Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands

On The War Memorial Trail….The Mystery Of Who Placed Flowers At One Airman’s Grave Was Solved In A Story Spanning Two Continents

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April 18, 2026.  When we were in The Netherlands last year on our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, where Pieter placed 120 flags at the graves of soldiers he’d done research on over the years. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

….There was a surprise when we visited the grave of WWII airman Arnold Freeman Hupman…

After placing flags of Canada and Nova Scotia, Pieter stands behind the grave of Arnold Freeman Hupman.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

One of the graves visited, and where Pieter placed flags of Canada and Nova Scotia, was that of WWII airman Arnold Freeman HUPMAN, of East Side of Ragged Island, Nova Scotia.

Arnold Freeman Hupman.  (Photo submitted by Marilyn Hupman)

Arnold was serving with 419 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and lost his lost his life, at the age of 30, 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. (You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/)

Arnold Hupman’s grave is between two of his crewmates: Donald Morissen and Edward Fahy. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

There was a surprise at his grave as we found a note from Saskia Peters, a member of the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation Board, asking if whoever had been annually placing flowers at the grave to get in contact with her.   

Note left by Saskia Peters beside the graves of Hupman, Morissen, and Fahy.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 ….The last flight of Lancaster X KB728 …

Map shows the plane’s path from Middleton St. George to Holten, Germany and then to where it crashed in Elden, The Netherlands.  (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

On the night of June 16, 1944, at 11:08 pm, Lancaster X KB728 took off from RAF Middleton St. George, England for a bombing operation against the synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade/Holten in Germany.  

On its return back to England in the early hours of June 17, 1944, the plane was attacked by a nightfighter and exploded following combat with nightfighter pilot Hans Schadowski of the 3./NJG 3 based at Vechta airfield in Germany, who was flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4.

The Lancaster crashed close to the Dutch Reformed Church at Elden in the province of Gelderland, 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of Arnhem.

All seven crew members lost their lives. In addition to Flying Officer Arnold Hupman, the navigator on that flight, the other crew members were:

  • Pilot : RCAF Pilot Officer Donald MORISSEN of Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • Bomb Aimer: RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Edgar QUINN of Montreal, Quebec
  • Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: RAF Pilot Officer Harold FLETCHER of Bolton, Lancashire, England
  • Air Gunner: RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford JOHNSTON of North Bay, Ontario
  • Air Gunner: RAF Pilot Officer Philip Joseph MCMANUS of Herne Hill, London, England
  • Flight Engineer: RAF Pilot Officer Edward FAHY of Rhyl, Flintshire, Wales

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.  (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)

….The mystery of who placed the flowers was solved by Saskia…

Almost a month later, we met Saskia when we were honoured by the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation at one of their meetings, and asked if she had received any response. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/05/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-pieter-and-daria-honoured-by-faces-to-graves-groesbeek-foundation/)

“…Yes!…” she replied and said she would follow up with a few photos and emails, which she did.  “….As I told you at our Research meeting, I have indeed found the person on May 4, who put the flowers at Arnold Hupman’s place for the past few years….”

She said she’d placed the sign at Arnold’s grave in mid-April. “…I had also asked the gardeners for permission and they were eager to help me keep an eye out if they saw anyone walking by his grave….”

To Saskia’s disappointment, however, “….before we had the opening ceremony of The Faces of Groesbeek, there were still no flowers….”  We attended the Opening Ceremony on May 2, 2025 and Saskia was correct – the sign was still there, but no flowers.  (For our story on the Opening Ceremony, see  https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/07/19/on-the-war-memorial-trailwe-attended-the-ceremony-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

 Then, on May 4, 2025, “….it was our National Remembrance Day.   I wasn’t on duty to host The Faces of Groesbeek, but I saw that no one was scheduled so I went anyway. Around noon, my colleagues came to ‘relieve me’ as they were scheduled for the afternoon....” 

Saskia should have gone home to rest at this point as she was scheduled to lay a wreath at the cemetery that evening with Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation.  “…. But my heart said, ‘Go to Hupman’s grave one more time and ask for his help’….”

Saskia explained that as she “… walked back across the wide grassy area in the middle that runs from the Stone of Remembrance to the Sacrificial Cross.…” she noticed “…a man walking into the cemetery with a bouquet of flowers in his hands….”

After asking if the man had come to visit a particular grave, he said yes, but couldn’t remember where it was located, but explained that the grave was  “…. different from the others, the stones are closer together….” 

Saskia immediately knew he was looking for Arnold Hupman’s grave from this description.  The headstones of 3 graves were closer together than with other graves as, according to the crash reports, only 5 bodies were ever found – not the 7 that were known to be in the plane. It was surmised that the remains of 2 had burned beyond recognition in the crash.

“….Tears sprang to my eyes ….”  Saskia wrote.  “… I tell him that I think he is looking for the grave of the flying officer I stood by about a minute ago before, asking for help to find the person who has been putting flowers at his grave for years.  We walk together up the side to Hupman’s grave, the man enthusiastically confirming that this is indeed the grave he was looking for…..”

Frans Nijsen with Saskia Peters.  (Photo courtesy of Saskia Peters)

The mystery was solved! The man who had brought the brought the bouquet was Frans Nijsen, a resident of Berg en Dal, which is very close to the cemetery. 

Frans Nijsen beside the grave of Arnold Hupman. The flags of Canada and Nova Scotia had been placed several days earlier by Pieter. (Photo courtesy of Saskia Peters)

….The story of why the flowers were placed spanned two continents…

We were curious to know why a Dutch guy chose Arnold Hupman’s grave to place an annual bouquet. Perhaps Frans had been in the Royal Netherlands Air Force, as Pieter had been?  We wrote to him and asked. To our surprise, the answer circled back to a neighbouring Maritime province, not that far from where we live.

“….I work with a company called QPS, in the Netherlands and we have a Canadian office in Fredericton, New Brunswick…..”  Frans wrote.  “…. I’m a hydrographer, and I work for a software company that produces software to map the seabed and to produce maritime charts.  

I used to have a colleague, Graham Nickerson, who lives in Freddy. At some point he came over to our office in the Netherlands for training in our software, and when the weekend was almost there, I asked him what his plans were. He told me that he has a relative who was killed in action, shot down over Arnhem and that he was visiting his grave in Oosterbeek…. I learned that the cemetery in Oosterbeek is a British one and that there is a Canadian cemetery close to where I live now. I started looking on internet and found his grave at the cemetery in Groesbeek, which is 5 minutes from my home town, Berg en Dal.  

I invited him to come over, so I could bring him to the cemetery. In the meantime I did some more digging around and found that there is a small monument at the crash site….”

Memorial plaque for the crew of Lancaster X KB728 in Elden, The Netherlands. (Photo source: Facebook RAF Bomber Command Memorials, photo taken by Chris de Vries)

“…So, he came over, we visited the cemetery, which meant a lot to him, it was emotional for him to not have his relative buried close to home, but he was very happy how the cemetery…” cared for the graves.  “...After that I told him about the monument of the crash site and that I’m going to take him there. He was very surprised and interested in it…. He was very glad that the sacrifice was not unnoticed….” 

“…Since his visit I made it my personal goal to visit this grave every year around the 4th of May to bring flowers. I have two young kids that I bring with me as well, and we try to explain what happened and why it’s important to honour the men and women who are buried at the cemetery. Every year I send a picture to Graham with fresh flowers at the grave…..This year I was there as well, and I bumped into Saskia. The rest is history….” 

Quite a story, in which serendipity certainly played a big part! As we near the 81st Anniversary of the Liberation of Europe, it’s a poignant reminder that those who gave their lives in war should never be forgotten.

Thank you to Saskia Peters and Frans Nijsen for unlocking the mystery behind the note, and for sharing the story about the flowers placed each May at the grave of Arnold Freeman Hupman.  Thank you to Wendy Nattress, who prepared the map showing the flight path for Lancaster X KB728.

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Sergeant From Kenora Killed During The Battle Of The Scheldt Near Hoogerheide

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April 4, 2026. When Caroline Raaijmakers, Chair of Faces To Graves Bergen Op Zoom, sent a photo wish list of 15 soldiers from the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, Pieter decided this was a research project he wanted to take on.

Kenora is situated on the Lake of the Woods in Ontario, near the border with Manitoba, and is about 208 km east of Winnipeg. (Map source: Google maps)

One of the soldiers was Sergeant Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ JORGENSON, born March 22, 1921 in Kenora, Ontario, the son of Jacob and Genevieve ‘Gen’ Evelyn Jorgenson, and the husband of Marguerite Norma ‘Tiny’ nee Campbell. Both of his younger brothers, Charles Edward ‘Ted’ and James ‘Jim’ Martin, served in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) during WWII.  He also had a younger sister, Patricia ‘Patsy’ Lenore.

The Jorgenson siblings, left to right:  Ted, Vin, Patsy, Jim.  (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

Not long after Pieter’s research began, he received a reply from Terry Ellwood, explaining that the soldier was his wife Leni’s uncle who died on October 23, 1944, at the age of 23.  “… He was a tank commander. Two months before he was killed he received a citation for bravery which was recorded in the New York Times.…”  Leni is the daughter of Vin’s brother Ted.

After Vin’s parents separated in 1929, “…Gen raised the four kids on her own… living in the bush near Ignace (Osaquan) working a trapline and running a trading post until they moved to Kenora….”  Terry wrote.  “…. She was quite a gal. All the kids treated her like gold until she died….”

….Vin enlisted in 1940…

Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ Jorgenson. (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

When Vin enlisted with the Fort Garry Horse in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 22, 1940, he noted that he had served for a year in a militia unit, with the 16th Medium Battery in Kenora, Ontario, from May 1939 until the day he enlisted in the Active Army.  He’d earlier enlisted in the Kenora Light Infantry on January 30, 1936.

In an interview at the time of his enlistment, he noted that he’d worked as a tractor driver at Keewatin Lumber Company, on a seasonal basis from April 1938, and was a member of the Carpenters and Joiners Union of America.  He’d also attended a commercial course in shorthand and typing at night school in 1937. He also worked, on a seasonal basis, as a grocery store clerk for C.G. Bulmer in Kenora.

Vin listed several hobbies and interests.  He collected sports trophies and played the harmonica.  He also enjoyed boxing, skiing, skulling, and played basketball and hockey.  Terry had written that “…Vin was also a great hockey player…. played for the Kenora Thistles. ….” Vin played right wing on this junior ice hockey team. “…The year he went overseas, he was selected as the most valuable player for the elite Canadian junior hockey team the Barrie Colts. As MVP for that team he certainly would have been tracked by the NHL in that era.  Although he played forward when he played for the Kenora Thistles, it seems as though he moved to defence for the Barrie Colts…” (NHL refers to National Hockey League)

After completing his basic training in Winnipeg, Vin, now part of the Fort Garry Horse’s Canadian Active Service Force, was sent to the A3 Canadian Artillery Training Centre in Shilo, Manitoba for artillery training on June 8, 1940.

….Vin was a guard at a POW Camp in Red Rock…

At the end of July, 1940, Vin and his Regiment were sent to Camp R, an internment camp in Red Rock, Ontario to act as guards for German prisoners of war and internees. Operational from July 1940 to October 1941, the camp held 1,145 German prisoners, among them civilians, merchant seamen, and combatants. Many of the prisoners had been active Nazi sympathizers before the war, while others came from German ships interred in Canadian ports at the outbreak of the war.

One of the guard towers at Camp R (Red Rock). LAC e006611161. (https://powsincanada.ca/pows-in-canada/internment-camps/camp-r-red-rock/#jp-carousel-3314)

Located on the grounds of a plant owned by the Lake Sulphite Pulp Co. Ltd., Camp R’s enclosure was surrounded by two layers of barbed wire fences and five guard towers – initially only elevated platforms – each with a machine gun.

Vin fell ill with a bout of influenza and was hospitalized from August 27 to 29, 1940, being discharged only a few days before his next posting. 

Guard duty at Red Rock for Vin and his Regiment lasted a few months, until September 1, 1940, when the Regiment moved to the A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment Camp at Camp Borden, Ontario to begin training as an Armoured Regiment.

After the men from the Fort Garry Horse left, they were replaced by a company of the Veterans Guard of Canada. However, poor facilities and safety concerns caused Camp R to be closed in October 1941, and the prisoners transferred elsewhere.

….Vin qualified as a Driver Mechanic…

While at the A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment Camp at Camp Borden, Vin qualified for a Class III Certificate as Driver (i/c) Wheeled and Tracked (W&T) on February 5, 1941.  (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.  Receiving a Class III in both Wheeled and Tracked meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, as well as tanks.)

On February 11, 1941, the Fort Garry Horse Regiment was re-designated as the 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment.

He had a change in his personal life when he married Marguerite Norma Campbell in Barrie, Ontario on April 12, 1941. 

In May 1941, the Regiment became part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division to form the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, along with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and the 1st Hussars.

From June 15, 1941 until August 1941, Vin took a driver mechanics course in Owen Sound, Ontario, while attached to the No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario ‘On Command’.  He qualified as a Driver (i/c) Class II on September 9, 1941, which meant he was authorized to drive heavier 4×4 or 6×6 vehicles (like the Canadian Military Pattern truck/CMP), specialized trailers, and possessed advanced maintenance skills. Class II drivers handled transport duties in armoured divisions, such as the one he was in, which required expertise in convoy driving and off-road operations.

Vin also qualified as a Driver Mechanic Class ‘C’ on September 25, 1941. This meant that, in addition to being a driver, he would also be responsible for minor vehicle repairs on vehicles in his unit.

….Vin left Canada for overseas service…

Vin with his mother Genevieve Jorgenson. (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

From September 29, 1941 until October 3, 1941, Vin was granted embarkation leave, for what turned out to be the last time he saw his family.

In October 1941, Vin and his Regiment moved to Debert, Nova Scotia, for final training and preparation before going overseas.

S. S. Oronsay. (Photo source: Wikipedia, photographer, Keating G (Capt))

On November 10, 1941, Vin was aboard the liner ‘S.S. Oronsay’ with the Regiment when they prepared to sail from Halifax, Nova Scotia to the United Kingdom. They finally left Halifax after several days in the harbour, along with a large flotilla of transports and Naval vessels, and arrived in Liverpool, England, on November 22, 1941.

….The Regiment continued training in the United Kingdom…

The Regiment moved first to Aldershot and later to the Headley, Hampshire area where the first of the Canadian designed Ram tanks were issued.

Vin was interviewed by Lt J. Gartside on January 27, 1942, in which it was noted that he was a proficient hockey player, and that he’d “…played baseball and basketball for the regiment…”  Lt Gartside also recorded that “…this man wants action more than anything else…” 

On January 31, 1942, Vin and Marguerite’s son Garry Vincent was born in Kenora, Ontario, a child that Vin would never get to meet.

Testing of the new tanks to see how they fired took place in Wales in July 1942. The Regiment moved several times within England as training continued.

Vin qualified as a Driver Mechanic Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) Group ‘C’ on November 4, 1942.  This meant he would have some knowledge of overhaul and repair of armed, armoured combat vehicles designed for mobility and protection, including tanks (such as the Ram tanks), armoured cars, and personnel carriers.

The Regiment, based in Hove in December 1942, left the 5th Armoured Division, and became part of the 3rd Canadian Army Tank Brigade, along with the 1st Hussars and the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. That lasted until July 1943, when it was broken up after the 2nd Canadian Army Tank Brigade arrived in England, and became the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade.

On May 19, 1943, Vin qualified as a Gunner Operator Group C, a specific trade qualification which meant he was qualified to operate both a tank’s weaponry and radio equipment.

….Vin also trained in American-built tanks in preparation for D-Day…

Captioned picture showing Vin Jorgenson and H. Little in an American-built tank in the United Kingdom. (Article courtesy of Terry and (nee Jorgenson) Leni Ellwood)

On October 19, 1943, Vin was promoted to Lance Corporal.  That same month, the first of the new American Sherman tanks were issued and firing practice took place on ranges in Kirkudbright, Scotland, after which the Regiment moved to the South coast at Milford-on-Sea.

Training in combined operations and amphibious landings at Inverary, Northern Scotland, as well as exercises with the 8th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division in preparation for support during the planned invasion of Normandy kept Vin and other members of the Regiment occupied. The men also took French lessons.  On February 9, 1944, Vin was promoted to Corporal.

‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons had special training – in great secrecy – in the use of ‘Duplex Drive’ or ‘DD’ swimming tanks. (DD tanks were Sherman tanks with twin propellers and collapsible canvas sides which provided floatation.)

Once in Normandy, the DD tanks were to be carried on LCT’s (Landing Craft Tanks) to about 6,401 metres (7,000 yards) from shore where they would be launched into the water. The tanks would then swim into shore and land with the charging infantry. The tanks were equipped with 75 mm guns, making them outgunned by German tanks, but their advantage was in being very fast and maneuverable.

….Vin survived D-Day…

In May 1944 the Regiment’s squadrons moved to concentration areas prior to loading on landing craft for the upcoming Operation Overlord (the Normandy invasion) – what we refer to as D-Day on June 6, 1944. ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons moved with their DD tanks to a hiding area near Fawley on the south coast of England.

On June 2, 1944, Vin, who was in ‘C’ Squadron, boarded the ship that would take him and his Squadron to France.  They disembarked on June 6, 1944 at the eastern end of Juno Beach, an area codenamed ‘Nan Red’, near Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in support of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.

D-Day Normandy invasion map. The Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (Map source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

An excerpt from the Juno Beach website noted that “..at 8:05 am the LCT’s came inshore and the order was given to launch. On their way into shore 4 tanks were knocked out in the water. One LCT was hit with the tanks still onboard and one sank in deep water. When the tanks landed they gave supporting fire in all directions from their beach positions, waiting for the AVRE’s to clear an exit through a minefield…..”  (See http://www.junobeach.info/juno-04-07.htm) AVRE refers to Armoured Vehicle, Royal Engineers.

The DD tanks were supposed to land ahead of the Infantry Regiments, but heavy seas meant that they were launched close to the shore landing later than planned.

When ‘C’ Squadron landed at St. Aubin, they had lost a few tanks due to enemy fire.  Then, because there was no breach in the sea wall, they had to make their way through a minefield, losing three tanks doing so. Due to a request for support from the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, ‘C’ Squadron didn’t rejoin the 10th Armoured Regiment until June 7. Vin had survived D-Day!  He was promoted to Acting Sergeant a few days later, on June 11.

….Vin’s heroism during Operation Totalize was noted in a New York Times article…

D-Day was only the beginning of battles in Normandy that summer. Vin’s Regiment was in the midst of Operation Totalize, fought between August 7-11, 1944, in an offensive designed to break through the German defences south of Caen and toward Falaise, with the objective of closing the Falaise gap and cutting off the retreating Germany 7th Army.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

On the night of August 10, 1944, Vin had an experience that was documented by journalist James MacDonald in the August 11, 1944 edition of The New York Times. It began with a description of Vin.  “….On a hilltop that he helped to capture, Sgt Vincent Jorgenson, a brawny 23 year old athlete of Kenora, Ontario, was busily getting his tank ready for action today just after having rested up from as grueling an experience as one can have and live to tell about it…..he is what his superior officers call a magnificent crew commander….

Last night his and other tanks set out from the village of Les Ifs with orders to take Hill 122. Sergeant Jorgenson’s was the second tank in line, the first being one commanded by his troop officer. Enemy mortars and 88 mm shells exploded all around them as they rattled into Rocquancourt, but they did not dare to open up with their machine guns or six-pounders lest gun flashes give their positions away.

The Germans’ artillery scored a direct hit on the leading tank commanded by a lieutenant from Winnipeg. That tank went up in flames….”  All the men in the tank survived.

“…Sergeant Jorgenson was so near he had to order his tank to back up and circle around the blazing wreck. He pushed on and sent out wireless signals to tanks that had been behind him but received no answer.  He could not see them or anything else ….. because on top of the darkness and dust the Germans began laying a smokescreen around him.

Suddenly he heard German voices around him and he thought he might be isolated and surrounded. He asked his crew if they wanted to continue or attempt to retire. They wanted to go on.

The Germans tried to blind the tank’s driver by flashing torchlights into his eyes and make him halt and give anti-tank gunners direct aim.  The tank’s co-driver drove them off with his machine gun.  Then something happened to one of the tank threads that cut the machine’s speed to two miles an hour.

On and on the tank lurched, German infantrymen doggedly surrounding it. One German even climbed on the machine.  Through his slightly opened hatch cover, Sergeant Jorgenson saw him and shot him with his pistol.

Presently the tank halted in a field…..” while they worked to transform “…the machine into a little fortress, using sandbags they had carried along as an extra protection….” 

Meanwhile, “…Trooper George Johnson, of Dauphin, Manitoba, hearing German voices near by, hurled a hand grenade in their direction.  After the grenade exploded all was quiet…”  At daylight, they saw that the grenade had destroyed “… an anti-tank gun that had been trying to kill them…” 

The article concluded by saying “…the night had been won and the objective attained…”

 ….From France the Regiment moved into Belgium…

Over the next week, there was no respite from fierce opposition and heavy losses that resulted in 3 Squadrons being consolidated into 2 Squadrons as they left France and moved into Belgium in September, as they prepared for the Battle of the Scheldt, which began officially on October 2 and lasted until November 8, 1944. 

The Battle of the Scheldt’s objective was to free up the way to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for supply purposes. From Antwerp, they went into The Netherlands, fighting along flooded fields and dikes leading toward Woensdrecht in a battle that lasted until October 21, 1944. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Vin was promoted to Sergeant on September 11, 1944. 

The 10th Armoured Regiment fought their way towards Woensdrecht in October 1944. Vin was killed near Hoogerheide and was temporarily buried in Berendrecht. (Map source: Google Maps)

On October 17, 1944, an exhausted Vin wrote to his mother and sister from The Netherlands, letting them know he was alive after surviving an attack on the tank he was in.  “…Forgive me for not writing sooner but have been so muddled lately….” 

He went on to say that he had been “…knocked out of another tank some twelve days back and since then much has happened and I’m still here with the regiment with a brand new tank ‘Canora III’….. No one in my old tank was killed and we were hit twice by an 88 mm gun which pierces roughly 10 inches of steel….”

Vin was referring to what happened on the morning of October 2, 1944 as they were in a battle above the Turnhout Canal in Belgium, as reported in the Regiment’s war diary for that day.  “… ‘C’ Squadron moved out at 0630 hours in support of the Cameron Highlanders to clear the road running West of STERNHOVEN parallel to the ANTWERP-TURNHOUT CANAL, a distance of approximately 5 1/2 kilometres…First Troop, under Sgt Jorgenson, moved forward to lead. Three 88 mm guns and a considerable number of Jerries were encountered. Two of the guns were knocked out by well-placed shots by the forward troop and two large ammunition trucks were set on fire…”

The war diary entry for October 12, 1944 recorded that “… ‘C’ Squadron, relieved of operational commitments, proceeded to make merry.  First a shower, then a trip to Antwerp, and a movie in harbour upon return back at 2030 hrs….” 

It was a badly needed break after 4 months of fighting, as described in Vin’s letter. “…While myself and my crew were at Tank Delivery Regiment we buggered off to Antwerp for one night, our first since D-Day….” where they enjoyed an expensive steak dinner. 

Responsible as ever, Vin let his mother know that he planned to assign more of his pay to her and his wife Tiny.  “….Mom, since getting my confirmation as a Sgt, I signed over another $12 to Tiny and $3 to you, be sure and let me know if you get it on your next cheque…”

Vin was hoping to receive a new assignment.  “…Major Bray, our old Squadron leader, is in charge of a tank school in Belgium and has sent for another Sgt and myself for head instructors.  He said he wanted us badly, and besides, we deserve a rest, being two of the only D-Day Sgts left.  Don’t know how long it will take the Regiment to make up their minds about sending us….I’m dying for a chance to get away from all this for a while….”   Vin referred to Major William Roy BRAY.

….Vin was killed a few days after he wrote his letter…

None of Vin’s plans for a new assignment as instructor at the tank school or for sending more of his pay to his family happened, as he was killed on October 23, 1944, aged 23, near Hoogerheide, The Netherlands, less than a week after he wrote his last letter.

An entry in ‘Vanguard – The Fort Garry Horse In The Second World War’ by Eric Mackay Wilson simply stated that “… ‘C’ Squadron sweated it out in Hoogerheide, and also suffered casualties.  Major Fletcher and Sgt Jorgenson were killed, to the sorrow of the whole regiment...”  Major Charles Wesley FLETCHER was from McCreary, Manitoba.

….Vin is buried in Bergen Op Zoom…

Vin was temporarily buried on October 24, 1944 in the Belgium Churchyard in Berendrecht, Belgium, with the service conducted by Honorary Captain W. E. HARRISON, one of the chaplains attached to the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom on June 4, 1945.

Grave of Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ Jorgenson in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Terry and Leni Ellwood for sharing photos and information about Leni’s uncle.  “….Checked out Daria’s blog … wonderful stuff….” Terry wrote, and explained that “…my dad, Keith Ellwood, was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber… his last few missions were food drops to Holland.  He always felt a close connection to the Dutch people because of this….” 

Leni and Terry Ellwood with their grandchildren.  (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

….The research and search for photos continues…

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue, doing his part to ensure that each individual soldier is remembered. He’s still looking for photos of two soldiers from the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment from the original photo wish list: 

  • Lance Corporal Harry Leith HOWE, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, son of Harry John and Minnie Christina (nee Clay) Howe, died October 1, 1944.
  • Trooper Russell John KITCHEMONIA of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, son of John and Louise Kitchemonia, died October 12, 1944.

If you have photos or information to share about either of these two soldiers, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Panel…A Memorial Panel Honours The Crew On The Last Flight Of Halifax DT630

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Yannic Wethly by the Halifax DT630 panel in Odoornerveen. (Photo courtesy of Yannic Wethly – Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe)

March 18, 2026. Occasionally, one story takes us in unexpected directions.  In February 2023, we posted on this blog the story about Jack ‘Douglas’ MACKENZIE, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, the pilot of Halifax DT630 that was shot down by a night fighter over the province of Drenthe in The Netherlands on February 3, 1943. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/02/19/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-pilot-killed-at-the-controls-of-his-halifax-bomber/)

A few months later, we were contacted by Yannic Wethly, one of the volunteers with Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe (Air Research Drenthe Foundation) in The Netherlands. This non-profit organization researches WWII air crashes in the province and places information panels near the crash sites.

Yannic asked for help in finding a photo and family of a crew member, Eric ‘Raymond’ MARQUAND, the bomb aimer on that flight, who was also from Winnipeg.  Raymond survived the crash and spent the remaining war years in prisoner of war camps before being liberated.  We were very happy when his niece, Jamie Nelson-Dixon, got in contact and provided a photo. (Raymond’s story is coming up in a future posting.)

Jamie Nelson-Dixon, Craig MacKenzie, and Daria had a chance to meet in Winnipeg. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

In May 2024, when we were in Winnipeg, we met Craig MacKenzie, nephew of Douglas, and his wife Sue, plus Jamie and her husband Don.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2024-reflections-and-updates/)

Pieter and Daria with Yannic Wethly of the Air Research Drenthe Foundation.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

And in April 2025, when we were in The Netherlands, we had a chance to meet Yannic.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-visit-to-sleen-general-cemetery/)

On January 30, 2026, Yannic sent photos of an updated memorial panel for Halifax DT630, which now includes photos of all 7 crew members, who wrote us saying “….Thank you for your efforts. They played a key part in getting to this moment, where now all seven crew members have their faces back….”

….The last flight of Halifax DT630…

Halifax Mark 3 bomber.  Photo source: http://www.raf.mod.uk Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=751869)

On February 3, 1943, Douglas was the pilot of Halifax DT630 (call sign VR-T), one of 8 heavy Halifax bombers sent on a night raid to Hamburg, Germany.  They took off at 6:34 pm from the airbase at Middleton St. George, England. (See https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/52181)

Map showing the plane’s path from England towards Hamburg, but being shot down over The Netherlands.  (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

According to the Aviation Safety Network Wikibase report on Occurrence # 52181, the Halifax bomber was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel (Senior Staff Sgt) Karl-Heinz Scherfling of the 10./NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 F-4 from Leeuwarden airfield, in the province of Friesland in The Netherlands.  At 8:55 pm it crashed in Odoornerveen.  (Scherfling died when his plane was shot down in July 1944 near Mol, Belgium by a Mosquito night fighter of No. 169 Squadron. See https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Karl-Heinz_Scherfling)

….The crew of Halifax DT630….

4 crew members lost their lives and are buried in Sleen General Cemetery in The Netherlands.  The other 3 crew members spent the remainder of WWII in POW camps before returning home.

  • Pilot P/O Jack ‘Douglas’ MACKENZIE of Winnipeg, Manitoba, RCAF, killed
  • Flight Engineer Sgt. William Peter DUTHIE of Winnipeg, Manitoba, RCAF, killed
  • Navigator Sgt. William Nelson GARNETT, RCAF, survived
  • Bomb Aimer Sgt. Eric ‘Raymond’ MARQUAND, RCAF, survived
  • Air Gunner W/O II Raymond Hepton HILL of Montreal, Quebec, RCAF, killed
  • Rear Air Gunner F/Sgt. Alexander Henry MILTON, RAF, survived
  • Air Gunner W/O II Lennox Alwin GONNETT of Westmount, Quebec, RCAF, killed

….The memorial panel honouring the crew of Halifax DT630…

On January 30, 2026, a few days before the 83rd anniversary of the crash on February 3, 1943, Yannic wrote that “…we updated the information panel for Halifax DT630 today. The panel stands near the Scholtensbrug on Zuidzijde, Odoornerveen.…” (See https://www.facebook.com/slodrenthe/posts/pfbid0a7d47BcHoD5scBZERjEctYj2mmWbuvgrotFqLzG8USnReGYxbVN83wzoATAuTkLil)

Location of the panel stands near the Scholtensbrug on Zuidzijde in Odoornerveen. (Map source: Google maps)

When we saw the photos, we were astonished to see snow!  It could have been Canada, not The Netherlands!  “…Quite exceptional times here….” he explained. “…We had sleet and 10-15cm of snow. Then it all disappeared and now, a week later, it’s back!…”

The Halifax DT630 panel summarizes what happened on the night of the crash, and includes photos of all 7 crew members. The 4 who died are shown above the 3 that survived. (Photo courtesy of Yannic Wethly – Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe)

The panel is located along a canal, next to the Scholtens bridge, in Odoornerveen, in a residential area. 

Yannic Wethly by the Halifax DT630 panel in Odoornerveen. (Photo courtesy of Yannic Wethly – Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe)

….Excerpt from the Foundation’s report on Halifax DT630….

Yannic shared information on the Air Research Drenthe Foundation’s report on Halifax DT630, an excerpt of which is below.  (See https://www.slodrenthe.nl/halifax-mk-ii-dt630-vr-t/ for more information, which is available in Dutch, English, French, or German.)

“…On February 3, 1943, Halifax DT630 VR-T, “T for Tommy,” of RCAF 419 (Moose) Squadron, departed RAF Middleton St. George at 6:34 p.m. as part of a raid wave of 263 aircraft. The target of this attack was Hamburg. On the outward journey, the bombers were hampered by bad weather, forcing many of them to abort the raid prematurely.

The crew of Halifax DT630 VR-T was five minutes late crossing the Channel on the night of this bombing raid on Hamburg. This delay caused pilot Jack D. MacKenzie to pitch the nose down slightly, increasing speed. The fact that Halifax DT630 VR-T was late and therefore flying behind the formation wasn’t the pilot’s only problem: contact with the tail gunner, Alexander H. Milton, had been lost. The entire intercom system had stopped working. Jack D. MacKenzie had to choose between turning back or continuing on and hoping the intercom would work again soon.

About 25 minutes out from the target, Halifax DT630 VR-T was attacked from behind and below by what they thought was an Fw 190. Only bomb aimer Eric R. Marquand noted in his report that he believed it was a Bf 110.

In reality, Halifax DT630 VR-T was indeed attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 110. It was a German Bf 110G-4 night fighter of the 10th Staffel, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, with pilot Oberfeldwebel Karl-Heinz Scherfling on board. He attacked the Halifax and its crew over Schoonoord at an altitude of 5,300 metres.

Tail gunner Alexander H. Milton later testified that an evasive maneuver, a so-called “corkscrew,” had been executed. Somehow, this command from Alexander H. Milton to pilot Jack D. MacKenzie got through, and Jack D. MacKenzie executed the maneuver.

The evasive maneuver was to no avail: the entire fuselage of the aircraft was pierced by the German night fighter’s cannon fire. Jack D. MacKenzie and probably also Lennox A.J. Gonnett, the dorsal turret gunner, were fatally wounded. The cannon fire also ignited the incendiary bombs on board, burning the vital cables and lines leading to the engines and controls.

Flight engineer William P. Duthie attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful due to the flammable and difficult-to-extinguish nature of the incendiary bombs. Navigator William N. Garnett later reported that he gave the order to abandon the aircraft following a previously arranged sequence of flashes. This implies that the intercom system was still inoperable.

Eric R. Marquand, the bombardier, was the first of the crew to abandon the aircraft. He was followed by William N. Garnett, who was checking on the condition of the rest of the crew. He saw that radio operator Raymond H. Hill was still in his position, as was William P. Duthie. Both, however, were preparing to abandon the out-of-control aircraft. At this point, the German fighter returned and attacked the falling Halifax once more.

Eric R. Marquand was hit in the ear area as he prepared to bail out. Alexander H. Milton continued to fire at the German fighter to drive it off, allowing the other crew members to bail out. He continued firing until he fell from his turret in the dark night. It is unknown what happened to the radio operator and flight engineer or why they did not bail out. The second attack by the German fighter may have prevented them from bailing out.

At 8:55 p.m., Halifax DT630 VR-T crashed in Odoornerveen. Only Eric R. Marquand, William N. Garnett, and Alexander H. Milton managed to evacuate the aircraft. All three were quickly taken prisoner of war and interned at Stalag VIIIB (Lamsdorf). The four remaining crew members perished in the crash….”

Thank you to Yannic Wethly for sending photos of the new memorial panel, and to Wendy Nattress for preparing the map showing the flight path for Halifax DT630.  And thank you to Craig MacKenzie and Jamie Nelson-Dixon for providing photos of Douglas MacKenzie and Raymond Marquand.  Thank you also to Judie Klassen for doing the research that led to finding Jamie Nelson-Dixon.

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue, doing his part to ensure that each individual soldier is remembered. If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Signalman From Charlottetown Who Died In A Vehicle Accident In The Netherlands 6 Weeks After WWII Ended In Europe

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March 15, 2026.  In going through the last few names on a photo wish list for soldiers from New Brunswick who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Pieter’s initial research found that one of the names was of a soldier from Prince Edward Island.

Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, is on the east coast of Canada. (Map source: Google)

Alfred Edward Stanley FORD was born February 12, 1918 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, son of Alvin Chester and Ethel Maud (nee Roebuck) Ford.  He was one of two children in the family and Pieter at first thought it would be a challenge to find a photo.

However, an obituary for Alfred’s sister Marjorie led him to the Cummins family, and he was soon in contact with Marjorie’s son Dave, who wrote to Pieter, saying “….I greatly appreciate all the work you and your wife are doing on the memories of our fallen soldiers…” And yes, he did have a photo of his uncle.

….Alfred worked as a waiter and butler…

Alfred Edward Stanley Ford. (Photo courtesy of Cummins/Ford archives.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

When Alfred enlisted at the No. 4 District Depot in Montreal, Quebec on December 3, 1941, he stated that he had served in the Reserve Formation of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) in Prince Edward Island for 2 years, from July 1936 until July 1938. 

After leaving school at aged 16, he’d worked as a waiter at various hotels between 1933 and 1936, and then was a butler for the Polish Consul-General, Dr. Sylwester Gruszka, in New York City between 1936 and 1939. (A career diplomat, Dr. Gruszka was the Consul-General from 1935–1940. For more information, see https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylwester_Gruszka)

Alfred’s time working for the Consul-General resonated with us, as decades later Pieter worked in the Consulate in New York and later in the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, during his career in the Dutch Foreign Service.

While working for Dr. Gruszka, Alfred took a short order-barman course and received a diploma for successfully completing a course at the Fanny Farmer School of Cooking in 1937. 

From 1939 to 1941, Alfred worked as a barman and later as a waiter in New York. 

….Alfred was drafted one country and enlisted in another….

On October 16, 1940, he was required to fill out a US Draft Card Registration. At the time, he was between jobs in New York City, and living with a friend. Although the USA didn’t officially enter World War II until December 8, 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had signed into law in October 1940 the first peacetime selective service draft in US history because of rising world conflicts.

Since he was living in the USA, Alfred was required to register for the US Draft, but never joined the US Army as he subsequently moved to Montreal, Quebec and enlisted in the Canadian Army.

During his interview, Alfred expressed an interest in becoming a lineman with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and it was noted that he played hockey as a sport.  The interviewer described Alfred as “…respectful, cheerful, and neat in appearance...” and noted that 23 year old Alfred had “…done well in civilian life…”

….Alfred was trained as a Signalman….

Alfred Edward Stanley Ford during basic training. (Photo courtesy of Cummins/Ford archives.  Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg)

Alfred’s military career began when he was sent for basic training to No. 41 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Huntingdon, Quebec on December 8, 1941. 

After completing his basic training, he was transferred to A7 Canadian Signal Corps Training Centre at Camp Barriefield, Ontario on March 12, 1942 for advanced training.  He remained there until May 5, 1942 when he was posted to the 6th Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment Signals Section, Royal Canadian Artillery, in Petawawa, Ontario as a Signalman.

As a Signalman, Alfred would have been trained to manage radio (wireless), telephone, and visual signaling, and to ensure that his Regiment received air raid warnings and to relay gun target information.

On November 2, 1942, Alfred was given embarkation leave until November 15, 1942, the last chance he had to see his family. 

….Alfred left Canada for overseas service….

Shortly after returning from his embarkation leave, Alfred was on his way overseas, leaving Canada on December 12, 1942.  Upon arriving in the United Kingdom on December 18, 1942, he was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Base Staging Camp (CBSC) in Colchester.

On March 6, 1943, Alfred was sent on an Operators Course at No. 1 Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit (CSRU), located at the Blandford Camp in Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire.

Alfred was transferred to the Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit (CSRU) on April 2, 1943.  His training continued and on July 29, 1943, he qualified as a Lineman Group ‘C’ Class 3.  A Lineman would be involved in constructing and repairing overhead telephone and telegraph lines to support military communications.

A month later, on August 26, 1943, he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Line of Communications Signals (L of C Sigs), a key unit within the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RC Sigs) during WWII.  Formed in England, this unit was responsible for maintaining communications along the supply and transport routes (lines of communication) supporting the Canadian Army’s overseas operations in Europe. 

As training and preparations began for Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy), which began on what we know as D-Day (June 6, 1944), Alfred was transferred to the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section in Womenswold in Kent on May 2, 1944, along with another linesman.  The war diary for May 2, 1944 noted that “…2 Line Detachments arrived today from L of C Signals….” 

This unit provided communication and signaling support for anti-aircraft operations, and training and exercises continued ahead of being sent to France after D-Day. They would be part of the signals composition of the Canadian Army Overseas.

….Alfred and his unit were sent to France in August 1944…

Liberty ship ‘Samarina’. (Photo source: Ships Nostalgia)

On August 1, 1944, Alfred and other members of the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section travelled to London, for the move into France as part of the 21st Army Group.  The following day they boarded the Liberty ship ‘Samarina’, along with their vehicles and equipment. They set sail for France on August 3, 1944. 

Map showing Courselles-sur-Mer on the coast of France, near Caen.  ‘La Manche’ in French is what we call the ‘English Channel’.  (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.fr)

Per the August 5, 1944 war diary, they arrived at 9:10 pm “…at the anchorage off Courcelles…” but had to wait until August 7 to disembark.  On August 8, 1944, “…the unit arrived Bény-sur-Mer….” and “…established communications with Brigade HQ…” The unit arrived in the midst of Operation Totalize, fought between August 7-11, 1944, in an offensive designed to break through the German defences south of Caen and toward Falaise.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

They had their work cut out for them once they reached Caen and took over from 51 Anti-Aircraft Operations Room (AAOR).  As recorded in the war diary for August 12, 1944, the unit “…controlled 16 AA guns in defence of Caen from 1800 hours today.  Line communications are difficult as some of the line has been badly laid and not maintained.  All broadcasts must go down to guns by line and upward intelligence must go up the same way.  This is not satisfactory….”  

On August 28, 1944, they were ordered to leave Caen and move to Lisieux. The war diary entry for August 29, 1944 recorded that at 8 am “…AAOR handed over to 152 and moved to concentration area at Lisieux….”  However, by 6 pm that same day, there was a change.  “… Unit was ordered to deploy from concentration area Lisieux for the defence of Brienne….”

Map shows location of Esquelbecq (purple circle) in France, near the Belgian border. (Map source: Google maps)

By September they had moved up through France near the Belgian border, and were based in Esquelbecq, responsible for the Gun Operations Room (GOR) in the Dunkirk area.  Linesmen like Alfred worked in difficult and dangerous conditions, as evidenced in just one line from the September 21, 1944 war diary. “…Linemen found that laying lines in the forward area became a bit tricky with snipers and machine gun fire near vicinity….”

An unidentified lineman laying a telephone line in France in September 1944 gives an idea of what Alfred Ford did as a lineman. (Photo Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-174411)

Alfred was twice admitted to hospital, first from November 17 until December 18, 1944 at No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Saint Omer, France, and then from January 6 to 18, 1945 at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Bruges, Belgium. The war diary reported that several men had been ill with colds and flu, and perhaps this is what happened to Alfred, as there was no report of an accident or being wounded by enemy action.  He returned back to his unit, which was still in France, but now in Wormhout, just a short distance from Esquelbecq, on January 28, 1945.

On February 9, 1945, the unit moved to Desselgem, Belgium, located between Ypres and Ghent.  They remained there until February 28, 1945 when they moved to Hallaar, not that far from the Dutch border, where the Operations Room for the unit would be temporarily based, during Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster). 

On March 12, 1945, the unit moved again, to Linden, The Netherlands, 10 kms (6 miles) south of Nijmegen, and near the German border. On March 13, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…as the Ops Room Section…is going to be deployed in the defence of Kleve, a Recce party went to that almost completed ruined city and found a site for the Ops Room, and billets in partially demolished houses nearby…”  The unit moved to Kleve, Germany 10 days later.

On April 14, 1945, the war diary reported that “…line party across Rhine to lay line to Units under this Unit from proposed new location of AAOR…” Two days later, they moved to Oldenzaal, The Netherlands, near the German border.

On May 7, 1945, a day before the official end of WWII hostilities in Europe, the unit moved to Oldenburg, Germany, before being redirected to Wilhelmshaven on May 10, 1945, and placed on temporary guard duty.  The war diary for May 24, 1945 noted another upcoming move. “…Guard commitments to be turned over by midnight of the 25 May 1945.  This unit will move to Arnhem area where it will come under command 2 Canadian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment…”

The move was delayed a few days.  On May 26, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…we are to move at 0700 hours tomorrow to Otterlo in Holland where we come under Command of I-Corps and are attached to 2 Canadian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment…”  In Otterlo they camped in an old Dutch barracks in the woods.

The war diary summarized May 1945 by stating that “…except for four days the entire month has been spent in Germany with the unit personnel doing guard duties for a greater portion of that period….”

On June 7, 1945, Alfred was given 11 days leave to the United Kingdom, returning on June 18, 1945, just in time to learn, on June 19, 1945, that the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section was to be disbanded immediately. The next few days were spent packing up all the equipment and vehicles. 

On June 22, 1945, most of the unit moved to the Artillery Reallocation Centre 13 Canadian Base Reinforcement, located south of Nijmegen. However, the Signals detachment, which Alfred was part of, remained at Otterloo for the night, as they had been assigned to HQ 1st Canadian Army Signals for cross postings, and were scheduled to report there on June 23, 1945. 

….Alfred died of injuries from a vehicle accident…

Alfred and the Signals Detachment were camped in a barracks in the woods outside Otterlo (green circle). The vehicle he was in was going in the direction of Apeldoorn (purple arrow).  (Map source: Google maps)

However, Alfred never arrived at his next posting as he died in a vehicle accident on June 22, 1945. The circumstances of what happened are unclear.  According to a witness, Lance Corporal R. A. MacDonald of the Canadian Provost Corps, who was on traffic patrol duty at the Arnhem-Apeldoorn Highway, around 9:15 pm a vehicle travelling in the direction of Apeldoorn approached him “…at a fast rate of speed. The vehicle was unsteady in its course, weaving as if out of control….” 

As it neared the witness, the vehicle veered to the right, likely because the driver suddenly noticed him and lost control of the vehicle in trying to avoid an accident.  Unfortunately, it crashed into a tree beside the road. The driver was 27 year old Alfred, who died from head injuries sustained in the crash. He was alone in the vehicle, and no one knew why he was driving a vehicle from another unit, as he was not assigned to be on duty at the time. A Court of Inquiry ruled it as an accidental death. 

….Alfred is buried in Groesbeek….

Grave of Alfred Edward Stanley Ford in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Alfred was temporarily buried in Jonkerbos Cemetery in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek on August 2, 1945.

Dave Cummins provided photos of his uncle Alfred.  (Photo courtesy of Dave Cummins)

Thank you to Dave Cummins for providing photos and information on his uncle, and to Chris Cummins for notifying Dave of the photo search request. “…Thank you Pieter, my family appreciates all you have done for Alfred…” Dave wrote.  “…Keep up the good work….”

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue, doing his part to ensure that each individual soldier is remembered. If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…. The WWII Soldier From Kingsclear Who Lost His Life During Operation Suitcase

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Pieter and Daria (right) with Larry Stewart, Uta Stewart, and Manuelle Bibeau.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

March 8, 2026. Sometimes we learn about a soldier in the most unexpected ways.  A few months ago I was at dinner with two audiologists who would be giving an information session on cochlear implants, part of the outreach we do at Hear PEI. Pieter came along with me for dinner, and Larry Stewart came with his wife, audiologist Uta Stewart.  The two men got along like a house on fire, and when Larry mentioned that his friend, psychotherapist Robert Leek, had an uncle who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, the discussion turned serious about the sacrifices of so many families during WWII.

Kingsclear is near Fredericton, New Brunswick.  (Map source: Google maps)

Larry emailed Robert while we were at the restaurant, and within minutes we saw a photo of his uncle, Albert John LEEK, who was born on April 21, 1925 in Kingsclear, New Brunswick, the son of WWI and WWII veteran Earle McCarthy Leek and his wife Mary Gertrude (nee Howe).   

Albert John Leek.  (Photo source: Identification card in the service file)

Robert said that his 90 year old aunt, Albert’s youngest sister Gertrude, lives in Fredericton, and that Albert’s father Earle served in both WWI and WWII.  Albert was the oldest in the family, with 3 brothers and 4 sisters.  “…My father Mauncell, who served in the RCAF, was the next oldest boy…”

Albert’s parents Earle and Mary Gertrude (nee Howe) Leek.  (Photo courtesy of Robert Leek)

 “…The Leeks were Loyalists who came to Canada, most likely from the Carolinas…” after the American War of Independence, Robert explained. “…Most of my relatives live in Bangor, Maine, and my father was born there…” He thought that Albert’s mother had “…Indigenous roots through the Maliseet…” (Maliseet are now referred to as the Wolastoqey Nation.) 

Albert’s father “…re-enlisted during WWII at the same time as Albert so he could protect his son, but they ended up in different units…”

….Albert first enlisted in December 1940…

Albert John Leek during his first enlistment.  (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

When he enlisted at the No. 7 District Depot in Fredericton, New Brunswick on April 22, 1942, Albert stated he had been born in 1924 (a year earlier than his actual birth year) and had worked as a carpenter for the Department of National Defence.

This was his second time enlisting at the No. 7 District Depot.  He had first enlisted on December 30, 1940, at the age of 15.  After completing his basic training and a 3 month Motor Mechanics Course in Kingston, Ontario, he had finished taking advanced army training when his mother found his name on an overseas draft listing….and notified the authorities that he was underage.  Albert’s initial military career ended when he was discharged on September 8, 1941 due to being underage. 

Albert was tall, at 6 feet 1 inch, so it wasn’t a surprise that he had been able to pass as older.  When his nephew Robert was asked why his uncle would have enlisted so young, he explained that his uncle “…was desperate to leave his home situation and make something of himself…”

….Albert was sent for artillery training…

When he enlisted for the second time, Albert stated that he had worked on his parents’ farm after leaving school, and listed his interests as boxing, skating, ice hockey, and softball.

On May 16, 1942, he was sent to No. 70 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Fredericton, where he had to undergo basic training again.  After completing this training, he was transferred to the X-A-1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Petawawa, Ontario.  This was a major training facility for the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA), where artillery soldiers were trained in gunnery, routines, and military customs.  

A subsequent interview while in Petawawa recommended that he be trained as a Driver i/c but that never happened. (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.)  Instead, Albert was promoted to Lance Bombardier on May 1, 1943 and received final training in preparation for overseas service.

….Albert left Canada for overseas service ….

On July 24, 1943, Albert left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on July 28, 1943, where he was placed with No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (CARU).

In an interview with a Captain McCormick on August 9, 1943, he was described as “…a tall, husky, active lad…” with “…pleasant features and a pleasant personality…” The interviewer quoted Albert as saying that he “…used to pick up some extra money boxing in civilian life…” and that he had expressed a wish to “…transfer to the Black Watch Regiment to join a younger adopted brother of his father whom he practically grew up with…” 

Albert stated that he “…likes Infantry Service…” and the interviewer thought that he “…should make a good commando…”  

Training continued. On October 14, 1943, Albert reverted to the rank of Gunner at his own request.  As part of his ongoing training, he was sent to an Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) course from December 3, 1943 until December 24, 1943. Training would have been focused on fitness for specific purposes, and would have included unarmed hand-to-hand combat, bayonet fighting, and specialized assault courses, strength exercises using ammunition boxes, and combat-oriented activities.

On January 9, 1944, Albert was sent on for a Commando Physical Training course.  Unfortunately, while at the Jasper Whitley Centre in Surrey, he fell on January 27, 1944 during physical training, and injured his feet.   In the accident report, he stated that he had “…climbed up a rope and was crossing a beam.  The beam slipped and I fell, landing on my feet….” 

Although he seemed all right initially, he had difficulty walking and was taken to hospital on February 2, 1944, due to suspected fractures of his feet.  He remained in hospital until March 2, 1944, after which he was sent to a convalescent hospital until July 29, 1944. 

On August 12, 1944, Albert was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Corps, exchanging the rank of Gunner for the equivalent rank of Private.  He left England on September 6, 1944 for France, arriving the following day and assigned to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the 11th Battalion, part of the 21st Army Group. Once in northwest Europe, he was with 58 Company, 13th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (CBRG). 2nd CBRG was responsible for receiving, training, and holding personnel to reinforce combat units in the field.

….Albert lost his life during Operation Suitcase…

Albert was subsequently transferred to the Lincoln & Welland Regiment on September 22, 1944, joining them in Maldegem, Belgium, where he was assigned to ‘A’ Company.  He was one of a large number of reinforcements sent to the Regiment.

Map showing Camp De Brasschaat and Maria-ter-Heide in Belgium.  (Map source: Google maps)

The Regiment moved towards Camp De Brasschaat, just north of Antwerp and near the Dutch border, arriving on October 19, 1944. The war diary entry for October 19, 1944 recorded that the Commanding Officer “…issued information and orders regarding the Lincoln & Welland Regiment’s next attack.  The Battalion objective was to clear the wood north of Camp De Brasschaat and to gain control of the main road leading northwest of the town. Typhoons were to cover the roads and harass enemy defences in the area….” (Typhoons were single-seat fighter-bomber aircraft, heavily used by the RCAF during WWII.)

On October 20, 1944, Operation Suitcase, a Canadian offensive to isolate German forces on Walcheren Island in The Netherlands began. The Lincoln & Welland Regiment was part of this operation, advancing from Maria-ter-Heide and the Brasschaat airfield. (See https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-suitcase/)

According to the war diary entry for October 20, 1944, it was “….overcast with heavy rain…” that day.  “…As the troops crossed the start line the Typhoons appeared on the scene.  The carrier recce, which had patrolled the main road, reported it clear, but heavy minefields lined the east side of the road.  The troops advanced in the following order: ‘A’, ‘C’, and ‘B’ Companies, ‘D’ Company remaining in reserve. 

 ‘A’ Company was pinned down by small arms and mortar fire 500 yards from their objective. The tanks supported them across the open stretch to their objective in the area of Groote Heide…”

Close to midnight, the war diary recorded that “…our casualties for the day were four killed and twenty-four wounded….”  One of the fatalities was 19 year old Albert.

….Albert is buried in Bergen Op Zoom…

Grave of Albert John Leek in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands with a Christmas Eve candle.  (Photo courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

Albert was temporarily buried on October 31, 1944 in Maria-ter-Heide Civil Cemetery in the municipality of Brasschaat, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands on May 1, 1945. 

….Albert is commemorated on the Fredericton War Memorial…

Fredericton War Memorial. (Photo courtesy of John S. Brehaut)

Albert’s name is listed on a panel on the Fredericton War Memorial in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Leek family has served Canada – Albert’s father Earle served in WWI and WWII, Albert gave his life during WWII, and his younger brother Mauncell served in the RCAF.  “…I broke the mold…”  Robert said, “…as I became a psychotherapist, rather than a soldier….”

Left to right: Robert Leek, Larry Stewart, and Pieter.  (Photo credit: Uta Stewart)

We are always happy to meet family of the soldiers that Pieter researched, and were especially pleased when we met with both Robert Leek and his friends Larry and Uta Stewart. Thank you to Robert Leek for providing photos and information on his uncle, and to Larry and Uta Stewart for telling us about Robert and his uncle Albert.

If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Caledonia Who Lost His Life During The Struggle To Capture The Goch-Calcar Road

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Sign for the community of Caledonia, Queen’s County, Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

February 19, 2026. As Pieter works his way through the various photo wish lists he receives from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, he tends to be methodical.  Occasionally, however, he decides to throw a ‘wild card’ and asks me to choose a soldier to research. 

My process is definitely not methodical – I pick a soldier based on something that triggers a memory – either through a surname or place of residence or even because Pieter previously researched a soldier from the same Regiment who lost his life on the same day. This time around, I chose a soldier who came from Caledonia, Nova Scotia. Why? I remembered that when I was in school and we studied British history that Scotland was often referred to as Caledonia, its Latin name during the Roman period. Caledonia made me think of my late mother, who loved anything Scottish.  (See https://www.britannica.com/place/Caledonia-ancient-region-Britain)

….The search for family of William Owen Seldon was successful…

Caledonia, located in Queens County, Nova Scotia is 151 kms (94 miles) from Halifax. (Map source: Google maps)

Pieter just shook his head, but dutifully began his research into William Owen SELDON, born January 2, 1917 in Caledonia, Nova Scotia, son of Roland Chivers and Effie Bond (nee Doggett) Seldon.  William had lost his life in Germany on February 19, 1945 while serving with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

It wasn’t long before Pieter was in contact with retired schoolteacher, Wilma Shupe, the daughter of William’s sister Rhoda Irene Forrest….and received a photo from her. Wilma explained that “…My mother always called him William.  They were very close.  They went to dances together as he could drive, and he used a truck with a flat bed, like was used for hauling logs, etc.  They would pick up people along the way and go to dances in a neighbouring community...”

William Owen Seldon.  (Photo courtesy of the Seldon Family)

In addition to his sister Rhoda, William had a brother, George Roland, and another sister, Roseanna May.  “…Two nephews were named for him.  Rose and George, his younger siblings, named their sons after him…” Wilma noted.  “….The farm where William grew up was purchased by Dutch immigrants in the 1950s and are well known to this day as Van Dyk blueberries…” (See https://vandykblueberries.ca/)

….William enlisted in 1942…

William originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 6 NRMA Clearing Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 24, 1942 and joined the 54th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) in Bedford, Nova Scotia. At the time, he stated that he’d left school at the age of 17 after completing Grade 9, and had been working ever since.   (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

Wilma had mentioned that “…William worked in the woods and on the family farm before he enlisted…”

His personnel file for his occupational background noted that he had been “…driving horses for 6 months. Truck driver for 3 months.  Gold miner for 1 ½ years and coal mining for 3 or 4 years. …Can operate car and truck and effect minor repairs….”

His interests included “…playing softball, dancing, movies, fishing, playing cards, and recitation and dialogue…”

On November 5, 1942, William enlisted in the Active Army with the 54th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA). 

….William served in Newfoundland…

After completing his basic training, William was transferred on August 6, 1943 to the 25th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, based in St. John’s-Torbay, Newfoundland as part of Atlantic Command, and tasked with strengthening and administering home defence facilities on Canada’s Atlantic Coast and Newfoundland.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Command_(Canadian_Army))

Before travelling to Newfoundland, however, he received a furlough from August 6 to 23, 1943. (NOTE: Newfoundland and Labrador became part of Canada on March 31, 1949.)

….William briefly returned to Canada before travelling overseas…

William remained in Newfoundland until April 26, 1944, when he was transferred to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Then, on May 20, 1944, he was reallocated to the No. 1 Training Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC) in Debert, Nova Scotia, and received further training before being transferred to the Training Brigade Group in preparation for overseas service.

….William left Canada for overseas service …

On July 19, 1944, William left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on July 27, 1944, where he was placed with No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

The following day after arrival he was interviewed and recommended for training as a Driver I/C for the Infantry.  (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.) However, that training never happened, as a few weeks later he was transferred to the X4 Reinforcement List for the Royal Regiment of Canada, part of 21st Army Group, on August 10, 1944 and sent to France the following day, arriving on August 12, 1944.

In France he was transferred to the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada on August 15, 1944, joining them as preparations were made for the upcoming Battle of Falaise Gap.  On August 18, 1944, he was sent to HQ No. 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB).

William was wounded in his right leg by mortar fire on August 22, 1944, and taken to No. 102 Field Dressing Station (FDS).   After being discharged on September 11, 1944, he was put on the X4 Reinforcement List of the 13th Battalion, where he remained until November 28, 1944, when he was transferred to No. 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB) Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots Regiment), joining them in The Netherlands. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Canadian_Infantry_Brigade) 

Then, on January 19, 1945, he was transferred to the 4th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots Regiment). The Lorne Scots role was to mobilize units to fulfill defence and employment requirements for the Canadian Army. This included various support roles, focusing on logistical and defensive operations rather than front-line combat.

….William was attached to the Essex Scottish Regiment for an attack on the Goch-Calcar Road …

Although officially with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment), William was attached, for all purposes, to the Essex Scottish Regiment on February 8, 1945.  On February 16, 1945, the Essex Scottish Regiment left The Netherlands and crossed the border into Germany, at Kleve.  The following day, the war diary reported that the battalion “…moved off to an assembly area between Kleve and Calcar….” in preparation for an attack on the Goch-Calcar Road, which was subsequently delayed until February 19, 1945. (Calcar in English is Kalkar in German)

….Heavy fighting along the Goch-Calcar Road proved deadly….

Moyland Wood and the Goch-Calcar Road, 16-21 February 1945 (Map source: HyperWar: The Victory Campaign [Chapter 18] ibiblio.org)

An account of the role played by No. 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade during the struggle for the Goch-Calcar Road on February 19-20, 1945 was provided by Brigadier Frederick Norman CABELDU on February 28, 1945.  (See https://matthewkbarrett.com/2024/07/17/brig-f-n-cabeldu/)

His report began by stating that “…prior to the attack made by 4 Cdn Inf Bde on 19 Feb 1945, the enemy controlled the main Goch-Calcar road, southwest of Calcar…The enemy held a line on the outskirts of Calcar that included Moyland,…” a wooded area, “…and that continued to the southwest.  The latter portion of this line ran parallel to, and about a mile north-west of, the main Goch-Calcar road…”

A description of the attack, which began just after noon, followed.  “…The attack involved an advance over open country, and sufficient ‘Kangaroos’…were used….”  Kangaroos are turret-less tanks with a platform for carrying troops.

Things didn’t go according to plan, as “…movement over the soft ground was difficult and ….several ‘Kangaroos’ and tanks became bogged down…”  They were sitting ducks. “…It soon became evident that the enemy had a screen of anti-tank defences, including many 88 mm guns…”  German positions were held by “…fresh troops of 12 Parachute Recce Regiment…” and in the rear of these positions were “…elements of Panzer Lehr Division….”

The Essex Scottish Regiment’s war diary for February 19, 1945 noted that the attack on the Goch-Calcar Road resulted in the Regiment fighting “….under a heavy hail of shrapnel and small arms fire. Casualties were fairly heavy….Communications were difficult. Vehicles became bogged in the soft mud, casualties were difficult to evacuate, and guns and ammunition could not get up where they were required. Battalion HQ moved into a group of buildings which were later surrounded and demolished by tanks…” 

William, who was attached to the Essex Scottish Regiment, was one of the fatal casualties that day.  Also killed in the attack on the Goch-Calcar Road, but on the following day, was Donald Roy CARTER.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-central-blissville-killed-along-the-goch-calcar-road/)

….William is buried in Groesbeek…

Grave of William Owen Seldon with Canadian and Nova Scotia flags placed by Pieter. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

William was initially buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany, before being reburied on September 11, 1945 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.   During our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, Pieter placed flags of Canada and Nova Scotia by his grave.

Pieter at the grave of William Owen Seldon after placing flags of Canada and Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….We met William’s family when we visited Caledonia…

We are always happy to meet family members of the soldiers that Pieter researches, and so we were delighted to have the chance to visit Caledonia and meet Wilma Shupe and her husband Tom.

Pieter with Wilma and Tom Shupe.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Tom and Wilma showed us the Cenotaph in Caledonia, on which William is listed on the Roll of Honour.

Tom and Wilma Shupe (left), with Pieter pointing to William Seldon’s name on the Roll of Honour on the Cenotaph in Caledonia.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Wilma and Tom Shupe for providing photos and information, and a warm welcome during our visit.

The flags that were placed by Pieter at William’s grave were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

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

Pieter encourages readers with photos or stories of Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..Our 2025 Visit To Freedom Museum Zeeland

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January 31, 2026. Last spring we were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. 

After visiting the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom (see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/01/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2025-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-bergen-op-zoom/) and the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem (see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/12/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-adegem/), we were very interested in learning more about the Battle of the Scheldt, as so many of the men buried in these two cemeteries lost their lives in this battle.  

….Why was the Battle of the Scheldt so important?…

Map shows Battle of the Scheldt in The Netherlands.  (Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

The Battle of the Scheldt’s objective was to free up the way to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for supply purposes. Canadian soldiers suffered almost 8,000 casualties (wounded and dead) in what turned out to be the battle with the most Canadian casualties in The Netherlands. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

….The Freedom Museum Zeeland focuses on the Battle of the Scheldt…

One sunny Saturday in May 2025 we visited the Freedom Museum Zeeland (Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland in Dutch) in the very small village of Nieuwdorp.  This is a privately run museum that focuses on the Battle of the Scheldt. We found it very informative, with lots of displays and panels in 4 languages – Dutch, English, French, and German. 

Site map from the Museum’s pamphlet.

The Museum pamphlet stated that the museum “…takes you through the eventful years in the province of Zeeland during World War II.  The ‘Battle of the Scheldt’ is the central thread of this story. The fierce battle fought in the autumn of 1944 between the Allied and German troops for command over the Western Scheldt, the main waterway to the already liberated port of Antwerp.  A battle that is often forgotten, despite its crucial significance for the ensuing liberation of Western Europe….” 

While the battle isn’t forgotten in Canada, as it cost so many Canadian soldiers their lives, we were unaware that the struggle for control of the Scheldt began years earlier, with French forces trying to help protect Zeeland in May 1940. 

A panel explained that “…on 16 May 1940 German SS troops cross the South Beveland Canal, taking the French by surprise. Come evening the Germans have already reached the Sloedam, the only connection with Walcheren island by land.  The defence of the Sloedam is not impossible, so the French entrench themselves to stop the Germans….”

Unfortunately, on May 17, the Germans prevailed. “…Despite fierce resistance, the Germans succeed in crossing the Sloedam, thanks to heavy air support…” 

The Mayor of Middelburg had “…anticipated the military violence and already advised citizens to leave town on 14 May.  He was proved right because on 17 May a large part of the old town centre of Middelburg goes up in flames….”

The French retreated to Vlissingen, and boarded ships to leave.  “…Dutch capitulation is reported to the Germans, who then invade Middelburg…”  Zeeland was the last province of The Netherlands to be occupied, and remained under German occupation until November 1944. 

The harrowing story of the effect of German occupation on Dutch citizens, and the struggle to liberate Zeeland in the fall of 1944 is vividly told through displays and information panels.

….We saw military equipment that had been featured in many of our stories…

Pieter stands in front of a Sherman tank.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After completing the circuit of information panels and displays indoors, we went outside to look at more displays and military equipment, including a Sherman tank.

Pieter inside a German one-man bunker. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

One object that intrigued us was a German one-man bunker, made of reinforced concrete.  An information panel explained that this “…Splitterschutzzelle (splinter protection cell) offered protection against shelling, air raids, and bombardments.  They were often placed in residential districts, near factories or military installations….”  While it offered some protection, the one-man bunker was not able to withstand a direct hit.

….We were able to drive across a Bailey bridge…

We were delighted to see a Bailey bridge, which we’d never seen in real life before.  Pieter of course went across it, but it was a bit too far away for me to tackle.  The bridge was in an area that was only for pedestrian traffic, and not for vehicles.

After seeing all of the exhibits and the military equipment, we returned to the parking lot.  Just as we reached our vehicle, a man in a jeep pulled up and asked if we were the Canadians. When we’d paid the entrance fee for the museum, we’d mentioned that we were from Canada.  The man in the jeep was Kees Traas, who owns the museum, and wanted to meet us.  

Pieter with Kees Traas in his WWII era jeep.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Kees was very happy that Pieter spoke Dutch and the two of them became very engaged in conversation about the museum and how it began.  Kees became my hero when he told Pieter to take the car and drive it across the Bailey bridge so that I could see it, and to make sure we stopped in at the church, which had a story about a Canadian soldier. 

Pieter asked if the bridge could hold the car.  “…Oh yes…” said Kees, “…it can hold 3 tons….”  So an overjoyed Pieter got to experience travelling over a ‘temporary’ bridge that we’d only read about in war diaries.

A Bailey bridge, named after it’s British inventor, was “…an emergency bridge to replace bridges that were destroyed, or as an alternative next to bridges that did not have enough bearing capacity….” 

Pieter drove our vehicle across the Bailey bridge. The building seen on the right is a chapel.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We went back and forth across the bridge, so that I could experience it, and then once more with just Pieter in the car, while I took photos of the crossing.

….The chapel featured the story of Jean-Maurice Dicaire….

Display case in the chapel featured Pte Jean-Maurice Dicaire. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We also visited the chapel that Kees had mentioned to us, which had a display case featuring the story of Jean-Maurice DICAIRE, born in Hawkesbury, Ontario, who was serving with Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, when he lost his life on October 29, 1944, aged 23.

Jean-Maurice Dicaire was featured on an information panel in the chapel.

An information panel explained that the original grave marker had been found near a garbage container and given to the museum.  Unlike many Canadian soldiers who were reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, Jean-Maurice’s body was never removed from the Kloetinge General Cemetery. 

The original grave marker was likely discarded as his surname was incorrectly spelled.  The wooden marker was replaced with a stone at his grave that has his correct surname.  Today the grave marker with the incorrect spelling is in the chapel at the Freedom Museum Zeeland, as part of the memorabilia that features this young soldier. 

Thank you to Kees Traas, Chair of the Freedom Museum Zeeland Foundation, for allowing us to drive over the Bailey bridge. 

After arriving back at our hotel, we enjoyed a delicious and relaxing dinner.  After visiting 383 graves in 14 cemeteries, in 2 countries, plus the Halifax L9561 memorial panel in Wons, we wanted to celebrate the completion of our goal. 

But we still weren’t finished! More adventures awaited as we continued with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour to visit a special Indigenous Exhibit at the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek. 

The research work continues for Pieter.  If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….The WWII Soldier From Winnipeg Who Was Recognized For His Heroism During The Dieppe Raid But Died During The Battle Of The Scheldt

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January 21, 2026. For the past several years, in the week before Remembrance Day, the Winnipeg Free Press newspaper features a soldier on one of the photo search lists that Pieter gets from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands.  For the November 2025 feature, journalist Kevin Rollason asked if Pieter had a soldier on his list from Winnipeg, my home town.

Pieter said yes, and asked if Kevin would feature a soldier, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands, who overcame a traumatic childhood and was recognized for ‘gallant and distinguished service’ during the Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee) on August 19, 1942, before losing his life on October 27, 1944, aged 22, during the Battle of the Scheldt. The search for a photo of the soldier was still active when Kevin’s story ‘Searching For A Hero’ was published on November 10, 2025.  (See Searching for a hero by Kevin Rollason)

Charles ‘Gordon’ ERICKSON was born July 27, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Frank and Helen (Ellen) Gordon (nee Grant) Erickson. According to their marriage record, Frank was born in USA, and Helen in Scotland. Gordon was the middle child, with an older sister, Hazel Francis, and a younger sister, Barbara ‘Nancy’.

….Gordon and his sister Nancy ended up in the care of the Children’s Aid Society…

It’s unclear exactly what happened, but before Gordon turned 5, the family had fractured.  A  Free Press Evening Bulletin notice from July 5, 1927 stated that Gordon and Nancy would be put into care of the Children’s Aid Society as of July 27, 1927.  The two children had been adopted by two different families. Unfortunately, both adoptions failed, putting them into care.

In the end, the two were separated from each other and didn’t reconnect until both were in service during WWII. The fate of their older sister Hazel was unknown to them.

Shortly after the Winnipeg Free Press article was published, Nancy’s son, Gordon Barker, contacted Pieter.  He explained that Frank “….worked on railroad and abandoned his wife and children, and it was believed that he returned to the USA.  Helen travelled to Minneapolis to look for him, had a nervous breakdown, and ended up in a mental institution, where she is thought to have died, circa 1966….”  

…. Gordon lied about his age upon enlistment…

Life was not easy for Gordon during his childhood.  When he enlisted on January 2, 1940 with the No. 5 General Hospital, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC), Canadian Active Service Force (CASF), he wrote that he was born in 1918.  This was later changed to 1919, which was still incorrect as he was born in 1922.

His next of kin was originally listed as his father, but this was then changed to his Children’s Aid Society Guardian, Joseph Dumas. When asked if he had ever worked before enlistment, he stated that, from 1932 up to the date of enlistment, he had worked as a farmhand at the Smallicombe farm in Holland, Manitoba, receiving a weekly wage of $6 and his ‘keep’ (food and a place to sleep).  He had finished Grade 8 and listed soccer, swimming, and softball as sports he enjoyed.

….Gordon left Canada for overseas service…

Gordon worked as a medical orderly at No. 5 General Hospital in Winnipeg for almost the entire month of January.  On January 29, 1940, he boarded a ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and with other members of his unit, left Canada for the United Kingdom on January 30, 1940, sailing from Halifax, and disembarking in Gourock, Scotland on February 9, 1940. 

No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Taplow.  (Photo source: Eton Wick History)

Once in Great Britain, Gordon continued as a medical orderly, at the 600 bed No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, until March 28, 1941. This wartime hospital, which looked after wounded soldiers, was established by the Canadian Red Cross in 1940 and had been built on land donated by the Astor family at their Cliveden Estate.

….Gordon was transferred to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada…

On March 28, 1941, Gordon was transferred to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and sent for advanced infantry training. Then, on January 15, 1942, he was assigned to No. 2 Division Infantry Reinforcement Unit (DIRU) for additional training in preparation for the upcoming Dieppe Raid.  On May 1, 1942, he returned to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. 

Map showing the Dieppe Raid. (Map source: https://cbf-fccb.ca/)

On August 18, 1942, Gordon travelled to France with the Regiment, and was part of the combined attack for the Dieppe Raid, known as Operation Jubilee, on August 19, 1942.  This was a disastrous Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in northern France. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/military-history/second-world-war/dieppe-raid and https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dieppe-raid)

In the battle plan, the South Saskatchewan Regiment was to land in the first wave of the attack on Green Beach to secure the beach at Pourville, the right flank of the operation. The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada would then land in the second wave and move inland along the eastern bank of the Scie River to meet up with the tanks of the Calgary Regiment coming from Dieppe and capture the airfield at Saint-Aubin-sur-Scie. They would then clear the Hitler Battery and attack the suspected German divisional headquarters.

Things didn’t go as planned.  While the attack began on time (at 04:50 am) the South Saskatchewan Regiment landed west of the river, instead of in front of it. This didn’t pose a problem for the force aiming to clear the village and attack the cliffs to the west, but for the other force it meant they had to move through the village, cross the exposed bridge over the river before attempting to get on the high ground to the east.

The resulting delay gave the Germans had time to react and deploy, just as the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada came along in their landing craft as the second wave to attack on Green Beach.  As they reached 910 metres (1000 yards) off Green Beach, German shore batteries, machine guns, and mortars opened fire.  

….Gordon was wounded during the Dieppe Raid…

The main landing at Dieppe had been unsuccessful, and the failure of tanks to arrive made it impossible for the Regiment to gain its objectives. With increased German opposition and no communication with headquarters, the Regiment, which had advanced once reaching the beach, began to fight back to Pourville, carrying their wounded. They made it back and re-established contact with the South Saskatchewan Regiment, only to learn that there was an hour’s wait for the landing craft to return for re-embarkation.

Both the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and the South Saskatchewan Regiment fought desperately during the wait, but there were too many casualties. At 11:00 am the landing craft began to arrive, taking grievous losses on the approach into the beach. More men were killed and wounded as they tried to board the landing craft under enemy fire. Five landing craft and one tank landing craft managed to rescue men from the shallows and cleared the beach with full loads, but within half an hour, no further rescues were possible.

Of 503 Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada who participated in the raid, 346 were casualties: 60 were killed in action, 8 died of wounds after evacuation, and 167 became prisoners of war (with 8 POWs dying from their wounds). 268 returned to England, 103 of them wounded.

Evacuation of casualties from Dieppe to England on August 19, 1942.  (Map source: ‘Official History Of The Canadian Medical Services 1939-1945’)

Gordon was one of the men wounded during re-embarkation.  He was evacuated to No. 15 Canadian General Hospital in Bramshott, United Kingdom, with a shrapnel wound to his left ear. According to his hospital file the “….wound penetrated to the bone….” with “…some slight retraction of eardrum… Probably slight concussion as result of artillery fire….”  He remained in hospital until August 31, 1942, when the wound healed, and he was able to return to duty.

For his actions during the Dieppe Raid, King George VI was “…graciously pleased to approve that ….”  Gordon “…be mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe…”  On December 8, 1942, Gordon was promoted to Lance Corporal, remaining in the United Kingdom for further training.

…. Nancy’s son Gordon had a photo of his uncle…

Charles ‘Gordon’ Erickson.  (Photo courtesy of Gordon Barker)

Gordon and his sister Nancy were reunited while both were serving in England.  Her son Gordon explained that his mother had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on August 14, 1942, and served as a secretary for the military in London, England during the war, working on soldiers’ duty assignments and other administrative tasks. He had photos of both his mother and his uncle, who he was named after.

Nancy Erickson in England in 1942.  (Photo courtesy of Gordon Barker)

….Gordon was very highly regarded…

Gordon quickly received another promotion, to Corporal, on January 31, 1943.  In June 1943, he was sent to No. 5 (Battle) Wing Canadian Training School at Rowland’s Castle, Hampshire, England, for a 4 week Battle Drill course which trained Canadian soldiers in how to react when coming under enemy fire. (See https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/The-Canadian-Army-Battle-Drill-School-Stansted-Park-1942.pdf)

The course tried to mimic combat conditions, using obstacle courses and simulated battlefields, live rounds fired over the heads of students, controlled explosions, target practice, and dummies to bayonet.

One of Gordon’s instructors may have been Ralph Schurman BOULTER, whose story was previously told on this blog. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/)

A September 21, 1943 interviewer wrote in Gordon’s service file that he had “….very high learning ability, a good appearance, and a pleasant personality….”  It further noted that Gordon requested “…any courses on supporting infantry weapons…”

….Gordon and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada arrived in France in July 1944….

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Regiment disembarked in Graye-sur-Mer and made their way towards Caen.  (Map source: Google maps)

Gordon and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Regiment continued training while in the United Kingdom, but on July 5, 1944, a month after D-Day, they left aboard USOS ‘Will Rogers’ from Newhaven, Sussex for Normandy, as part of the as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, arriving in Graye-sur-Mer, Calvados, France 2 days later. 

By July 12, 1944, Battalion headquarters was based in an orchard near Rots, France, and the troops were dispersed outside of Caen, with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada sent to Carpiquet. The war diary for that day noted that “…the town was completely demolished. Battalion takes up defence position…”

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Regiment were west of Caen in Carpiquet.  (Map source: Google maps)

….Gordon was injured during the Battle of Saint André-sur-Orne….

The Battalion was ordered to capture the village of Saint André-sur-Orne, located south-west of Caen. They reached it on July 20, 1944, with rain hindering operations. The Allies faced stiff resistance as they began Operation Spring, a major bombardment that took place on the night of July 24-25, to capture the heights of Verrières Ridge, which overlooks the area between Caen and Falaise. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/verrieresridge.htm)

Part of Operation Spring was the Battle of Saint André-sur-Orne, a village on the starting line of the offensive.  It was captured by the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division) Canadians to the north.

At some point during the battle, Gordon was wounded and evacuated to the United Kingdom for treatment.  He remained in the United Kingdom from July 26 to September 23, 1944, after which he returned to his Regiment on September 24, 1944.  By now, the Regiment had left France and was in the vicinity of Sint-Job-in-‘t-Goor, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium.

Gordon arrived just after a failed offensive, where Canadian and British troops had tried to secure an undamaged bridge over the Turnhout-Schoten Canal on September 23, 1944. Due to fierce German resistance Allied troops were unable to prevent the enemy from blowing up the bridge.

….The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada were involved in the Battle of the Scheldt….

The Regiment next began preparing to participate in the upcoming Battle of the Scheldt, which began officially on October 2 and lasted until November 8, 1944.  The Battle of the Scheldt’s objective was to free up the way to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for supply purposes. Canadians suffered almost 8,000 casualties (wounded and dead) in what turned out to be the battle with the most Canadian casualties in The Netherlands. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Map shows location of South Beveland and Walcheren Island  in The Netherlands.  (Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

The War Diary for October 25, 1944 stated that at 9 pm they were ordered to move the next day to an area “…in the Beveland Causeway…” 

The Beveland Causeway, also known as the Sloedam, was a narrow land link between South Beveland and Walcheren Island in The Netherlands, crucial for gaining access to the port of Antwerp, and the site of brutal, costly battles in 1944 as Canadian forces fought to secure it against German defenders. This narrow strip, bracketed by marshes, was a heavily defended bottleneck, becoming the focus of fierce assaults. 

The War Diary for October 26, 1944 described the challenges faced as they moved into position and were attacked by 88 mm German guns.  “…Enemy 88 mm lays direct fire on crossroads as Battalion embusses…..”  There were no casualties at this point, but one vehicle was damaged.  However, as they moved along the road onto the Beveland Causeway, the convoy was “…mortared as it proceeded…” resulting in a few non-fatal casualties.  At 3 pm they were ordered to reverse direction towards the village of Yerseke.

….Gordon lost his life during the Battle of the Scheldt….

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada moved back from the Beveland Causeway towards Yerseke. (Map source: Google maps)

The War Diary for October 27, 1944 continued to document the struggles faced by the Battalion as they entered Yerseke and took up positions north of the village.  The day was “…overcast, visibility poor, light mist, light rain….Battalion enters Yerseke at first light…”  They were ordered to cross the canal at a “…small footbridge one company at a time…” The plan was for “…two companies to form bridgehead while two companies push out to take Wemeldinge…”

Things didn’t go according to plan.  “…It was found impossible to cross footbridge due to mortars and one 88 mm gun….”  At 6:30 pm, Plan B called for “…companies to take up positions along canal bank.  Battalion will try crossing by assault boat at 2100 hours…”

While waiting for the assault boats, the men were hit by “…enemy mortars and shells….6 wounded, 2 killed…”  The crossing by assault boats didn’t go well, as the 10:30 pm report in the War Diary recorded. “…Battalion attack across canal repulsed by enemy mortar and heavy machine gun fire.  Two companies landed on island … All boats but one sunk, that one boat retired two companies to East bank under heavy fire…”

22 year old Gordon was among the fatalities that day, likely one of the two men killed while waiting for the assault boats to arrive.  

….Gordon is buried in Bergen Op Zoom…

Grave of Charles ‘Gordon’ Erickson in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands with a Christmas Eve candle.  (Photo courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

Gordon was temporarily buried on October 31, 1944 in the cemetery in Sint-Maartensdijk, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands on September 5, 1945. 

Gordon’s younger sister, Nancy Erickson Vincent, survived the war, had two sons, and lived in Espanola, Ontario until her death in 2014.  His older sister, Hazel Francis Erickson Kerr, lived in St Thomas, Ontario, but had died by the time she was found by Nancy’s son Gordon Barker in 2006.

By then, Nancy had fallen ill with dementia. “….I didn’t tell her that I found her sister because her sister had already passed away by that time….” he said. “…With the dementia and everything going on, I didn’t want to cause her any more pain…” 

Thank you to Shawn Rainville for newspaper searches, and to Judy Noon of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 39 in Espanola, Ontario for contacting Gordon Barker.  A big thank you goes to Gordon Barker for providing photos and information, and to Kevin Rollason for writing a newspaper article highlighting the search for a photo. 

Gordon Barker in Bogor, Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of Gordon Barker)

If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..Our 2025 Visit To The Canadian War Cemetery In Bergen Op Zoom

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

Entrance to the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom.  Pieter can be seen in the distance carrying the bag of flags!  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

January 12, 2026. Readers of this blog are aware that Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in The Netherlands since 2014.  Last spring we were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. 

….Flags placed at the graves of soldiers from 5 provinces…

After visiting a number of cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, we travelled back to The Netherlands to visit the last cemetery on our list – the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom. 

Many Canadians who are buried here lost their lives during the Battle of the Scheldt. Others were reburied here from other cemeteries, while some, mostly airmen, had drowned and their bodies washed up.

There are 1,119 WWII Commonwealth burials, 968 of them Canadian. There are also 109 casualties from the United Kingdom, 6 from New Zealand, 5 from Australia, and 31 that are unidentified. Flags were placed by Pieter at 51 graves at this cemetery:

  • 14 were from Nova Scotia
  • 21 from New Brunswick
  • 7 from Prince Edward Island
  • 1 from Saskatchewan
  • 8 from Ontario

9 of the graves also received an Acadian flag.  All of the graves received a Canadian flag.  Provincial flags were placed at all graves, with the exception of the soldier from Saskatchewan, for which, unfortunately, we did not receive flags.

.…This was our second visit to Bergen Op Zoom…

We’d first been to the cemetery in 2019. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/12/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-bergen-op-zoom/)

The cemetery was an hour’s drive from our hotel in Tilburg.  In The Netherlands, no one talks kms, it’s all about the time it takes to get to a destination….and that varies depending on the time of day, if it’s a weekend or holiday, or a normal weekday.  Distances aren’t far by North American standards, but traffic is so congested – and drivers so impatient and aggressive – that it can take an hour or longer to travel a distance that would take 10 or 15 minutes back home.

As always, when we are in a war cemetery, we write an entry in the visitors’ book.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Whenever we visit a war cemetery, we always make time to write in the visitors’ book, and this time I wrote that we were here to place flags at 51 graves.

….A surprise encounter led to one more grave receiving a Canadian flag…

While in the cemetery, we met a family from Calgary, Fred and Tasha Best, and their two children, who’d come to visit Fred’s great-uncle, Hans Karl GRAFFUNDER, a soldier from British Columbia who died on October 1, 1944, aged 23, while serving with the Calgary Highlanders.

Standing behind the grave of Hans Karl Graffunder, from left to right: Tasha, Samantha, Fred (the soldier’s great-nephew), and Nate Best of Calgary, Alberta. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter contributed a Canadian flag to be placed by the grave. After Pieter explained about the search for photos of soldiers, they immediately emailed a photo of Hans Karl to us, which was then shared with Caroline Raaijmakers, Chair of Faces To Graves Bergen Op Zoom. If only it was that easy to get all the photos on the wish lists!

Fred Best explained that originally it was thought that his great-uncle was a German soldier, due to his surname, blond hair, and blue eyes, but once he was identified as Canadian, he was buried in Bergen Op Zoom.

….It took us 2 hours to place flags…

It was not as hot and humid as in previous days, and as the cemetery is smaller than the other two Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, we were finished in 2 hours, an amazing feat.

Pieter stands behind the grave of Albert James Lounsbury.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

When we visited the grave of WWII soldier Albert James LOUNSBURY, of Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, we brought a photo of him with us.  Pieter placed the photo at the grave along with flags of Canada and New Brunswick.  The photo was later given to Caroline Raaijmakers.  While serving with the Black Watch of Canada, Albert lost his life on October 13, 1944, aged 36.  His story will be coming up in a future posting.

Pieter stands behind the grave of Gregory Philip Anthony McCarthy. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

WWII soldier Gregory Philip Anthony MCCARTHY, born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, was serving with the 10th Independent Machine Gun Company, New Brunswick Rangers when he killed in The Netherlands, aged 22, on January 19, 1945, when the company’s own mortar misfired and exploded. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-8/)

Pieter stands behind the grave of Arnold Ernest ‘Ernie’ Thornton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

WWII soldier Arnold Ernest ‘Ernie’ THORNTON, born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, was serving with the Calgary Highlanders when he killed in Belgium, eight days before his 23rd birthday, on September 22, 1944, during the Battle of the Scheldt. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/)

….An invitation to lunch…

We finished placing flags a few minutes before we were scheduled to meet Caroline Raaijmakers and her husband Han.  They invited us to their home for lunch, where we enjoyed a delicious bowl of white asparagus soup and sandwiches.

Caroline Raaijmakers, Daria, Pieter, and Han Raaijmakers. Pieter holds a plaque from the family of Alvah Leard, a soldier from Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Dorus Raaijmakers)

Caroline showed us some of the material left at graves by Canadian students visiting the cemetery a few weeks before us. They saved everything as otherwise it would have been discarded or ruined by rain.  It was amazing!  Some students had painted pictures to be placed by graves. Plaques, photos, letters to the deceased soldiers, pins, and little ceramic animals were also left. 

All of the material will be saved for the upcoming Visitors Centre, located between the Canadian and British War Cemeteries, and which is scheduled to open in May 2026.

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

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

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the flags from Prince Edward Island.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flags.
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall Muttart for the Ontario flags.
  • Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick, for the New Brunswick flags.
  • La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau for the Acadian flags.

Thank you to Caroline and Han Raaijmakers for inviting us for lunch, and letting us see what the Canadian students had left at the graves they visited.  Thank you also to the Best family for sending a photo of Hans Karl Graffunder. 

We arrived back at our hotel after 4:30 pm, and enjoyed an early dinner and relaxing evening.  More adventures awaited this droopy but dynamic duo as we continued with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour. 

Meanwhile, long after our return home, the research work continues for Pieter.  If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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2025 Christmas Eve Candle Lighting At The Canadian War Cemetery In Bergen Op Zoom

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January 10, 2026.  For decades, it’s been a Christmas Eve tradition in Europe to light candles by the graves of Allied soldiers who are buried in War Cemeteries or in municipal cemeteries.

These candles are funded by various non-profit groups at each cemetery participating in the candle-lighting ceremony.  In many of the cemeteries, children are active participants, placing candles at each grave.

This year, we include photos of the candlelit graves for 8 soldiers – that Pieter has researched and whose stories have been previously told – who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands.  This cemetery began the tradition of lighting candles on Christmas Eve in 1991, with candles placed by many volunteers.

The photos are courtesy of Faces To Graves Bergen Op Zoom Chair Caroline Raaijmakers, who arranged to send us photos of the graves of the soldiers we wanted to feature this year.

…8 graves from Bergen Op Zoom are featured….

Candles were placed at all 1,119 graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom.  8 of them are featured in this posting….

Candle placed at the grave of James ‘Walter’ Auld.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier James ‘Walter’ AULD, born in Glenwood, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Algonquin Regiment when he killed in The Netherlands, aged 21, on November 1, 1944 during Operation Suitcase, one of the actions during the Battle of the Scheldt. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/07/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-face-for-james-walter-auld/)

Candle placed at the grave of Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton Chisholm.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton CHISHOLM, from Hallowell Grant, Nova Scotia, was serving with the Algonquin Regiment when he was killed in action during the Battle for the North Shore of the Scheldt in Belgium on October 20, 1944. He was 19 years old, only two weeks away from his 20th birthday. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/07/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-hallowel-grant-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-for-the-north-shore-of-the-scheldt/)

We were pleased to see a photo of Ed and a few mementos at his grave, placed by his family during a visit.  Last summer, Ed’s nephew Martin Sullivan wrote about an upcoming visit he and his wife Claire planned to make.  “….I was very touched to see you have been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Orange Nassau. You both have given so much to so many families who lost loved ones overseas. Edward is now a part of our family conversations to all the Chisholms and Sullivans. I look forward to completing the second leg of our journey in late October to see where Edward gave his life fighting near Kruisstraat along with the Dutch Orange Brigade and the Belgian White Brigade. We will be thinking of you both as we travel along his route with the Algonquins from Antwerp to Bergen op Zoom….”

Candle placed at the grave of Adam Klein.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Adam KLEIN, from Disley, Saskatchewan, was serving with the Algonquin Regiment, when he died in The Netherlands while crossing the Maas River on January 18, 1945, aged 21. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/07/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-disley-who-lost-his-life-while-swimming-across-the-maas-river/)

Candle placed at the grave of Milton Evangeline Livingtone.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Milton Evangeline LIVINGSTONE, born in Gladstone, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment when he was accidentally killed, aged 26, on November 6, 1944 when a fellow soldier’s gun was fired in a house in Steenbergen, The Netherlands.  Milton was sitting at a kitchen table reading a Dutch-English dictionary when he was fatally shot.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-who-died-while-reading-a-dutch-english-dictionary/)

Candle placed at the grave of Harold Edward Roy Martin.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Harold Edward Roy MARTIN, born in Caradoc, Ontario, was serving with the Essex Scottish Regiment when he was killed in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Scheldt on October 14, 1944, aged 32. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/02/11/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-remembered-by-his-daughters-friend/)

Candle placed at the grave of Leonard William Porter.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Leonard William PORTER from Moncton, New Brunswick, was serving with the Calgary Highlanders when he was killed in action during the Battle of Walcheren Causeway in The Netherlands on November 1, 1944, aged 26.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-moncton-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-of-walcheren-causeway/)

Candle placed at the grave of Russell Richard Soble.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier Russell Richard SOBLE, born in Ameliasburg, Ontario, was serving with the Essex Scottish Regiment when he died on October 6, 1944, aged 20, one of 12 members of the regiment killed in action in Putte, a town on the Dutch-Belgian border, in a fight on October 5, 1944 that marked the beginning of the Battle of the Scheldt.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-2/)

Candle placed at the grave of William Ernest Stone.  (Photo Courtesy of Caroline Raaijmakers)

WWII soldier William Ernest STONE, from Clyde River, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Black Watch of Canada, when he was killed during a fierce battle during the Attack On Hoogerheide in The Netherlands on October 10, 1944, at the age of 25. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/10/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-clyde-river-who-lost-his-life-during-the-attack-on-hoogerheide/)

Thank you to Caroline Raaijmakers for arranging to send us these photos from the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands.

If you have a story or photo to share about Canadian military personnel buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…Previous postings about Christmas Eve Candle Lighting…

…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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