WWII Soldiers

On The War Memorial Trail….. An Update On The Story Of WWII Soldier Alphonse Robert

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October 12, 2021.   In April 2021, in Part 9 of the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, the story of Alphonse ROBERT of Caraquet, New Brunswick, was briefly told.  His service file had very little information on the circumstances of his death and noted that he died on March 30, 1945 in Germany while serving with Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and was buried in Germany. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/04/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-9/)

Alphonse Robert

Alphonse Robert.  (Photo courtesy of the Robert Family)

Recently we received an email from Maarten Koudijs, who wrote that Alphonse Robert died during an attack on Gendringen, The Netherlands, and was initially buried in Megchelen, The Netherlands, just across the border with Germany.  After additional research to verify what Maarten told us, we have more information on what happened on March 30, 1945.

…Was Alphonse Robert buried in The Netherlands or Germany?….

Map Megchelen

The first question we had was whether Alphonse Robert had been initially buried in Germany, as stated in the service file, or in The Netherlands.  Megchelen is a small village on a tiny hook of land surrounded on three sides by the German border.  It’s easy to understand how a mistake could have been made in the official records, but was Megchelen the correct location?

We contacted Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Faces to Graves Committee, and asked if she could check the cemetery record and see where Alphonse Robert had been originally buried.

Alice confirmed it was Megchelen.  “…I have a list from CWGC with the coordinates of the temporary burial site where the body was exhumed when it was transferred to Groesbeek. It says Megchelen…”  (CWGC refers to Commonwealth War Graves Commission.)  The service file record was incorrect.

…How 5 members of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal lost their lives….

How did Alphonse Robert lose his life?  Maarten explained that “…during the attack on Gendringen, a number of infantrymen were following a tank. A German shell exploded behind the tank and 5 infantry soldiers were killed.   

The soldiers who immediately lost their lives were Roland Alfred Barry, Edmond Coulombe, Jacques Fortin, and Alphonse Robert. They were temporarily buried, next to each other, in a field grave in Megchelen.  

Bernard Gaston Pilon was seriously injured and was transferred to Bedburg Military Hospital, where he died and was also temporarily buried there….”  Bedburg is in Germany.

All 5 infantrymen from Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal were later reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.

Pieter then looked at the War Diary for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. On March 29, 1945, the diarist recorded being in the Reichswald Forest.  “…Battalion with its F Echelon vehicles crosses the Rhine at night without incident...”

On March 30, 1945, the diarist wrote the location as Germany.  “…In the morning troops proceed to positions…Light opposition with intermittent shelling and mortaring...”

On March 31, 1945, the diarist still wrote Germany as the location.  “…Battalion sweeps north again against stiffening resistance this time.  Mortaring and shelling. The attack was supported by tanks.  Gendringen was entered…”   Gendringen is in The Netherlands, near Megchelen.

…Two eye-witnesses saw what happened….

In an interview in ‘De Ganzenveer’ (‘The Quill’), Hans Bresser and Rudie Grin, witnesses to the attack, stated that “…At Wieskamp’s house, between Striekwold and Giezen, a Canadian tank was firing. There were also a number of infantrymen. A German shell exploded in between, possibly killing five or more Canadian soldiers. The grenade was…fired from somewhere from the Pol near Ulft. The fallen soldiers were given a field grave in Megchelen on Friesen’s land on the Nieuweweg...”  (Account translated from the original Dutch)

…The other members of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal who lost their lives….

  • Roland Alfred BARRY, son of Horace and Rose Alma Barry of Montreal, Quebec, died March 30, 1945, aged 20.
  • Edmond COULOMBE, son of Ulric and Yvonne Coulombe, of Pine Falls, Manitoba, died March 30, 1945, aged 22.
  • Jacques FORTIN, son of Henri and Yvonne Fortin, of Chicoutimi, Quebec, died March 30, 1945, aged 21.
  • Bernard Gaston PILON, son of Emile and Emilie Pilon, of Rockland East, Ontario, died March 30, 1945, aged 19.

Thank you to Maarten Koudijs for contacting us with the additional information on Alphonse Robert, and to Alice van Bekkum for verifying that he was previously buried in Megchelen, The Netherlands.

If you have further information to share about Alphonse Robert or the other Canadian soldiers mentioned here, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

Remembrance-Day-2019-Images-1024x520

With Remembrance Week coming up, please take a look through your photo albums and in your attics in case you have a photo or information to share about Canadian soldiers.

© 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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A Headstone For WWII Veteran Alexander Deans

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October 8, 2021. When Alexander McGregor DEANS died on April 28, 2010, his estate was able to pay for his burial at the Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon, Prince Edward Island.  Unfortunately, there were insufficient funds for a headstone, and no family or friends stepped up to help pay for one. 

The lack of a gravestone bothered Jack Sorensen, Chair of the Tryon Peoples Cemetery Inc.  Jack had met Deans as both attended the same church.  He remembered that Deans had requested that a Canadian flag be draped over his coffin, and then later recalled being told that Deans, who had lived in Crapaud, had been a veteran.

In 2020, Jack contacted Pieter, in his role as Public Relations Officer at the Borden-Carleton Legion, and asked if the Legion would cover the cost of a headstone for a veteran.  Pieter knew that the Last Post Fund, administered by Veterans Affairs, could fund a headstone for eligible veterans in unmarked graves, but it was unknown if Deans was a veteran. Proof of military service was one of the requirements. (See https://www.lastpostfund.ca/unmarked-grave-program/)

After Pieter started researching Deans, the estate’s lawyer was able to find a Veterans Affairs client number, indicating he had been a veteran.  Pieter also found a 1949 yearbook entry from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, stating that Deans, from Bolton, Ontario, had graduated after his studies had been interrupted due to war service. Deans was a WWII veteran!

Yearbook_full_record_image 1949 Deans

Entry from 1949 yearbook of Tyndale University College and Seminary.

With these two pieces of information, Pieter turned the file over to Marilyn Letts, Service Officer at PEI Command.  As the Provincial Service Officer, she was able to verify the information with Veterans Affairs and make the application for a headstone.

The application was approved, and on September 28, 2021, Paul Cyr of Brunswick Monuments Ltd in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, installed the headstone. 

CIMG5345 Sep 28 2021 Gravestone for Alexander Deans

Jack Sorensen, left, with Pieter Valkenburg, right, by the grave of Alexander M. Deans.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Jack and Pieter commemorated the headstone by placing a Canadian flag at his grave.  11 years after his death, Alexander Deans no longer lies in an unmarked grave.

Jack, Pieter, and Marilyn are to be commended for the effort they made into ensuring that this WWII veteran was not forgotten. 

With Remembrance Week coming up, please take a look through your photo albums and in your attics in case you have a photo or information to share about Canadian soldiers.  You can email us at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.  

© Daria Valkenburg

holidays-1-e1460375295631

…..Want to follow our research?….

f 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….. Remembering WWII Soldier Thomas Beresford Big Canoe

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October 7, 2021. After an interview about the photo quest for soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands ran on APTN, Pieter was contacted by Pat Stewart about Thomas Beresford BIG CANOE of Georgina Island, Ontario, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

(To read the APTN article, see https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dutch-born-p-e-i-man-on-a-mission-to-find-photos-of-first-nations-soldiers-killed-overseas-in-wwii/)

Pat wrote “…I live in southwest Saskatchewan now but came from Ontario 20 years ago. I worked as a journalist for the Georgina Advocate back then. Thank you for what you are doing. It is so very important to remember….” In 1999, Pat had written an article about a Dutch couple, Bill and Ellie Gertzen, who had adopted the grave of Thomas Big Canoe.  Bill had been an interpreter for the Canadian and American armies during WWII.

Thomas Beresford Big Canoe from Cdn Virtual War Memorial

Thomas Beresford Big Canoe.  (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

….Thomas was a member of the Chippewas Georgina Island First Nation….

Thomas Beresford BIG CANOE was born on Georgina Island, Ontario on October 13, 1925, the son of Thomas and Hannah (nee Porte) Big Canoe.  Georgina Island, located on Lake Simcoe, is an Indigenous reserve of the Chippewas Georgina Island First Nation, an Ojibwa (or Anishinaabeg) band.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippewas_of_Georgina_Island_First_Nation)

Thomas had begun work as a labourer at T.A. Wilson Lumber Company in Denbigh, Ontario when he enlisted at the #2 District Depot in Toronto on June 12, 1944.

He had keen eyesight and his medical exam noted he had 20/20 vision.  He was sent to the #26 Canadian Armoured Corps Basic Training Centre (CACBTC) in Orillia, Ontario.  On October 6, 1944 he was transferred to the A-10 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Camp Borden, Ontario.

After his basic training, and once he  turned 19 years old (the minimum age for overseas service), Thomas left for United Kingdom just before Christmas 1944. He remained in the United Kingdom until February 9, 1945, after which he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of the contingent of troops needed for the Battle of the Rhineland. The goal of this battle? Occupy the Rhineland and cross the Rhine River.

Thomas was assigned to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, where he was a member of the Scout Platoon.  The Scout Platoon’s role was to gain information on German activity through advance patrols, quite often behind enemy lines.

….Thomas lost his life during Operation Blockbuster….

In the push for the Battle of the Rhineland, Thomas was in the midst of Operation Blockbuster, which aimed to clear the Rhine River in Xanten, Germany, a battle that was fought between February 8 and March 10, 1945, and followed Operation Veritable.  These two Operations took 31 days.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

On March 8, 1945, Phase II of Operation Blockbuster began. According to the war diary of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, of which the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry was part of, “…At 0530 this morning Op BLOCKBUSTER II began, designed to capture XANTEN and the ground to the SE. By last light 4 Cdn Inf Bde had reached all their objectives, after some very heavy fighting...” (Source: https://map.project44.ca/)

Operation Blockbuster II

It was dark that early in the morning, and raining heavily.  In Pat Stewart’s article, she quotes Bill Gertzen as explaining that on the morning of March 8, 1945, Thomas and his group from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry had been “…directed to shape a bridgehead over the Rhine…But the Germans were expecting them and, in the battle that followed, there were only 26 survivors out of a company of 200….”

Although we don’t know exactly what happened, Thomas unfortunately lost his life at some point in the March 8, 1945 battle.  He was only 19 years old.

Thomas was temporarily buried in Xanten, Germany before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

IMG_8567-AVB Grave of Thomas Big Canoe in Groesbeek

Grave of Thomas Beresford Big Canoe at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Ad Scheepers)

Thank you to Pat Stewart for contacting us about Thomas Beresford Big Canoe, and to Ad Scheepers for taking the photo of Thomas’s grave at the cemetery.  If you have information to share about Thomas Beresford Big Canoe or other Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a 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/

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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/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering WWII Soldier Alfred Louis Pitawanakwat (Pitwanakwat)

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September 6, 2021. After an interview about the photo quest for soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands ran on APTN, Pieter was contacted by Joshua Manitowabi, who explained that Alfred Pitawanakwat’s “…brothers were Thomas Pitawanakwat and Valentine Pitawanakwat and all three fought in WW2. Two returned home, but Alfred is buried overseas in Holland. Alfred was my grandfather’s brother. He was my Great-Uncle on my mom’s side. ..”

(To read the APTN article, see https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dutch-born-p-e-i-man-on-a-mission-to-find-photos-of-first-nations-soldiers-killed-overseas-in-wwii/)

2232439_1 Alfred Pitwanakwat from Cdn Virtual War Memorial

Alfred Louis Pitawanakwat (Pitwanakwat) (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Alfred Louis PITAWANAKWAT (PITWANAKWAT) was born September 12, 1924 in Little Current, Ontario, son of Samuel and Agatha Pitwanakwat, of Wikwemikong, Ontario. Like Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, he was from the Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. (For more information on the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiikwemkoong_First_Nation. To read the posting on Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/.) 

….Alfred enlisted in 1943….

Alfred enlisted on August 23, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario.  At the time, he had been working for 2 months as a farmer’s helper for George McCluny of Caledonia, Ontario.  His two older brothers were already serving overseas with the Canadian Army.  Thomas was with the #14 Company of the Canadian Forestry Corps, and William ‘Valentine’ was with the #24 Anti-Tank Battery.

In an interview with the Personnel Selection Board, it was noted that he was “…able to express himself clearly….He gives the impression of being shy, but proved a very interesting character, when encouraged to talk about himself...”  The interviewer also remarked that Alfred was good with his hands as he was “…in the habit of carving miniature boats...”

Someone in the recruitment office was paying attention as a note on his attestation form was stamped with the warning that he wouldn’t be 19 years old until September 12.  This was a caution as enlistees were not to be sent overseas before the age of 19.

Alfred’s service file also noted that as he was both underage and underweight at the time of enlistment he was sent to the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and took basic and advanced infantry training.

….Alfred left Canada for overseas service….

On June 6, 1944 he was sent to the No 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Ontario for ‘rations and quarters’, in preparation for going overseas with #24 Canadian General Hospital.  By June 26, 1944 he was on board a ship bound for the United Kingdom, arriving in early July 1944.

He was a runner with the hospital, but in September 1944 Alfred requested a transfer to an anti-tank battery or the infantry, explaining that as he was now fit he wanted more active employment.

The transfer request was granted and Alfred joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as a rifleman.  He was wounded on October 23, 1944 by a gunshot wound during the Battle of the Breskens Pocket in Belgium, but returned to his Regiment after being discharged from hospital on November 15, 1944. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/breskenspocket.htm)

On November 2, 1944, the Regiment was sent to Ghent, Belgium for a rest period before the Rhineland Campaign began.  From Ghent they moved into The Netherlands, stopping near the Dutch-German border.

The Regimental history, ‘Little Black Devils: a history of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles’, by Bruce Tascona and Eric Wells, describes the movement of the Regiment as it moved from The Netherlands across the border into Germany, beginning on February 8, 1945.  “… After heavy artillery and bombardment, the tanks moved in, followed by infantry. Their assignment was to push south-east from the salient at Nijmegen, clearing a corridor between the Rhine and Maas Rivers…”

A salient is a piece of land or section of fortification that juts out to form an angle. Nijmegen is in The Netherlands, not far from the German border.  This area had been cleared by December 1944.  Canadian troops were kept busy here, clearing the ice on the Waal River to protect bridges further downstream.

….Alfred lost his life during the Battle of Moyland Wood….

The Regimental history account continued as the Regiment moved into Germany, “… approaching the village of Louisendorf in ‘Kangaroos’, armoured personnel carriers converted from Ram tanks. Getting within 50 yards of the enemy, the Rifles charged the remaining distance, and in close combat took 240 prisoners and occupied the village. The next day the Regiment joined the Regina Rifles and the Canadian Scottish in the attack on Moyland Wood….”

They advanced into an area “…beset with booby traps, mines, snipers, and machine guns….”

Moyland Woods map from Little Black Devils

Map source: ‘Little Black Devils: a history of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles’ by Bruce Tascona and Eric Wells.

An account by Terry Copp in the article ‘Clearing Moyland Wood: Army Part 43’ in the November 2002 issue of Legion Magazine explained that: “…The Royal Winnipeg Rifles left their slit trenches near Louisendorf and moved into position south of Moyland Wood. Brig. E.R. Suttie, who had replaced Brig. Stanley Todd in command of the divisional artillery, prepared an elaborate fire plan involving medium and field artillery plus mortars, anti-tank guns, machine-guns and the tanks of the Fort Garry Horse….”

Lt Col Alan Gregory, temporary commander of the Regina Rifles, “….and Lt.-Col. Lockie Fulton, the aggressive young commander of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles or Little Black Devils, devised a plan to clear the eastern end of the wood combining Wasps with tank support and air attacks. …”

The plan was successful, but came at a cost. “…The Royal Winnipeg Rifles displayed outstanding skill as well as courage in the day-long battle that cost the battalion more than 100 casualties, 26 of them fatal….” (See https://legionmagazine.com/clearing-moyland-wood/) Alfred was one of the fatalities, losing his life on February 21, 1945.

Map

….Alfred is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

Alfred was initially buried in Bedburg, Germany before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of Alfred Pitwanakwat

Grave of Alfred Louis Pitwanakat.  (Photo credit: Ad Scheepers)

Thank you to Joshua Manitowabi for contacting us about his great-uncle, and to Ad Scheepers for taking the photo of Alfred’s grave at the cemetery.  If you have information to share about Alfred Louis PITAWANAKWAT (PITWANAKWAT) or other Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a 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/ 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Adopting A Grave In Adegem

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August 29, 2021. After reading about the 7 Indigenous soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium, Edwin van der Wolf, a volunteer researcher at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands contacted Pieter. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/08/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-7-indigenous-soldiers-buried-in-adegem-canadian-war-cemetery/)

In a translation from the original Dutch, Edwin wrote that “…On your interesting blog I read about the 7 First Nations, who are buried in the Canadian cemetery in Adegem, Belgium.

At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten I also happen to have about 13 First Nations and three Métis, who are buried with us, as a focus area.….” 

Two of the Indigenous soldiers buried in Holten have been featured on this blog:

P1370203 Edwin by Pte Allan Trelford

Edwin van der Wolf by the grave of Allan Trelford in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem.  (Photo courtesy Edwin van der Wolf)

Edwin went on to say “…In addition, I am also involved in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, where 38 fallen / killed soldiers of the Canadian Scottish Regiment are buried and of which I have also adopted two with my son….”  Edwin has done extensive research into the Canadian Scottish Regiment and last year began a website on them.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/new-website-on-canadian-scottish-regiment-during-ww2/)

P1370323 May 12 2018 of the certificate of Pte Allan Trelford

On May 12, 2018, Edwin van der Wolf received his certificate for adopting the grave of Allan Homer Trelford. (Photo courtesy Edwin van der Wolf)

Edwin adopted the grave of Allan Homer TRELFORD, son of Homer A. and Eleanora Jane Trelford, of Toronto, Ontario and husband of Mildred Verna Trelford, of Toronto, who died on October 18, 1944 at the age of 23. 

On May 11, 2019, Edwin’s son Breyten adopted the grave of Joseph H. PALLISTER, son of Guy and Evelyn M. Pallister, of Turner Valley, Alberta, who died on October 6, 1944 at the age of 21.

Adoptie Certifikaat J.H. Pallister, 11-5-019

The adoption certificate issued to Breyten van der Wolf.  (Photo courtesy Edwin van der Wolf)

I asked Edwin what was involved in adopting a grave, since the upkeep of the graves and cemeteries for our Canadian war dead is the responsibility of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  My guess was that it involved visiting the grave and perhaps being in contact with family members back in Canada.  Edwin confirmed this and went on to explain that “...You are supposed to lay flowers at the adopted grave now and then and I also ask my Belgian contact person there to do so for me sometimes. There can also be contact with family members….”

Pieter and I have been to several cemeteries in Europe and in many of the smaller ones we were the only visitors in a long while, according to the visitors log book.  So, the adoption of graves is a great idea.  

No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten

Edwin explained that, unlike in The Netherlands, “…If you adopt a grave at the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery you receive a certificate of this adoption during a yearly ceremony in May…”  The Dutch War Graves Commission no longer issues certificates, “…not since the 1960s...” 

Thank you to Edwin van der Wolf for sharing photos and information about the grave adoption at the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem.  If you have 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

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For A Photo Of John ‘Clifford’ Rogers Is Successful

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August 24, 2021. A few months ago, a posting summarized an ongoing search for a photo of WW2 soldier John ‘Clifford’ ROGERS of Hope River, PEI, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-continued-search-for-a-photo-of-john-clifford-rogers/)

Nothing happened for several months, but then Pieter received an email from Janet ‘Jan’ O’Reilly, who wrote that “…Clifford was my uncle, Gladys is my mom, and is still alive….”  Gladys is the sister of John ‘Clifford’ Rogers.

DSC_0547 john clifford rogers

John ‘Clifford’ Rogers. (Photo courtesy of Gladys O’Reilly)

Jan went on to explain that “…We live in Ontario – my mom left the island in the late 1950s, I believe. Her Mom and Dad remained on the island, but her Dad died in the 1960s and my grandma later came to live with us here in Ontario. She died here in 1980 and Mom brought her home to be buried on the island. We all travelled to PEI that Christmas…” This explained why Pieter’s search on the Island was unsuccessful.

DSC_0242 janet o reilly and mother

Jan and Glady O’Reilly.  (Photo courtesy of Janet O’Reilly)

Clifford was born August 19, 1925 in Hope River, Prince Edward Island, the son of Andrew Rogers and Phoebe Gallant. The family later moved to Charlottetown.

On March 12, 1943, he enlisted in Charlottetown, and it was noted that he had served in the PEI Light Horse Regiment (17th Reserve Armoured Regiment) since 1942. At the beginning of April 1943 he was transferred to the Advanced Infantry Training Camp in Aldershot, Nova Scotia.

On October 30, 1943 he was transferred to the Advanced Driving and Maintenance School in Woodstock, Ontario, a facility where soldiers learned to drive and repair military vehicles, motorcycles, and trucks.

….4 Islanders trained together at Coldstream Ranch….

After receiving his qualification, he was transferred to the Canadian School of Infantry, located at Coldstream Ranch in Vernon, British Columbia, arriving on January 27, 1944.  Over 11,000 acres, the training area on the ranch included a log village for village fighting, an obstacle course, a bayonet assault course, a trench blasted from solid rock on the side of hill that gave trainees experience from being fired on from overhead, an ‘English’ type lane with hedges and gates, and a dam for river crossing drills.

When Pieter spoke with Gladys, she told him that 3 other Islanders were at the Coldstream Ranch at the same time as Clifford: 

Later, Jan reflected that “…Mom remembered him getting along with Pte Blanchard who was also from PEI. There were just four of them and I imagine that created a bond….”

In September 1944 Clifford was sent to the transit camp at Camp Debert in Nova Scotia, in preparation for going overseas.  He arrived in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944.  On January 8, 1945 he was in Northwest Europe as part of the contingent of reinforcement troops.

On January 26, 1945 he was transferred to the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.  Not long after, the Regiment travelled just over the Dutch border into Germany for Operation Blockbuster, the last part of Operation Veritable, during the Battle of the Rhineland. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

….Action in Balberger Wald was fatal for Clifford….

Clifford survived the Battle of Keppeln, in which fellow Islander Barney McGuigan lost his life, but his luck ran out a few days later in the Balberger Wald, a forested ridge southeast of Keppeln.  This area protected the approach to the Rhine with concrete fortifications.

Map

The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment moved into the area on March 1 to support other Regiments in an attempt to clear part of the forest on the eastern side, not easy in a thick forest where German snipers could easily hide. In addition to shells and grenades, many open areas were mined.  With such dense forest cover, it wasn’t difficult to get separated from the platoon.  By the time the area was cleared several days later, 6 members of the North Shore Regiment had lost their lives, including Clifford, who died on March 3, 1945.

The other 5 members of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment who lost their lives in the Balberger Wald were:

  • Patrick Marshall BUCKLEY, of St. John, New Brunswick, died March 2, 1945.
  • Claude Wilber DERRICK, of Canterbury, New Brunswick, died March 2, 1945.
  • Royden Blake FOURNIER, of Perth, Ontario, died March 2, 1945.
  • Wilfred MELANSON, of Bathurst, New Brunswick, died March 2, 1945.
  • Harold Freeman STEVENS, died March 1, 1945.

Clifford was initially buried in a cemetery in present day Bedburg-Hau and later reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. 

CIMG3331 Oct 5 2019 Groesbeek John Rogers

In 2019, we visited the grave of John Clifford Rogers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Jan was correct in saying that “…Their family sacrificed so much…” Clifford and his brother Ferdinand (Ferdy) lost their lives in WW2 while a third brother, Walter, had a career in the military.

Gladys O’Reilly “…is the last of their immediate family….”  Walter “…left as a young man as well.  He served in Korea and later lived overseas with his family during his military service for a time in Germany. He eventually settled in Kingston and died there 10 years ago at the age of 82….”

We thank Jan and Gladys O’Reilly for sharing family photos and information about John ‘Clifford’ Rogers.  If you have information to share about Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, memories to share about John ‘Clifford’ Rogers, or the other soldiers mentioned, please email us at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.  

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For A Photo Of WW2 Soldier Allan Gordon Coutts

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No photo available

August 20, 2021. In 2017, Pieter received a photo wish list from researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  There were 6 names, all serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when they lost their lives.  How hard could that be?  Pieter thought.

Over the past years, families of 4 of the six have been found, along with photos of the soldiers.  Two remain elusive. One of these is Allan ‘Gordon’ COUTTS, born January 11, 1923 in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, the son of Benjamin and Susan Coutts.  During his childhood, the family moved to Olds, Alberta, where his father was a firefighter on a government experimental farm.

After enlisting in Calgary, Alberta on January 15, 1943 with the #13 District Depot, he went to the Canadian Basic Training Centre in Camrose, Alberta on February 1, 1943. About 6 weeks later he caught mumps and was placed in isolation in the military hospital.

Once recovered from mumps, he was sent to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Calgary, then on January 1944 he went to Camp Debert in Nova Scotia for final preparations before being sent overseas to the United Kingdom in March 1944.  In April 1944 he was transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment, then in June 1944 to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

On July 25, 1944 he was wounded by a gunshot wound in the right shoulder during an offensive called ‘Operation Spring’ in Tilly-la-Compagne, France, and was hospitalized for a few weeks before returning to duty.  (For more information on Operation Spring see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring)

In early May, just before the end of the war, the Regiment went to Norden, Germany, “…the first Recce party there...” according to ‘No Retreating Footsteps – the story of the North Novas’ by Will Bird.  Once they arrived, the German Commandant of the area was “...ordered to concentrate all his troops in the barracks area, to disarm them, and deliver all arms and ammunition to a selected arms dump, the Grattin Theda School….”

However, Bird continued in his account, “….A German Army deserter reported the organization of Werewolves in the Novas area who wanted to destroy Norden because it had surrendered without a fight, and wanted to prevent German ammunition falling into Allied hands….” The ammunition dump was then moved away from the school to the Sports Field.

An Explosion in Norden was fatal

On May 11, 1945, Gordon was monitoring the unloading of ammunition at the Sports Field.  Around 4:30 pm, there was an explosion which cost him his life.  The witness testimony of Private J. J. JONES of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders confirmed that the sports field was used as a dumping ground for “…enemy ammunition and equipment…”

As one of the drivers of these loads, his truck was parked at the dump and stated that he “… was standing by the tailboard of the truck, watching some German soldiers unloading a mixed load of ammunition and equipment.  I heard someone shout out a warning, and then I saw something come out the ground and land on the ground on the edge of the dump itself…. ”

Pte Jones noted that “… the object made a hissing sound and gave off a cloud of orange smoke….” As he ran to take cover, “… a loud explosion went off….” As he returned to the dump, he saw “…a German Officer kick the smoking object away from the dump…”  When he reached the dump, he noticed “…one of our soldiers lying on the ground...” with a hole in his head.  He immediately went to get medical help.

Pte H. K. KEDDY of the Nova Scotia Highlanders was on guard duty at the German ammunition dump at the Norden Sports Field. He too heard a hissing noise and saw orange smoke and ran to safety.  After the explosion he testified that he “…went back to the scene of the explosion which was about 10 to 12 feet from the rear of the ….truck….”  He saw “…Sgt Coutts, AG lying on the ground quite near the truck….” and a wounded German soldier lying nearby.  He helped apply a bandage to the wounds while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.

Capt Alan E. DE FOREST of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders testified that the pile of ammunition contained “…all types of German mines, grenades, bazookas, small arms etc, which included several steel cases of German stick grenades (potato mashers)...”  It appeared that the explosion was caused by one of the stick grenades.  The explosion was ruled an accident and not an act of sabotage.

Gordon was temporarily buried in the Leer Lutheran Cemetery in Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

CIMG3228 Oct 3 2019 Holten Allan Coutts

We visited the grave of Allan Gordon Coutts at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands in 2019. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In March 1948, Mr. G. F. Struik of Deventer, The Netherlands sent a letter to Veterans Affairs, asking that it be forwarded to the next of kin.  He wanted the family to know that he had adopted the grave, a volunteer program that was organized by the Netherlands War Graves Committee.

This was not an unusual occurrence. Many family members of soldiers that we have met over the years have explained that their families had been in contact with Dutch citizens who adopted a grave.

Unfortunately, although he’s tried since 2017 to find family of Allan Gordon Coutts, Pieter has been unsuccessful.  Earlier this month, he did an interview with Galen Hartviksen, News Director at 96.5 CKFM/ROCK 104.5 in Olds, Alberta, in the hope that someone will see the appeal and come forward.  Here is the link to the web article and interview: https://ckfm.ca/2021/08/09/11202/.  Up to now, no one has come forward, unfortunately.

Thank you to Galen Hartviksen at CKFM for helping to publicize the search for a photo. If you can help with a photo or information about Allan Gordon Coutts, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

 The North Nova Scotia Highlanders Wish List

The other North Nova Scotia Highlanders on that 2017 photo wish list from the researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, for which photos were found, were:

In addition to Allan Gordon COUTTS, one more photo is yet to be found for:

  • Archibald Henry NELSON, born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, son of William Henry and Winnifred Frances Nelson, who lost his life on April 18, 1945, aged 32.

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. 7 Indigenous Soldiers Buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery

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August 18, 2021. After reading the posting about WWII Soldier Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig, Pieter was contacted by Willy van Ee of Sas-van-Gent, The Netherlands, who explained that he is the son of Indigenous soldier Walter MEKAJI of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation and Hendrike Herber of The Netherlands.  “…My father also came from Wikwemikong and met my mother in Utrecht during the liberation of The Netherlands…”

Willy’s compelling story has been extensively told.  See:

In a translation of Willy’s email exchange with Pieter, he wrote “…I live 20 km from the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.  Every year, on the second weekend of September, there is a ceremony with many VIPs, and a lot of people.  This year it’s on September 12. I’ve been going there for about 40 years, because of a veteran from Vancouver Island, Art BRIDGE, who has visited us a number of times.  His friend L MORGAN is buried there....”   Most likely, Willy is referring to Lionel Albert MORGAN, son of Reuben and Pearl Morgan, of Toronto, Ontario, who died on September 8, 1944 while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s).

Map showing Adegem Canadian War Cemetery

Willy wanted to let Pieter know that he believed that 7 Indigenous soldiers are buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.  He visited the cemetery and sent the names:

No photo available

  • Maurice BELLEGARDE, son of Moise and Margaret Bellegarde, of Abernethy, Saskatchewan. Died November 3, 1944 while serving with the Regina Rifle Regiment.
Jacob Shelby Brant

Jacob Shelby Brant. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

  • Jacob Shelby BRANT, born February 12, 1925 in Hagersville, Ontario, son of Austin and Bessie Brant.  Died September 11, 1944 while serving with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, aged 19.
Harvey Dreaver

Harvey Dreaver. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

  • Harvey DREAVER, born November 29, 1914 in Leask, Saskatchewan, son of Joseph and Evelyn Dreaver of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Husband of Mary Dreaver of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Died October 6, 1944 while serving with the Regina Rifle Regiment, aged 29.

No photo available

  • Joseph HENRY, son of Thomas and Philomene Henry. Husband of Alice Henry, of Roseau River Reserve, Manitoba.  Died October 2, 1944 while serving with the Algonquin Regiment, aged 22.
Roland David Riel

Roland David Riel. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

  • Roland David RIEL, born December 8, 1925 in St Vital (now Winnipeg), Manitoba, son of Henry and Yvonne Mary Eugenie Riel.   Died October 15, 1944 while serving with the Regina Rifle Regiment, aged 18.
Kenneth Scribe

Kenneth Scribe. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

  • Kenneth SCRIBE, son of John and Jessie Scribe, of Norway House, Manitoba. Died October 11, 1944 while serving with the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, aged 23.

No photo available

  • Charles William Myers ST GERMAINE, son of John and Lillian St. Germaine, of Rama, Ontario. Died September 16, 1944 while serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment, aged 23.

Thank you to Willy van Ee for sharing his story and letting us know about the soldiers buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.  If you have photo or information to share about any of the men mentioned in this posting, or other Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

 ….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering WW2 Soldier Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig

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August 9, 2021. After an interview about the photo quest for soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands ran on APTN, Pieter was contacted by Annelind Wakegijig. (ee https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dutch-born-p-e-i-man-on-a-mission-to-find-photos-of-first-nations-soldiers-killed-overseas-in-wwii/)

She sent us a photo of Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, and wrote that “…I recently saw your story featured on APTN. My great-uncle, Clarence WAKEGIJIG was from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. He died in Holland on March 2, 1945. He is buried in Groesbeek…”  (For more information on the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiikwemkoong_First_Nation )

Annelind explained that “… He was the youngest son of Josephine (Shawanda) Wakegijig and Joachim Wakegijig. His siblings were:

  • Victoria Corbiere 
  • Christine Wakegijig 
  • Ethel Wakegijig –  who had suffered a childhood illness and died at 5 years of age 
  • John Wakegijig -also a veteran of WWII, who died in 1971 in a motor vehicle accident 

and 

  • Raymond Wakegijig – who drowned in his late 20s 

 Clarence was a Guardsman with the Canadian Grenadier Guards….” 

Clarence Wakegijig

Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG.  (Photo Courtesy of Clarence Wakegijig Family)

Clarence was born January 9, 1925 in Cutler, Ontario, the son of Joachim and Josephine Wakegijig (nee Shawanda), of Krugersdorf, Ontario. He enlisted on September 25, 1941 with the Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury Regiment in Sudbury, Ontario, giving his birth year as 1922 and birthplace as Wikwemikong (Wiikwemkoong in Ojibwe).  The fact that he was only 16 years old, not 19, doesn’t seem to have been discovered.

He was sent to the Basic Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario.  In February 1942 Clarence was sent to the Driving and Maintenance Training School in Woodstock, Ontario, where he learned driver mechanics and how to drive a motorcycle.

On April 22, 1942 he was posted to Trois-Rivières, Quebec as reinforcement to Infantry (MG) TC A-17 – a Machine Gun Training Centre.

….Clarence arrived in Europe in 1942….

 By the end of September 1942, Clarence was on his way to the United Kingdom, arriving on October 9, 1942 and assigned to the Machine Gun Reinforcement Unit (MGRU), where he underwent additional training.

By June 1943 he had received a promotion to Trooper and was assigned to the 32nd Reconnaissance Regiment.  On September 18, 1943 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge.

On March 19, 1944 he was assigned to the 22nd Armoured Regiment, known as the Canadian Grenadier Guards, taking further training as a driver mechanic in preparation for the Regiment moving into action in France.

The Regiment arrived in France on July 23, 1944, and underwent heavy fighting in Normandy during Operation Totalize and Operation Tractable, which led to the capture of Falaise. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Tractable)

Clarence survived these actions, and continued on with the Regiment as they left Normandy, France for North West Europe, fighting in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany.

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was a fierce tank battle….

According to the war diary for the Canadian Grenadier Guards, the Regiment had travelled from The Netherlands just over the border into Germany, to participate in the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, the final push towards the Rhine River, along with several other Canadian Regiments. (For more information, see https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-blockbuster/ and https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

On February 26, 1945 they were travelling southeast from Kalkar, Germany, getting bogged down in mud and clay, and through farm fields in which mines had been hidden by the Germans, causing many casualties.

Map showing route thru Hochwald Gap

The Regiment’s objective was to reach Xanten, the last town on the western side of the Rhine, but first they had to get through the very narrow Hochwald Gap. They reached the west end of the Hochwald Gap just after dawn on February 28, 1945.

The weather continued to be uncooperative. An early thaw meant that the tanks got bogged down in mud, making them ‘sitting ducks’ for German troops who were positioned to pick them off, one by one.

The Canadian Grenadier Guards war diary entry for March 2, 1945 noted “… Weather – cloudy, gusts of rain. ...” Artillery fire had caused a temporary halt before starting up again.

“…Charge was successful and the 1st objective taken, despite the fact that 6 tanks bogged before then. Confused fighting took place from here on – Lt Ferris (2 tanks) and C Company passed through, but ran into opposition in the form of a Tiger….” Clarence was in C Company.  A Tiger was a German tank.

The war diary entry continued.  “…Somewhere in here, Lt Ferris and his other tank were knocked out, and Lt Ferris was wounded by a sniper...”

At some point in this chaos, Clarence lost his life, most likely when one of the tanks was hit by German fire. A 46 minute YouTube video on the Battle of Hochwald Gap explained the fierce battle that took place.  Watching it made it clear to us that it was a miracle that anyone survived at all, a testament to the determination and courage of those who were in the midst of it.

Clarence was temporarily buried in Xanten, Germany before being reburied in 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of Clarence Wakegijig

Grave of Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig.  (Photo credit: Ad Scheepers)

Thank you to Annelind Wakegijig for sharing a photo and information about her great-uncle.  If you have information to share about Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG or other Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a 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/

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