Author: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Fisherman Who Lost His Life In France While A WWI Soldier

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March 21, 2021. In researching the stories of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, it’s become a mystery why some from the local area were NOT included on the Cenotaph.  Over the years, two names have been added to the original 46 names… that of James Ambroise CAIRNS and Joseph Arthur DESROCHES.

In the village of Victoria-By-The-Sea, two men listed on a memorial at the Victoria Community Hall, built in 1915, (which is also the home of the Victoria Playhouse) are on the Cenotaph: Arthur Leigh COLLETT and Percy FARRAR. 

When Pieter went to see the memorial, he wondered why WWI soldier Heath Ward MACQUARRIE was not.  Brenda Boudreau, of the Victoria Historical Society, explained that Heath Ward MacQuarrie was her grand-uncle, “….my grandfather’s brother...”

CIMG4912 Nov 11 2020 Brenda Boudreau & Pieter by Victoria WW1 monument

Brenda Boudreau and Pieter Valkenburg by the memorial at Victoria Community Hall on November 11, 2020.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

“…No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten...” Pieter reminded me, after learning that this WWI soldier had died in France. 

Heath MacQuarrie in uniform

Heath MacQuarrie. (Photo courtesy of Greg Gallant of the PEI Regiment Museum.)

Born in Victoria-By-The-Sea on March 28, 1891, according to his baptismal record, Heath was the son of William Archibald MacQuarrie and Charlotte Mallett.   A fisherman before enlisting with the 105th Overseas Draft Battalion on February 19, 1917, Heath was married.  He and his wife, Bertha May Francis, were the parents of a son, William Richard ‘Dick’ MacQuarrie.

1024px-Arthur_Lismer_-_Olympic_with_Returned_Soldiers

Olympic in dazzle at Pier 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia painted by Arthur Lismer (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Olympic#First_World_War)

On June 1, 1917 he left Halifax aboard the ‘Olympic’, one of the ships used to transport troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain. As of 1917, the ship had 6-inch guns and was painted in a ‘dazzle’ camouflage in brown, dark blue, light blue, and white colours, in an attempt to make it more difficult for observers to estimate her speed and heading. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Olympic#First_World_War)

The dazzle camouflage worked as Heath safely arrived in England on June 10, where he was transferred to the 13th Reserve Battalion.  Then, on November 23, 1917, he was transferred again, to the 23rd Reserve (New Brunswick) Battalion, and sent to France a day later.

His brother Glen had enlisted in 1914 and was in France as well but it’s unknown if the two brothers ever met up with each other.  Glen survived the war, but Heath did not.

On August 8, 1918 he lost his life, aged 27.  According to the stark account in the Circumstances of Casualty form in his service file, Heath “…was so severely wounded in many parts of his body by enemy fire while taking part in operations at the Sunken road in front of Guillaucourt, that despite the fact he received first aid promptly he succumbed shortly afterwards.…”

He was buried at Wood Cemetery in the village of Marcelcave, 24 kms east of Amiens in the Department of the Somme in France. He’s one of 50 WWI burials in this cemetery – 41 from Canada and 9 from the United Kingdom. 

Heath’s wife Bertha never remarried. Their son Dick attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, majoring in geology.  His work took him across Canada before he returned back to Victoria-By-The-Sea with his wife Marion Raynor, before passing away in 1975, at the age of 60.

Richard Dick MacQuarrie

Dick MacQuarrie in Victoria-By-The-Sea on May 14,1929. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Boudreau.)

Thank you to Brenda Boudreau for providing information of her grand-uncle.  If you have any further information to share, please let Pieter know.  You can 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/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 8

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March 16, 2021. More of the photos submitted by Atlantic Canadians of soldiers buried overseas are featured in this posting. Pieter is ensuring that every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands are forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.  Thank you to the members of Royal Canadian Legions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for their help.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

Fryday published in Toronto Newspaper

George Albert Fryday.  (Photo submitted by Marion Fryday-Cook.)

Marion Fryday-Cook, President of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Nova Scotia/Nunavat Command, submitted a photo of George Albert FRYDAY, explaining that “…I am a relative of Rifleman George A. Fryday, Service Number B/136751, who is buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands.  He was born in Toronto, Ontario. Thank you for honouring our fallen….” 

At the age of 15, George joined the Merchant Marine, and later the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve.  However, once it was established that he was under age, he was discharged.  At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and was sent overseas in December 1944.  He was serving in the Queen’s Own Rifles Regiment when he lost his life on May 4, 1945, aged 19. 

Frederick Joseph Tait

Frederick Joseph Tait. (Photo submitted by the Grand Falls branch of the Royal Canadian Legion)

Patrick Côté of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 21 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, submitted a photo of Frederick Joseph TAIT, born April 26, 1921 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, the son of Herbert Henry Tait and Louise Emeline Leclair.

Patrick referenced a book, ‘Military Heritage – The Greater Grand Falls Region’, by Jean-Guy Plourde, which explained that “…. Prior to the war, he worked in a grocery store…”  Before enlistment on February 1, 1943 in Fredericton, he served in the New Brunswick Cadet Corps, and had been an Instructor in Infantry Training with the 2nd Carleton & York Regiment since 1940.

According to the Personnel Selection Record of his service file, he was fluent in both French and English and was assessed as “…good NCO instructor material…”  (NCO refers to Non-Commissioned Officer.)  He had a “…confident bearing…” and “…stability above average….” Unfortunately, his educational background was “…not high enough for commissioned rank…” 

After being deployed overseas in December 1943 he served in Sicily, where he fell ill and was hospitalized for 8 months.  After being released from hospital, he “…went on leave to England….” Over Christmas 1944 he was able to meet his brother Clair, also with the Canadian Army.

Clair survived WWII but Frederick didn’t.  While serving with the Carleton & York Regiment as the unit advanced to the Apeldoorn Canal in The Netherlands on April 15, 1945, he lost his life and was temporarily buried in Posterenk, near Zutphen.

CIMG9297 Sep 25 2017 Edwin and Pieter with CYR list

Edwin van der Wolf and Pieter in Posterenk in 2017.  Pieter holds up a list of the 6 Carleton & York Regiment soldiers who were temporarily buried in the village.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In September 2017, Pieter and I visited the village of Posterenk with Edwin van der Wolf, one of the research volunteers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  Edwin explained that “… the Carleton & York Regiment came from Italy to Marseilles, and then into The Netherlands where, on April 13, 1945, the village of Posterenk was liberated.  Six soldiers from the Regiment were buried here temporarily….” 

Edwin gave us a list of the 6 soldiers from the Carleton & York Regiment who were temporarily buried in the village.  Frederick Joseph Tait was one of these men!

Posterenk list of 6 CYR members

List of 6 Carleton & York Regiment soldiers temporarily buried in Posterenk in 1945.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Photo Burgess Porter

Burgess Allison Porter.  (Photo submitted by Everett Dalton)

Everett Dalton submitted a photo of Burgess Allison PORTER, writing that Burgess was “…the son of Annie ‘Laura’ (nee Porter) McCall…” Born October 2, 1922 in Grafton, Nova Scotia, his mother died when he was 2 years old.  Although his biological father, Reg McCall was still alive, it was his mother’s wish that her son be raised by “…Frank Oscar and Lennie Alma (nee Pineo) Porter….”  

While not formally adopted, he was raised by them and was known by the surname Porter. His service file identifies Frank and Lennie Porter as his grandparents. 

Born October 2, 1922, Burgess was from Grafton, Nova Scotia, and a store clerk before he enlisted in Halifax on April 14, 1941.  On January 20, 1942 he arrived in the United Kingdom as part of the Artillery Holding Unit, and in April 1942 was attached to the 4th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery as a bombardier. 

On July 7, 1944 his unit landed in France, and unfortunately Burgess was killed on February 21, 1945 in Germany and was temporarily buried in Bedburg, Germany.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands

Clayton Wilfred Shannon virtual war memorial BoZ

Clayton Wilfred Shannon.  (Photo from Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Patrick Côté of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 21 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick sent the link to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial page for Clayton Wilfred SHANNON, who had served with the Calgary Highlanders and lost his life on September 22, 1944.

Patrick referenced a book, ‘Military Heritage – The Greater Grand Falls Region’, by Jean-Guy Plourde, which explained that Clayton, born August 2, 1920 in Grand Falls, the son of Frederick Herman Shannon and Bertha Mulherin, “…was musically inclined… playing guitar and singing.  Before his army service, he had even made a couple of records….”

In 1940 “…with his cousin, Adrien Mulherin, he left home to enlist in the Carleton & York Regiment….”   After serving 4 years in Canada, he went overseas “…in July 1944, with the Calgary Highlanders…. While in combat near the border of Holland and Belgium, Clayton was killed, only a few weeks after arriving in Europe…”

Clayton lost his life in Belgium during the Battle of the Scheldt, and was initially buried in Wommelgem, on the outskirts of Antwerp, one of 11 members of the Calgary Highlanders buried there before being reburied in Bergen Op Zoom. (For more information on what happened in Wommelgem, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-soldiers-who-died-in-wommelgem-belgium-in-fall-1944/)

Gregory P. A. McCarthy (2)

Gregory Philip Anthony McCarthy.  (Photo submitted by the Grand Falls branch of the Royal Canadian Legion)

Patrick Côté of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 21 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, submitted a photo of Gregory Philip Anthony MCCARTHY, born February 28, 1922 on a farm in California Settlement in Grand Falls, son of Thomas and Agnes McCarthy. 

Patrick referenced a book, ‘Military Heritage – The Greater Grand Falls Region’, by Jean-Guy Plourde, which explained that Gregory “…was the youngest of 11 children….He had …. helped on the farm for 8 years and also worked in lumbering prior to his enlistment…. On 26 March 1941 Gregory enlisted in the Canadian Army at Woodstock, NB…”

After completing his basic training, he was “… transferred to the 1st Battalion New Brunswick Rangers….on 19 May 1941….”  After a promotion to Lance Corporal on December 1, 1941 he went to Labrador as a Driver Mechanic. 

On September 10, 1943 he left for the United Kingdom “… where he completed a mortar course and remained until his deployment to France with the 10th Independent Machine Gun Company, NB Rangers, arriving on 22 July 1944….”

His commanding officers described him as “…dependable, reliable, and well-thought of in his unit….”  While serving in Germany and The Netherlands, he was a member of a mortar detachment responsible for engaging the enemy. On January 19, 1945, near Waalwijk in The Netherlands, their own mortar misfired and exploded, causing 3 members of the team to be seriously wounded, with fatal consequences for Gregory.  He was initially buried in Tilburg.

Thank you to Patrick Côté, Everett Dalton, and Marion Fryday-Cook for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 9! To share photos or information, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…..Previous postings in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series….

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

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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….. The WWII Soldier From St Stephen Who Was A Teacher

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March 7, 2021.  Last fall, the researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands sent Pieter a photo wish list of 6 soldiers from the Cape Breton Highlanders who had died in the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.  (For more information on the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket, see https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/delfzijlpocket.htm)

Len Boudreau of the Cape Breton Highlanders Association was able to provide photos of 3 of the men,  Pieter found one on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial website, leaving 2 to try and find:  Philip Hubert LONG of Nova Scotia, and Norman James NIXON of New Brunswick.

A radio interview with CBC’s Maritime Noon about Philip Long resulted in family contacting Pieter immediately, and a photo was soon provided.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/11/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-face-for-philip-hubert-long/)

In trying to find family of Norman Nixon, Pieter sent a letter to the editor of the St. Croix Courier newspaper.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/10/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-continuing-the-search-for-soldiers-killed-in-action-in-ww1-and-ww2/)  Legion member Kent Caldwell sent a photo and story from the New Brunswick Military Service Recognition booklet.

It was a rare occasion that every photo request on a list could be fulfilled, but it happened! But then, the grandson (and namesake) of Norman Nixon contacted us.  “….We have quite a bit of information…..” he said.  Did we want to meet?

CIMG4775 Oct 25 2020 Pieter sorts through material compiled by the Nixon family

Pieter goes through the information saved by the Nixon family. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Normally that would not be a problem, but with Covid-19 restrictions, we had to think twice.  The Atlantic Bubble was still open, so Pieter said a firm YES! and we made the trip to Harvey, New Brunswick to meet Norman Nixon and his wife, Kelley Gowan.

CIMG4560 Lt Norman Nixon

Norman James Nixon. (Photo courtesy of Nixon family)

Norman James Nixon was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the son of Edward A. Nixon and Winnifred Trafton, and lived in nearby Mayfield.  A well-regarded schoolteacher before his enlistment, he married Berla Mae Lowery on July 29, 1940.  In 1941 they welcomed the birth of their son, Vernon James.

20201024_160813 Norman and Berla with son Vernon

Norman and Berla Mae Nixon with their son Vernon, circa 1943.  (Photo courtesy of Nixon family)

On July 20, 1940 Norman had enlisted with the Reserve Unit of the Carleton & York Regiment, but was discharged due to illness.  On February 6, 1942 he re-enlisted, this time with the Active Unit of the New Brunswick Rangers, and served with this unit in Labrador, and Canada from February 6, 1942 to July 12, 1944, and England from July 13 to August 21, 1944.

In 1944 he transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders, and served in Italy from August 22, 1944 to February 19, 1945, and Northwest Europe in France and The Netherlands from February 20 to April 30, 1945.  He was known as ‘Nick’ by his fellow soldiers.

CIMG4767 Oct 25 2020 Pieter and Norman with cap and badges

Pieter and Norman Nixon.  Norman holds his grandfather’s cap and a number of the badges that Lt. Nixon had earned during his service.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After surviving action in Italy and France, Lt Nixon’s luck ran out near the end of WWII, when he was killed by shrapnel on April 30, 1945 during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.

A May 6, 1945 letter to Bella Mae, from Norman’s Commander, Lt Colonel R B Sommerville, explained what happened.  “…Nick was killed in action at night by shell fire during a counter attack on his platoon position.  He died instantly.

At the time he was hit he was encouraging his men who were being hard pressed by fire from the part of Delfzijl on the Ems estuary….”

He was initially buried in the village of Wirdum, as Lt Col Sommerville explains further in his letter.  “…his example and devotion to both his troops and duty won for him the affection and respect of officers and men alike….. At a little service in the village of Wirdum near Groningen with a brother officer and 17 of our men he was buried the next afternoon.  We will all miss him….”  The other officer mentioned as being buried was Lt B H NUNN of Halifax.

On May 10, 1945, Major P J Stephen also wrote a letter to Bella Mae, providing more details on how her husband lost his life.  “…On the evening of the 30th of April we were holding a position which we had taken the night before.  Things were quite bad as we were being heavily shelled. The men were getting jittery from loss of sleep and constant hammering.  

After each shelling Nick would jump from his trench and stroll about the platoon area as if he were in his own garden, joking with the men, caring with a smile for all their needs, setting the example to them of a first class soldier and leader.  During one of these tours Nick was fatally wounded by shrapnel from a shell which burst a few yards away. 

It was impossible to save him although we gave him medical aid immediately.  Nick passed away without regaining consciousness…”

20201024_194850 Grave of Norman J Nixon in 1945

Initial burial of Norman Nixon in Wirdum. Photo sent by Lt Stackhouse.  (Photo courtesy of Nixon family)

On August 19, 1945, Lt Ron V Stackhouse wrote to Bella Mae. “…I was with ‘Nick’ on the last night about an hour before he was killed as we had both had supper together at Company Headquarters and he and I walked back to our platoons together as our platoons were right alongside of each other….”   In a postscript he mentions enclosing a photo of the grave.

After WWII ended, Lt Nixon was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

nixon, norman james from Holten Cemetery sent by Edwin

Grave of Norman Nixon at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo sent by Edwin van der Wolf.)

Visiting with Norman Nixon and Kelley Gowan and learning about Norman’s grandfather was a privilege.  But they had a surprise for us.  Norman’s father Vernon and Vernon’s wife Donna came from Grand Manan Island to meet us.

CIMG4779 Oct 25 2020 Norman and Vernon Nixon

Norman and Vernon Nixon, grandson and son of Lt Nixon. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

More memories and stories were shared, including that Vernon’s mother, Bella Mae, owned a dress shop, ‘The Hat Box’, in St. Stephen.  She was an independent woman, and never remarried after her husband’s death.

CIMG4781 Oct 25 2020 Pieter & Daria with Vernon & Donna Nixon

A final photo before we left to go back home.  Pieter and I with Vernon and Donna Nixon.  (Photo credit: Kelly Gowan)

With both the son and grandson of Lt Nixon together in one place, we asked if they wanted to share a few thoughts for a video to be sent to the Info Centre at the cemetery in Holten.  Here is the result, entitled ‘In Remembrance of Lt. Norman J. Nixon’:

It’s always an honour to meet the families of the soldiers that Pieter researches, and we hope to meet more families as travel restrictions get eased.

The 6 soldiers from the Cape Breton Highlanders on the photo wish list were:

  • Philip H. LONG, born Pictou, Nova Scotia, died April 30, 1945.
  • James Bernard MACINNIS, born Sydney, Nova Scotia, died May 1, 1945.
  • Olen B. MARSHALL, born Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, died May 1, 1945.
  • Norman James NIXON, born St. Stephen, New Brunswick, died April 30, 1945.
  • Ford Hilton SPIDLE, born Parkdale, Nova Scotia, died May 1, 1945.
  • Robert B. THOMAS, born Louisburg, Nova Scotia, died May 5, 1945.

The family of Ford Hilton SPIDLE participated in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series of postings, and you can read his story here: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-1/

Thank you to Norman Nixon and Kelley Gowan for their warm hospitality and for sharing information about Lt Nixon, and thank you to Vernon and Donna Nixon for making the trip from their home to meet with us and share memories about Vernon’s father.  It’s very clear that Lt Nixon was deeply loved and respected, and his death, so close to the end of the war, was an immeasurable loss.

Heartfelt thanks go to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made the YouTube tribute to Lt Nixon a reality.

20 members of the Cape Breton Highlanders lost their lives in the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.  If you have information or photos to share on any of these men, please email us 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/

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….. A WW1 Era Letter From A German Soldier Was An Anti-War Song!

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March 4, 2021. Once in a while, when we do a story about a soldier, we find more information than we ever expected.  This was the case when we were contacted by Earle Davison of Kensington, Prince Edward Island, and told the story of his uncle, William Earle DAVISON, a WW1 soldier who lost his life in France while serving with the Sixth Canadian Siege Battery.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/11/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww1-soldier-william-earle-davison/)

CIMG4858 Oct 28 2020 Irene & Earle Davison

Irene and Earle Davison beside a box that contained Earle’s uncle’s effects, including the German anti-war poem. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

When Earle contacted us, he mentioned a box containing the last possessions of his uncle.  One of the items he identified was “… a copy of a letter taken from a German soldier…”  We were confused by the word ‘copy’ and wondered what kind of letter it could be.

When we saw the actual document, it was clear that it was not an original letter.  It appeared to be a published leaflet, as the heading at the top of the page was typeset, with handwriting reproduced below it.  Someone, perhaps Earle Davison himself, had written a brief translation in English of the title ‘Eine Stimme vom Grab’ (‘A Voice From The Grave’).

Was it a letter or a poem????

Davison German letter full view

The German ‘letter’ found amongst WW1 Soldier Earle Davison’s possessions. (Courtesy of Earle Davison & Family.)

The handwritten portion was in an old German script and appeared to be a poem.  Our only clue was that in English was written “…Copy of a letter taken from a German soldier to his people, telling them of the real conditions at the front…”  However, the first word in German…. ‘gedicht’ …. indicated this was a poem, not a letter.

The full heading was translated as:  “… A Voice From The Grave…. Poem from the diary of a German soldier who was a victim of Imperial domination….”

We didn’t know what to make of it, so a copy of the document was sent to Berlin historian Ralf Gräfenstein.  Was he able to read the handwriting and tell us what it was all about?

Ralf replied that “… It is not a letter of a German soldier, but the handwritten text of an old German Anti-War song….”  A song?  That was a surprise twist!  “…The text of the ‘letter’ differs slightly from the ‘official’ version of the song. I think that this document is part of war propaganda to increase the war-weariness of German soldiers. Maybe the Allied troops found the ‘letter’ (the handwritten copy of the song) on a dead German soldier and later they used it for their propaganda? …”

Ralf found a YouTube version of the original song, which you can listen to here…

He went on to explain that “…This song was published in 1870 and came from the German Socialist labour movement which was part of the German and international labour movement at that time….”

Ralf’s investigation brought up two interesting points.  The poem was based on an actual German song, and his suggestion that it was used for war propaganda seemed valid as it was a published leaflet.  Two key questions remained…. Was it taken from an actual diary of a German soldier?  If it was war propaganda, who distributed it…. the Germans or the Allies?

The German Embassy in Ottawa joins the investigation

At this point, the document was sent to the German Embassy in Ottawa, where Chief Warrant Officer (German Army) Patrick Butzlaff, Assistant to the Defence Attaché, delved into this mystery.

Mr Butzlaff agreed that “…. the version of the poem printed on the letter is not entirely identical to the original.  It seems that the writer once heard it and independently recomposed the parts of the text that he could not remember 100%….”

Like Ralf, Mr Butzlaff noted the date of the poem, but had more information about it.  “…The original poem dates from 1870 in the Kingdom of Saxony (an ally of Prussia) and was written at the time of the 2nd Franco-German War…”

I’d never heard about this war, so was happy that he went on to explain that “… France declared war on Prussia because of claims to the throne which the Hohenzollern wanted to register in Spain. France felt surrounded by Hohenzollern here, when their claim to power now also reached their own country’s borders in the south.

The Germans successfully repelled a French attack and were able to win the war relatively quickly. Apparently this was not enough for the Prussian king, however, so he ordered an attack on France, thus triggering the 2nd Franco-German War.

The workers’ movement, which was growing stronger and stronger in all parts of Europe back then, protested against this war and tried to influence events by writing protest letters and distributing anti-war poems to soldiers going to the battlefields….”

Mr Butzlaff explained that “…the motto of this movement was ‘Proletarians of all countries unite’, which can also be read between the lines of the poem...”

What does the poem say?

So what did the poem in the leaflet that WW1 soldier Earle Davison saved actually say?  Identifying all the words in the handwriting was problematic.  While Ralf was able to transcribe most of the text, a few phrases defeated him.

Mr Butzlaff came to the rescue. “…The poem is written in ‘Suetterlin’, the old German handwriting. I asked a friend of my late grandmother, who is now 96 years old, to take a look at the text and solve the riddle of the unclear words.  She replied that the writer seems to have written quickly, which means that the letters do not always look as they should…”

By now, I was very eager to know what the poem said.  A translation, prepared by one of his colleagues, was provided by Mr. Butzlaff: Translation of German Anti-War Poem

Who distributed the leaflet?   German or Allied Forces?

We now had a translation of the poem and an explanation of the origin of the poem.  Where did the leaflet come from? Ralf found a reference to the poem in a 1936 book by Hermann Wanderschreck entitled ‘Weltkrieg und Propaganda’ (World War I and Propaganda).

“…Hermann Wanderschreck (1907-1971) was an editor and lecturer in the National Socialist Reich Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, theatre critic, and a playwright. His dissertation (1934) and book mention that British troops dropped leaflets with the title ‘Eine Stimme vom Grab’ (A Voice From The Grave) from aeroplanes, over the front in Western Europe as propaganda.

I suspect that neither the British propagandists during the First World War (1914-1918) nor Wanderschreck knew that the text under the title ‘A Voice from the Grave’ was originally from a song of the German Socialist labour movement…”

A translation Ralf provided from Wanderschreck’s book added more clarity. “…The English dropped leaflets in varying sizes. Often, poems taken from the diaries of German soldiers were released. Once, under the title ‘A Voice From The Grave’, the accusation of what was purported to be a dead man from the grave was reproduced…”

This likely explains how Earle Davison came into possession of the leaflet.  It dropped from the sky, and perhaps someone explained the context of the leaflet, which he wrote down in English.  It also seems clear that the handwritten portion of the leaflet was taken from a diary of a German soldier.

As a theology student, Earle Davison would most probably have agreed with the anti-war sentiments, as was suggested by Mr. Butzlaff.  “…Perhaps the soldier was aware of the meaning of the poem and agreed in his conviction of the senselessness of war.  There were many soldiers on both sides in WW1 who took part in it because they had to, but were inwardly opposed to it….”

Thank you to Earle and Irene Davison for sharing the leaflet with us. Uncovering the amazing story about the leaflet’s history and translation of the contents was only possible due to the diligent research and help of Berlin historian Ralf Gräfenstein and Chief Warrant Officer (German Army) Patrick Butzlaff, Assistant to the Defence Attaché at the Germany Embassy in Ottawa.  A huge thank you goes to them for the time and effort they put into this piece of WW1 history.

If you have effects from a WW1 soldier, take a look and see if you have a copy of this leaflet!  If you do, please email us at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

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© Daria Valkenburg

The Search For A Photo Of James Lymon Cameron Moves To YouTube

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CIMG8667 Sep 9 2017 Chester Farm Military Cemetery Pieter by grave of James Lymon Cameron

Pieter by the grave of James Lymon Cameron at Chester Farm Military Cemetery in Belgium.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

February 27, 2021.  When you visit a war cemetery maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, you are always struck by how peaceful and well-kept the cemetery is.  It doesn’t matter which country the war cemetery is in, the impression is the same…. row upon row of neatly maintained graves.

The sad part is that overwhelmingly the graves are of young men, all buried far from home.  In most of the smaller cemeteries we visited, we were the only ones there.  When Pieter began his research to find out about the men listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, his hope was to have a photo of each man, to go with the story he was able to unfold.

In the case of WW1 soldier James Lymon CAMERON, a photo has never been uncovered.  Born December 30, 1892 in Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island, he was the son of Edward H. Cameron, a carpenter, and Susan Estelle Harrington of Hampton.

The family moved around due to Edward’s work, and when James Lymon enlisted in 1915, he was living in Vancouver.  Sadly, he was killed by enemy fire on July 24, 1916, and is buried at Chester Farm Military Cemetery, 5 km south Ypres in Belgium.

The cemetery is located on a turnoff from a busy town onto a country road, but once inside the gate, you are in a quiet environment, with cows grazing in a field right behind the cemetery wall. It reminded me of the view from our own home here on Prince Edward Island.  Only the colour of the cows differed!

CIMG8674 Sep 9 2017 Chester Farm Military Cemetery surrounded by cows

Cows surround the walls of the Chester Farm Military Cemetery in Belgium.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter laid flags down at the grave and we marked the visit by writing in the visitors’ book.

CIMG8675 Sep 9 2017 Chester Farm Military Cemetery Daria writes in the guest book

Writing in the visitors’ book at Chester Field Military Cemetery.  We were accompanied by Pieter’s Belgian cousins on this leg of the war memorial tour.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

“…If only we had a photo…” Pieter sighed.  Now, after years of an unsuccessful search for family or friends, he’s taken his appeal for a photo to YouTube, in the hope that a viewer might come forward:


Pieters saying

You can read more about James Lymon Cameron and our visit to the Chester Farm Military Cemetery here: https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/a-visit-to-chester-farm-military-cemetery/

Thank you to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made this YouTube video a reality. If you have photos or information to share about James Lymon Cameron, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 7

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February 22, 2021. We continue to feature more of the photos submitted by Atlantic Canadians of soldiers buried overseas. Pieter is ensuring that every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands will be forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.  Thank you to the various members of Royal Canadian Legions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for their help.

The volunteers at all three Canadian War Cemeteries in Holten, Groesbeek, and Bergen Op Zoom are now active, and Pieter has received wish lists for photos from all three cemeteries.  Submissions for soldiers buried in municipal cemeteries are being held until Pieter gets the go-ahead that those volunteers are active again.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

Ken Dennis of Yarmouth let us know about the Wartime Heritage Association website, which features some of the soldiers from the area who served in WW2.  One of the profiles, written by Flip Jonkman, was of a soldier on the photo wish list of the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten…. Brenton Leroy RINGER. (See http://wartimeheritage.com/whaww2ns2/wwii_ringer_brenton_leroy.htm)

Born on March 22, 1925 in Northfield, Nova Scotia, the son of Ralph and Alberta Ringer of Clementsport, he was an electrician’s helper when he enlisted, at age 18, with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in Halifax on January 17, 1944.  He later transferred to the 10th Armoured Regiment on March 27, 1945, and lost his life on April 12, 1945 during the liberation of Heino, The Netherlands, when the Sherman tank he was in was hit on the road to Zwolle. 

There were 5 men in the tank, with one survivor.  The survivor knocked on the door of a nearby farmhouse to ask for help, the home of Flip Jonkman’s parents.  Flip was not born at the time, but always remembered the story, and in 2020, was instrumental in getting a memorial stone placed near the site of the attack.  (See the article in Dutch for more information: https://www.destentor.nl/raalte/vurige-wens-in-vervulling-voor-flip-jonkman-73-uit-heino-nu-gedenksteen-is-geplaatst~a694b86d/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fduckduckgo.com%2F)

Another of the names on the photo wish list for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten was found on the Wartime Heritage Association website…. that of Louis Graham RICHARD. (See http://wartimeheritage.com/whaww2ns/wwii_richard_louis_graham.htm)

Born February 13, 1918, the son of Raphael Daniel and Mary Ann Richard of Londonderry, Nova Scotia, Louis was a store clerk before enlisting with the No 2 Canadian Armed Corps in Halifax on February 17, 1943 as a trooper.  On October 14, 1944 he was sent to the United Kingdom, and then on March 31, 1945 to Western Europe with the 9th Armoured Regiment (BC Dragoons).  

Louis was killed in action in The Netherlands during the Battle of Delfzijl Pocket on April 26, 1945, at the age of 27, and was temporarily buried in Wirdum in the province of Groningen, The Netherlands before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (For more information on this battle, see https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/delfzijlpocket.htm)

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Percy Clayton Cromwell photo only

Percy Clayton Cromwell.  (Photo submitted by Ken Dennis)

Ken Dennis submitted a photo of Percy Clayton CROMWELL, explaining that “…I am a member of the Yarmouth Branch 61 Legion…” After receiving a wish list of photos from Pieter, he noticed one name from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  “…Having been shown this email, I decided to trace his local roots…”

“…He was a labourer, then for CP out of the Halifax area and upon enlisting moved his family to Yarmouth where they grew up….” CP refers to the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Percy was born in Yarmouth on February 12, 1914, the son of James Alfred and Annie May Cromwell.  He enlisted with the West Nova Scotia Regiment in Aldershot, Nova Scotia on May 14, 1940.

Percy was with the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers when he drowned in The Netherlands on February 8, 1945.  He’d been on guard duty along a canal in the Dutch province of Brabant on a very dark, windy, and rainy night, and it would have been very easy to lose his bearings and accidentally fall into the canal.  His body was not found until March 12, 1945.  He left behind a wife, Lillian Beryl, and four children. 

Frank Lewis Libby photo only

Francis Lewis Libby. (Photo from the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet)

Kent Caldwell, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in New Brunswick, sent an entry on Francis ‘Frank’ Lewis LIBBY from one of the annual issues of the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet, explaining that the photo was a copy from a newspaper clipping.  The entry stated that “…Francis served with the Calgary Highlanders in England and Northwest Europe.  He was killed in The Netherlands in 1945…” 

Francis was born February 21, 1918 in Milltown, New Brunswick, the son of Clifford and Mary Christine Libby.  Before enlisting on July 25, 1941, he worked at the Canadian Cottons Plant in Milltown.  On October 4, 1941, he married Dorothy Louise Caswell.  He and Dorothy had a son Francis Brian in 1944 while he was overseas in Europe, and where he transferred to the Calgary Highlanders in September 1944. Francis lost his life on January 5, 1945 after being killed along the Dutch-German border. He was temporarily buried in Nijmegen, before his reburial, on July 30, 1945, in Groesbeek.

Hiram Albion Lord photo only

Hiram Albion Lord. (Photo from the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet)

Kent Caldwell, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in New Brunswick, also sent an entry on Hiram Albion LORD from one of the annual issues of the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet, explaining that the photo was a copy from a newspaper clipping.  The entry stated that “…Hiram served with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment during the Second World War and was killed in action in 1945…” 

Born November 7, 1924 in Lords Cove, Deer Island, New Brunswick, the son of Minnie Smith, Hiram was a fisherman before enlisting on November 4, 1943 and served in Canada until his arrival in the United Kingdom on July 21, 1944.   On August 17, 1944 he went with his unit to Western Europe and lost his life on January 8, 1945 near Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Stanley Spray

Stanley Spray. (Photo submitted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #20 in Digby)

Donna Flaherty, President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #20 in Digby, Nova Scotia, submitted a photo of Stanley SPRAY, writing “…This picture hangs on our Memorial Wall….”

Born April 24, 1913 in Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Edgar and Edith Spray, Stanley immigrated to Canada, and settled in Digby, Nova Scotia, where he ran a small farm and worked for J. J. Wallis as a printer before his enlistment on July 6, 1940 with the 52nd Anti-Tank Battery.  He was married to Alda May and the father of two daughters, Jean Carolyn and Joan Carol. 

He received several promotions, and was a battery quartermaster sergeant with the Royal Canadian Artillery when WW2 ended.  Stanley lost his life in a tragic vehicle accident near Nijmegen, The Netherlands on July 23, 1945, when he was catapulted out of the back of an army truck that collided with an oncoming military vehicle.

Thank you to Kent Caldwell, Ken Dennis, and Donna Flaherty for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas. If you have a higher resolution photo of Percy Clayton Cromwell, Frank Lewis Libby, or Hiram Albion Lord, please send it in to us.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 8! To share photos or information, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…..Previous postings in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series….

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

…..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….. Pieter Thanks Atlantic Canadians For Sending Photos Of WW2 Soldiers

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20210220_111030 Feb 20 2021 Pieter with photo wish lists

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

February 20, 2021.  On January 4, 2021, Pieter was interviewed on CTV Atlantic’s Live At 5, where he asked viewers in Atlantic Canada for photos of soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. The response was encouraging! (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-ww2-soldiers-buried-in-the-netherlands-featured-on-ctvs-atlantic-live-at-5/ for more information.) 

Missed the January 4 broadcast? Click here:  https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2111996&jwsource=em

Since the broadcast, submissions continue to come in for soldiers buried in Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. All submissions of Canadian soldiers buried in other cemeteries are welcome for the Atlantic Canada Remembers postings. 

While the original broadcast discussed a wish list of photos for soldiers from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, wish lists soon reached Pieter from the Canadian War Cemeteries in Groesbeek and Bergen Op Zoom.  (A wish list for photos of soldiers from Prince Edward Island has been mostly fulfilled.)

20210220_111052 Feb 20 2021 Photo wish lists from Dutch cemeteries

Wish lists for photos of soldiers from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick who are buried in The Netherlands are slowly being fulfilled.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

On January 13, 2021, CTV Atlantic’s Live At 5 ran an update, which included interviews with Edwin van der Wolf, a volunteer at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, and with Darlene and David Roberts, who had submitted a photo of David’s uncle, Bobby Nickerson.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-2/)

Missed the January 13 broadcast? Click here: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2118019&jwsource=em

CIMG9119 Sep 18 2017 Holten Cemetery Pieter & Edwin van der Wolf by grave of WD Sherren

Pieter with Edwin van der Wolf at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

On January 14, 2021 CTV posted a web story today to go with the January 13, 2021 broadcast…. See https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/dutch-canadian-man-on-a-mission-to-tell-stories-of-lost-soldiers-1.5266404

Now Pieter has prepared a ‘Thank You Atlantic Canada’ video for all who have contributed photos and stories of WW2 soldiers who are buried overseas.  You can watch it here:

Thank you to all who have shared photos and anecdotes, and to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made this YouTube video a reality, and of course to CTV Atlantic’s Live at 5 for helping to get the word out about the photo wish lists.

We will continue to feature photos and stories in our Atlantic Canada Remembers postings. If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

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

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For Soldiers Who Died In Wommelgem, Belgium In Fall 1944

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February 13, 2021. After WWII soldier Arnold Ernest “Ernie” THORNTON was featured in a recent Atlantic Canada Remembers posting, we were contacted by Niko Van Kerckhoven, of Antwerp, Belgium.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/)

Niko wrote that “…I am a member of the local historical society and I am doing some research about our Canadian liberators here in my hometown of Wommelgem, Belgium, in 1944.

Fort2, one of the Antwerp forts located here, housed the 9th Canadian Field Dressing Station, and as a consequence, about 40 Canadian casualties were buried in our civilian cemetery, but after the war reburied in Bergen Op Zoom Canadian Cemetery, just across the border in Holland. I visit them regularly with my son.

One of the soldiers buried here in Wommelgem was Arnold Ernest Thornton from Yarmouth. This Calgary Highlander died during the building of a bridgehead over the Albert Canal at Wijnegem. His body, together with several others, was transferred to Wommelgem to be buried, just 500m from where I live nowadays.

 I have been searching for a picture of this soldier for several years, but this week, thanks to the Yarmouth Library, they gave me the link to your site. Another search ended with a face to a name carved in stone. Every time very moving!….”

Niko submitted a photo “…of the field grave of 11 Calgary Highlanders buried here in Wommelgem before their transfer to Bergen-Op-Zoom Cemetery. My research started in fact by seeing this picture, and it became a bit like an avalanche with new names and information….”

molenbeekstraat

Field grave in Wommelgem, where 11 members of the Calgary Highlanders were initially buried after losing their lives on September 22, 1944.  (Photo credit: Heemkundige Kring De Kaeck Wommelgem)

The events in Wommelgem occurred in the fall of 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt.  (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Niko noted that his goal is to find a photo of each soldier initially buried in Wommelgem, but is “…still struggling with the last 5 names on my list…”

We know how Niko feels!  In the spirit of remembrance, let’s hope that this posting will help him in his quest! Here are the five names on his wish list…

  • George Scott Fraser COULSON, K/2209, Calgary Highlanders from Oak Bay, British Columbia, but born July 21, 1916 in Victoria, British Columbia. Died September 22, 1944.
  • Simon HOULE, M/101291, Royal Canadian Artillery, born June 18, 1922 in Saddle Lake, Alberta. Died October 1, 1944.
  • Michael SHERBANUIK, M/105737, Calgary Highlanders from Vegreville, Alberta, but born December 12, 1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Died September 22, 1944.
  • Paul Alan SKLUT, K/51951, Calgary Highlanders, born April 15, 1924 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Died October 8, 1944.
  • Donald Charles SUTHERLAND, F/16788, Calgary Highlanders, born January 7, 1923 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Died September 22, 1944.

If you can help with a photo or information on any of these 5 soldiers or the 9th Canadian Field Dressing Station, please let Pieter know.  You can 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/

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/ 

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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….. The WW1 Soldier Who Hoped To Go Home After His Service In Germany Ended

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February 12, 2021. In earlier postings, the observations made by Harold Keith HOWATT of Augustine Cove towards the end of WW1 and his time in Mehlem, Germany with the Canadian Army of Occupation were recorded.  

Howatt, who was in the 8th Canadian Siege Battery, noted that on January 28, 1919 the Canadian Army of Occupation was relieved by the British 84th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery.  Canadian troops moved back to Belgium in eager anticipation of demobilization and return home.

CIMG4001 Harold Howatt

Harold Keith Howatt.  (Photo courtesy of South Shore United Church)

This posting continues his observations in the last months of his military service, beginning with January 28, 1919.  “…Left Mehlem this morning for Bonn, loaded the guns on the railway tracks, and at about five o’clock we pulled out for Belgium, thus ‘winding up’ our ‘Watch on the Rhine’.  We travelled all night, in box cars, and arrived in a town called Andenne about six o’clock the next morning…”  It would have been a very cold ride in an unheated box car on the train in January! Brrrr….

Screenshot_2021-02-08 mehlem to andenne train - Google Search

Google map showing the approximate train route taken by Howatt’s unit.

(Note: Andenne, Belgium is a small town that saw over 200 of its civilian population massacred by the Germans in 1914:  see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andenne)

The situation regarding comfort didn’t improve, as Howatt recorded on January 29, 1919. “…We unloaded the guns this morning, finishing about one o’clock….. Then we came out to this place, where we were put in an old house with no fires in it.  The language used by the troops was lurid enough to warm the air…” Howatt’s reference to ‘this place’ was Sclayn, just outside Andenne.  (See https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sclayn)

The attempt to get warm continued on January 30, 1919.  “…Woke up this morning to find the windows covered with frost.  Gee! but it was cold, and the stove wouldn’t burn.  We spent nearly all day trying to get a stove fixed up that would burn….”

Howatt reported no improvement on January 31, 1919.  “…Weather still cold, and fire sulky….”

On February 1, 1919, Howatt writes that “…This is the slowest place I ever struck, not life enough to satisfy a monk….” 

Misery for the unit continued, as noted on February 2, 1919… “…In charge of the guard today.  No fuel for the guard room. We were either freezing or being smothered with smoke all day….”

On February 4, 1919, Howatt reported that “…The weather is getting much colder, days of brilliant frosty sunlight, and keen frosty nights….”

On February 5, 1919, Howatt met a friend, commenting that “…Still clear and cold.  Perry came to see us this afternoon.  He is in Andenne, expects to leave for La Harve the first of next week.  His unit is going home with the 3rd Division. Lucky beggar!...” (Note: Unfortunately, Perry is unknown.   The only known Perry was George Albert Perry who was killed in 1917.)

By February 6, 1919, Howatt was itching to leave.  “…Fine and cold.  No definite news on how long we will stay here…”

After several days of inactivity, except for the odd walk into town, Howatt recorded, on February 7, 1919, that “…This morning we had to carry the Observer’s stories down to Mr. Freeman’s billet, and this afternoon I helped him sort them over.  This evening MacNeil and I walked into Ardenne to see Perry again before he left.  He is living with a private family with ‘beaucoup mademoiselles’ and having a great time….”  (Note: Mr. Freeman is unknown.  MacNeil may be Robert Burns MACNEILL, who was born on PEI, but lived in Sydney, Nova Scotia at the time of enlistment.)

Finally, Howatt’s February 8, 1919 entry noted some activity.  “...Parade this morning for demob. Statistics, dispersal area, length of service, and so forth….”  You can imagine that Howatt was anxious to be included in the first group to be demobilized.

Postcard of Namur Belgium

Postcard from Namur. (Courtesy of the H. Howatt collection)

It was still a waiting game for Howatt, with time for some sightseeing, as he wrote on February 9, 1919.  “…Today a guard platoon consisting of an officer, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 bombardiers, and 42 men went to Namur to do guard duty. MacNeil and I got a pass and went with them.  First we went to the YMCA and got a book each at the lending library.  Then we climbed up onto the hill where the citadel is situated and walked all over the place.  Came home by train…” 

In 1914, Namur was invaded by the Germans in order to use the Meuse valley as a route into France. On August 21, 1914, they bombarded the town with no warning, killing several people. The citadel mentioned by Howatt fell after three days, and the town was occupied by the Germans until the end of the war. (For more info on Namur, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namur)

The next day, his hopes were raised, as he writes on February 10, 1919 about “…rumours that we may leave here before long…”

Over the next few days nothing much happened, but on February 14, 1919 he wrote about an altercation in the house they were staying in.  “…On guard duty today. The prisoners in the guardroom had some wine and there was a sort of a row.  The old lady got an idea into her head that someone had smashed up some of her furniture, so she got an officer and he had the prisoners lined up for her to identify the culprits.  I do not think it was the prisoners, though, who did break the window and chairs…”  It’s not clear who the prisoners were, but most likely they were German prisoners of war who had not yet been released.

The first hint that Howatt’s hopes of going home may not be realized occurred on February 15, 1919.  “…Came off guard this morning, was glad to get away…..Heard today that it has come through on orders that I have been promoted ‘corporal’ and posted to the 12th Battery.  Hope I do not have to go….”

On February 16, 1919, Howatt recorded that “…This morning the Major held a sort of investigation into the trouble in the guard room the other day, but nothing was found out...” This suggests that Howatt’s guess that the prisoners were not responsible for the damage was likely correct.

Discouragement sets in by February 18, 1919.  “…Nothing doing, no word of moving.  All there is to do is go for a walk, come home, read for a while, and go to bed...”  A year earlier a soldier might have been happy for this type of day, but with the war ended there is an impatience to leave.

On February 19, 1919, his frustration is voiced.  “…The same old thing in the same old way, nothing to do, nowhere to go.  Oh! To be out of this country….”

Things took a downward turn as passes for leaves were cancelled.  The Spanish flu had reached the area, resulting in lockdown measures similar to what we have experienced over the past year due to Covid-19. 

On February 22, 1919, Howatt wrote “…No church service today.  The cinemas are closed and all meetings are prohibited unless held in the open.  This is on account of the flu, which is very prevalent around here...”

The Regiment did not escape the flu, as on February 25, 1919, Howatt noted that “…This evening I had to go on guard as McCann took sick…” McCann was in charge of the guards.

On Friday, February 28, 1919, Howatt glumly recorded that “…This morning, MacIntosh came up and told me that I had to go to the 12th battery immediately.  Did I want to go – not much.  So I had to fly around, get some new clothes and so forth, and turn over the keys of the store boxes to Mr. Freeman…”

He left the next day for Mons, Belgium, along with “…Skirrow, Morrissey, and Goodwin…” Harold Howatt’s wartime service was not over yet! 

Can you help identify the names Freeman, Goodwin, Perry, MacIntosh, MacNeil, McCann, Morrissey, and Skirrow?  If so, please let Pieter know.  You can email him at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

Missed the previous two postings about the observations of Harold Howatt?  See here:

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 6

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February 9, 2021. We continue to feature more of the photos submitted by Atlantic Canadians of soldiers buried overseas. Pieter is ensuring that every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands will be forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives. 

Currently, only the volunteers at the Canadian War Cemeteries in Holten and Groesbeek are active.  Submissions for Bergen Op Zoom and for any soldiers buried in municipal cemeteries are being held until Pieter gets the go-ahead that volunteers are active again.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

Howard Armstong

Howard W. Armstrong. (Photo submitted by Marion Fryday-Cook)

Marion Fryday-Cook, President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Nova Scotia/Nunavat Command, submitted a photo of Howard W. ARMSTRONG of Chester, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, explaining that “…This is the information gathered by Branch 44 in Chester, NS for our Command’s Veterans Recognition Service Book. Howard’s family still reside in Chester…” 

Howard was with the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, and lost his life on September 5, 1945 due to an accidental death after a misstep on a dark and unlit street in Amsterdam led to him falling into a canal and drowning.

Douglas Jury1

Douglas Jury. (Photo courtesy of the Jury Family)

On behalf of the Jury family, Dara Legere of Branch 4 of The Royal Canadian Legion in Joggins, Nova Scotia, submitted a photo of Douglas JURY, writing “…I have attached a photo of Sapper Douglas Jury of Joggins, NS who is buried in Holten Cemetery, Holland. Douglas Jury was related to my family. My mom’s sister Mary was married to Douglas’s brother Roy. There were three Jury brothers who served in WW2, Douglas, Roy, and William. William was taken prisoner by the Germans shortly after D-Day and was forced to work in the coal mines in Germany…”

Douglas was with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 18th Field Company, and lost his life on August 17, 1945. Dara explained that “…Douglas remained in Holland after the war ended, repairing dykes and bridges, etc with the Canadian Engineers. The vehicle he was travelling in rolled off one of the dykes and he was trapped under it and drowned. Such a sad story….”

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Harry William Doucette

Harry William Doucette.  (Photo courtesy of the Doucette Family)

On behalf of the Doucette family, Cyrille LeBlanc and Andre Boudreau of Legion Branch 155 in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia submitted a photo of Harry William DOUCETTE. Cyrille wrote that he “….was a private in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He was born May 25, 1925 in Bell Neck, Sainte-Anne Catholic Parish, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia.

Private Doucette was the son of John and Celina Mary Doucette. He had eight brothers and one sister. Two brothers served in the RCAF during World War II.  He completed Grade 8 at the age of fourteen and left school to work as a lumber-man in the woods. He enjoyed reading western and veteran stories.  

 He enlisted in Halifax at age 18 October 6, 1943, and served in Canada from October 4, 1943 to October 13, 1944; in the United Kingdom from October 14, 1944 to November 23, 1944 and in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany from November 24, 1944 to March 25, 1945.  He was killed in action against the enemy in Germany March 25, 1945 at age 19….”

Harry William lost his life during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, in which  44 members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders lost their lives and 68 were wounded.  In 2000 a memorial plaque was placed in Bienen to honour those who lost their lives in this battle.  (See http://wikimapia.org/17003812/Commemorative-plaque-of-Battle-of-Bienen)

Cyrille went on to explain that “…Private Doucette was remembered and honoured May 5, 2020, September 12, 2020 and November 11, 2020 – the 75th anniversary year of the liberation of The Netherlands….”  He also was kind enough to include a link to a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3SowfKA_E

Arnold Hupman

Arnold F Hupman.  (Photo submitted by Marilyn Hupman)

Marilyn Hupman sent a photo and information on her grandfather, Flying Officer Arnold F. HUPMAN, writing that “… He was the only boy of 7 children, born and raised in East Side of Ragged Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. 

Margaret Nickerson and he married and had 3 sons, Arnold, Robert and Arthur.  Arthur is the only surviving child.  My father, Arthur, was 7 years old when he last saw his father, just before he went overseas. 

From the stories I heard as a child he was asked to stay in Canada and teach pilots, but being a true Canadian he said no that he signed up to fight and he was going over.

Our family is very proud of our Grandfather and the rest of the family that fought. The only loss was F.O. A.F. Hupman….”

Arnold lost his life when the Lancaster bomber he was in crashed on the outskirts of Arnhem on the night of June 16 to 17, 1944, after being shot down by a German nightfighter. All 7 members of the crew of Lancaster VR-V lost their lives.  They were temporarily buried in the Netherlands Reformed Church Cemetery in Huissensedijk on June 29, and later reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.   

In addition to Arnold Hupman, the other crew members were: Donald MORISSEN, Gerald QUINN, Harold FLETCHER, Clifford JOHNSTON, Philip MCMANUS, and Edward FAHY. (More information can be found in this English translation of an article by the late Willem Tiemans: https://airbornearnhem.nl/WillemTiemens/Elden%20bomber%20crash.htm)

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands

Austin Boutilier photo from Judy MacKenzie

Austin Ephraim Boutilier. (Photo submitted by Judy MacKenzie)

Judy MacKenzie submitted a photo of her great-uncle, Austin Ephraim BOUTILIER, who was killed in action in Belgium during the Battle of the Scheldt on September 29, 1944, aged 26, while serving with the Black Watch Regiment.  (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Judy MacKenzie explained that “…He was gone long before I was born. His father was Ansil Boutilier. He was married to Hannah Hershman. They lived in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. They would have been my great grandparents. I remember stories that he joined the military before he was old enough.  However, if he was 26 when he died, that would appear to be untrue. All of Austin’s siblings are gone. Several of Austin’s siblings fought in the war, including my grandfather, who married Austin’s sister. Everyone else made it home, some with shrapnel in them….”

Judy’s uncle, Ernest ‘Ernie’ MacKenzie, wrote that “…our Uncle Austin is buried at Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery. We did visit Austin’s grave in 2011….” 

According to the Field Service record, Austin was initially buried in Belgium on September 30, 1944 “…on the south side of the road between Ryckevorsel towards St. Leonard...” before being reburied in Bergen Op Zoom in The Netherlands.

Thank you to André Boudreau, Marion Fryday-Cook, the Doucette family, Marilym Hupman, Cyrille LeBlanc, Dara Legere, Ernie MacKenzie, and Judy MacKenzie for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 7! If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

© Daria Valkenburg

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