Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research

We Hear From Readers About ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’

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Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope

March 13, 2022. Once ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ was published, we were delighted to receive a number of photos and emails.  And we were able to meet in person with a few people. (For the original posting about the book, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/02/19/new-book-no-soldier-buried-overseas-should-ever-be-forgotten/)

…Some of the feedback we’ve received….

PXL_20220221_163612516~3 Feb 21 2022 Brien Robertson with book photo by Moira

Brien Robertson reads the book.  (Photo credit: Moira Robertson)

Brien and Moira Robertson wrote “…We received No Soldier… today and have been reading it ever since. Such a wonderful journey telling of your travels and memorializing those lost in the tragedy of wars. And here we go again, thinking about what could happen in Ukraine. Reading the book brings home the thought that all wars are really civil wars. Lives lost for nothing. Great job telling the story so not to forget those lost. We are proud to be your friends….”

IMG_1581 Feb 18 2022 Mindy Patrick with Daria

Mindy Patrick and Daria with the book.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg family collection)

Mindy Patrick wanted a book for her father, a veteran who served in the US Coast Guard.

DSCN2378 Feb 22 2022 Don and Nora Coutts at North Bay Public Library

Don and Nora Coutts at the North Bay Public Library in Ontario. (Photo taken by Brad Jacobs)

Don Coutts, nephew of WW2 pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, who is featured in the book, explained he ordered copies for himself and for the North Bay Public Library in North Bay, Ontario, where his wife Nora is Head of Children’s Services and Deputy CEO.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/10/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-presentations-at-hannemahuis-in-harlingen/ for comments made by Don during the presentation in The Netherlands in 2019 to honour his uncle and the crew of Halifax L9561.)

Alexander Tuinhout of the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation: Original comment in Dutch: “…We hebben het boek “No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten” besteld en inmiddels ook al uit Canada ontvangen. Hoewel we nog geen tijd hebben gehad om alles te lezen is de eerste indruk voortreffelijk! Zo’n publicatie is een monument op zich en zeker een felicitatie waard!…”

(English translation by Pieter: “…We ordered the book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ and have already received it from Canada. Although we haven’t had time to read everything yet, the first impression is excellent! Such a publication is a monument in itself and certainly worth congratulating!…”)

The Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation organized the memorial panel to honour Elmer Bagnall MUTTART and the crew of Halifax L9561.  During the events in October 2019, Alexander gave a presentation on the crew and what happened on October 12, 1941.  You can watch part of his presentation in the documentary made about the events.

IMG_0360 Feb 23 2022 Henk Vincent

Henk Vincent, a volunteer at the Holten Cemetery Information Centre, with the book.  (Photo courtesy of H. Vincent)

The work done by the Holten Cemetery Information Centre to remember Canadian soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands is ongoing.  Pieter is one of the volunteers helping with photo wish lists for a digital archive.  (For more information on the Info Centre, see https://www.canadesebegraafplaatsholten.nl/en/home/)

IMG_6170 (1) Feb 25 2022 Alan McIvor

Alan McIvor, nephew of WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles McIver, wrote a book on his uncle’s service. (Photo courtesy of A. McIvor)

Alan McIvor wrote “…Congratulations on your book, “NO SOLDIER BURIED OVERSEAS.”  Good work.  I am sure it was a labour of love but lots of work, research, writing and editing…”

Alan’s uncle, WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles MCIVER of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, was one of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion – the research project that launched this blog.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/08/17/the-ww2-flight-officer-whose-plane-went-down-while-on-patrol-near-the-arctic-circle/)

CIMG5511 Feb 25 2022 Daria with Susan & Charlie

Daria visits with Susan and Charlie Choi. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Last fall, Charlie CHOI, who was 4 years old when the Korean War started in June 1950, shared his memories in a 3 part series.  If you missed these postings, please see:

CIMG5506 Feb 21 2022 Daria with Mary Ann Greiner

Daria with Mary Ann Greiner.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Mary Ann Greiner has an abiding interest in military history. Pieter and I were able to meet with her and her husband Rick, a US army veteran.

20220303_202843 Mar 3 2022 John Davis photo by Susan

John Davis is the author of ‘Outside Time Looking In’, which features two alternative history stories.  (Photo credit: Susan Choi)

John Davis is the author of ‘Outside Time Looking In’, featuring two alternative history stories, and which I’ve read with great interest.  (See https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/john-davis/outside-time-looking-in/paperback/product-18rekkpk.html?page=1&pageSize=4)

Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and photos with themselves with the book, and for your support. Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Book trailer and website….

Thanks to the amazing talents of Wendy Nattress, who does the post-production editing for the On The War Memorial Trail YouTube Channel, we have a book website: see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/.  The website has a book description, preview pages, and ordering information.

Wendy also prepared a short book trailer…

…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/

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec0688984 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.

New Book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’

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

February 19, 2022. As the pandemic and social distancing measures continued into 2021, Pieter and I spent months going through my diary to decide which stories to include for a book about our European war memorial tour in 2017.

…New book is now available…

The result?  ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten….on the war memorial trail in Europe with Pieter and Daria Valkenburg’

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The title was inspired by a comment Pieter has made since this research project first began.

No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten

Many of the stories in the book were previously posted on this blog and published in the County Line Courier newspaper, but are now in one book, complete with colour photos.  Readers can be armchair travellers as we visit cemeteries and memorials in 4 European countries – France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany – on this very personal war memorial tour to commemorate names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island, Canada.  This was Pieter’s first research project to be documented on our research blog.

IMG_20220126_171542 Jan 27 2022 A celebratory moment with book proof copy

With our pandemic project completed, we took a brief moment to celebrate receiving the first copy.  (Photo Valkenburg family collection)

…Book trailer and website….

Thanks to the amazing talents of Wendy Nattress, who does the post-production editing for the On The War Memorial Trail YouTube Channel, we have a book website: see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/.  The website has a book description, preview pages, and ordering information.

Wendy also prepared a short book trailer….

A print copy is available internationally on a print on demand basis. See https://www.blurb.ca/bookstore/invited/9477349/b624aaedfdfdd9965cb5053d8f15aa341049af59  If you live outside Canada, simply click on the flag at the top right on the webpage, look for a flag that represents your country, and you will see the price in that country’s currency.

We hope to have an e-book available in the near future.

….CBC Radio Interview…

On February 17, 2022, a radio interview with Angela Walker ran on CBC PEI’s Mainstreet PEI program about the book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘.

“A six week tour of war cemeteries in Europe looking for the graves of Island soldiers is chronicled in a new book called “No Soldier Buried overseas should ever be forgotten”. We speak with the author Daria Valkenburg.”

Here is the link if you wish to listen to it…..

Daria Valkenburg’s new book | Mainstreet PEI with Matt Rainnie | Live Radio | CBC Listen

…The first book signing…..

Pieter and I are heartened by the interest in the book, and thank all who have contacted us.  Recently, a book was signed for fellow author Sandra Wallis, of Sarnia, Ontario.  Sandra’s book ‘Not What I Bargained For’ is a memoir about raising 4 children, 2 of them with medical conditions. (See https://www.amazon.ca/Not-What-Bargained-Incredible-Conditions/dp/1486619347)

CIMG5499 Feb 13 2022 Daria signs the book for Sandra cropped  Daria with Sandra Wallis, who wanted to have her book signed by the author!  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)CIMG5500 Feb 13 2022 Daria and Sandra with book

…Thank yous!….

Heartfelt thanks go to Wendy Nattress, who prepared the book trailer and set up the website for the book.  Thank you to Angela Walker of CBC Radio for interviewing me about the book.

Thank you to everyone who contacted us about the book, shared photos, and questions.  To answer one question about whether the research is finished, I’m happy to let you know that Pieter’s research continues and there are many more stories coming up on this project blog.

Do you have photos or stories to share?  Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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.

Happy Holidays From The Valkenburgs!

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 6 Comments

multicolor-holiday-christmas-decorations-with-blue-silver-ribbon-snowflakes-header-background-hd-1920x720

December 24, 2021.  We’re nearing the end of another challenging and socially distanced year of Covid, but are thankful to have had our three Covid vaccine shots.

Covid or not, we have been very busily working at home.  In spite of travel restrictions and social distancing, we nevertheless managed to do a lot, with the help of media, and families stepping forward with photos. This seems a good time to reflect on what happened in 2021 with this research project.

…Pieter Awarded Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers….

On April 30, 2021, Pieter Valkenburg was presented with the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers, awarded in January 2020, for his ongoing research to uncover the stories and photos of those who served in WWI and WWII, and sharing his research findings with the public.   The insignia was presented to him by the Hon. Catherine Callbeck, CM, OPEI, LLD, on behalf of the Administrator for Canada, via a virtual ceremony.   (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-pieter-awarded-sovereigns-medal-for-volunteers)

…. WWII Soldiers Listed On The Cenotaph Outside Borden-Carleton Legion …….

This year we told the story of 1 WWII serviceman listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, and we added more information on a WWI soldier whose story had previously been told:

  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON
  • Arnold Dudley TAYLOR

 … WWI Related Stories….

  • We told the story of trying to solve the mystery of a WWI German ‘letter’ found amongst the possessions of Earle DAVISON, which turned out to be an anti-war song dating back to the  19th century.
  • We shared more observations that WWI soldier Harold Keith HOWATT made in the post WWI period when he was waiting to be demobilized. The history books are filled with official accounts from officers and politicians. Howatt’s observations came from the viewpoint of an ordinary soldier caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

 … WWII Related Stories….

  • We shared a story about a research into the soldiers who died in Wommelgem, Belgium in the fall of 1944.
  • We shared our experience at the Woudenberg General Cemetery in The Netherlands, to visit the grave of WWII pilot Leonard Arthur UNWIN, who had been a flying instructor at the 9 Service Flying Training School RCAF in Summerside.
  • We shared a story about the photo tributes by the graves of soldiers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, during the first two weeks of May.
  • We shared the story of how five Canadian soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WWII in Europe. All 5 soldiers are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.
  • We shared a story from Willy van Ee of The Netherlands, whose father was Indigenous soldier Walter MEKAJI, who let us know that 7 Indigenous soldiers are buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.
  • After reading about the 7 Indigenous soldiers buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Edwin van der Wolf reported that he and his son have adopted the graves of 2 Canadian Scottish Regiment soldiers. We shared his account and learned about the grave adoption program in Belgium.
  • We shared the story of the search for a photo of WWII soldier Allan ‘Gordon’ COUTTS, who lost his life in Germany and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.
  • We shared the story of the successful request for a headstone from the Last Post Fund for WWII veteran Alexander McGregor DEANS, who died in 2010 and is buried at the Tryon People’s Cemetery in Prince Edward Island.
  • We shared the link for a video ‘The Last Flight Of Halifax L9561’ made by Barry and Terry Hunt, sons of the crew’s wireless operator, William Herbert HUNT. Shot down over The Netherlands on October 12, 1941, Canadian pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART managed to save his crew and steer the burning plane away from the Dutch village of Wons before losing his own life.  Two previous videos made by us about this event were made in 2019 and 2020.

…Indigenous Soldiers….

We were able to tell the stories of the service by several WWII Indigenous soldiers, after an APTN article was published.

  • WWII Indigenous soldier Thomas Beresford BIG CANOE from Ontario, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier William ‘Willie’ DANIELS from Saskatchewan, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier Alfred Louis PITAWANAKWAT (PITWANAKWAT) from Ontario, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier Eli Ambrose SNAKE from Ontario, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier Leo Francis TONEY from Nova Scotia, who was killed in The Netherlands.

…. Stories About Servicemen From The Maritimes…

We also featured stories about servicemen from The Maritimes:

  • WWII soldier Alderic BASQUE, from New Brunswick, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWII soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Nova Scotia, one of the 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.
  • WWII soldier Gerald Burnell COOLEN, from Nova Scotia, who was killed in Germany during the Battle of Hochwald Gap.
  • WWII airman Robert ‘Bob’ James DICKIE, from Prince Edward Island, who lost his life when Lancaster Flight JB312 crashed on the runway as it returned to England from Germany.
  • WWI soldier Maynard FOY from Prince Edward Island, who served with the 26th Overseas (New Brunswick) Battalion, and was injured in France during the Battle of Amiens.
  • WWII soldier Armand GIONET from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Gordon Frederick JOHNSON from Nova Scotia, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII mariner William (Bill) Arnold JOHNSTON from Prince Edward Island, but was born in New Brunswick, who was killed when HMS Itchen, the ship he was serving on, was torpedoed in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • WWII soldier Gilles LANTEIGNE from New Brunswick, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWI soldier Heath Ward MACQUARRIE from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in France.
  • WWII pilot Lorne MACFARLANE from Prince Edward Island, who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew 40 missions and survived the war.
  • WWII soldier George Edward MAHAR from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, from Nova Scotia, one of the 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.
  • WWII soldier Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, from Prince Edward Island, one of the 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.
  • WWII soldier Lloyd William MURRAY, from Nova Scotia, one of the 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.
  • WWII soldier Norman James NIXON from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.
  • WWII soldier Samuel Glazier PORTER from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Alphonse ROBERT from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands when a grenade exploded.
  • WWII soldier John ‘Clifford’ ROGERS from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in Germany in the Balberger Wald on March 3, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Gordon James ROGERSON from Prince Edward Island, who served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment and was injured in Italy.
  • WWII Chaplain William ‘Alfred’ SEAMAN from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in France during the Battle of Caen.
  • WWII soldier Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN from Prince Edward Island, who served with the Black Watch and was fatally wounded in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Ronald Sidney WATERHOUSE from Nova Scotia, who lost his life in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Scheldt.

…. Stories About Servicemen From Outside The Maritimes…

  • WWII soldier Edmond COULOMBE, from Manitoba, who was killed in The Netherlands when a grenade exploded.
  • WWII soldier Howard Milo NICHOLLS, from Ontario, one of the 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.

…In Conversation And More….

Not everyone we wrote about this year served in WWI or WWII!

  • We interviewed RCAF pilot Captain Scott NANTES of Prince Edward Island, who is in active service.
  • We enjoyed a fascinating conversation with Dr Tim Cook, Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum on the importance of remembrance.
  • We wrote about a very special luncheon hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for PEI Korean War Veterans, as a thank you for their service.
  • We did a 3 part series of postings on the childhood recollections of the Korean War by Korean-born Charlie CHOI, whose family had a harrowing and dangerous journey to safety once the war began.
  • We reported on the research done to ensure that WWII veteran Alexander McGregor DEANS received a headstone at his grave in the Tryon People’s Cemetery on Prince Edward Island.
  • We reported on how volunteers at the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island honour deceased veterans by placing flags at the graves and monuments in the area served by the Legion.
  • We described the Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance at the Borden-Carleton Legion on Prince Edward Island, the last phase of the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project. All that is missing are some photos out of the 48 soldiers listed on the Cenotaph, and whose stories have been researched and told over the past years.

…. Interviews To Highlight Search For Photos….

Pieter did several interviews in his quest for photos for:

…. Letters To The Editor For Photo Searches….

Letters to the editor in various newspapers were written in the quest for a photo for:

  • WWII soldier Gordon Frederick JOHNSON, who is buried in The Netherlands.  On June 24, 2021, Pieter’s letter to the editor was published in the ‘Truro News‘. This search was successful.
  • WWII soldier Alexander James MILLER, who is buried in The Netherlands. On October 29, 2021, Pieter’s letter to the editor was published in the ‘High River Times’. This was at the request of Edwin van der Wolf, who wanted the family to know about a planned memorial plaque being placed in April 2022 in The Netherlands. This search was successful. (UPDATE:  The memorial plaque was subsequently placed in 2025.)
  • WWI soldier Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, who is buried in Ligny-St-Flochel British Cemetery in Averdoingt, France.  On November 9, 2021 Pieter’s letter to the editor was published in ‘The Guardian’.  This is not the first time that a media request has been made in the search for family and a photo.  Up to now the search remains unsuccessful.

… Successful Search For Photos …..

Many WWII soldiers are buried in cemeteries in Europe.  After an appeal by Pieter on CTV’s Atlantic Live At Five in early January for photos and information, photos and information came in for WWII soldiers buried in The Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Italy.  Their stories were featured on the blog either as separate postings or in a series entitled Atlantic Canada Remembers.  No one was forgotten, and photos of soldiers buried in Dutch cemeteries were forwarded to researchers there for their digital archive. Photos were found for:

Buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. James Grant ANNINGSON
  2. Howard W. ARMSTRONG
  3. Alderic BASQUE
  4. John Angus BEATON
  5. William Herbert “Billy’ BELLAMY
  6. William Harold BROOME
  7. Robert Theodore COLE
  8. Melvin COLLINS
  9. Alexis D.  DAIGLE
  10. Allan Gordon COUTTS
  11. William ‘Willie’ DANIELS
  12. Nelson DESROCHES
  13. Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan DOUGAN
  14. Joseph ‘Gerald’ FOUGERE
  15. George Albert FRYDAY
  16. Armand GIONET
  17. Ernest Robert HAYNES
  18. Percy Dexter HIGGINS
  19. Gordon ‘Gordie’ Frederick JOHNSON
  20. Stanley Owen JONES
  21. Douglas JURY
  22. James Gordon KING
  23. Philip LAFORTE
  24. Donald Charles MACKENZIE
  25. Mathieu MICHAUD
  26. John ‘James’ MURRAY
  27. Daniel PEARO
  28. Goldwin Marven POLLICK
  29. Richard Joseph RANEY
  30. Louis Graham RICHARD
  31. Brenton Leroy RINGER
  32. Ford Hilton SPIDLE
  33. Frederick Joseph TAIT
  34. Leo Francis TONEY
  35. Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN
  36. Frederick Christian VAN IDOUR

 Buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. Thomas Beresford BIG CANOE
  2. Gerald Burnell COOLEN
  3. Edmond COULOMBE
  4. Percy Clayton CROMWELL
  5. Harry William DOUCETTE
  6. Arnold F. HUPMAN
  7. Gilles LANTEIGNE
  8. Francis ‘Frank’ Lewis LIBBY
  9. Hiram Albion LORD
  10. George Edward MAHAR
  11. Barney Reuben MCGUIGAN
  12. Elbridge Wellington MILLER
  13. Robert (Bobby) Alan NICKERSON
  14. Alfred Louis PITAWANAKWAT (PITWANAKWAT)
  15. Burgess Allison PORTER
  16. Alphonse ROBERT
  17. John ‘Clifford’ ROGERS
  18. Eli Ambrose SNAKE
  19. Stanley SPRAY
  20. William Francis STEWART
  21. Benjamin James WITHERALL

 Buried in Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. Austin Ephraim BOUTILIER
  2. Gordon Thomas BREWER
  3. Dennis HOARE
  4. Gregory Philip Anthony MCCARTHY
  5. Clayton Wilfred SHANNON
  6. Russell Richard SOBLE
  7. Arnold Ernest “Ernie” THORNTON

 Buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium:

  1. Bruce Wilbur CHURCHILL
  2. Alexander Fraser MACDONALD
  3. Edison Reynolds SMITH
  4. Arthur Brambel ‘Jack’ TAYLOR

Buried in Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy:

  1. Felix GAUDET

 Buried in Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France:

  1. William ‘Alfred’ SEAMAN

… The Search For Photos On YouTube….

2020 began with a documentary that was posted on YouTube, and ended with a dedicated YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw

In 2021 the following videos were posted on the channel:

  • S2E1 Remembering Lt Norman Nixon
  • S2E2 Photo Search – WWII Soldier Frank McGuigan
  • S2E3 Photo Search – WWI Soldier James Cairns
  • S2E4 Photo Search – WWII Soldier John Clifford Rogers
  • S2E5 Thank You Atlantic Canada
  • S2E6 Photo Search – WWI Soldier James Lymon Cameron
  • S2E7 Photo Search – WWI Soldier Leigh Hunt Cameron
  • S2E8 Photo Search – WWII Soldier Gordon Frederick Johnson
  • S3E1 In Remembrance

Thank you for your support and encouragement of this research project!

As 2021 comes to an end, we would like to thank all who helped with researching these stories and contributed photos. We also thank readers of this blog and the On The War Memorial Trail column in the ‘County Line Courier‘ who suggested some of stories you’ve read.  A big thank you goes to Mike and Isabel Smith, owners of the ‘County Line Courier‘.

Thank you to the media who helped publicize the search for photos and information – APTN, CTV Live At 5’s Atlantic, CBC Radio’s Mainstreet PEI,  CKFM Radio, Truro News, High River Times, The Guardian, and Winnipeg Free Press.

Last, but not least, the YouTube videos and channel would not be possible without the invaluable support of post-production editor Wendy Nattress.

….Happy Holidays…

Pieter and I wish you all the best for the holidays and in 2022. May we never forget those who gave their lives for their freedom.

Merry Xmas from the Valkenburgs 2021

Pieter’s research work continues. If you have photos or information to share, please 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/

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 on the book, please 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….. The Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance

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

CIMG7978 Cenotaph Borden

Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

December 15, 2021. The Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project….. one Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion….. 48 names from WW1 and WW2. …. Visits made to the graves and memorials of many of these men in Canada and in Europe ….  Almost 6 years in which Pieter researched and we documented the stories of those 48 names.

The final phase of this project was a Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance inside the Legion.  Organized by Kathy Henry, photos were framed, labelled, and placed on one entire wall in the Legion, with soldiers from WW1 on one side, and WW2 on the other side.

….The Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance Is Prepared….

20210729_163208 Jul 29 2021 Pieter and Kathy with photo of Buxton

Pieter Valkenburg and Kathy Henry frame photos of the men listed on the Cenotaph. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)


20211103_192444 Nov 3 2021 Kathy Henry puts up WW1 photos

Kathy Henry begins putting up WW1 photos on the wall. If a photo is not available, a silhouette was placed in the frame in the hope that a photo will be found at some point.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In addition to placing the photos on the wall, there is a photograph of the Cenotaph, plus a stand built by Mario Henry, which holds a binder in which Pieter prepared a short summary about each of the 48 men.

20211103_194856 Nov 3 2021 Kathy & Mario Henry by table

Kathy and Mario Henry by the stand and binder. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The pictures were hung, with the stand and binder in place in time for Remembrance Day.  On November 11, 2021, Pieter and Mario, two proud veterans, stood beside this completed wall that honours the memories of 48 men from WW1 and WW2.

48 names from WW1 & WW2 honoured on Nov 11 2021

….The Veterans Christmas tree includes the names from the Cenotaph….

This year’s Veterans Christmas tree in the Borden-Carleton Legion has tags for each of the 48 names from the Cenotaph.  As was done last year, veterans from the area were invited to place the tag with their name on the tree. (See last year’s story about this special tree: https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/the-veterans-tree-at-borden-carleton-legion/)

20211208_162016 Dec 8 2021 Pieter places tag on Legion Veterans tree

Pieter places the tag with his name on the Veterans Christmas tree.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Which photos are still missing?….

From WW1:

From WW2:

Thank you to the Borden-Carleton Legion, with special thanks to Kathy and Mario Henry for preparing the Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance.  If you have photos to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1. 

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

2021 Remembrance Week Events  

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CIMG5423 Nov 11 2021 wreaths at Cenotaph Borden Carleton

Wreaths by the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

November 14, 2021.  Remembrance Week is always busy at our place. This year, with the easing of some restrictions, we were able to be out and about in the community more than last year.

One of the events we attended was at the Tryon Cenotaph in Tryon, Prince Edward Island.

CIMG5373 Nov 10 2021 Tryon Cenotaph Remembrance Service (1)

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, with Pieter at the Tryon Cenotaph following the Remembrance Ceremony on November 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

November 11, 2021 was a cold and crisp day, with the Remembrance Day service at the Legion in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, held outdoors. Pieter had been asked by the Member of Parliament for Malpeque to lay a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada during the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Borden-Carleton.  This year, there was a change in MP with the retirement of Wayne Easter, and the election of Heath MacDonald.

CIMG5391 Nov 11 2021 Pieter walks with Govt of Canada wreath Borden Carleton

Pieter with the Government of Canada wreath to be placed on behalf of The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5381 Nov 11 2021 Pieter salutes after placing wreath Borden Carleton

Pieter salutes after placing Government of Canada wreath on behalf of The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5392 Nov 11 2021 Pieter salutes Borden Carleton

Pieter salutes after placing Government of Canada wreath on behalf of The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5401 Nov 11 2021 Roger and Arthur Borden Carleton

Roger Leboeuf (left) and Arthur Ranahan (right) by the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

It was a meaningful and well-organized ceremony.  In the afternoon, members of the Legion attended the ceremony in Kinkora.

Remembrance Day may be over for another year, but Pieter’s research work continues.  If you have photos and information to share about Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

..Want to follow our research?….

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Linking The Past With The Present

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November 10, 2021. Recently our friend Annie Lee MacDonald sent an email to say that she and her husband had been sent a story by their friend Jim, “…about his Father and brothers. We didn’t know any of this. Shows the important contribution you two are making of taking the past and sharing it with the present…” (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/10/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-pilot-from-pei-who-flew-40-missions-overseas-and-returned-home//)

We loved her phrase of ‘taking the past and sharing it with the present’ as that is what we are doing in telling these stories.  Many of the postings and articles have had a ripple effect, leading to more remembrances, information, and stories. This posting shares some of these ….

In May 2021, a 4 part series entitled ‘A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany’ told the story of five Canadian 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, one of the final actions to end WW2 in Europe.  All 5 men are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

…A series of coincidences ensures this niece will never forget…..

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU of Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of these men.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/)

Joseph Ambroise Comeau from Simone

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau.  (Photo courtesy of niece Simone Comeau)

His nieces have never forgotten him. Jacqueline Comeau shared how she found her uncle’s gravesite at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in 1990 while on a school band trip with her son.

“….In 1990 I visited The Netherlands with my older son on a high school band trip. To say we had a marvelous time and were so warmly greeted everywhere we went is an understatement. Thankfully we were taken to the Holten War Cemetery and, purely by accident, while walking the grounds, I spotted my uncle’s grave. To that moment, my mother’s family believed he was buried in Germany, perhaps because he died on German land.

This was a momentous event for myself as we were at the cemetery on the 45th anniversary of his death, I was 45 years old and I then discovered that he had a memorial service in his home village on the day I was born (June 3, 1945) …”

Ambroise had indeed initially been buried in Germany, and then was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten afterwards.  Jacqueline shared her story in a French language newspaper, Le Courrier….

article about Jacqueline Comeau visit to Holten

Newspaper article submitted by Jacqueline Comeau. The headline reads ‘Found after 45 years’.

“…The discovery of my uncle’s grave in 1990, with the coincidences of dates, such as the date of his death is the date I discovered his grave; a memorial service was held in his honor in his home parish of Saulnierville on the day I was born, June 3, 1945 is unique…”

…A telegram one niece will never forget…..

Photo Lewis Marsh

Lewis Wilkieson Marsh. (Photo source:  Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, was another casualty of the drowning in the Leda River. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/)

Burnie Reynaert wrote to say that “…My Uncle Lewis Wilkieson Marsh died on April 28, 1945. I was with my Nana when she received the first telegram that he was believed drowned.  I remember I was standing on the last step near front door when this boy gave her the telegram….”

Burnie shared the telegram she was witness to.  One can just feel the horror and fear that her grandmother must have felt upon receiving it.

Telegram advising Marsh is missing

First telegram advising that Lewis Marsh was missing and believed drowned.  (Document courtesy of Burnie Reynaert)

Worse news was to come, as a second telegram confirmed that Lewis had lost his life.

Telegram advising Marsh is KIA

Second telegram advising that Lewis Marsh was killed in action.  (Document courtesy of Burnie Reynaert)

Burnie went on to say “…Thank you so much for your research, I never thought I would see his name and the others that died with him.  I want to thank you both. I am so emotional with love and gratitude for all you have done. I am finally feeling some closure.

My uncle was born November 14, 1925 in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He had 8 siblings and his father died in 1934. Nana raised them, and had me to raise.

Uncle Lewis worked in Princess Collieries in Sydney Mines for thirteen months. He would be seventeen. I recall Nana and my mom arguing with Lewis that he was not old enough to join. Maybe she had to sign papers? He enlisted on May 26 1944, embarked from Halifax on December 1944, and embarked from UK on December 25 1944….”

…A niece now knows what happened to her uncle …..

Charles Borden Tuplin

Charles Borden Tuplin. (Photo submitted by Gary Richard Perry)

As part of the Atlantic Canada Remembers series of postings, we did a story in March 2021 on Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN of Indian River, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on December 7, 1944 while serving with the Black Watch.  While crossing a bridge on the Maas River in The Netherlands, Charlie was shot while trying to retrieve the body of Lt Thomas Wilson MacKenzie.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-from-indian-river/) 

Charlie was wounded and taken by the Germans, but died very shortly afterwards.  He’s buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. Months after the story about Tuplin was posted on our blog, Lt MacKenzie’s niece, Judy Hopkins, got in contact to say that until she read the story that arose out of Pieter’s research, no one in the family knew how Lt MacKenzie had died.  This is probably right as MacKenzie’s service file had multiple letters from his parents asking for this information.

Judy wrote that “… I am responding to your article of March 29, 2021, about Charles B. Tuplin. My uncle was Lieutenant Thomas Wilson MacKenzie of No. 1 Black Watch of Canada RHR, mentioned in the article.  And what astonishment to see and read this account of the raid on the front line that took both these men’s lives.

I have just recently been researching this event, as I am writing a life story for the ‘Faces to Graves’ project involving the soldiers buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. So, it was with intense interest that I read this article.

My uncle was ‘Missing in Action’ for several months, causing great concern to his family in Calgary, Alberta. When the regiment moved forward in February, no graves were located for Tuplin or MacKenzie, leaving them to believe that they may have been taken POW.

It was never explained to my grandmother where her son’s remains were found….just that after some months, a body had been identified as his.

In the article, it stated: ‘MacKenzie’s body was later found buried in a temporary cemetery, near where he lost his life.’ And so these two men were together at the end of their lives; Tuplin was taken prisoner, and my uncle likely died at the site of his injury.

After all these years, it is still incredible that new information is learned, and also that people such as yourself are providing a space to honor these men’s memories. Thank you for this. ..”

Thomas_MacKenzie-GAV

Thomas Wilson MacKenzie. (Photo submitted by Judy Hopkins)

“…He was the much beloved son of Christine MacKenzie, a widow, and brother to my mother, Margaret.  In his letters home, which I still have, he writes about the great bunch of men under his command, and speaks highly of all of them…”

…A street in The Netherlands may be named for one soldier …..

Lt. Percy Dexter Higgins

Percy Dexter Higgins.  (Photo courtesy of the Higgins Family)

In a January 2021 posting in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, we wrote a story about Percy Dexter HIGGINS of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, who was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he lost his life during the Battle of Warnsveld on April 4, 1945.  He’s buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/)

Shortly afterwards, we received an email from Harm Kuijper in The Netherlands, who explained that there was “…a proposed plan to name a street for Lt Percy Dexter Higgins in the city of Zutphen, Netherlands in the new Looer Enk Subdivision….”  The Higgins family was notified of this proposal and we look forward to hearing more on the street naming as plans progress.

…Two WWI soldiers from Prince Edward Island are buried in France …..

In 2017, we visited the Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France, to place flags by the grave of WWI soldier James CAIRNS of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on August 9, 1918 during the Battle of Amiens.  James had moved to Manitoba and was serving with what is now the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

We weren’t surprised to see soldiers from the Prairie Provinces in the cemetery, but when we signed the Guest Register Book, we were astonished to find that the previous visitors had come to honour their great-uncle and great-great uncle Theodore (Ted) ARSENAULT from Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island.

Although this posting dates back to 2017, it wasn’t until a few days ago that Colleen Arsenault wrote us.  “…Hi there, in doing a bit of internet research on my Great Great Uncle Ted (Theodore Arsenault) to prepare my kids for Canadian Remembrance Day here in Toronto, I came across this post. I instantly recognized my mother Debi and sister Melanie’s handwriting above your entry in the guest book at Manitoba Cemetery. It is so lovely for our family to know that you had put an additional decoration up for our Uncle Ted. Sometimes the internet can truly be a wonderful place! The Arsenault family thanks you….”

A mystery was solved!  The Arsenault family sent us a picture of Theodore.  Unfortunately, up to now, no photo has ever been found for James Cairns.

Pte Theodore Arsenault (Great great uncle)

Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

Thank you to Colleen Arsenault, Jacqueline Comeau, Judy Hopkins, Harm Kuijper, and Burnie Reynaert for sharing photos and anecdotes. We very much appreciate hearing from readers and having them share their stories.

If you have photos and information to share about Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

Rememberance-Day-2020-Canada-5

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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….Borden-Carleton Legion Honours Veterans By Placing Flags At Their Graves

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20210923_153745 Sep 23 2021 Pieter & Mario go over lists of veterans buried in cemetery

Pieter Valkenburg and Mario Henry go over the list of veterans buried at cemeteries.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

November 4, 2021.  In preparation for Remembrance Day, veterans from Borden-Carleton Branch #10 in Prince Edward Island visit cemeteries and cenotaphs in the area during the last week of October.  Comrades Mario Henry and George Palmer ensure that veterans buried at 9 cemeteries, and whose names are listed on 4 cenotaphs, receive a Canadian flag, for a total of 275 flags in 2021.

CIMG5341 Sep 27 2021 Pieter & George by George Hennessey grave Tryon Peoples Cemetery

Pieter with George Palmer by the grave of WW1 veteran George Hennessey at the Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The cemeteries covered by the area served by the Borden-Carleton Branch are:

  • Cape Traverse – Free Church of Scotland Cemetery (21 flags)
  • Cape Traverse – Methodist/United Church Cemetery (11 flags)
  • Central Bedeque – Central Bedeque Baptist Cemetery (7 flags)
  • Kinkora – St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (48 flags)
  • Lower Bedeque – Lower Bedeque Cemetery (19 flags)
  • North Tryon – North Tryon Presbyterian Cemetery (13 flags)
  • Searletown – Searletown United Cemetery (7 flags)
  • Seven Mile Bay – St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (95 flags)
  • Tryon – Tryon People’s Cemetery (41 flags)

Flags are also placed at these Cenotaphs:

  • Augustine Cove Cenotaph (4 flags)
  • Borden-Carleton Cenotaph (1 flag)
  • Searletown United Cemetery Cenotaph (4 flags)
  • Tryon Cenotaph (4 flags)

If you see Canadian flags by graves, please do not disturb them. They are a mark of respect for a veteran’s service to Canada, and will be picked up about a week after November 11. Mario Henry asks that if a veteran’s grave was missed, or if a veteran has recently passed away, please contact the Legion, so that flags can be placed for next year. The Legion can be contacted by phone at 902-855-2660 (after 4 pm) or on its Facebook page. You can also contact Pieter, the branch Public Relations Officer, 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/

 

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 WW1 Letters Of Arthur Clinton Robinson

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July 4, 2021. In 2017 we visited the grave of Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, a WW1 soldier with the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion, from Tryon, Prince Edward Island, who is buried in Belgium, (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-in-belgium-and-a-visit-to-la-laiterie-military-cemetery/)  Up to today, we have not found of a photo of him, and neither has his family.

In June 2018, Arthur’s nephew, Arthur ‘John’ Robinson and his wife Hazel visited the grave with their son, dentist Dr. Alan Robinson, and Alan’s son, William Robinson.

2018-06-16 Arthur C Robinson grave (1)

At La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium.  Left to right: Dr Alan Robinson, William Robinson, Hazel Robinson.  (Photo credit: John Robinson)

While no photo has yet been found, the Robinsons were able to find two letters that Arthur wrote to his aunts. 

In an August 30, 1915 letter to his aunt, Robbie Blanchard, written in England just before travelling to France,  he describes the composition of men in his platoon from the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion: “… You should just see the bunch of men … in this 26th alone. They are a magnificent body of fellows….and this Platoon I am in is a corker… there are, I don’t know how many different nationalities in it… Indian, French, Russians, Belgians, English, Irish, Scotch, Americans and Canadians.  Some mob, eh? You can hear nearly any language around here any time of day….” 

While in England, Arthur saw injured troops arriving back from the front and reflected that “…when you see the hundreds of maimed soldiers, some far worse off than if they were dead, and when nearly daily train loads of freshly wounded men pass right before your eyes, it makes you wonder at the ups and downs of this human life…” 

It was a miracle that the August 30 letter arrived in Canada, as the ship the mail had been travelling on, the Hesperian, was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Plymouth, England on September 4, 1915! Luckily it was one of the items salvaged from the wreckage. (See https://www.rmslusitania.info/related-ships/hesperian/ for more information) 

In a September 16, 1915 letter, written in France to his aunt, Carrie Robinson, he outlines life in a trench: “…I am quite comfortable here in our cosy little dugout, out of reach of all the Germans in Europe.  I must tell you about the nice dugout and the 4 fellows who are in it with me.  It is a kind of a tunnel running into the side of a loamy hill, with rubber sheets and blankets hung over the mouth of it….” 

There was no electricity in the trench, as Arthur goes on to mention that “…We have niches in the back, where we keep our equipment, and we put candles in them at night so we won’t be too lonesome…” 

He then describes how the equipment is turned into a bed for the night. “…On the floor we have straw, stolen from a stack near by, and all over our kits, which make excellent beds, when you know how to arrange them…” 

Although he doesn’t identify them by name, Arthur mentions his 4 trench companions: “…1st They are all six footers. 2nd They all wear a seven cap or larger. 3rd They cannot get their feet into smaller boots than nines, and 4th They all weigh over one hundred and seventy pounds each…”  He goes on to say that he weighs over 170 pounds himself and is well fed.  

The saying goes that an army marches on its stomach, and Arthur’s account of his dinner indicates the importance of food.  “…We had potatoes and meat, bread and butter, and tea of course.  We could have had cheese and jam too if we wanted to, but we always try and keep it over for tea.  The bread and butter is great and the cooks of our company seem to have a natural gift of making good tea so we are lucky in that line…” 

One of the challenges in writing letters from the front during wartime is censorship so as not to divulge any information that might be used by the enemy.  Arthur writes about that: “…I find it hard to write a letter here for they are so particular about what a person tells that if you write anything you are not supposed to tell they destroy the whole shooting match…”

It’s wonderful that these letters survived so that we get a glimpse into Arthur Robinson’s thoughts and experiences.  Sadly, he lost his life on March 27, 1916 when shellfire hit the trenches southeast of Kemmel, Belgium. 

IMG_3466 Hazel and John Robinson

Hazel and John Robinson. (Photo courtesy of the Robinson Family)

Hazel Robinson explained that their 2018 trip was a war memorial tour.  “…Besides visiting Arthur’s grave on this trip, we followed in the footsteps of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers from England to France, Belgium, Germany, ending in the area of Wons. The Sherbrooke Fusiliers was my father’s unit. We also visited Vimy Ridge where my great-uncle is buried….”

Hazel’s great-uncle was “…William John HILL from Cassius on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick…”  He lost his life on April 9, 1917 and is buried in Canadian Cemetery No 2 in Pas de Calais, France.

During the trip, Hazel noted two coincidences.  “… A member of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers was buried beside Elmer Muttart in 1945….”  Elmer Bagnall MUTTART of Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island is buried at Harlingen General Cemetery in The Netherlands. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/the-elmer-bagnall-muttart-story/ and https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-visit-to-harlingen-general-cemetery/)

Most likely, Hazel is referring to Thomas ‘Tommy’ Clayton REID.  We’d placed flags on his grave when we visited in October 2019.

CIMG3450 Oct 12 2019 Harlingen General Cemetery

Grave of T.C. Reid at Harlingen General Cemetery in The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Hazel found another coincidence in France. “…When we visited the cemetery in Vimy where my great-uncle is buried, the last family to sign the guest book was a family from my home town, Douglastown, in New Brunswick, and whose parents I knew well and who lived a few houses from my parents!…” 

Thank you to Hazel and John Robinson for sharing Arthur’s letters and information about their 2018 trip. If you have photos or information to share, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a 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. 

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail…..A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany – Part 1

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May 15, 2021.  When we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019, we laid flags down at the graves of five Canadian soldiers who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WWII in Europe.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/10/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten/)

…5 North Nova Scotia Highlanders Drowned….

These 5 soldiers, all from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment, were:

  • Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, age 22, of Saulnierville, Nova Scotia
  • Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, age 19, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia
  • Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, age 29, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  • Lloyd William MURRAY, age 28, of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
  • Howard Milo NICHOLLS, age 21, of Mattawa, Ontario

This tragedy became known to us when the people at the Holten Canadian Cemetery Information Centre asked for help in finding family of these soldiers as part of their project to put a face to every name on each gravestone.

Two families immediately came forward – the Comeau family in Nova Scotia shared information about Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, as did the nephew of Lloyd William MURRAY.

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau.  (Photo courtesy of niece Simone Comeau)

Lloyd William Murray.  (Photo courtesy of Murray Baillie)

…Operation Duck…

Putting faces to names made us want to know more about what happened in this event with the aptly named codename Operation Duck (See https://codenames.info/operation/duck-iii/).

The plan? The North Nova Scotia Highlanders would cross the Leda River in assault boats and secure the northern bank of the river in preparation for the attack to capture Leer. The Highland Light Infantry of Canada would cross the Leda River, where the Ems and Leda rivers meet. The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders would go across the Ems River towards the western edge of Leer.

These three Regiments were part of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade.  (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/leer.htm)

Map showing the Ems and Leda Rivers, and position of Regiments during the Battle for Leer.  (Map courtesy of and ©Jan Braakman)

In a translated excerpt from the recently published book ‘Holtense Canadezen’ (The Faces Of Holten) by Jan Braakman, we learned that the North Novies were not the only Regiment to have had casualties.  The men from the Highland Light Infantry all crossed safely, but 19 men from the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders didn’t.

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

Jan Braakman’s account explained why Operation Duck was important. “…At the end of April 1945, Canadian troops stood just across the Dutch-German border in Ostfriesland (East Frisia in Germany) in front of the river Ems. The town of Leer was on the other side of the river on the route to Emden. Surrounded by inaccessible lowlands in the north and with rivers (Ems and Leda) in the west and south, Leer was a well defensible and therefore difficult to capture port city. All access bridges over the Ems and Leda were blown up by the Germans. For the Canadians there was no other option than to reach the city by water….”

River crossings can be tricky due to currents and tides, and in wartime, there is always the risk of enemy fire.  “….The Ems River has an open connection with the Wadden Sea, which means that tides influence water levels and currents in the river. Tides made the currents unpredictable, and the Canadian Army didn’t have accurate information about the tides. What was clear: high tide was the best time to make the crossing. Aerial photographs showed that German troops had fortified themselves well behind the dikes that surrounded the city….” 

A decision was made on how to cross the two rivers – the Leda and the Ems.. “… Only under the protection of a smoke screen and solid artillery support would it be possible to successfully complete the attack on Leer, using boats … General Simonds ordered that on April 28, 1945, before darkness fell, there had to be a solid bridgehead, from which the capture of Leer could be initiated. That meant that the attack had to be launched during the middle of the day, around three o’clock, when the water level was at its highest…” 

The Highland Light Infantry crossed safely, but the other two regiments ran into trouble.  “…The crossing was made at three different places. At the same time, artillery fire and attacks from the air put the German defence line to the test. The North Nova Scotia Highlanders would cross the Leda from the south bank and take the harbour of Leer, which abutted the city on a peninsula...”

 ….Panic Led To Tragedy….

Things didn’t go as planned.  3 sets of assault boats used by the North Nova Scotia Highlanders set off at 15:45 hours on April 28.  In ‘No Retreating Footsteps… the story of the North Novas’ by Will Bird, he explained that “…9 men were allotted to a boat at the river crossing.  Two men in each were operating these boats which used outboard motors….”

In each boat were 7 North Novies and two boat operators from the Royal Canadian Engineers.  “…. C Company, commanded by Major Winhold, had moved off from Driever …. with Thirteen Platoon leading, then…. Fourteen Platoon under Lt S Laskin and Fifteen under Lt McGlashen…”

Unfortunately for the men in the boat from Fifteen Platoon, one of the Engineers didn’t have nerves of steel.  “…Just as the craft were launched some shelling began and the young Engineer at the motor of the boat ….. became very excited.  His mate shouted at him not to turn on full power as the heavy load would sink when the motor dipped, but a shell landed quite near and the nervous man gave the motor the gun, sinking the boat at once…”

Five of the North Novies drowned.  Lt McGlashen managed to save himself and another man.  Men were not the only casualties.  “…Fifteen Platoon had been chosen to lead the attack, but most of its weapons were lost…”

What a tragic accident!  To see what an assault boat looks like, take a look at this short YouTube video, which shows troops preparing to cross the Ems:

…. to be continued…..

In Part 2 the aftermath of the accident is discussed and we’ll learn about the men who drowned.

Thank you to Jan Braakman for permission to quote from his book and use of the map showing the position of the Regiments, and to Simone Comeau and Murray Baillie for sharing photos.

If you have information to share about these or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact 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/

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 Awarded Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 6 Comments

Pieter’s Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

May 4, 2021. On February 18, 2020, while we were in Florida for our winter vacation, I went to the movies with a few friends.  We went to see a ‘chick flick’, a film not of interest to any of our husbands, including Pieter.  While I was away, Pieter got a phone call from the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, advising that he had been nominated for the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers and this was approved by the Governor General.  Would he be willing to accept it?  (See  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign%27s_Medal_for_Volunteers)

A very surprised Pieter said it would be an honour.  We all know what happened next….  Covid put a stop to any events, and the ceremony was postponed.  Almost 14 months later, Pieter got a call from the Events Coordinator at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.  Would he be willing to have a virtual presentation ceremony?  The answer was yes.

Pieter wears the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

On April 30, 2021, Pieter Valkenburg was presented with the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers, for his ongoing research to uncover the stories and photos of those who served in WWI and WWII, and sharing his research findings with the public.   (See https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/342-116665)

The insignia was presented to him by the Hon. Catherine Callbeck, CM, OPEI, LLD, on behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Administrator of the Government of Canada, via a virtual private ceremony.   

Pieter with Catherine Callbeck.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter thanks those who helped with this research project….

Given the shortness of the ceremony, Pieter was unable to thank everyone who has helped with the On The War Memorial Trail research project.  So here is what Pieter asked to be included in this posting:

“…I am deeply humbled by this honour. Thank you to those who nominated me and supported this nomination.

I started this project to offer my gratitude to Canada for liberating country of my birth. As a Canadian, I wanted to honour those soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice and the families that lost their loved ones.

My volunteerism would have never been possible without the support of many people and I would like to mention some of them. First and foremost, my wife Daria, who makes sure that a blog about my research is written, YouTube videos are posted, a Twitter account is maintained, and articles are written and published.

I would also like to thank Mike and Isabel Smith of The County Line Courier who have given us enormous support and published all the articles that my wife wrote.

Thank you to Angela Walker of CBC radio in Charlottetown, as well as CBC radio in Moncton and Halifax, CBC Radio-Canada in Moncton, and CTV Atlantic’s Live At Five.  Their support provided platforms to ask for the public’s help in researching soldiers.

This project initially began with 48 names on a Cenotaph and has expanded to cover soldiers in Atlantic provinces.  I thank the many Legion members in the Atlantic provinces who have helped fulfill photo requests. 

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 in Borden-Carleton is commended for its willingness to create a wall of honour with pictures of the WWI and WWII soldiers that we have researched and that are mentioned on their Cenotaph.

One of the names on this Cenotaph was that of a 23 year old WWII pilot from PEI.  He died but saved his crew and the village of Wons in The Netherlands by choosing to stay with his plane after it was shot down.

With the help and cooperation of the Tryon and Area Historical Society on Prince Edward Island, and the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation in The Netherlands, a memorial panel for this pilot and his crew was installed in 2019 near the crash site.

I would like to thank the many families that donated pictures and stories about relatives who served. These contacts have been heartwarming and have enriched our lives. We were able to meet a number of them, and are honoured by the gratitude they’ve shown that their relatives are not forgotten.

Over the years, we have visited Vimy Ridge, Menin Gate, and many cemeteries in France, Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands to pay our respects to the soldiers that we have researched and written about and to honour them by placing small Canadian and provincial flags at their graves.

These flags were provided by the offices of Senator Mike Duffy, our federal Member of Parliament, Wayne Easter, and our provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly, Jamie Fox. 

During these visits we met many other volunteers, who devote their time to make sure that the sacrifice made by the soldiers will never be forgotten, such as research volunteers for the three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands.  Presently I’m assisting them in finding photos and non-military information for soldiers from the Maritimes.

Remembrance of those who gave their lives for our continued freedom is important, and no soldier buried overseas should ever be forgotten.  My research work will continue. Thank you….”

The ceremony was very emotional and touching, and as a very proud wife, I was delighted that Pieter received this award.  I’m extremely proud of him for his incredible work in bringing history to life by telling the stories of individuals who served in WWI and WWII.

Comments on Pieter receiving the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers….

As people have learned of this award, several took the time to contact Pieter.  Here are a few of the comments:

Mike and Isabel Smith, Publishers of the County Line Courier:  “Congratulations on receiving the Sovereigns Medal For Volunteers. What an accomplishment.

The award appropriately reflects your passion and the endless hours you have spent making phone calls, researching and following leads to recover and secure information and photographs of veterans whose stories might have been forgotten and lost.

Your dedication honours the service and sacrifices of these veterans who served their country.

On behalf of The County Line Courier Community Newspaper, congratulations and keep up the good work.”

Susan and Charlie Choi: “Congratulations Pieter!!!!!!!  Very exciting news and very well deserved!” 

Mieke de Bie: “It is a great honour for him. He may be proud of it because he deserves it! It happens not everyday… I am excited too, and also proud of our cousin.”

Marjorie Inman:  “Thank you Pieter for your many years of devotion to this worthwhile project.”

Rheal Leger and Simone Belliveau: “Congratulations to Pieter. That’s a major honour for a great continuation of his project. Outstanding work Pieter!”

Alexander Tuinhout, Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation: “Congratulations Pieter! Receiving this medal is not only an honour, but also a public recognition of the important work that the both of you do and have done already. Commemorating the fallen during both World Wars is not only about history, but also about connecting people and keeping the memories alive.”

Brien and Moira Robertson: “Congratulations for your award. It is such an honor. Everyone is proud of you. It is a wonderful achievement and the fallen dead were very honored through your achievements.” 

Remco and Barbara de Jong: “Woooow, congratulations on this extraordinary award and recognition. And in my opinion no more than is deserved. Not that you are doing this great job to get a medal but for the gratitude of the next of kin. That their loved ones didn’t sacrifice for nothing in the end. Pieter and Daria stay healthy and especially continue with this great work. With congratulations from Fryske Makkum.”

Lina and Sergio Canonico: “Congratulations Pieter for your dedication and perseverance to this project.  It was a true labour of love and one that has meant so much to those families that have lost their loved ones.  Lest they never be forgotten.  May the good Lord bless you.”

Thank you to the Events Coordination and IT team for the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, for arranging the ceremony.  The Canadian and PEI provincial flags were provided by Annie Lee and Elmer MacDonald, who were able to temporarily borrow them from their church.  Thank you to Catherine Callbeck for presenting the insignia on behalf of the Administrator of the Government of Canada. And a huge thank you to those who nominated and supported Pieter for this award.

The On The War Memorial Trail project continues. If you have photos or information to share, 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/

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 on the book, please see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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

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