Atlantic Command

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

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

….William enlisted in 1942…

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

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

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

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

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

….William served in Newfoundland…

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

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

….William briefly returned to Canada before travelling overseas…

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

….William left Canada for overseas service …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

….William is buried in Groesbeek…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier From Saint-Basile Who Lost His Life During The Advance Towards Xanten

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

February 5, 2025. We never know what a photo search might lead to once Pieter begins researching a soldier. In the case of a WWII soldier listed as being from New Brunswick, the search led to his birth in the province of Quebec, to his enlistment in Ontario, to the widow of his nephew, and finally to a Legion in New Brunswick where a shadow box with photos had been donated.

Joseph ‘Albert Noel’ LAMONTAGNE was born on December 25, 1918 in Saint-Basile, Quebec, the son of Joseph Lamontagne and Marie ‘Alexina’ Jacques. Saint-Basile is in Portneuf Regional County Municipality in Quebec, past Quebec City.  To our surprise, we realized we’d driven past the turn-off to Saint-Basile every time we travelled between our home in Prince Edward Island and Ottawa, Ontario!

Albert Noel Lamontagne was born in Saint-Basile, Quebec.  (Map source: Mapcarta)

…..Albert Noel enlisted under the NRMA in 1942….

Albert Noel originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) in North Bay, Ontario on January 8, 1942 and began basic training at No. 2 NRMA Clearing Depot, before joining the active army on January 20, 1942.   He took his basic training at No. 22 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre in North Bay. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

Albert Noel Lamontagne in training.  (Photo courtesy of the Albert Joseph Chevarie Family)

At the time of his enlistment, he had been working as a labourer, having left school after completing Grade 3 in Quebec City.  He spoke French and had a basic knowledge of English. His father had died in 1920, and his mother had remarried, in 1928, to Emilien Chevarie.  His brother, Paul-Emile, was also in the Canadian Army. As well, he had a sister Rose-Aimée, a half-brother George, and a half-sister Juliette.

  ….George Chevarie’s son was the key to finding a photo of Albert Noel….

It was through Albert Noel’s half-brother, George Chevarie, that a photo of Albert Noel was found.  George’s son, Albert Joseph, had died in 2020. However, after Pieter spoke to Joyce Chevarie, the widow of Albert Joseph Chevarie, she told him that her husband had donated a shadow box with a photo of Albert Noel, a letter, and his medals to the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Richibucto, New Brunswick.

Pieter then got in contact with the Legion in Richibucto.  Legion Branch president Malcolm John took everything out of the shadow box donated by the family of Albert Chevarie, photographed each item, and emailed the photos to Pieter!  The next time we were in New Brunswick, we visited the Legion and met Malcolm.

Pieter with Malcolm John (right), President of the Richibucto Legion in New Brunswick.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Albert Noel served in Newfoundland….

On March 12, 1942, Albert Noel was sent to A23 Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Advanced Training Centre (CD & AA) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  A23 was a Coast and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training Centre established to train coast and anti-aircraft gunners.

Upon completing his training, Albert Noel was given embarkation leave on May 5, 1942, prior to being posted to Newfoundland with the 106th Coast Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) on June 1, 1942.  The Battery was part of Atlantic Command, tasked with strengthening and administering home defence facilities on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. 

Albert Noel was in Botwood, at a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) base, which had aircraft patrolling the east coast of the Atlantic. Canadian Army personnel based at Botwood were charged with protection of military facilities that had been installed there. (See https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/botwood-base.php)

Location of Botwood Military Base in Newfoundland. (Map source: http://postalhistorycorner.blogspot.com/2012/12/wwii-canadian-forces-in-newfoundland.html)

Albert Noel was in Newfoundland at the same time as two other soldiers whose stories have been told on this blog:

….Albert Noel volunteered for paratroop training….

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record on September 30, 1943, while at Botwood, Albert Noel volunteered for Paratroop Training.  The interviewer recorded that Albert Noel “….has a good training record and seems a very dependable, reliable type, although badly handicapped by lack of education. Not suitable for Paratroops under present regulations which require Grade VI education…”  Albert Noel had only completed Grade 3.

On February 14, 1944, Albert Noel left Newfoundland for Shelburne, Nova Scotia and was transferred to the 104th Coast Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA).

On May 1, 1944, Albert Noel was assigned to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia for final training and preparation before being sent overseas.  He then was transferred to No. 1 Infantry Training Battalion in Camp Debert, Nova Scotia on June 8, 1944.

While at No. 1 Infantry Training Battalion, he was re-interviewed on June 28, 1944 and again volunteered for Paratroop Training.  The response was the same: “…not suitable for Paratroops.  His education is lacking…”

On July 21, 1944, Albert Noel was sent to the Training Brigade Group in Debert, and granted 2 weeks embarkation leave, the last chance he had to see his family again.

Albert Noel Lamontagne in dress uniform.  (Photo courtesy of the Albert Joseph Chevarie Family)

….Albert Noel’s mother tried to have him released….

The embarkation leave in July must have been bittersweet, as after the death of Albert Noel’s stepfather in April 1944, his mother, who was living in St. Charles, New Brunswick, had contacted the Military Authorities in June 1944, asking that her son be returned home. 

She was interviewed on June 21, 1944 and explained that “….I am left alone with two children, one boy George Chevarie, 14 years of age, and one girl Julia Chevarie, 11 years of age…..The reason I want my son to come home is because I am sick, suffering from liver trouble…”

Although Mrs Chevarie had acute hepatitis and was unable to work, the military did not consider this grounds to release Albert Noel.  The report stated that her doctor was consulted, and in his opinion her son “…could not help her much, insofar as her sickness goes…” 

Therefore, the report concluded that “…if her son was home he could not help her very much, other than financial circumstances…” It was further pointed out that Mrs Chevarie was already was receiving a Dependents’ Allowance. Albert Noel remained in the Canadian Army.

….Albert Noel left Canada for overseas service….

On September 2, 1944, Albert Noel left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on September 6, 1944 he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU). 

He continued his training for a few weeks before being transferred to the X-4 reinforcement list of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC), part of the 10th Battalion, on October 7, 1944.  The next day he was on his way to Northwest Europe, disembarking on October 9, 1944.

….Albert Noel was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal….

Albert Noel joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in Noordeinde, The Netherlands. (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On October 18, 1944, Albert Noel was transferred to ‘C’ Company of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, joining them in Noordeinde, The Netherlands.

Then, on December 14, 1944, Albert Noel received a promotion, from Private to Lance Corporal. On February 15, 1945, he was promoted again, to Acting Corporal.

.….The battle to clear Xanten began in early March 1945 ….

By February 17, 1945, the Regiment was in Germany, in place for the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 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.

On March 1, 1945 the war diary for the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade stated that “…the task of clearing the high ground south of Calcar was completed…..Relief of 10 Canadian Infantry Brigade commenced at 0400 hours. Some mortaring and shelling reported during the takeover but relief completed by first light…”

This account matched the March 1, 1945 entry in the war diary for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. “….Battalion moves to a concentration …” near “….ESSEN to relieve 10 Cdn Inf Bde at first light 2 March 45…”

An update in the March 2 1945 war diary explained that “…6 Cdn Inf Bde relieves the Argyle and Sutherland Regiment which has been taking a severe beating by both small arms and gun fire which continue as we get in position with our companies…Enemy resistance is very stubborn and a screen of TIGERS and Self Propelled guns is reported….”

Sharon Adams wrote in the March 2022 Legion Magazine’s article ‘The Taking Of Xanten’ that  “…In early March, the Canadians were assigned to take Xanten, established by the Romans in about 15 B.C. and the place from which the German 256th Infantry Division launched its 1940 invasion of the Netherlands.

It began with opening approaches to the town by Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. Resistance was stiff. On March 3, a direct hit took out the wireless radio set and operator in the lead company…”

.….Albert Noel lost his life on March 3, 1945 ….

The war diary for March 3, 1945 for the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade reported that it was raining as troops moved into position.  “…Going was very hard due to the rise in ground, heavy growth of trees, and the well dug in positions of the enemy.  The enemy within the forest is not strong in numbers but equipped with many automatic weapons….

The Fusiliers Mont-Royal started on their way at 1400 hours.  Going was very hard with the advance being hampered by heavy shelling and mortaring from the south east….”

The March 3, 1945 war diary entry for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal confirmed the challenges they faced. “….Enemy, although offering stubborn resistance in the gap, is reported to be withdrawing over the RHINE. Tac R reports the road Geldern – Wesel jammed with traffic moving north east and ferries at Wesel and Xanten very active. Enemy must hold line in front of Xanten until last possible moment to protect escape routes.

Muddy condition of country renders support task of tanks very difficult. Evacuation of wounded and transportation of rations to forward troops is a problem….”

At some point during March 3, 1945, Albert Noel lost his life during the battle, aged 26, one of 8 fatal casualties of the Regiment.  The other 7 men who died that day were:

  • Lionel BEAUDOIN of Magog, Quebec, aged 20
  • Wilbert FIOLA of Verdun, Quebec, aged 19
  • Henry Edward LACELLE of Massey, Ontario, aged 27
  • Lucien Joseph MASSON of Callender, Ontario, aged 25
  • Gerard PAQUETTE of Montreal, Quebec, aged 22
  • Roger TAILLEFER of Montreal, Quebec, aged 18
  • Philias ZASTE of Rose du Lac, Manitoba, aged 21

.….Albert Noel is buried in Groesbeek….

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

The original grave for Albert Noel Lamontagne at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo courtesy of the Albert Joseph Chevarie Family)

Grave of Albert Noel Lamontagne in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Joyce Chevarie for letting us know where to find a photo, to Malcolm John, President of RCL 30 in Richibuto for sharing the photos of Albert Noel Lamontagne, and to Shawn Rainville for newspaper research. If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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