Ange Aimé LECLAIR

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 4: The Soldiers From New Brunswick

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

June 30, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible.  They also organized the Liberation Day commemoration events. 

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with many of their stories told on this blog. 

This was the third Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, with the first in 2021 and the second in 2023. Many of the graves with photos of soldiers, whose stories have been told in time for those Exhibitions, have been previously featured.

…Placing flags at graves was a labour of love and respect…

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries.  Yes, Pieter was on his hands and knees 383 times, placing flags at these graves, as you can see below….

Pieter placing flags at the grave of Gilles Lanteigne of Caraquet, New Brunswick.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Gilles LANTEIGNE, of Caraquet, New Brunswick, was serving with Le Regiment de Maisonneuve in Germany, when he died of severe wounds on March 9, 1945, just a few weeks before his 21st birthday. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/11/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-10/

Grave of Gilles Lanteigne after Pieter had placed New Brunswick, Canadian, and Acadian flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 36 soldiers from New Brunswick.

…3 Soldiers From New Brunswick Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

In Part 2, five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers, from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-3-the-soldiers-from-alberta-manitoba-and-quebec/)

Now, in Part 4, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories have previously been told, are featured.

Pieter at the grave of Donald Roy Carter.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Donald Roy CARTER from Central Blissville, New Brunswick, who was killed in action during the Attack on the Goch-Calcar Road in Germany on February 20, 1945.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-central-blissville-killed-along-the-goch-calcar-road/

Grave of Edgar M. Guitard.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edgar M. GUITARD from Belledune, New Brunswick, who was killed by German mortar fire in The Netherlands on January 15, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-lumberjack-from-belledune-killed-by-stray-mortar-fire-in-the-nijmegen-salient/

Pieter at the grave of Ange Aimé LeClair.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Ange Aimé LECLAIR from Shannonvale (now part of Eel River Crossing), New Brunswick, was killed by artillery fire in Germany during the Battle of Hochwald Gap on March 2, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-acadian-soldier-serving-with-le-regiment-de-maisonneuve-who-made-the-ultimate-sacrifice-in-the-hochwald-forest/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  For the flags placed at the graves of soldiers from New Brunswick, our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • New Brunswick and Acadian flags were provided by Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick, AND by Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers.  Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

In Part 5, the graves and photos of soldiers from Nova Scotia, whose stories have previously been told, will be featured.

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….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 Inclusion Of Acadian Flags On The 2025 European War Memorial Tour Received Publicity

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June 8, 2025.  In planning for the 2025 European War Memorial Tour, we were very grateful for help we received in getting flags and pins to take with us.  The many donors were identified and thanked in the previous posting.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-flags-and-pins-received-for-our-2025-european-war-memorial-tour/)

Simone Comeau, of Nova Scotia, is the niece of Pte Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, an Acadian soldier, whose story was told several years ago on this blog.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/) She ensured that we received Acadian flags from La Société acadienne de Clare when she learned about the planned tour! 

When she told us that French language media in Nova Scotia was interested in interviewing her about sending us Acadian flags and in learning more about her uncle, we asked if the media could include the names of 4 Acadian soldiers from Nova Scotia whose photos Pieter has yet to find. 

Simone was subsequently interviewed this past winter on the radio by Colette Deveau of Radio-Canada’s La Mouvée, and in ‘Le Courier’ newspaper by Richard Landry.  Both interviews included the names of the 4 soldiers for which photos are still missing.

….Simone Comeau was interviewed by Richard Landry for the ‘Le Courier’ newspaper…

The following is a translation into English (by me) of an article in French by Richard Landry published in the February 21, 2025 edition of ‘Le Courier’: https://lecourrier.com/nos-communautes/nos-communautes-clare/2025/02/21/ambroise-comeau-parmi-55-soldats-acadiens-honores-avec-un-drapeau-acadien-aux-pays-bas/.  The article includes the backstory of how we met Simone, while researching her uncle’s story, as well as the donation of Acadian flags for the 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

 “…Ambroise Comeau among 55 Acadian soldiers honoured with an Acadian flag in the Netherlands

Simone proudly shows off a photo of her uncle Ambroise Comeau’s grave in the Netherlands. Credit: Richard Landry

SAULNIERVILLE – Simone Comeau of Meteghan, niece of Ambroise Comeau (born in Saulnierville), who lost his life defending Holland during the Second World War, has just paid a special tribute to her uncle. For the first time, Acadian soldiers from the Maritimes buried in Holten, Netherlands, will have an Acadian flag placed on their graves, thanks to Simone’s efforts.  (NOTE: Acadian soldiers buried in Groesbeek, Bergen Op Zoom, and Adegem (Belgium) also received flags.) 

Pieter Valkenburg, originally from Holland, lives in Prince Edward Island with his Canadian wife, Daria. He became Canadian and is a former Dutch diplomat. The couple has been working for some time on a research project called On The War Memorial Trail, which aims to find information about Maritime soldiers who served in the liberation of Holland during the Second World War. (NOTE: The research project also features soldiers from other Canadian provinces.)

Private Ambroise Comeau died during World War II in Germany. Credit: Photo from the Simone Comeau collection

Among all the soldiers killed there, they discovered 55 Acadian soldiers from the region who died there during this war, including Ambroise Comeau from Saulnierville, who died during the war in Germany at the age of 21 in 1945.  

Ambroise’s niece, Simone Comeau, of Meteghan, a retired teacher and school principal, conducted extensive research on her uncle after discovering that the Valkenburgs were looking for information. It all began four years ago. She has since accumulated a large file on her uncle. 

The Valkenburgs regularly visit the graves of Maritime soldiers in Holland. This year, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, they will return there in April. In the past, they have placed Canadian and provincial flags on the graves of all Maritime soldiers. This year, for the first time, they will also place an Acadian flag on the 55 graves of Acadian soldiers. 

Pieter asked Simone to find small Acadian flags to place on the graves of these Acadian soldiers. This will be the first time that the Acadian flag will be placed alongside the provincial and Canadian flags on the graves of Acadians who gave their lives defending Holland. 

Simone enlisted the help of Nathalie Robichaud, executive director of the Société acadienne de Clare, to find the 55 flags. Nathalie managed to locate them and donated them to the cause. Coincidentally, Natalie is Ambroise’s great-niece. 

There are photos of 51 of the 55 Acadian soldiers from the Maritimes in the small museums located at the entrance to the cemeteries with details available on each deceased soldier. We are looking for information and especially photos of the four missing persons. They are: Herbert A. BOUDREAU of Ward’s Brook (died October 28, 1944 while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and buried in the cemetery at Bergen Op Zoom, Netherlands), Theodore J. GALLANT of Sydney Mines (died October 20, 1944 while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and buried in the cemetery at Bergen Op Zoom), Sherman William BOUTILIER of Sheet Harbour (died February 19, 1945 while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and buried in the cemetery at Groesbeek, Netherlands) and Albert G. LERUE of Halifax (died March 7, 1945 while serving with the Algonquin Regiment and buried in the cemetery at Groesbeek). 

Anyone who can offer photos or information about them is asked to email to memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

As for Ambroise Comeau, he was a carpenter during his short career. A funeral service was held in early June 1945 at Sacré-Cœur Church in Saulnierville. He was the son of the late Gus and Jessie Comeau. A military parade took place from his parents’ home to the church before the mass celebrated by Father Castonguay.

The grave of Ambroise Comeau with the cemetery caretaker in Holten, the Netherlands, and Pieter Valkenburg, right. Credit: Photo from the Simone Comeau collection (Note: The man in the photo with Pieter isn’t the cemetery caretaker but Edwin van der Wolf, one of the researchers for Holten.)

His grave in Holten reads: F.602531, J.A. Comeau, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, April 28, 1945 (in French). “Actually, there are two graves for Ambroise. The other is in Germany, where he fell. Soldiers were buried where they fell during the war. The Dutch didn’t want these soldiers buried in an enemy country, so they brought Ambroise and the others to Holten after the armistice. They are buried in Holland, where they can be given the honour they deserve,” Simone added.  (Note: the original grave in Germany is no longer there, since Ambroise was disinterred and reburied in Holten.)….” 

….Simone Comeau was interviewed by Colette Deveau of Radio-Canad’s La Mouvée…

During an interview this past winter with Colette Deveau of Radio-Canada’s La Mouvée, Simone presented her research on her uncle. She explained that through Ambroise’s sister’s daughter, Pieter had contacted Simone, who agreed to conduct the research. (Note: You can listen to the interview, which is in French, here: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/la-mouvee/segments/rattrapage/1984976/apercu-simone-comeau and https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/la-mouvee/segments/rattrapage/1985381/reconnaissance-soldats-acadiens-decedes-durant-seconde-guerre-mondiale) 

“…The Dutch are quite, quite grateful to the Canadians for helping to liberate their country because they suffered so much during the Second World War. The Acadian flags that will be placed on the graves come from Clare…” Simone said proudly. 

“….My sister Jacqueline had gone to Holland with her eldest son’s school band. Because they were going to schools, they also visited the Holten cemetery. There was a girl with the band who saw Comeau’s name and told Jacqueline. It was Ambroise’s grave. We knew because we had his regimental number… 

…Ambroise, born into a family of six children, was called to war a year before the end of World War II and lost his life there….”

….Can you help with finding photos of 4 Acadian soldiers from Nova Scotia?…

Up to now, Pieter has not found photos of the 4 Acadian soldiers mentioned in Simone’s interviews, who are all buried in The Netherlands….and who all received Canadian, Nova Scotia, and Acadian flags during our visit to their graves.  The soldiers are: 

  • Herbert Andrew BOUDREAU of Ward’s Brook, who died October 28, 1944, aged 23, while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom
  • Theodore Joseph GALLANT of Sydney Mines, who died October 20, 1944, aged 30, while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom
  • Sherman William BOUTILIER of Sheet Harbour, who died February 19, 1945, aged 26, while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek
  • Albert George LERUE of Halifax, who died March 7, 1945, aged 24, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek

Thank you to Simone Comeau for publicizing that Acadian flags would be included in the flags we took to Europe, in addition to the Canadian and provincial flags.  Thank you also to the two reporters who interviewed her – Richard Landry and Colette Deveau.  If you have photos or information to share about the 4 Acadian soldiers mentioned, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

….We also received Acadian flags from New Brunswick…

We also received Acadian flags from New Brunswick, for which we were grateful, as in the end we placed Acadian flags at more graves than had been on our initial list!  Thank you again to:

Over the next several postings, we’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail….including the various cemeteries we visited along our journey of remembrance.  Now that we’re back home, the research work continues for Pieter.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….Flags and Pins Received For Our 2025 European War Memorial Tour

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June 4, 2025.  When Pieter decided he wanted to go to Europe for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Europe in May 2025, planning began over a year in advance.  This would be our most ambitious war memorial tour, and Pieter wanted to ensure that the graves in The Netherlands and Belgium of as many of the soldiers and airmen that he’d researched over the past 11 years would be visited. He had a vision of being able to place, not only Canadian flags by the graves, but also provincial, and, where appropriate, Acadian flags.

A project like this didn’t happen overnight, and we needed help with donations of flags in order to meet Pieter’s goal.  Requests for flags began in the summer of 2024, and in the end we received donations of flags from most provinces.  Some came from provincial governments, others from politicians, and quite a few were donated by families of soldiers that had been researched, or readers of this blog. 

….Flags placed at 383 graves visited at 14 cemeteries.…

In addition, we received flags to place at the graves of two Indigenous soldiers, a very special tribute that we were honoured to be involved in.

We also received donations of Canadian flag pins and 80th anniversary pins to hand out, which were very popular with everyone we met along what turned out to be a 5 week journey along the war memorial trail.

By the time we returned back to Canada, Pieter had placed flags at 383 graves in 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium!  We very much appreciate and want to recognize all who helped to provide flags and pins.

….Donations received of flags and pins…

We were blown away by the response to requests for flags, and the messages of support and encouragement we received.  The large Canadian flags were donated to small organizations in The Netherlands and Belgium who honour soldiers and airmen buried in smaller war cemeteries and in municipal or church cemeteries.  They also received small Canadian flags and flag pins. 

Some groups were involved with children in The Netherlands who are taught about the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers during WWII. We provided small Canadian flags, flag pins, and Frisbees for them to hand out.

Here below are the generous donors of flags and pins:

Pieter with Alan Waddell (right) from the office of Heath MacDonald with Canadian flags.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP (Member of Parliament) for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island and recently appointed as the Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Canada – small Canadian flags, flag pins, Frisbees
  • Mary Robinson, Senator for Prince Edward Island – large Canadian flags, flag pins
  • Jane MacAdam, Senator for Prince Edward Island – large Canadian flags

Matt MacFarlane (left) and Pieter hold flags from Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, Prince Edward Island – small PEI flags

After providing the flags from Prince Edward Island, Matt commented that “…I am happy to help with such important work…”

Simone Comeau (left) with Nathalie Robicheau. (Photo courtesy of Simone Comeau)

  • La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau – small Acadian flags

For Simone, providing Acadian flags was very personal, to honour her uncle, Pte Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/)  “…I picked up the flags yesterday. They are donated by ‘La Société acadienne de Clare.  Clare is the name of our municipality. In this picture we are standing in front of the banner of “La Société acadienne de Clare”. The lady presenting me the flags is the general director of the organization. Her name is Nathalie Robicheau and by coincidence she is the grand niece of J. Ambroise Comeau. Her father, my cousin, is the son of Ambroise’s other sister….” 

Pieter holds a selection of Acadian (left) and New Brunswick flags (right).  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick – small New Brunswick and Acadian flags

For Cécile, helping to provide the flags was in honour of her uncle, Pte Ange Aimé LECLAIR. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-acadian-soldier-serving-with-le-regiment-de-maisonneuve-who-made-the-ultimate-sacrifice-in-the-hochwald-forest/)

  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick – small New Brunswick flags, small Acadian flags, small Canadian flags

Pieter with flags of Newfoundland sent by Gerald Bartlett.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Gerald Bartlett in memory of Trooper John Frederick BARTLETT (whose story is yet to be written) – small Newfoundland flags
  • Mario Henry and his brother Etienne Henry – small Quebec flags
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia – small Nova Scotia flags

Kyle emailed us, saying “…as part of the Military Relations team for the Province, I am responding on behalf of …..” Premier Tim Houston.  “…Absolutely, our pleasure to support this…”

Wayne enclosed a lovely note with the flags sent by his office. “…Thank you ….for the meaningful work you are doing to honour Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.  We are please to support your efforts.

We have enclosed ….Manitoba flags for your upcoming trip to The Netherlands for the 80th anniversary of the liberation.  We hope these flags will help commemorate the brave Manitoban soldiers and provide a special tribute at their gravesites….”

  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba

The flags were accompanied by a note from Brad, saying “…with thanks, on behalf of the Premier of Manitoba…”

  • Peggy Menard – small Ontario flags
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall MUTTART – small Ontario flags

Elmer Muttart was the first airman researched by Pieter, and his story has been extensively told on this blog.  You can read his story here:

  • Marie Renaud, MLA St Albert, Alberta at the request of Roman Berezowsky – small Alberta flags

….Two Indigenous flags received…

Daria with the very personalized Lnu flag to be placed at the grave of Leo Toney.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Della explained that the term ‘Lnu’  means “…the people, it’s what the Mi’kmaw people call themselves.  We are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy. People of the Dawnland, or People of the First Light. This area includes areas of NS, NB, PEI, eastern Quebec, and Maine. Made up of these nations Abenaki, Mi’kmaw, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Wolastoqiyik …”

Pieter holds the Wolasatoqey Nation flag to be placed at the grave of Sanford Steven Saulis. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After I’d contacted Conrad to ask if the Wolastoqey used the same flag as the Mi’Kmaq, he replied that “….the Wolastoqey (we no longer recognize the term Maliseet) Nation is a distinct Nation of Peoples from the Mi’Kmaq much like the Portuguese are distinct from the Spanish yet have similar linguistic aspects. My Nation, along with the Mi’Kmaq, are two of the many First Nations that make up the Wabanaki Confederacy along with other Nations such as the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and other First Nation of the northeast seaboard as far as Manhattan.

Our Wolastoq Ancestors named our peoples after the Wolastoq river since it was a primary provider of water, fish and other foods including fiddleheads (mahsos) that grow along the river banks.  Our Ancestral lands intersect with the Mi’Kmaq through the central portions of NB covering the entirety of the Wolastoq River (St John River) from St. John to Rivere du Loup (St Lawrence) west towards Quebec City.…”

Conrad then arranged to send a flag for his uncle’s grave, saying that  “…the flag is courtesy of Grand Chief Ron Tremblay – a fellow Wolastoqey Nation citizen and designer of the flag….” and represents “…a muskrat swimming in front of the two in the canoe which was our primary means of transportation during Ancestral times…..”  

….80th Anniversary pins received…

  • Wendy Sewell, Assistant Defence Attaché, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canada – 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands pins
  • Gerry Blom, Owner/Operator of the Dutch Truck – 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands pins

Thank you to everyone who provided flags and pins.  Over the next several postings, we’ll share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail….and how the flags were placed at the various cemeteries along our journey of remembrance.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Acadian Soldier Serving With Le Régiment de Maisonneuve Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice In The Hochwald Forest

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments
Balmoral and Shannonvale Google Maps

We travelled to Balmoral, New Brunswick, to meet the sister of a WWII soldier. (Map source: Google Maps)

November 27, 2024. After completing our tour along the Acadian Coastal Drive, visiting Acadian Memorials, we went to Balmoral, New Brunswick, to meet with Léa LeClair, the youngest sister of WWII soldier Ange Aimé LECLAIR. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2024-visiting-acadian-memorials-in-new-brunswick/)

CIMG7020 Aug 27 2024 Visit to Balmoral Romeo Le Page & Lea Le Clair

Pieter (centre) with Léa LeClair and her brother-in-law, Romeo LePage. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

When Pieter had begun his research to find family of Ange Aimé, he found an obituary for the soldier’s sister Viola, who was married to Romeo LePage.  Then he found a phone number for Mr. LePage and, with great trepidation given that he isn’t fluent in French, he dialed the number.  After a few minutes, Mr. LePage’s sister-in-law, retired teacher Léa LeClair, came on the line, and listened patiently.  “…Oui…” she had a photo of Ange Aimé, and then, happily, switched to English.  She explained that she was the youngest sister of the soldier, only 10 years old when he died on March 2, 1945.

Pieter let her know that we were planning a trip to New Brunswick, and asked if she would like to meet in person.  This was agreeable, and so, when we went to Balmoral, we were only expecting to get a photo of the soldier.  Boy, were we wrong! The family’s historian, Léa had several photos and letters written by her brother, and more.  Ange Aimé was clearly loved and remembered by his family!

Born in Shannonvale (now part of Eel River Crossing), Restigouche County, New Brunswick on March 14, 1925, Ange Aimé was the son of Thomas and Marguerite Anne (nee Basque) LeClair.  He came from a large family, and had 5 sisters, 3 brothers, 4 half-brothers, and 2 half-sisters.

…..Ange Aimé enlisted under the NRMA in 1944….

Léa recalled that “…My brother Albénie was called up in the Spring. He did not pass the physical as he was sick. Ange-Aimé asked Papa if he should stay and wait for a call to join. They chose for him to go to work in the Kedgwick area. Later in the summer, the Army came looking for him in Dundee. Papa did not know exactly where he was cutting wood and said so to the Army. After a while, the Army did find him, in the Kedgwick area…. He was registered and then was sent for training…“

Ange Aimé originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 7 District Depot in Fredericton, New Brunswick on May 31, 1944 and underwent basic training at No. 71 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Edmundston, New Brunswick. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

ange aime le clair as a student colourized

Ange Aimé LeClair as a student.  (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

At the time of his enlistment, Ange Aimé had been working for 2 years as a woodsman for Raymond LeBlanc of Darlington, New Brunswick.  Léa recalled that he had studied at a seminary, with his family expecting him to be a priest, but he preferred working outdoors. While his Occupational History Form does not mention studying at a seminary, he most likely had his post-elementary education at a seminary. The form stated that Ange Aimé was fluent in both French and English, which was unusual for a young man who grew up in a rural area and in a French speaking household.

AA Leclair photo from memorial card colourized

Ange Aimé LeClair in uniform.  (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

On July 25, 1944, Ange Aimé enlisted for active duty while in Edmundston, and remained there until September 1, 1944, when he was transferred to the A-30 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) at Camp Utopia in Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick.  On September 14, 1944, he received a promotion to Lance Corporal.

….Ange Aimé received embarkation leave….

After completing his training at Camp Utopia, Ange Aimé received embarkation leave, prior to being sent overseas, from November 21 to December 7, 1944.  He returned home to the family farm in Dundee, New Brunswick, where a photo was taken of him playing hockey.

20240827_140114 AA Le Clair playing hockey in Dundee during embarkation leave

Ange Aimé LeClair on skates with a hockey stick during his embarkation leave.  (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

While on leave, Ange Aimé helped out at home, and spent time in the woods.  Time went by very quickly, and unfortunately he didn’t immediately return to Camp Utopia when his leave was up. Military police came to look for him, thinking he had deserted.  Léa recalled that her “…father was in the garden and told them that Ange Aimé was in the woods.  After he returned, he was arrested and taken back to Camp Utopia, where he spent a night in the stockade...”

The repercussions were harsh, given that he was only late returning by a few days.  On December 10, 1944, he was transferred to the No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia for final preparations and training before being posted overseas.  But, on December 17, 1944, he was demoted in rank and reverted to Private. 

 ….We had help in translating letters from French into English….

CIMG7053 Sep 10 2024 Daria & Etienne Gaudet translating AA LeClair letters in Moncton NB

Daria and Etienne Gaudet worked diligently to translate all the letters from French into English. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Because Léa had saved letters written by her brother, we were able to hear his thoughts during this period.  We were grateful for the help of Etienne Gaudet, who kindly translated all of the letters written by Ange Aimé from the original French into English.

In a December 20, 1944 letter to his sister Delphine, written from Debert, it’s clear that there was illness in the family. “…. Are you better after your flu? … Please give my regards to the others and please tell me if mother is better, and tell her not to worry about me.  It’s not worth it.  Nothing has happened to me yet.  There’s a higher power above us and his wishes must be respected.

I wouldn’t be worse off there (ie heaven) than here. Besides that, I’m lucky that I’m the only one in the army instead of all of us.  I’m not scared and I’m taking things as they come….”

On the same day, he also wrote to his brother Ovila, mentioning his demotion.  “…I thought I’d be able to have a pass for Christmas or New Year’s, but I won’t now.  I no longer have my stripe and I don’t know if I’ll have one later, or if I’m here for a long time.…”

….Ange Aimé left Canada for overseas service….

Ange Aimé didn’t have long to wonder how long he’d be in Debert.  On December 24, 1944 he left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on December 31, 1944, where he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).

He shared his impressions with his brother Ovila in a January 3, 1945 letter.  “.…I am now in England and it’s pretty good and a funny country. Their language is nearly impossible to understand. They do not pronounce their words like we do.

I’m anxious to get to the front and see what it’s like.  If it can be warm, I’ll be happy as here it’s humid and we’re freezing.  The humidity is going through us and we have to ration the coal.  I have had a cold since I arrived here, as have the others….”

In a January 4, 1945 letter to his sister Delphine, he wrote about the climate, and shared that he saw his cousin, René LEBLANC.  “…I have a cold.  It’s humid as hell here.  My nose is always running.  It takes time to get used to the climate….. René is here....” 

Then, in a January 29, 1945 letter to Delphine, he again mentions the weather, and spending Christmas while on his overseas voyage. “…The climate here is humid and a bit cold.  There are 4 inches of snow…. It’s not as beautiful as I had thought and holidays on the water are not fun...”

Ange Aimé was aware that he would soon be sent to Northwest Europe. In a February 8, 1945 letter to his brother Ovila, he wrote that “…I am preparing for the draft. I have to face the front, see what it looks like, but I would not want to take a bullet or shrapnel….”  

….Ange Aimé was flown to Northwest Europe from the United Kingdom….

The day after he wrote to his brother Ovila, Ange Aimé was transferred to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the 10th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps, and flown to Northwest Europe on February 10, 1945. 

By February 12, 1945 he was at No. 2 Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (CBRG) and wrote to his sister Delphine that he was “…now in Belgium.  It’s really beautiful here.

I am not yet at the front.  Those that go come back, at least most of them.  I have as good a chance as them.  I might never go since it looks really bad for the Germans.

People are really nice to us ‘Canadians’ here.  Yesterday I went to supper with a man who brought us to his home.  He has three small children.  They were really nice to us.  I was with two of my friends.  Like he said, it reminded us of home to have a family supper and it took away some of the longing for home….”

On the same day, he wrote to his parents about the dinner.  “….Yesterday I went to town with two others, and an older man invited us to his place for supper with him.  We were served like princes.  They are really nice. There were three little boys and they all shook our hands....” This was the last letter the family received from Ange Aimé. 

…. Ange Aimé’s transfer to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve was his last….

On February 15, 1945, Ange Aimé was transferred to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, joining them near Nijmegen, The Netherlands, as the Regiment prepared to move into Germany. 

The February 18, 1945 war diary entry for the Regiment stated that “…the whole Battalion left Nijmegen at 19:30 hours to proceed via Cleve, Germany and had penetrated in Germany by 20:40 hours...”

By the end of February, the Regiment was involved in the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, the final push towards the Rhine River, along with several other Canadian Regiments.  This offensive began on February 28, 1945 to clear the Germans from the Reichswald, a heavily forested area between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers, driving them back over the Rhine, taking the fight well into German territory.  (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)

Each day the war diary reported heavy shelling of the troops, with several casualties.  On March 1, 1945, the war diary reflected that because shelling was heavy “…the morale of the troops was quite low as nothing could be done but wait…”

On March 2, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…Captain Provost is back with us.  The rifle companies are in position in the Hochwald Gap at 03:40.  ‘C’ Company sent out patrols to feel enemy’s disposition. ….Heavy shelling all day…” Sadly, one of the casualties on March 2 was Ange Aimé. 

….Letter from Captain Provost described how Ange Aimé lost his life….

On March 3, 1945, Captain Paul-Marcel Provost wrote a letter of condolence to Ange Aimé’s mother. “….I have the terrible duty to inform you of the death of your son, Pte LeClair.  He was killed in action on March 2, 1945….. He was an excellent soldier and brave, who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In the name of the commander and all his officers, I ask you, Madame, to accept our deepest condolences for the loss that has struck you. May the legitimate pride you feel for the departed ease your pain. This pride is shared by all in Le Régiment de Maisonneuve…..”

This was followed by an April 6, 1945 letter, explaining how Ange Aimé lost his life.  “….Please know that you have all my sincere sympathies in the sorrow with which you have been struck.  I also have a bit of sorrow, as your son was one of ours and I was his commander…..

Your son died a few days after we finished the offensive that brought us to the side of the Rhine and decided the German defeat – two days after an attack that had been especially challenging for our company.  The Regiment was called to take up defensive positions along the Hochwald Forest – a forest situated a few miles from Kleve and Xanten.

Our first hours in these positions were quiet.  Near 6 pm, supper was brought, and Ange Aimé was designated, with a few others, to transport it from our Command Post to his platoon.  It’s when he was on his way back that the German artillery began to fire at us, and your son fell, along with a few other unlucky men.

He was killed instantly and buried the next day in one of our Canadian cemeteries. I include here memorial cards, printed in memory of our friends killed during this period of the offensive in Germany….”

Ange Aimé’s cousin, Rene LeBlanc, was injured in this attack, but survived the war to return home.

As with Ange Aimé’s letters, Etienne Gaudet kindly translated the letters written by Captain Provost from the original French into English. I was especially grateful for Etienne’s help with the letters from Captain Provost as it was extremely difficult to read his handwriting.

The memorial card that Captain Provost referred to had been prepared for a March 16, 1945 prayer service at Sint-Bartholomaeuskerk, a Roman Catholic Church in Beek (now Berg en Dal), The Netherlands. The memorial card lists 37 names of those who died between February 8 and March 13, 1945. (See https://rijksmonumenten.nl/monument/35784/grote-stbartholomeus/beek/ and  https://nl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sint-Bartholomaeuskerk_(Beek_(Berg_en_Dal))

20240827_143311 Mar 16 1945 Memorial service in Holland for Regt de Maisonneuve KIA in Germany

Memorial card sent to Ange Aimé LeClair’s mother.  (Photo of card courtesy of the LeClair family)

….Ange Aimé is buried in Groesbeek….

20240827_144251 Aug 27 2024 Groesbeek postcard sent by Ton in 1950

A 1950 postcard, sent by Ton Bersen to the LeClair family, shows how the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek looked in that time period. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Ange Aimé was temporarily buried on land owned by a Catholic farmer named Augenendt, 3.2 km (two miles) west of Udem in Germany, before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

20240827_144334 Aug 27 2024 Original Groesbeek grave AA Le Clair

The original gravestone for Ange Aimé LeClair in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Grave of AA LeClair from find a grave

Grave of Ange Aimé LeClair in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of FindAGrave)

….Ange Aimé’s grave was adopted by Ton Bersen ….

After his reburial in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Ange Aimé’s grave was adopted by a young scout, Ton Bersen, and his family.  Ton remained in contact with the LeClair family until his death in 2020!

20240827_140515 Ton Bersen & mother by grave of AA Le Clair

Ange Aimé LeClair’s grave was adopted by Ton Bersen, seen in this photo with his mother. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

….Ange Aimé is remembered on his parents’ gravestone ….

Ange Aimé’s sister Léa told us that after her parents’ original gravestone in Dundee, New Brunswick crumbled, she replaced it with a new headstone and commemorated her brother as well. 

20240827_144026 Aug 27 2024 Le Clair gravestone in Dundee

Gravestone of the LeClair family in Dundee, New Brunswick.  (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Thank you to Léa LeClair for providing photos and information on her brother, and to Etienne Gaudet for help in translating letters from French into English.  Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

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