal…

Map showing location of Küsten Canal, and Esterwegen where Stewart Anderson was initially buried. (Map source: Google maps)

The next objective for Allied troops was the clearing of the 70 km (43 mi) long, 100-metre (330 ft) wide, Küsten Canal, a significant obstacle to Allied forces advancing from the Ems estuary into Germany.

In the ‘Regimental History of the 18th Armoured Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons)’, published in 1945, author Charles Eric Henry writes that “…the Regiment was detailed to take over a sector of the Küsten Canal 14 April 1945….The enemy did not seem to be overactive but did send over quite a few shells.  The main task seemed to be to remain on the southwest side of the canal until the friendly troops on the other side had worked their way along it to a point opposite our positions…”

Unfortunately, casualties still occurred, and on April 19, 1945, Stewart was one of 5 men who lost their lives during the Battle for the Küsten Canal.  The War Diary for that day recorded that “…17 Troop lost their Sgt’s Stag and all his crew on a mine today.  It took place at 14:33 hours…The mine completely destroyed the Stag and caused a crater 20 feet by 20 feet.  It must have been one of these marine mines containing some 500 pounds of explosives…”

In addition to Stewart, the rest of the crew that died were:

  • Sgt Alexander James BALFOUR of Lindsay, Ontario, aged 25
  • Trooper Patrick James DEVINE of North Bay, Ontario, aged 22
  • Trooper Merle Vincent HAMILTON of Brookfield, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, aged 26
  • Trooper Willard James MORRIS of St. James (now part of Winnipeg), Manitoba, aged 23

Another Manitoba soldier who lost his life on April 19, 1945 was Andrew KERELCHUK of Zbaraz, Manitoba, who was serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/08/24/the-wwii-soldier-born-in-zbaraz-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-of-the-kusten-canal/

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

Stewart was temporarily buried in Esterwegen, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Pieter beside the grave of Stewart Lyon Anderson, after he’d placed flags of Canada and Manitoba. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

“…To visit his grave has been something I’ve always wanted to do….” Lana explained to Pieter. “…Thank you so much for your work with this project.  I hope you know how much it meant to Stewart’s three sisters to know his grave was tended. My imagination has me enjoying a flask of tea while I soak in the peace and beauty that resulted from the pain and loss of war….”

Stewart Lyon Anderson is remembered on the grave of his parents at Hillside Cemetery in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Lana McCleary Edmunds and Lindsay Edmunds–Judson for providing photos and information on Stewart. 

The flags placed at Stewart’s grave were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flag.
  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, for the Manitoba flag.

Staghound Fatality Part 2 will be about Merle Vincent HAMILTON of Brookfield, Nova Scotia.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….Indigenous Flags Donated To Holten Information Centre

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

Pieter outside the Information Centre at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 18, 2025.  Since 2014, Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

While we were in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, 156 flags were placed.

Families of two Indigenous soldiers, Pte Leo Francis TONEY and Sapper Sanford Steven SAULIS, had sent flags to be placed at their graves.

In addition to Leo Toney and Sanford Saulis, the graves and photos of 6 more Indigenous soldiers, whose stories were previously told on this blog, were featured in our 2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-5-indigenous-soldiers/)

….The two Indigenous flags were donated to the Holten Information Centre…

While the Commonwealth War Graves Commission allowed displays to remain during the 3 week period in May for the 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition we were aware that they would soon be removed. The photo stands would be packed away until 2027, while the flags and other mementoes left behind by visitors would be discarded or scooped up by ‘souvenir hunters’. 

So that the Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag and Wolastoqey Nation flag would not be lost, we decided to donate the flags placed at both graves to the Information Centre at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  Both flags were presented to Henk Vincent, a long time volunteer.  (For more information on the Information Centre, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2018/01/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-at-the-information-centre-at-holten-canadian-war-cemetery/)

Grave of Sanford Steven Saulis.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Sanford Steven SAULIS, from Maliseet, New Brunswick, died of a brain hemorrhage in The Netherlands on August 10, 1945, aged 30, while serving with the 16th Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/02/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-sanford-steven-saulis/

Henk Vincent with the Wolastoqey Nation flag.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter holds onto the personalized Lnu flag from the Toney family at the grave of Leo Francis Toney. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Leo Francis TONEY, born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, was serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment, when he was killed on Saturday, April 7, 1945, aged 21, while trying to cross the Schipbeek in The Netherlands at  a bridgehead that had been formed at a weir on the border of the municipalities of Bathmen and Holten. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-leo-francis-toney/

Henk Vincent with the Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….All of the flags placed at graves were donated…

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Della Maguire on behalf of the Toney/Smith Family in memory of Pte Leo Toney for the Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag.
  • Conrad Saulis in memory of Sapper Sanford Steven Saulis, courtesy of Grand Chief Ron Tremblay, for the Wolastoqey Nation flag.
  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flag.

Our adventures on our 2025 European War Memorial Tour continue as we next follow the route of Canadian troops who participated in the Battle of Delfzijl in April 1945.  

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 6: Soldiers Killed In Battle In The Netherlands

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

September 14, 2025.  Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

While in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, flags were placed at 156.

Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May, showing photos of the soldiers by their graves. Visitors found it meaningful to see what the soldiers looked like.

—-Recap…..

In Part 1, soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945, were featured.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-1-soldiers-killed-near-posterenk/)

In Part 2, the graves and photos of two soldiers listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island, were featured.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-listed-on-the-cenotaph-in-borden-carleton/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of two soldiers who lost their lives while travelling in military vehicles were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-3-soldiers-killed-while-travelling-in-vehicles/)

In Part 4, the graves and photos of six soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Leer during Operation Duck were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-4-soldiers-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/)

In Part 5, the graves and photos of 8 Indigenous soldiers were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-5-indigenous-soldiers/)

…7 soldiers are commemorated…

Now, the 2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition series concludes in Part 6, as we feature the graves and photos of seven more soldiers, whose stories have previously been told, who lost their lives in battles in The Netherlands.

Grave of Clive Elbert Steele Gerow.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Clive Elbert Steele GEROW, from Burk’s Falls, Ontario, was killed in action during the liberation of Deventer in The Netherlands on April 10, 1945 while serving with the 27th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment), aged 30.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/10/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-burks-falls-killed-during-the-liberation-of-deventer/

Pieter by the grave of Carman Edward Gillcash. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Carman Edward GILLCASH, from Glenwood, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Cape Breton Highlanders when he lost his life on April 29, 1945 during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket in The Netherlands, aged 27. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-glenwood-killed-during-the-battle-of-the-delfzijl-pocket/

Daria and Pieter at the grave of Theodor ‘Ted’ Henschel. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

Theodor ‘Ted’ HENSCHEL, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but lived in Trail, British Columbia, was serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment when he was killed in action during the Battle for Wagenborgen in The Netherlands on April 22, 1945, aged 28. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-trail-who-played-the-cornet/

Just as Pieter finished placing flags at Ted’s grave, an elderly Dutch lady approached us, and asked if she could take our photo by the grave!  We were a bit confused, but then wondered if she thought that we were relatives.  Pieter explained to her that we were not relatives, but were placing flags at graves of soldiers that he had researched.  She wanted a photo anyways, and so it’s one of only two photos of the two of us together by a grave at one of the cemeteries!  (The other photo had been taken in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek by a Faces To Graves Groesbeek volunteer.)

Grave of Gordon Frederick Johnson. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Gordon Frederick JOHNSON, from Truro, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed in action, at the age of 33, on April 8, 1945, near Zutphen, The Netherlands, while trying to retrieve an anti-tank weapon that one of the members in his platoon had left behind. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-gordon-frederick-johnson-is-over/

Grave of Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ McKenna. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, from Newton Cross, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Queen’s Own Rifles when was killed in The Netherlands on April 5, 1945 during the Battle of Rha, at the age of 26. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/09/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-prince-edward-island-killed-during-the-battle-of-rha/

Grave of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN from Edmundston, New Brunswick, was serving with the the Carleton & York Regiment when he died from wounds received on April 13, 1945 during Operation Cannonshot in The Netherlands, aged 25. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-archie-was-a-good-guy/

When Pieter was researching Archie’s story back in 2023, we met with Archie’s nephew, Donald Moore, who gave Pieter a poppy pin, and asked if Pieter would place it at his uncle’s grave next time we visited the cemetery in Holten.  Shortly after the story was published in the fall of 2023, Donald passed away. 

Pieter never forgot Donald’s request, and when we were preparing for our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, the poppy travelled with us. On May 1, 2025, Pieter affixed Donald’s poppy pin onto Archie’s grave.

Pieter places the poppy pin from Donald Moore onto the gravestone of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter by the grave of Charles Borden Tuplin. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN, from Indian River, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Black Watch when he was fatally wounded in The Netherlands, and listed as having died on December 8, 1944, aged 34. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-from-indian-river/

….All of the flags placed at graves were donated…

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick, for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the Prince Edward Island flag. 
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall Muttart for the Ontario flag.
  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, for the Manitoba flag.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flag.

This concludes the 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition series, featuring soldiers whose stories have been previously told on this blog. But our adventures are not over, as we continue with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 5: Indigenous Soldiers

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

September 10, 2025.  Pieter Valkenburg has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

While in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, flags were placed at 156 graves. Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May.

—-Recap…..

In Part 1, the graves and photos of soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945 were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-1-soldiers-killed-near-posterenk/)

In Part 2, the graves and photos of two soldiers whose names are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-listed-on-the-cenotaph-in-borden-carleton/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of soldiers killed in vehicle accidents were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-3-soldiers-killed-while-travelling-in-vehicles/)

In Part 4, the graves and photos of soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Leer during Operation Duck were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-4-soldiers-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/)

…8 Indigenous soldiers are commemorated…

Now, in Part 5, the graves and photos of 8 Indigenous soldiers, whose stories have previously been told on this blog, are featured.

Grave of John Culbertson. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John CULBERTSON was born in Oshawa, Ontario, and grew up on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ontario. While serving with the Royal Canadian Engineers, he was killed in Germany on April 30, 1944 during the Battle of Edewecht, aged 33. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/02/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-sapper-john-culbertson/

Grave of William ‘Willie’ Daniels.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

William ‘Willie’ DANIELS, from the Big River Reserve in Depton, Saskatchewan, was serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles when he was killed, aged 20, on April 22, 1945 as troops moved through Appingedam in The Netherlands at the very beginning of the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-william-willie-daniels/

Pieter by the grave of Harry Henry Davis. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Harry Henry DAVIS, from Selkirk, Yukon Territory, was serving with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) when he died in The Netherlands, aged 23, on January 15, 1945 from wounds received the day before after being shot while on patrol east of Kerkdriel.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-only-yukon-territory-soldier-buried-in-holten/

Grave of Stanley Owen Jones. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Stanley Owen JONES, from Massett, British Columbia, drowned on September 8, 1945 in Germany when the carrier he was in overturned in a ditch, while serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, aged 20. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/09/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-wwii-soldier-stanley-owen-jones/

Grave of Philip Laforte. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Philip LAFORTE, born in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, was serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles when he was killed on April 7, 1945 in The Netherlands, aged 33, as the Regiment crossed the Schipbeek, in order to establish a bridgehead as preparation for an assault on the city of Deventer by the 7th Canadian Brigade. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/03/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-philip-laforte/

Grave of Sanford Steven Saulis.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Sanford Steven SAULIS, from Maliseet, New Brunswick, died of a brain hemorrhage in The Netherlands on August 10, 1945, aged 30, while serving with the 16th Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/02/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-sanford-steven-saulis/

Grave of James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver THOMAS, born in St. Peters, Manitoba, died in Germany on May 2, 1945, aged 33, a few days after being liberated from the Stalag VII-A POW Camp in Moosburg, Germany. He had been taken prisoner of war on May 22, 1943, while serving with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, during the breaking of the Hitler Line. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/02/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-manitoba-who-died-shortly-after-being-liberated-from-stalag-vii-a/

After sending photos of the grave to Rodd Cooper, great-nephew of Jimmy Thomas, he wrote us to say “…  I just wanted to express my infinite gratitude to you and your family on behalf of myself and my family for the work and the time you have invested in gathering the information not only for my resting family member but for the numerous others as well. 

The honour and respect you have brought and given to these men cannot be measured.  The gift that you have given my family and I is profound and we truly can’t thank you enough.  

Because of your work and dedication, my family and the future generations of my family, will be able to pay the respect to my Great Uncle Jimmy for his service and sacrifice by remembering him and telling his story.  

The gift you have given us is immeasurable.

On behalf of myself and the Thomas Family, Thank You….” 

We were immeasurably touched by his kind words. Pieter replied, saying that “…it’s important that we never forget the soldiers….and the families… who sacrificed so much for our ongoing freedom.  I’m grateful that the country of my birth continues to remember and honour their Allied liberators….” 

Grave of Leo Francis Toney. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Leo Francis TONEY, born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, was serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment, when he was killed on Saturday, April 7, 1945, aged 21, while trying to cross the Schipbeek in The Netherlands at  a bridgehead that had been formed at a weir on the border of the municipalities of Bathmen and Holten. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-leo-francis-toney/

After sending a photo of the grave to Della Maguire, niece of Leo Toney, she wrote to say “…thank you so much, I looked at that picture all day. I am so grateful…”

Pieter holds onto the personalized Lnu flag from the Toney family at the grave of Leo Francis Toney. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….All of the flags placed at graves were donated…

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flag.
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall Muttart for the Ontario flag.
  • Wayne Ewasko, MLA for Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition, Province of Manitoba, for the Manitoba flag.
  • Della Maguire on behalf of the Toney/Smith Family in memory of Pte Leo Toney for the Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag.
  • Conrad Saulis in memory of Sapper Sanford Steven Saulis, courtesy of Grand Chief Ron Tremblay, for the Wolastoqey Nation flag

Thank you to Rodd Cooper and Della Maguire for their heartfelt and kind words.  The comments we’ve received from families as we’ve shared photos showing how their loved ones were honoured during the commemoration events made all the hard work of visiting the cemeteries and placing flags worthwhile.

The 2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition concludes with Part 6, where the graves of a few of the many soldiers killed in The Netherlands and Germany will be featured as we continue with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com.

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 4: Soldiers Who Drowned During Operation Duck

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

Cross of Remembrance at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 4, 2025.  Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

While in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, flags were placed at 156 graves. Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May.

In Part 1, the graves and photos of soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945, and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-1-soldiers-killed-near-posterenk/)

In Part 2, the graves and photos of two soldiers whose names are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-listed-on-the-cenotaph-in-borden-carleton/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of soldiers killed in vehicle accidents were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-3-soldiers-killed-while-travelling-in-vehicles/)

Now, in Part 4, six soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Leer during Operation Duck, whose stories have previously been told on this blog, are featured.  Four of these soldiers were in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment, while two were with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.

…6 soldiers who drowned during Operation Duck are commemorated…

Grave of Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, aged 21.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/

After sending a photo of the grave with Ambroise’s photo to his niece, Simone Comeau, she not only thanked us, but a few days later wrote to say that “…my son, Delphis, has a pen pal in The Hague and he told him about your project and that he had a great-uncle buried in the Holten cemetery. That pen pal went to visit his tomb the week of the commemorations and he sent Delphis a photo almost identical to the one you sent me.

Afterwards he sent him another one and he had added two flowers, a red one to represent Canada and an orange one to represent Holland. Delphis was so pleased that he wanted me to tell you….”  What a lovely gesture by the pen pal!

Grave of Lewis Wilkieson Marsh. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, aged 19. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/

RCMP piper Mike Ward played a lament at the grave of Lewis Wilkieson Marsh of Nova Scotia.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

While at the cemetery in Holten, we met others who were honouring the fallen, including an RCMP pipe band from Ottawa. One of the pipers noticed Pieter placing flags nearby at Lewis’s grave, and came over to play a lament. It was so hauntingly beautiful that I had tears in my eyes.

After sending a photo of the grave with the photo of Lewis to his niece, Burnie Reynaert, she wrote back to say “…Thank you, Daria and Pieter. My heart is full of gratitude for all you do. There are no words….”

Grave of Ruel Kitchener Matheson.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, from Dundas, Prince Edward Island, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, aged 29.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/

Grave of Francis ‘Frank’ Eugene Munroe.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Francis ‘Frank’ Eugene MUNROE, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was one of 19 men from with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders who drowned during the crossing of the Ems River in Germany on April 28, 1945, at the age of 22, while participating in Operation Duck. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/11/on-the-war-memorial-trail-tragedy-on-the-ems-part-2-the-wwii-soldier-from-halifax-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/

Grave of Lloyd William Murray.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lloyd William MURRAY, from Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, aged 27.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-2/

Pieter by the grave of James Edward Sullivan.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

James Edward SULLIVAN, from Rexton, New Brunswick, one of 19 men serving with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders who drowned during the crossing of the Ems River in Germany on April 28, 1945, at the age of 25, while participating in Operation Duck. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-tragedy-on-the-ems-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-from-rexton-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/

….All of the flags placed at graves were donated…

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the Prince Edward Island flag. 
  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flags.
  • La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau for the Acadian flag.

Thank you to Simone Comeau and Burnie Reynaert for their kind words.  In Part 5, the graves and photos of Indigenous soldiers killed will be featured as we continue with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 3: Soldiers Killed While Travelling In Vehicles

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

Pieter at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands with the Cross of Remembrance in the background. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 1, 2025. Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in The Netherlands since 2014, and we’ve tried to tell as many of their stories as we can on this blog. 

While in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, flags were placed at 156 graves.

Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May.  It was slow going to place flags as people continually came up to talk to us, curious about the various flags, and were thrilled when they discovered they didn’t have to practice their English as Pieter could talk to them in Dutch.

In Part 1, the graves and photos of soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945, and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, were featured.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-1-soldiers-killed-near-posterenk/)

In Part 2, the graves and photos of two soldiers listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-listed-on-the-cenotaph-in-borden-carleton/)

Now, in Part 3, the graves and photos of four soldiers who lost their lives while travelling in military vehicles, and whose stories have previously been told, are featured. 

…4 soldiers killed while travelling in military vehicles are commemorated…

Grave of Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan Dougan. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan DOUGAN from Donaldston was killed in The Netherlands, at the age of 26,  on May 16, 1946, while serving with the 48th Canadian General Transport Company of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) in Germany.  He died in a hospital in Nijmegen following a road accident, in which he was a passenger in a military vehicle, during very bad weather in Nijmegen, while he was on his way from Grave, The Netherlands to Oldenburg, Germany, where he was based. Mechanical failure in the steering mechanism led to the accident. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/07/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-donaldston-who-died-in-a-vehicle-accident-in-the-netherlands/

Pieter by the grave of Maurice James Hughes. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Maurice ‘Maw’ James HUGHES, from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) when the jeep in which he was riding in hit a mine in Germany on May 2, 1945, killing him, aged 25.  Germany had signed an unconditional surrender, ending the war in Europe, on May 8, 1945, just a few days after Maurice lost his life.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/05/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-signalman-from-charlottetown-whose-jeep-ran-over-a-mine-6-days-before-the-war-ended/

Grave of James Gordon King. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

James Gordon KING, from Woodstock, New Brunswick, was serving with the Royal Canadian Artillery when he died in a road accident on August 5, 1945 in Germany, aged 34.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/

Grave of John Rusnak. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John RUSNAK, from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, was attached to No. 4 Canadian Public Relations Group, Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) as a despatch motorcycle rider.  He lost his life, at the age of 21, when his Harley Davidson motorcycle accidentally collided with a horse drawn wagon in Germany on November 22, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/08/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-despatch-rider-from-portage-la-prairie-who-lost-his-life-in-an-accident-in-germany/

While at the cemetery, we met Jane Kondakova, a Ukrainian refugee from the Kyiv region, currently living in the village of Holten with her two young children.  She was placing flags at the graves of soldiers of Ukrainian descent, including John Rusnak. This was her third year of placing flags, for the soldiers buried in the cemetery and for her husband, who is in the Ukrainian military.

….All of the flags placed at graves were donated…

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the Prince Edward Island flags. 
  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick for the New Brunswick and Acadian flags.
  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, for the Manitoba flag.

In Part 4, the graves of soldiers killed during Operation Duck will be featured as we continue with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour. Pieter encourages blog readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com  or comment on the blog.    

© 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/

4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.