WWI Soldiers

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Soldier Who Attended Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee

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March 17, 2022. Last year, we met with Lindsay and Norma Seaman about Lindsay’s uncle, William ‘Alfred’ SEAMAN, a WWII Chaplain who lost life in France in 1944 during the Battle of Caen. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/06/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-chaplain-who-lost-his-life-in-france-on-his-wedding-anniversary/)

During our visit, Lindsay mentioned that his grandfather William ‘James’ SEAMAN, the father of Chaplain Seaman, served in WWI, and later became the postmaster in Breadalbane, Prince Edward Island.

20210616_162451 Jun 16 2021 Pieter and Seamans with photo of JAMES Seamn

Pieter (standing) with Norma and Lindsay Seaman, and a photo of Lindsay’s grandfather, William ‘James’ Seaman.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

According to his military attestation record, William ‘James’ SEAMAN was born in Wheatley River, Prince Edward Island on August 18, 1874, the son of Thomas and Sophia (nee Andrews) Seaman.

…James participated in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897!…

In 1893 he joined the 82nd Militia Regiment.  We were intrigued to learn that four years later he was one of four chosen to represent the Regiment at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in June 1897. (See https://www.thediamondjubilee.org/queen-victorias-diamond-jubilee and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Jubilee_of_Queen_Victoria)

According to family records, James received a decoration from the Princess of Wales, the future Queen Alexandra and wife of the future King Edward VII, at Buckingham Palace.

20210616_160616 JAMES Seaman

William ‘James’ Seaman. (Photo courtesy of The Seaman Family)

On February 6, 1901, James married Sophia Brown and they farmed in Springfield, while raising four children: Lorne, Irene, Alfred (the WWII Chaplain who died in France), and Cedric (Lindsay’s father).

James enlisted in Charlottetown on March 13, 1916 with the 105th Overseas Battalion. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/105th_Battalion_(Prince_Edward_Island_Highlanders),_CEF)

…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with James Seaman….

In July 1916 he went overseas aboard the SS Empress of Britain. Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, were on that same ship.  Among them were:

The ship docked in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916.

…James had a transport role in England…

Given that he was over 40 years old at the time of enlistment, he was not sent into battle, but was appointed Acting Transport Sergeant with the Regiment in Lower Dibgate, England on August 20, 1916. Lower Dibgate was about 1.6 km (1 mile) west of the Shorncliffe camp outside of Folkestone and located by the English Channel.

As Transport Sergeant, James had a vital logistical role in ensuring that artillery, food and medical supplies, etc went across the English Channel to the front lines in France and Belgium.

Folkestone.8

From the area around Folkestone, where Lower Dibgate was located, transport across the English Channel was the closest to key locations in France and Belgium.  (Map source: https://www.weather-forecast.com/locationmaps/Folkestone.8.gif)

…James deemed ‘too old’ for trench warfare…

On January 20, 1917 he was transferred to the 13th Reserve Battalion in Witley Camp in Surrey.   On September 18, 1917, proceedings from the medical board indicated that he was not fit for trench warfare, given his age of 44.

A few days later, on September 22, 1917 he was transferred to the New Brunswick Regiment and based in Shoreham while awaiting transport back to Canada.  On November 6, 1917 he left from Liverpool and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 17, 1917.  On December 5, 1917 he was officially discharged due to being ‘overage’.

…James returned to civilian life…

He returned to his family and the farm.  Later, he was appointed Postmaster in Breadalbane on November 2, 1926, and served until November 3, 1932. (See https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/postal-heritage-philately/post-offices-postmasters/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6422&)

20210616_160947 Jun 21 2021 James Seaman and wife

James and Sophia Seaman on their 50th anniversary. (Photo courtesy of The Seaman Family)

James died May 8, 1960 and is buried in the Breadalbane People’s Cemetery.

Thank you to to Lindsay and Norma Seaman for sharing photos and information on William ‘James’ Seaman. If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. 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/

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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/

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Soldier From Abrams Village Buried In Manitoba Cemetery in France

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March 6, 2022.  In 2017, we visited Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix, France, to place flags by the grave of WWI soldier James CAIRNS of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on August 9, 1918 during the Battle of Amiens. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

When we signed the Guest Register Book, we were astonished to find that the previous visitors had come to honour their great-uncle and great-great uncle Theodore (Ted) Francis ARSENAULT from Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island.

Pte Theodore Arsenault (Great great uncle)

Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

In November 2021, Colleen Arsenault shared a photo of her great-great-uncle, explaining that her mother and sister had signed the guest book in that far away cemetery. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-linking-the-past-with-the-present/)

…4 generations of the Arsenault family have served in the military….

Shortly after this, Stephen Arsenault sent us research on Ted Arsenault, and explained that 4 generations of his family served in the military.  “…Theodore and his brother Camille were both from Abrams Village. Further descriptions as follows:

Gnr Camille Arsenault (Great Grandfather, Theodore's Brother)

Camille Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Gnr Camille J Arsenault, 2nd Canadian (Overseas) Siege Artillery Battery CEF. Saw action at Vimy Ridge. Survived the war and re-enlisted during WW2 serving with the Canadian Army Service Corps at a POW camp in New Brunswick at the time. Camille was born August 22, 1895.
    Sgt Francis Arsenault (Grandfather)

    Francis Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Stephen’s grandfather: Sgt Francis J Arsenault, served with 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
Portrait

Edgar Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Stephen’s father: LCol Edgar F Arsenault, Logistics Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force. Later Honorary Colonel of 14 Mission Support Squadron, 14 Wing CFB Greenwood.  

He went on to say that “…Interestingly, in my (limited) spare time, I am an Artillery Officer serving in the Primary Reserves with 1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA, which makes 4 consecutive generations of military service to Canada spanning over 100 years. …”

… Ted Arsenault enlisted in the 105th Overseas Battalion….

Ted Arsenault was born May 14, 1897 in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island, the son of François (Frank) and Adeline (nee Gallant) Arsenault.  When he enlisted with the 105th Overseas Battalion in Summerside, Prince Edward Island on May 1, 1916 he listed his occupation as farmer.

In June 1916, Ted travelled to Valcartier, Quebec with the Regiment for training prior to sailing to England from Halifax a month later aboard ‘Empress of Britain’.

…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with Ted Arsenault….

Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, were on that same ship.  Among them were:

The ship docked in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916.  The troops were sent to Shorncliffe and attached to the 1st Training Brigade.  They were later transferred to different training brigades in Surrey.

…Ted was gassed at Passchendaele….

In November 1916, Ted was sent to France as part of the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment).  A year later, on November 5, 1917, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, Ted was poisoned by a mustard gas shell that exploded.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Passchendaele)

He was invalided to England and sent to the King George Hospital in London for treatment. According to his medical file, he “…had a sore throat and loss of voice for a month…” and “…breathing was difficult at night…” until January 13, 1918.

From the hospital in London he was sent to Manor War Hospital, a convalescent facility in Epsom.  It wasn’t until March 4, 1918 that the medical staff declared his chest was clear, and he was discharged 4 days later.  On May 16, 1918 he returned to France and the 14th Battalion.

….The Battle of Amiens…

The Battle of Amiens, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive.  It began on August 8, 1918 and ended on August 18.  Later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, this was the battle that ultimately led to the end of the First World War.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Amiens_(1918) and a short video clip at https://finance.yahoo.com/video/battle-amiens-started-century-ago-173913821.html)

A few years ago, a short video on ‘The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Amiens and Canada’s Hundred Days’ was prepared and is available on YouTube:

…Two Islanders lost their lives on August 9, 1918…

Byce.Amiens.map_.04

Battle of Amiens.  (Map source: http://www.rememberourvets.ca)

According to the war diary of the 14th Battalion, on the morning of August 9, 1918, the Regiment was ordered to “…march towards Cayeux, the headquarters of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.  The march was very difficult owing to the congested traffic on the road. The Battalion was ordered to support the 8th Canadian Battalion and moved to assembly positions….”

By 11:40 am they were in position, for the expected attack at 1 pm.  “… The attack was made over very flat ground and many casualties were caused by the intense machine gun fire…”  Among the casualties killed in action that day was Ted Arsenault.

As mentioned at the beginning of this posting, James CAIRNS, who served with the 8th Canadian Battalion, also lost his life that afternoon.

…Buried at Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix…

CIMG8555 Sep 6 2017 Pieter at entrance to Manitoba Cemetery

Pieter at the entrance to Manitoba Cemetery just outside Caix. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Like so many WWI cemeteries in France, Manitoba Cemetery, where both James Cairns and Theodore (Ted) Francis Arsenault are buried, is in a rural location, surrounded by farmers’ fields.  It was fitting that during our visit in September 2017, bales of hay, a familiar site on Prince Edward Island during this period, surrounded the cemetery.

CIMG8558 Sep 6 2017 Manitoba Cemetery by hay bales

Bales of hay surround Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

IMG_20170906_152615630 Sep 6 2017 grave of Ted Arsenault in Manitoba Cemetery in Caix

Grave of Theodore Francis Arsenault of Abrams Village. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Thank you to Colleen Arsenault and Steven Arsenault for sharing information on their great-uncle and their family’s ongoing military service.  If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. 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/

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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/ 

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

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

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

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

…New book is now available…

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

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

No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten

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

IMG_20220126_171542 Jan 27 2022 A celebratory moment with book proof copy

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

…Book trailer and website….

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

Wendy also prepared a short book trailer….

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

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

….CBC Radio Interview…

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

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

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

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

…The first book signing…..

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

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

…Thank yous!….

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

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Soldier Who Served In The 1st Canadian Engineers Battalion

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February 14, 2022.  Every fall, veterans from the Borden-Carleton Legion volunteer to place flags at the graves of veterans buried in cemeteries in the area covered by this Legion Branch on Prince Edward Island.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/04/borden-carleton-legion-honours-veterans-by-placing-flags-at-their-graves/)

One of the graves for which a flag is placed annually at the Tryon People’s Cemetery is for WWI veteran George Stanley HENNESSEY.

CIMG4008 George Hennessey

George Stanley Hennessey.  (Photo courtesy of South Shore United Church in Tryon.)

George was born July 20, 1887 in Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island, the son of Lawrence and Margaret (nee Muttart) Hennessey.  On November 4, 1910 he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he married Eliza May Thomas, a fellow Islander, on April 15, 1912.  At the time of his marriage he was employed as a machinist and Eliza as a housekeeper.

When WWI broke out, George and Eliza were back in Prince Edward Island and living in North Tryon.  George enlisted with the 105th Battalion in Charlottetown on November 17, 1915.  His attestation paper recorded that he had been in the Militia, a member of the 82nd Regiment.

On July 15, 1916, he sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the SS Empress of Britain, arriving in England on July 25, 1916.  On January 26, 1917, he was transferred to the 104th Battalion.

On February 26, 1918, he was transferred to the 124th Pioneer Battalion, which became known as the 124 Pioneer Battalion Canadian Engineers in March 1918. He was sent to continental Europe and on March 3, 1918 was despatched to a Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC).

….George joined the 1st Canadian Engineers Battalion…

On April 19, 1918, he was transferred to the Canadian Engineers Reinforcement Pool (CERP).  On May 31, 1918, he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Engineers Battalion.  This corps built bridges, railway depots, camps, bases, and other military installations used during the war.

George joined them while the Battalion was undergoing training in Gauchin-Légal, France, a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.

On July 12, 1918, the Battalion moved to Arras, France.  The war diary for that day reported that “…No enemy shelling in Arras; our guns active.  Enemy low flying planes came over Arras twice and were heavily shelled by ‘Archies’…” ‘Archies’ refers to anti-aircraft guns.   (Source: Library and Archives Canada. War diary 1st Battalion, Canadian Engineers, 1918/05/01-1919/04/25, Reference: RG9-III-D-3. Volume/box number: 4993)

…What did the Canadian Engineers do?….

Screenshot 2022-02-13 at 18-26-27 ViaMichelin Route planner, Maps, Traffic info, Hotels

A modern day map, showing the location of Gauchin-Légal, France, identified as A, and Seilles, Belgium, identified as B.  (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.com)

Under attack or not, work for the Battalion included “…pontoon bridging and trestle framings, sandbagging, patrolling water supply systems…”

The war diary for August 1, 1918 recorded the Battalion in Dainville, France.  “…Many enemy aeroplanes up and a great deal of bombing during night…”  The Battalion moved on to Gouy-en-Ternois, France, some marching by foot, others travelling by train.

On August 7, 1918, they received orders to “…fill shell holes…” in the area around Gentelles Wood, France.  Work stopped a few days later due to heavy bombing, but was soon resumed.  The Battalion moved towards working on roads “…forward of Cayeux…” which is still in France.

By mid-August 1918 they were tasked with “…salvaging tools from old ‘No Man’s Land’ and old front lines….” and “…burying enemy dead…”

At the beginning of September 1918 the Battalion moved on to Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France, repairing roads and railway tracks.  The end of September found them in Inchy-en-Artois, repairing the access to the Canal du Nord bridge.

In October 1918 they moved to Ecourt St. Quentin, France tasked with constructing bridges over La Sensee River.  The end of the month found them in Écaillon, France, doing roadwork and constructing a bathhouse.

In November 1918 they moved to La Sentinelle, France and worked on “…roads, bridges, and investigation of traps…”  The end of the month found them in Seilles, Belgium.

On December 31, 1918, George was admitted to the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France, with an ear infection that caused pain and deafness.  The ear infection was preceded by influenza, and he ended up being invalided back to England on January 25, 1919.  Luckily the condition was cleared up and his hearing restored.

George was discharged from hospital on February 19, 1919, but remained in England, where he was transferred to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot (CERD) in Seaford, a Canadian military training base in Sussex, England. On February 25, 1919 he was transferred to the Canadian Engineer Railway Battalion (CERB).

On April 3, 1919 he left Liverpool, England aboard the SS Lapland, bound for Canada.  On April 18, 1919 he was officially discharged in Charlottetown.

On July 3, 1919, he was awarded the “…Military Medal for bravery in the field…” by King George V.  (Source: Canada Gazette, 1867-1946 (Dominion of Canada), vol. 53, Supplement, August 30, 1919, Volume: 53, Issue type: Supplement)

…Back to civilian life….

CIMG5355 Oct 4 2021 Pieter with David & Pam Ing at Tim Hortons in Charlottetown

Pam Ing, centre, with husband David on left, and Pieter on the right. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

His granddaughter, Pam Ing, whose father Harry Raymond ‘Ray’ was a WWII veteran, told us that her grandfather “…moved to Charlottetown after being discharged and worked for the railway.  He died three months before I was born, so I never knew him….”

George worked as a brakeman on CNR (Canadian National Railway) and later was a conductor for a number of years before retirement.  He and Eliza had 4 sons, one of whom, William Thomas, died of illness shortly after enlistment in WWII.

George died at his home in Charlottetown on October 17, 1946 following a long illness, and is buried in the Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon, Prince Edward Island.

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

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

Thank you to Pam and David Ing for sharing recollections with us.  If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

Screenshot_2021-02-27 On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg

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Happy Holidays From The Valkenburgs!

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

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

…Pieter Awarded Sovereign’s Medal For Volunteers….

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

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

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

  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON
  • Arnold Dudley TAYLOR

 … WWI Related Stories….

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

 … WWII Related Stories….

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

…Indigenous Soldiers….

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

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

…. Stories About Servicemen From The Maritimes…

We also featured stories about servicemen from The Maritimes:

  • WWII soldier Alderic BASQUE, from New Brunswick, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWII soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Nova Scotia, one of the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Gerald Burnell COOLEN, from Nova Scotia, who was killed in Germany during the Battle of Hochwald Gap.
  • WWII airman Robert ‘Bob’ James DICKIE, from Prince Edward Island, who lost his life when Lancaster Flight JB312 crashed on the runway as it returned to England from Germany.
  • WWI soldier Maynard FOY from Prince Edward Island, who served with the 26th Overseas (New Brunswick) Battalion, and was injured in France during the Battle of Amiens.
  • WWII soldier Armand GIONET from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Gordon Frederick JOHNSON from Nova Scotia, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII mariner William (Bill) Arnold JOHNSTON from Prince Edward Island, but was born in New Brunswick, who was killed when HMS Itchen, the ship he was serving on, was torpedoed in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • WWII soldier Gilles LANTEIGNE from New Brunswick, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWI soldier Heath Ward MACQUARRIE from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in France.
  • WWII pilot Lorne MACFARLANE from Prince Edward Island, who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew 40 missions and survived the war.
  • WWII soldier George Edward MAHAR from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, from Nova Scotia, one of the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, from Prince Edward Island, one of the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Lloyd William MURRAY, from Nova Scotia, one of the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Norman James NIXON from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.
  • WWII soldier Samuel Glazier PORTER from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Alphonse ROBERT from New Brunswick, who was killed in The Netherlands when a grenade exploded.
  • WWII soldier John ‘Clifford’ ROGERS from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in Germany in the Balberger Wald on March 3, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Gordon James ROGERSON from Prince Edward Island, who served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment and was injured in Italy.
  • WWII Chaplain William ‘Alfred’ SEAMAN from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in France during the Battle of Caen.
  • WWII soldier Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN from Prince Edward Island, who served with the Black Watch and was fatally wounded in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Ronald Sidney WATERHOUSE from Nova Scotia, who lost his life in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Scheldt.

…. Stories About Servicemen From Outside The Maritimes…

  • WWII soldier Edmond COULOMBE, from Manitoba, who was killed in The Netherlands when a grenade exploded.
  • WWII soldier Howard Milo NICHOLLS, from Ontario, one of the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.

…In Conversation And More….

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

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

…. Interviews To Highlight Search For Photos….

Pieter did several interviews in his quest for photos for:

…. Letters To The Editor For Photo Searches….

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

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

… Successful Search For Photos …..

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

Buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

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

 Buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

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

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

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

 Buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium:

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

Buried in Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy:

  1. Felix GAUDET

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

  1. William ‘Alfred’ SEAMAN

… The Search For Photos On YouTube….

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

In 2021 the following videos were posted on the channel:

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

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

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

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

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

….Happy Holidays…

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

Merry Xmas from the Valkenburgs 2021

Pieter’s research work continues. If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance

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CIMG7978 Cenotaph Borden

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

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

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

….The Cenotaph Wall Of Remembrance Is Prepared….

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

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


20211103_192444 Nov 3 2021 Kathy Henry puts up WW1 photos

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

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

20211103_194856 Nov 3 2021 Kathy & Mario Henry by table

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

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

48 names from WW1 & WW2 honoured on Nov 11 2021

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

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

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

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

….Which photos are still missing?….

From WW1:

From WW2:

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

….Want to follow our research?….

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

Screenshot_2021-02-27 On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg

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© Daria Valkenburg

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

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

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

In May 2021, a 4 part series entitled ‘A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany’ told the story of five Canadian soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WW2 in Europe.  All 5 men are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

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

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

Joseph Ambroise Comeau from Simone

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

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

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

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

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

article about Jacqueline Comeau visit to Holten

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

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

…A telegram one niece will never forget…..

Photo Lewis Marsh

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

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

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

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

Telegram advising Marsh is missing

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

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

Telegram advising Marsh is KIA

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

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

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

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

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

Charles Borden Tuplin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thomas_MacKenzie-GAV

Thomas Wilson MacKenzie. (Photo submitted by Judy Hopkins)

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

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

Lt. Percy Dexter Higgins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pte Theodore Arsenault (Great great uncle)

Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

Rememberance-Day-2020-Canada-5

..Want to follow our research?….

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

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

Screenshot_2021-02-27 On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg

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On The War Memorial Trail….Borden-Carleton Legion Honours Veterans By Placing Flags At Their Graves

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flags are also placed at these Cenotaphs:

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

 

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. In Conversation With Historian Dr. Tim Cook

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CIMG5296 Sep 15 2021 Tim Cook & Pieter at Cdn War Museum

Dr Tim Cook (left) with Pieter Valkenburg (right) at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 20, 2021.  Over the past years, Pieter has researched the stories behind the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  As well, he’s researched the stories of other Island soldiers and veterans, and soldiers from across Canada buried in The Netherlands and Belgium. 

“…It’s important to tell each individual story…” Pieter always says.  “…The sacrifices made and the service in the cause of freedom should not be dismissed or forgotten, particularly if a soldier was not able to return home, but lies buried overseas….”

On a recent trip to Ottawa, he met with historian Dr Tim Cook, Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum, and found that Dr Cook shares a similar point of view on the importance of remembrance.  “…In Canada, we have not done a good job in telling the stories of our veterans…” he said.

Dr Cook went on to explain that “….every community in Canada has a memorial for WWI soldiers, but generally, memorials for those who served in WWII were not done.  We didn’t create films and books at the time. We weren’t good at telling the stories….”

…. Canadian veterans at the 50th anniversary events in The Netherlands were treated like heroes…

I thought back to the films, novels, and memoirs that came out of WWII and Dr Cook is correct.  Much of what many of us know about WWII comes from American and British films and books.  Dr Cook agreed. “…It wasn’t until 1995, on the 50th anniversary of WWII, that people woke up after they saw the huge reception our Canadian veterans got in The Netherlands….”

Pieter can’t understand why people in Canada didn’t realize how special the veterans were.  “…In The Netherlands, where I was born, they were our liberators, our heroes. Definitely they have never been forgotten….” 

….Many WWII veterans were reluctant to tell their stories when they returned….

Dr Cook thought that reluctance on the part of veterans to tell their stories, particularly in the aftermath of war, contributed to the silence.  Returning veterans simply got on with their lives and rarely spoke about what they experienced.  Pieter has found this to be the case for several of the soldiers he has researched. “…Many times, very little about the actual service of a soldier is known by the family….”

20210919_100113 Sep 19 2021 Daria with Cook book

Looking forward to reading ‘The Fight For History’ by Tim Cook. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

“…There has been a change in sentiment over the past 75 years, helped by the research and participation of ‘champions of history’ like you and ever-increasing interest by the general public…” Dr Cook noted.   His most recent book ‘The Fight For History: 75 Years of Forgetting, Remembering, and Remaking Canada’s Second World War’ reflects on the way that WWII has been remembered, forgotten, and remade by Canada over the past 75 years.

Dr Cook told us that his “… newest project is in overseeing an oral history program to interview, record, and archive the stories of veterans, starting with the remaining Second World War veterans and reaching to the present with veterans of the Afghanistan War….”

A dedicated and tireless researcher, he is also working on an edited book related to Canada’s involvement in the Korean War.  This war between North and South Korea was fought from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, and has yet to be resolved.

We’re especially looking forward to Dr Cook’s upcoming book on war and medicine in the First World War, which will be published in September 2022. 

We very much enjoyed meeting Dr Tim Cook and thank him for taking the time to share his insights on not forgetting our Canadian military history. 

There are many more stories still to be told! Pieter encourages blog readers to contact him if they have a story to share about Canadians who served. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…More about Dr Tim Cook….

To watch a short video from TV Ontario about WWI and reflections 100 years later, see Tim Cook: Canada’s Great War | TVO.org: https://www.tvo.org/video/tim-cook-canadas-great-war

For a brief summary of the many books and articles published by Tim Cook, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cook_(historian)

….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 WWI Letters Of Arthur Clinton Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG_3466 Hazel and John Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

CIMG3450 Oct 12 2019 Harlingen General Cemetery

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

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

Thank you to Hazel and John Robinson for sharing Arthur’s letters and information about their 2018 trip. If you have photos or information to share, please contact Pieter at 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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