On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 5: The Soldiers From Nova Scotia

July 4, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 4, 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.

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 Marven Glenroy Harvey of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Marven Glenroy HARVEY, of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 19. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/

Grave of Marven Glenroy Harvey after Pieter had placed Nova Scotia and Canadian flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 34 soldiers from Nova Scotia.

…4 Soldiers From Nova Scotia 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/)

In Part 4, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-4-the-soldiers-from-new-brunswick/)

Now, in Part 5, the graves and photos of 4 soldiers from Nova Scotia, whose stories have previously been told, are featured. Like Marven Harvey, two of them lost their lives on the same day, during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945.

Pieter at the grave of Austin Havelock Munroe. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Austin Havelock MUNROE from Little Dover, Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Grave of Lawrence Arthur Rudolph. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lawrence Arthur RUDOLPH from Liscomb, Nova Scotia, was killed in action during Operation Blockbuster in Germany on February 27, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/01/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-liscomb-who-lost-his-life-due-to-sniper-fire-in-germany/

Pieter at the grave of John Lewis ‘Ducky Wallace. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John Lewis ‘Ducky’ WALLACE from Canning, Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Grave of Harry Elwood Wright. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Harry Elwood WRIGHT, from Clementsvale, Nova Scotia, was killed in action in The Netherlands on April 17, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-trooper-from-clementsvale-who-lost-his-life-during-the-liberation-of-the-netherlands/

….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.
Nova Scotia flags were sent by Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia

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.

More highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail will be featured in upcoming postings.

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….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 2: The Soldiers From Prince Edward Island

June 26, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 26, 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.

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. 120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 17 soldiers from Prince Edward Island. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

…5 Soldiers From Prince Edward Island Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided. Now, in Part 2, the graves and photos of five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, are featured.

Pieter by the grave of Lawrence William Bulger. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lawrence William BULGER from Portage was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. He was one of several stretcher bearers who lost their lives that day, killed by machine gun fire while attending to the wounded on the battlefield. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/08/19/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-bulger-brothers-part-2-the-wwii-stretcher-bearer-from-foxley-river-killed-during-the-battle-of-bienen/

Grave of John ‘Weston’ Campbell. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John ‘Weston’ CAMPBELL from Clermont was killed while in command of ‘B’ Company of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders during Operation Veritable in Germany on February 14, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/09/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-clermont-killed-during-operation-veritable/

Pieter by the grave of Arthur Gaudet. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Arthur GAUDET from 5 Pointe, near Mount Carmel, was wounded during Operation Blockbuster in Germany on February 26, 1945, while serving with Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and died later that day. He was two days short of his 21st birthday! You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/02/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-prince-edward-island-who-lost-his-life-in-germany-two-days-before-his-21st-birthday/

Grave of Edward Gabriel Perry. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edward Gabriel PERRY from St Nicholas lost his life after being fatally wounded during the Battle of Hochwald Gap in Germany on March 1, 1945, while serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s). He was rushed to hospital but died in the early morning of March 2, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/07/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-st-nicholas-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-of-hochwald-gap/

Pieter by the grave of Ralph Kenneth Silliker. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER from O’Leary was killed in action during Operation Churchill in Germany on March 2, 1945, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor). He was killed as his Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier) tried to lunge across an enemy trench. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-oleary-who-lost-his-life-during-operation-churchill/

….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 Islanders, our thanks go to: Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags. PEI flags were provided by Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora. La Société acadienne de Clare in Nova Scotia donated Acadian flags.

In Part 3, the graves and photos of soldiers from Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, will be featured.

….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/

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 Bulger Brothers – Part 2: The WWII Stretcher Bearer From Foxley River Killed During The Battle of Bienen

August 19, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

August 19, 2024. During WWII, the Bulger family of Foxley River, Prince Edward Island, suffered a double tragedy, losing two sons: Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel BULGER, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium, and Lawrence William BULGER, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

We were aware of Lawrence Bulger from last year’s series on soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945. Since his name was not on a photo wish list, we didn’t research his story at that time. The date of the Battle of Bienen was significant to Pieter as he was “…exactly one year old when this battle occurred….” and it’s why he made such an effort to research so many of the North Novies that died that day.

….Another story in the Battle of Bienen series….

This year, when we decided to tell the story of one more soldier killed during the Battle of Bienen, we asked Edison Smith for help in contacting a family member for Lawrence Bulger. Edison’s grandfather, Edison Alexander SMITH, and great-uncle Ralph Schurman BOULTER, both lost their lives in the Battle of Bienen. Edison put us in contact with Bev Jeffery, niece of the Bulger brothers.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Hal’s story was told. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/08/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-bulger-brothers-part-i-the-wwii-soldier-from-foxley-river-killed-during-the-battle-of-moerbrugge/). Now, in Part 2, we tell Lawrence’s story.

To learn more about the Bulger brothers, we were delighted to meet with Bev, the family’s historian, who explained that her “…mother was Harold and Lawrence’s sister Agatha….”

CIMG6828 May 27 2024 Bev Jeffery & Pieter Mill River Resort

Pieter with Bev Jeffery at Mill River Resort in Mill River, Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Born May 31, 1924 in Portage, Prince Edward Island, Lawrence was the son of Gabriel and Anne ‘Annie’ Marion (nee Milligan) Bulger of Foxley River, Prince Edward Island. One of 16 children, Lawrence had two brothers and thirteen sisters.

Lawrence Bulger with his guitar at home on Prince Edward Island. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery)

…Lawrence enlisted at the age of 17 ….

Before enlisting at the No. 6 District Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on March 10, 1942, Lawrence had worked on his family’s farm. He’d also worked at J.N. Kenny Contractors, a building contracting firm in Halifax, Nova Scotia until December 24, 1941. He was only 17 when he enlisted, but tried to get around that by adding a year to his birth year, saying he was born in 1923.

Lawrence Bulger, shortly after enlisting in 1942. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

After completing his basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Charlottetown, Lawrence was transferred to the Princess Louise Fusiliers (Motor), an infantry regiment, in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 14, 1942.

Then, on November 21, 1942, his real age was discovered and he was sent to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax while a decision was made about his future in the army. Lawrence was described as a “…quiet but friendly man...” who was “…accustomed to hard work…” It was also noted that he “…cannot drive a car….” and “…hasn’t had any trades experience of any kind…” It was recommended that he be given infantry training.

On November 30, 1942, Lawrence was transferred to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Formation Camp in Bedford, Nova Scotia. He remained there until September 1, 1943, when he was sent to No. 61 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. It was the second time he had to go through basic training.

…Lawrence was transferred from the Infantry to the Medical Corps ….

Lawrence Bulger in the fall of 1943. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

On September 17, 1943, he was reallocated to the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) and, once his basic training was complete, was transferred to A22 Canadian Army Medical Corps Training Centre in Camp Borden, Ontario on October 6, 1943. While at Camp Borden, Lawrence received advanced training to prepare him as a stretcher bearer, with three key responsibilities when dealing with the wounded in a war zone: stop the bleeding, treat for shock, and evacuate.

In an interview on October 26, 1943, it was noted that Lawrence was “…very disappointed about reallocation to RCAMC, as he was enthusiastic about the Infantry. A sturdy active chap….”

…Lawrence married Violet May Bedgood ….

Violet(Bedgood) & Lawrence Bulger 1943 001

Violet May Bedgood and Lawrence Bulger in 1943. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery)

Just before his transfer to Camp Borden, Lawrence married Violet May Bedgood in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 2, 1943, a few days after receiving permission to do so. According to his application for permission to marry, they had known each other for a year.

Lawrence completed his advanced training in Camp Borden and was deemed ready for overseas service. He was granted special embarkation leave from December 15 to 23, 1943, the last extended period of time to visit with his wife and family.

On January 19, 1944, he was sent to No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia, for further training and in preparation for overseas service.

….Lawrence left Canada for overseas service….

On March 6, 1944, Lawrence left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on March 13, 1944, where he was assigned to 1 Canadian General Reinforcement Unit (CGRU). He was sent for further training while in the United Kingdom and worked as an orderly at No. 18 Canadian General Hospital.

Bev Jeffery had written that Violet was “…pregnant when Lawrence shipped out….” On May 16, 1944, their son Lawrence ‘Larry’ William was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia – a child that Lawrence would never meet in person.

Lawrence was transferred from RCAMC to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR) on December 14, 1944. As part of the Canadian Infantry Corps, he would be putting his training as a stretcher bearer to use in an infantry regiment in an active war zone.

….Lawrence was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders….

Screenshot 2022-11-07 at 10-07-46 Bienen

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders made their way from Xanten towards Bienen in Germany in March 1945. (Map source: Mapcarta)

On February 17, 1945, Lawrence was sent by plane to northwest Europe as part of the CIC-X4 reinforcement troops, and then was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on March 11, 1945, joining the Regiment as they left Xanten, Germany for the Reichwald forest.

The Regiment was in the midst of preparations for Operation Plunder, which began March 21, and involved Allied troops crossing the Rhine River to the north of the Ruhr industrial region in western Germany. With aerial and military support, this took place on the night of March 23, 1945 near Rees, a town situated on the right bank of the Rhine River, approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Kleve. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

…Lawrence lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

On the next afternoon, March 24, 1945, Allied troops encountered fierce German resistance near the village of Bienen. They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he noted that the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had made “… three attempts …. to capture the village, but they were turned back by very heavy machine gun fire from the front of the village, supported by heavy mortar fire…”

On March 25, 1945, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders reached Bienen, Germany for the climax of 9 Canadian Infantry Brigade’s role in Operation Plunder. The Regiment was tasked with passing through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen during the night.

Bienen was a difficult challenge as the road through it was the only access point. In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ author Will Bird explained that it was “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

Post-war aerial of Bienen (view to the southeast towards Rees). The aerial clearly demonstrates the tactical importance of Bienen, laying astride the narrow neck of land. The main road from Rees to Emmerich (nowadays Emmericher Strasse) runs straight through Bienen. (Photo source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

March 25, 1945 was Palm Sunday – one week before Easter. The battle began in the morning and didn’t end until late that evening. Right from the start, troops were pinned down, “…suffering heavy casualties…” per the Regiment’s war diary for that day. Worse, in terms of communications, “….contact between platoons was next to impossible because of the murderous fire and heavy mortaring….”

The one day battle proved devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, as they fought in a deadly battle on open ground. Among the casualties was 20 year old Lawrence William Bulger. He was one of several stretcher bearers who lost their lives that day, killed by machine gun fire while attending to the wounded on the battlefield.

….Lawrence is buried in Groesbeek….

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Harry William DOUCETTE, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, Marvin William MCGREGOR, Austin Havelock MUNROE, Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, Louis Allan SEXTON, and John Lewis WALLACE, Lawrence was temporarily buried in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany. According to his military file, he was buried on April 5, 1945. The following year he was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

In October 2019, Pieter and I visited the cemetery and placed Canadian and Prince Edward Island flags by Lawrence’s grave. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/12/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

CIMG3356 Oct 5 2019 Groesbeek Lawrence Bulger from Daria

Grave of Lawrence William Bulger in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Lawrence and his brother Hal are remembered on the Ellerslie Monument….

CIMG6817 May 27 2024 Pieter by Ellerslie Monument - Bulgers

Pieter points to the names of Lawrence and Hal Bulger on the Ellerslie Monument. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In May 2024 we visited the Ellerslie Monument in Ellerslie, Prince Edward Island, just 13.4 km (8.3 miles) from Foxley River, where the names of Lawrence and his brother Hal, who lost his life on September 10, 1944 during the Battle of Moerbrugge in Belgium, are commemorated.

This concludes the 2 part series on the Bulger Brothers. Thank you to Bev Jeffery for submitting photos and information on her Uncle Lawrence, and to Edison Smith for contacting the Jeffery family.

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 stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/
John Lewis WALLACE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-11-the-wwii-soldier-from-canning-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
YouTube Video: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-honouring-the-memories-of-the-north-novies-who-lost-their-lives-during-the-battle-of-bienen/

….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.

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Stellarton With A Street Named In His Honour

May 6, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

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

May 6, 2024. In a January 2021 posting in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, we wrote about Percy ‘Dexter’ HIGGINS of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, who was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he lost his life during the Battle of Warnsveld in The Netherlands on April 4, 1945. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/)

Screenshot 2024-04-24 at 10-46-59 warnsveld - Google Search

Map shows location of Warnsveld, The Netherlands. (Map source: Google)

Warnsveld is located in the eastern part of The Netherlands about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Zutphen. Not long after the article was posted, we received an email from Warnsveld resident Harm Kuijper, advising that there was a proposal to name a street after Dexter, near where he lost his life.

Harm asked if we would contact Dexter’s family about this initiative, which we did. Donald Higgins had submitted a photo of his uncle, Percy ‘Dexter’ HIGGINS, writing that “…My father’s brother, Lt. Percy Dexter Higgins, is buried in Holten Cemetery. He served with North Nova Scotia Highlanders R.C.I.C. (from N.S.)…”

…A street in The Netherlands was named for Dexter in 2024 …..

On April 5, 2024, Harm contacted us again, this time to let us know that Higginsstraat (Higgins Street) had been unveiled the day before. “…Higginsstraat was officially unveiled yesterday…..” he wrote. “…. We had the Canadian ambassador visiting, who was able to attend our first two commemorations. Then unfortunately he had to return to The Hague due to commitments. Sergeant Nicole Mitchell then revealed the street name together with the Mayor of Zutphen….”

Harm also included a link to a Dutch language article from ‘Achterhoek Nieuws’: https://www.contactzutphen.nl/nieuws/algemeen/482711/onthulling-straatnaambord-markeert-herdenking-bij-het-witte-k

An English translation of the article is below:

Screenshot 2024-04-15 at 11-39-35 Onthulling straatnaambord markeert herdenking bij het Witte Kruisje

Unveiling of the street sign honouring Lieutenant Percy Dexter Higgins. Photo: Henk Derksen. Left to right: Barry and Yvonne Swarthoff from RCL Branch 5, Harm Kuijper, Sgt Nicole Mitchell of the Canadian Army, Zutphen mayor Wimar Jaeger, Wim Poppink from RCL Branch 5.

“Unveiling of the street name sign marks the commemoration at the Witte Kruisje

ZUTPHEN – Every year the commemoration is held at the Witte Kruisje (White Cross) in Leesten in honour of the Canadian corporal A.P. Periard, who was killed on April 4, 1945. This year the commemoration took on a special character due to the presence of the Canadian ambassador, relatives of Private Harry Gervais, and the unveiling of a street sign in honour of Lieutenant Percy Dexter Higgins.

For this special occasion, the 48th Highlanders Pipes And Drums and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 005 were also present. The commemoration at the Witte Kruisje was led by group 6 of the Lea Dasbergschool, where Mrs. Ineke Hissink welcomed those present. Mayor Wimar Jaeger addressed those present and laid a flower arrangement, followed by the ambassador and other attendees.

After two minutes of silence, the Wilhelmus (Dutch National Anthem) and the Canadian National anthem were played and sung. Students from the Lea Dasbergschool recited poems and placed their flower arrangements.

Afterwards, the students returned to school, while the other guests moved to the Canadian monument on Kerkhofweg. This monument contains the names of 35 Canadian and one English soldier who died during the liberation of Warnsveld and Zutphen. Harm Kuijper, the Canadian ambassador (Hugh Adsett), Mayor Jaeger, and Scott Gravel spoke at this monument. Flowers were laid and after a moment of silence the national anthems were played and sung.

Finally, all those present returned to Leesten, where Mayor Jaeger, together with Sergeant Nicole Mitchell, unveiled the street sign in honour of Lieutenant Percy Dexter Higgins, who was killed on the grounds of the Groot Graffel (now GGnet)….“

Private Harry Louis GERVAIS, son of Moise and Hattie-Mae Gervais, of La Passe, Ontario, died April 4, 1945 while serving with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, aged 19, and is also buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

..…Who was Percy ‘Dexter’ Higgins? …..

Born October 4, 1921 in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Dexter was the son of Percy Dowell and Evangeline Higgins. On June 28, 1938, Dexter joined ‘C’ Company of the Pictou Highlanders Militia in Stellarton, giving his year of birth as 1919, to make him two years older. In reality, he was still in high school.

On October 12, 1939 he signed up for active service with ‘C’ Company of the Pictou Highlanders in Stellarton, this time using his actual birth year. At this point in time Dexter was working as a grocery clerk for Blair Brothers, a retail store in Stellarton.

Dexter was transferred to Amherst, Nova Scotia and the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 3^rd Division, on October 26, 1940. In an interview for his Occupational History Form, it was recorded that in addition to being fluent in English, he was able to read French.

….Dexter left Canada for overseas service….

On July 7, 1941, Dexter was sent to Debert, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service. Dexter and his fellow North Novies boarded the ‘Orion’ on Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 19, 1941, arriving in Avonmouth, United Kingdom on July 31, 1941.

Dexter qualified as a Clerk Group C on June 24, 1942 and was promoted to Lance Corporal from Private on May 27, 1943.

On November 1, 1943, Dexter received permission to marry Elizabeth Mary Minihane, of Cowfold, Sussex, England. They married in West Grinstead not long afterwards.

Dexter was then attached, for all purposes, to No. 1 Canadian Officers Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) School on December 15, 1943. His daughter Carol Anne was born on March 30, 1944, just ahead of his transfer to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU) on April 4, 1944.

On May 1, 1944, Dexter was selected for officers training and sent to No. 1 Pre-Officers Cadet Training Unit School, receiving a commission as Lieutenant on November 16, 1944.

He next was sent to the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) course on January 28, 1945, which he completed on March 12, 1945. A few days later, on March 16, 1945, Dexter was transferred to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the Canadian Infantry Corps.

The next day, March 17, 1945, he left for North West Europe, arriving the following day. On March 27, 1945, he returned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and assigned to ‘B’ Company the following day. He joined the North Novies in Rees, Germany, as one of the reinforcements following the losses of 39 men during the Battle of Bienen two days earlier. (For links to previous stories told about North Novies killed during this battle, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-honouring-the-memories-of-the-north-novies-who-lost-their-lives-during-the-battle-of-bienen/)

Dexter’s lack of actual combat experience would soon prove deadly, as the battle-hardened North Novies moved towards German/Netherlands border and into The Netherlands for the upcoming Battle of Warnsveld.

..…Dexter died during the night of April 4-5, 1945 …..

Dexter lost his life during the Battle of Warnsveld which began late in the day on April 4, 1945. Three accounts state he died on April 4, 1945, while his service file states April 5, 1945. The discrepancy between the accounts and the service file is likely because April 5 is when his body was retrieved.

An account of the events is in Will R. Bird’s ‘No Retreating Footsteps… the story of the North Novas’: “…. April 4^th was bright and sunny…The Brigadier arrived and the Novas’ next objective was the town of Warnsveld…. The troops were carried in vehicles to a debussing point in the woods…… there was a delay as a huge crater in the road had to be filled by the Sappers before the ‘Wasps’ could get over. Then the tanks had not arrived and the company could not get forward until 1730 hours. ‘A’ Company started to hit snipers in concealed positions and progress was slow as each house had to be searched in turn….”

Bird’s account mentions what happened next. “….There was considerable shooting going on in various spots and ‘B’ Company sent a platoon to make sure of an area between them and ‘A’ Company. Lt Higgins was in command. There was open ground to be crossed with a fence running at an angle. Three attempts to get over were driven back by machine gun fire. Lt Higgins then tried to lead a rush up by the cover of the fence and was killed as he jumped over on the other side….”

..…The war diary for the North Novies also states Dexter died April 4, 1945 …..

The war diary entry for April 4, 1945 for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders also states that Lt Higgins died on April 4, 1945. “…The Brigadier came to see the Commanding Officer at 1150 hours and gave to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders as their next objective, the town of Warnsveld, code name DAFFODIL….”

As reported in Will Bird’s account, the actual battle began at 5:30 pm. Over the course of the evening, one platoon of ‘B’ Company “…had been sent to clear the area between them and ‘A’ Company and while doing so they came under Machine Gun fire and Lt. P. Higgins was killed. The troops ‘A’ Company were meeting were 16 years old, who were fighting fanatically and surprisingly well with very little support outside of machine guns and bazookas…”

‘A’ Company reached its position by 11:00 pm, and reported that “…they sent back 18 prisoners of war, all young fanatics….”

The fight continued into the night. Shortly after midnight, the war diary entry for April 5, 1945 noted that “…at this point of the attack ‘A’ Company became involved in a fierce fight for a hospital in the woods…The Germans were well dug in and held a fairly strong position…..By 0300 hours ‘A’ Company reported the hospital and woods cleared…”

..…A former Warnsveld resident related an eyewitness account that also stated Dexter had died April 4, 1945…..

After the original posting about Percy ‘Dexter’ Higgins in 2021, we also received an email from retired United Church Minister, Reverend Henk Dykman, who grew up in the Warnsveld area, and now lives in Ontario. The North Nova Scotia Regiment “….had on the 4th of April 1945 its worst day of all of their campaign in The Netherlands…”

Henk then explained that he had been told a slightly different account of how Dexter had died than was in Will Bird’s book, while at a reunion of North Nova Scotia Highlanders in Guelph, Ontario in the 1990s. “….The official records of the North Novas do not mention it, but he died in front of the large main building of Het Groot Graffel, a psychiatric hospital. The actual date was April 4 around 10:00 pm but we hang on to April 5, when his body was recovered…”

Henk recalled being approached by veteran Vincent HULL. “… ‘I heard you mentioning Dexter Higgins to someone. I was in his platoon and with him when he died’ Hull said….“

Henk asked for more information as Dexter had died a bit less than one kilometre (0.6 mile) north of the teacherage where Henk’s father was principal at the elementary school and where Henk grew up.

“….Vincent grabbed a piece of paper and drew a little map. I recognized right away what he was drawing. ‘We came from the north over a low sandhill to a highway and ducked into a dry ditch. On the other side of the road was a wood with here and there some buildings. We could see them well because of the floodlights which were bounced off low clouds and gave a diffused shine. On several roofs were red crosses. It was obviously a hospital.’ …” This most likely is the hospital mentioned in the war diary.

Henk recalled Vincent’s words. “…. ‘We better radio the company to give our position, I said to Dexter.’…” Dexter decided to investigate further, however, saying “… ‘Well, it’s quiet now, there is a road over there, let’s move on’….”

Vincent then explained how Dexter lost his life. “…We went to a wide lane towards the biggest building, Dexter in front. He had not gone far on that lane when a machine gun opened up from a small window in the roof and shot him. A sergeant and a corporal were wounded as we ran back to the ditch as fast as we could. Everything was quiet again and after we bandaged the wounded we decided to stay where we were. It was before midnight and we did not move till dawn. We saw quite a few German soldiers retreating, but they did not see us. At dawn we saw our comrades from ‘A’ Company moving from one building to another so we got up and went again towards that big one….”

“….So that was Vincent’s story and the details fitted my memories about where it was very well….” Henk wrote. “….Dexter was the only Canadian killed at that hospital. So now he will be honoured with a street name at a new subdivision south of the hospital….”

..…Dexter is buried in Holten …..

Dexter was originally buried in the Civilian Cemetery in Warnsveld, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

Grave of Percy ‘Dexter’ Higgins in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

An error was made in recording the date of Dexter’s death as April 7, 1945 on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and on his gravestone. The family was provided with the service file records should they wish to ask the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a correction to be made on his gravestone, and for a correction to be made on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Thank you to Donald Higgins for providing a photo, to Harm Kuijper for letting us know about the street naming ceremony, and to Henk Dykman for relating the story he’d heard about how Lt Higgins died. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Honouring The Memories Of The North Novies Who Lost Their Lives During The Battle of Bienen

September 2, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

20210220_111030 Feb 20 2021 Pieter with photo wish lists

Pieter surrounded by some of the photo wish lists from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 2, 2023. When Pieter decided to research the names of a number of soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment that lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945 last year, he undertook a mammoth challenge.

40 North Novies died in that battle, with 39 buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. We told the stories of 13 of them this spring. Several of the names were on the cemetery’s photo wish list, and Pieter was successful in finding all the photos.

The research took months and spanned the country, with help from other researchers, Legion branches, and the media in trying to track down families and photos. We heard a lot of heartfelt stories about loss of a loved one and met – virtually – many wonderful people.

As summer days start turning into autumn and we begin to think ahead to Remembrance Week activities, it’s a good time to reflect on almost a year’s work of research to honour and remember these men.

…Battle of Bienen video on our YouTube Channel….

A short tribute to honour some of the soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment that lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen can be seen here:

….A monument in Bienen commemorates those who died in battle….

Screenshot 2023-09-02 at 08-56-31 Bienen · 46459 Rees Germany

Map shows route between Bienen and Groesbeek. (Map source: Google maps)

In 2000 a monument to honour the Allied soldiers that lost their lives in the Battle of Bienen was placed in Bienen by surviving veterans.

Bienen Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Foundation. Photo by Kim Huvenaars)

The English version of the German text reads as follows:

‘BIENEN TABLET
This tablet has been placed by a group of surviving Canadian veterans of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 3 Canadian Infantry Division, in proud and grateful memory of those forty members of their regiment who fell in battle at Bienen, Germany on Sunday, March 25, 1945 and in memory of those fellow combatants of 9 Canadian Infantry (Highland) Brigade and 51 British Highland Division who died in the same battle and in the same cause and as well, in respectful memory of those adversaries in the German army who died on that fateful day.

At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

Erected at Bienen on the 55th Anniversary of the event in the year 2000.‘

….Stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Did you miss the stories we told about 13 of these soldiers?

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/
John Lewis WALLACE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-11-the-wwii-soldier-from-canning-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Thank you to all who provided photos and information that allowed these stories to be told this spring. Each individual story identifies them. Thank you to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made the Battle of Bienen (S4E1) YouTube video a reality.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him 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/

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 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 5: Soldiers Who Lost Their Lives In Bienen

May 25, 2023September 7, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

IMG_7596 May 4 2023 RCMP Musical Ride in Groesbeek Ad with 2 mounties

Ad Scheepers with two members of the RCMP Musical Ride in Groesbeek on May 4, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Ad and Noor Scheepers)

May 25, 2023. After a successful exhibition where photos were placed at more than 1,600 graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek for three weeks in 2021 to commemorate the Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which oversees the cemetery, gave permission for photos to be placed by the graves every two years.

…The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition 2023 included almost 2,000 photos…

This year, The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition ran from April 30 to May 21, 2023, with almost 2,000 photos, just over 350 more than 2 years ago! All photos submitted by families and volunteer researchers were printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make the 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 spring we did a 12 part series on soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945, and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.

…8 Soldiers Who Lost Their Lives In Bienen Commemorated…

In Part 1, graves and photos of soldiers from Prince Edward Island were featured. Part 2 featured Indigenous soldiers. Part 3 featured soldiers from Nova Scotia, whose stories were told in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series from 2021. Part 4 featured soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories were told in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series from 2021.

In Part 5, eight soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment whose stories were told in the Battle of Bienen series are featured. Part 1 of The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition series featured Ralph Schurman BOULTER and Edison Alexander SMITH, while Harry William DOUCETTE was featured in Part 3.

Clifford Bateman. (Photo courtesy of Ad Scheepers)

Clifford BATEMAN, of La Poile, Newfoundland, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 20. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

John Joseph Bohon. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum)

John Joseph BOHON, of Toronto, Ontario, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 20. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/

IMG_8946 Charles Marshall Carson from Alice

Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum)

Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, of Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 23. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Marven Glenroy Harvey. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum)

Kitchener ‘Kitty’ Langille. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum)

Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 28. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/

Marvin William McGregor. (Photo courtesy of Ad Scheepers)

Marvin William MCGREGOR, of West Jeddore, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 20. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/

POWER Wilfred Joseph - XVII H 02 from Faces To Graves Groesbeek

Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph Power. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Groesbeek)

Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, of Rosetown, Saskatchewan and later New Westminster, British Columbia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 20. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/

Louis Allan Sexton. (Photo courtesy of Ad Scheepers)

Louis Allan SEXTON, of Maria East, Quebec, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 22. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/

Thank you to Alice van Bekkum and Ad Scheepers for sending these photos. The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition series concludes in Part 6, where the graves and photos of more soldiers whose stories we’ve told will be featured.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Previous postings about The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek…

Ralph Schurman BOULTER, George ‘Ivan’ MACKINNON, Bernard ‘Barney’ Reuben MCGUIGAN, John ‘Clifford’ ROGERS, Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/
William ‘Willie’ Alfred CANNON, Joseph ‘Joe’ Edmund HENNEBERY, Alfred Louis PITAWANAKWAT (PITWANAKWAT), George Preston SMITH, Eli SNAKE, Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, William WEATHERBIE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/05/commemorating-liberation-day-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/
Thomas Beresford BIG CANOE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/10/the-photo-tribute-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/
Tom CHASKE, Maxwell Warren KING, John ‘Jack’ Richard MARACLE, George TAYLOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-indigenous-soldiers/
Gerald Burnell COOLEN, Percy Clayton CROMWELL, Harry William DOUCETTE, Arnold Freeman HUPMAN, Robert Alan NICKERSON, Burgess Allison PORTER, Stanley SPRAY, Benjamin James WITHERALL: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-3-atlantic-canada-remembers-soldiers-from-nova-scotia/
Gilles LANTEIGNE, Francis ‘Frank’ Lewis LIBBY, Hiram Albion LORD, Elbridge Wellington MILLER, Alphonse ROBERT, William Francis STEWART: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-4-atlantic-canada-remembers-soldiers-from-new-brunswick/

…Want to follow our research?…

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 12: The WWII Soldier From Little Dover Who Lost His Life In Germany

May 14, 2023September 2, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

May 14, 2023. On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for several names.

As has been mentioned in previous postings in the Battle of Bienen series, the date of the battle was significant to Pieter as he was “…exactly one year old when this battle occurred….”

…The search for a photo of Austin Havelock Munroe….

Within a few months of beginning the search for photos, family members were found for all except one – Austin Havelock MUNROE, who was born on December 2, 1919 in Little Dover, Nova Scotia, the son of Edward and Minnie (nee Murphy) Munroe.

Austin’s parents had died when he was a child, and while he had a brother and two sisters, and had been married, we had no luck in finding family members who might have a photo. We then turned to social media, placing an appeal on Twitter and with a short YouTube video. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/)

As well, a Letter to the Editor was sent to the Guysborough Journal, which we later learned was published on November 2, 2022 …

It wasn’t until a few months later, that Pieter was contacted by Velda Myette of Little Dover, saying she had read the Letter to the Editor, and yes, she had a photo. Her maternal grandmother, Laura Richard (nee Munroe), was Austin’s sister. “…His nickname was Rusty because of his hair being red…” Velda explained. “…My mother’s hair was also red…”

… Austin enlisted in 1940….

When Austin applied to enlist with the Pictou Highlanders in Canso, Nova Scotia on July 13, 1940, Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, he was working for Alex Keefe in Little Dover as a lobster fisherman. Ten days later, on July 23, 1940, he formally attested with the Pictou Highlanders as a member of the Canadian Active Service Force in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia.

According to his Personnel Selection Record, Austin was functionally illiterate when he enlisted, having completed only up to Grade 3. It was noted that he “…lived far from school, seldom had a teacher, and made poor progress…”

Austin not only received army training but also some basic education, and in January 1944, the Personnel Selection Record noted that he had “…learned to read and write…” He was described as a “…cheerful, eager youth of likeable personality…”

Austin Havelock MUNROE from Velda Myette

Austin Havelock Munroe. (Photo courtesy of Velda Myette)

… Austin was on garrison duty in the Strait of Canso….

Over the rest of the summer and into the fall of 1940, Austin was among the Pictou Highlanders assigned to garrison duty at two artillery batteries located at both entrances to the Strait of Canso. Today, a causeway links the Nova Scotia mainland with Cape Breton Island, but that was not the case during WWII.

Screenshot 2023-05-13 at 11-15-08 Nova Scotia Maps & Facts

Map shows location of Mulgrave and the Strait of Canso. (Map source: https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/canada/nova-scotia)

In ‘The Canso Defence Area – The Second World War on the Home Front’, author Gerry Madigan explained why the artillery batteries were important. “…The Strait of Canso, a key strategic gateway, led all onto or off the island of Cape Breton. Everything passed through there on the railway ferry between Mulgrave and Port Hawkesbury.

But the Strait was important in other ways. The Strait was also an open gateway to marine traffic through which Canadian National Steamships and other marine interests passed on their way to the Caribbean, American ports or travels south….”

… Austin completed basic training…

After completing his duty assignment protecting the Strait of Canso, Austin was sent to Valcartier, Quebec for basic training.

At the end of January 1941, he was admitted to the Halifax Military Hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. After a 6 week hospital stay, he was discharged, and placed on sick furlough until August 22, 1941.

Upon his return to active duty, he was stationed in the Halifax area. On January 23, 1942, he was assigned to McNab’s Island, located in Halifax Harbour, for a few weeks, followed by an assignment at Devil’s Battery, a military installation at the mouth of Halifax Harbour in Hartlen Point on February 6, 1942. Both locations helped protect Halifax against German U-boats. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNabs_Island and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Battery)

Unfortunately, on March 20, 1942, Austin was again admitted to the Halifax Military Hospital, and not discharged until April 13, 1942, when he returned to duty.

… Austin was part of ‘B’ Force that served in Bermuda…

(Sign source: http://www.bermuda-online.org/)

On October 2, 1942, Austin was assigned to ‘B’ Force of the Pictou Highlanders. This was a ‘Special Infantry Company’ mobilized on September 10, 1942 for garrison duty in Bermuda from November 12, 1942 to April 1, 1946.

Bermuda was important as it lay at the crossroads of the Atlantic and became an important rendezvous for wartime convoys. It was an excellent listening post for war censors – all mail flown on flying boats between North America and Europe stopped in Bermuda to refuel or wait out the weather. (See https://www.bermuda-online.org/history1939-1951.htm)

… Austin returned to Canada after a 15 month assignment in Bermuda…

Austin remained in Bermuda for 15 months. On January 16, 1944, he was transferred to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, before being assigned to A-14 Canadian Infantry Training Corps (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia in March 1944. Per his Personnel Selection Record, Austin was “…on regular training with the unit…” and was “…pleasant and cooperative…”

On April 29, 1944, he was transferred to A-22 Canadian Army Medical Corps Training Centre (CAMC TC) in Camp Borden, Ontario. A few months later, on May 31, 1944, he was transferred to A32 Canadian Army Medical Corps Training Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.

He returned to A-22 CAMC TC in Camp Borden on July 30, 1944. His Personnel Selection Record recorded that he “…did Advanced Training with good efficiency and very good conduct…” and that he “…was suitable for overseas service...”

… Austin married just before going overseas…

Austin applied for permission to marry, and after it was granted, he married Annie Elizabeth Barry at St Agnes Church Roman Catholic Church in Little Dover, Nova Scotia on October 2, 1944. He had been granted 10 days of embarkation leave from September 24, 1944 to October 3, 1944, so the couple did not have very much time together!

On October 26, 1944, Austin was transferred to the No. 1 Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia, for final preparation and training before being sent overseas.

…Austin left Canada for overseas service in November 1944….

He left Canada on November 25, 1944, arriving in the United Kingdom on December 6, 1944 and posted to No. 1 Canadian General Reinforcement Unit (CGRU). A note in his Personnel Selection Record indicated that he could be assigned to the “…Infantry Reinforcement if priority demands BUT not considered suitable combatant material…”

Given the large amount of losses of personnel from combat, it was inevitable that Austin would be reassigned to No 1 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR) a few days later on December 10, 1944.

On February 4, 1945 Austin left the United Kingdom for North West Europe, and the Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Camp in Ghent, Belgium.

On March 5, 1945 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining the Regiment in the area near Xanten, Germany.

In March, the Regiment prepared for Operation Plunder, which began March 21, and involved Allied troops crossing the Rhine River to the north of the Ruhr industrial region in western Germany. With aerial and military support, this took place on the night of March 23, 1945 near Rees, a town situated on the right bank of the Rhine River, approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Kleve. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

…Austin lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, as they fought in a deadly battle on open ground. Among the casualties was Austin Havelock Munroe. As we don’t know which Company Austin was in, we don’t know the circumstances of his death.

The war diary for March 25, 1945 summarized the fierce challenges faced by the North Novies. “…It was a long, hard bitter fight against excellent troops who were determined to fight to the end. It cracked open the bottleneck which had restricted the bridgehead, and from then on expansion was much easier and more rapid. The road to Northern GERMANY and HOLLAND was established. Over 200 prisoners were taken and many killed. Our own casualty lists were high…”

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, Marvin William MCGREGOR, Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, Louis Allan SEXTON, and John Lewis WALLACE, Austin was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

We noted that Austin stated that he was Roman Catholic in his attestation form when he enlisted. This suggested that Austin was one of the soldiers whose funeral on March 26, 1945 was one of 15 that had been presided over by Honorary Major Donald A. Kerr, Senior Chaplain (R.C.) in the 3^rd Canadian Infantry Division.

In a letter to the parents of Louis Allan SEXTON, who also died that day, H/Major Kerr wrote that “…It was indeed a sad day for me to bury fifteen of my fine Catholic boys, some of whom I knew so well…”

A letter to the sister of Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, another Bienen casualty, by H/Major Kerr explained that Wilfred was buried “…with ten other Catholic lads of his own unit…” Out of the 15 Catholic soldiers buried that day, 4 must have been from another unit, perhaps from the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Grave of Austin Havelock Munroe in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Judie Klassen for helping Pieter in the search for family members, to the Guysborough Journal for publishing Pieter’s Letter to the Editor, and to Velda Myette for submitting a photo of her grand-uncle.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. This concludes the Battle of Bienen series of postings.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE:https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/
Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/
John Lewis WALLACE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-11-the-wwii-soldier-from-canning-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

…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/.

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_5K w.

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 Battle of Bienen – Part 11: The WWII Soldier From Canning Who Lost His Life In Germany

May 2, 2023September 2, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

May 2, 2023. On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for several names.

The date of the battle was significant to Pieter as he was “…exactly one year old when this battle occurred. I was born on March 25, 1944!…”

…John, known as ‘Ducky’ to his friends, enlisted in 1940….

One of the names on the list of missing photos was John Lewis WALLACE, who was born June 1, 1921 in Canning, Nova Scotia. The son of William Edward and Amy Louis Wallace, he had 5 brothers and 5 sisters. The youngest, Gladys Pauline Archer, explained that she was the last of the siblings and had only a poor quality newspaper photo of her older brother.

Wallace, John, HCH, 9 April 1945. p.9._part1

John Lewis Wallace. (Source: Obituary in the April 9, 1945 issue of Halifax Chronicle Herald)

His obituary in the April 9, 1945 issue of the Halifax Chronicle Herald noted that he was “…known as ‘Ducky’ to his friends…” and that he had enlisted in 1942, “….shortly after his brother, Cpl James Wallace, was taken prisoner at Hong Kong…” This is incorrect. According to his attestation paper, John Lewis Wallace enlisted on June 21, 1940 – shortly after his 19^th birthday – at the West Nova Scotia Regiment Regimental Depot #6 in Aldershot, Nova Scotia.

His brother James was captured in Hong Kong on December 25, 1941, but survived his time as a prisoner of war. (For more information, see interview with Roger Cyr at https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/4538)

On June 25, 1940, he began his basic training at A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Aldershot in Nova Scotia.

After completing his basic training, John was transferred to the Royal Rifles of Canada on November 29, 1940 and sent to Sussex, New Brunswick. The Royal Rifles had been designated 1st Battalion, The Royal Rifles of Canada, CASF a few weeks earlier. (CASF referred to Canadian Active Service Force, a term renamed as Canadian Army (Active) in late 1940. It was the field force raised by the Canadian Army during WWII.)

… John was sent to Newfoundland….

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

John joined the Battalion in Newfoundland. The Battalion was responsible for garrison duty at Botwood and Newfoundland Airport in Gander from early November 1940 until August 1941. An RCAF base in Botwood 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, as well as in Gander. (See https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/botwood-base.php)

… Appendicitis stopped John from going to Hong Kong with his Regiment….

On September 2, 1941, John arrived in Valcartier, Quebec with the Battalion. While the Battalion prepared for its next assignment, he ended up in hospital with appendicitis. Therefore, he did not travel with the Battalion when it left for Hong Kong on October 27, 1941 as part of C Force. John was still in Canada when his brother was taken prisoner of war.

After returning from convalescent leave, John was transferred twice, first to the Royal Rifles of Canada Wing and No. 5 District Depot in Quebec on October 20, 1941. He was then sent to the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia and assigned to the Depot Police.

A June 16, 1942 medical specialist report noted that for the past 6 months, John had been assigned to do “…light duty such as waiter in Officers Mess and Police Duty…” but he was now fit for active duty again.

John requested a transfer to the Provost Corps in Aldershot. On July 1, 1942, he was transferred to the Staging Camp in Aldershot, Nova Scotia. Then, on December 29, 1942 he was transferred to the training camp in Debert, Nova Scotia.

… While in service John became a husband and father….

John had requested permission to marry Doris Avanelle Crowe, which was granted on December 5, 1942. The couple married in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on January 15, 1943.

On May 1, 1943, John was transferred to the Infantry Training Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia. While there, son William Lewis Wallace was born on October 17, 1943.

On September 28, 1944, John was transferred to the No. 1 Infantry Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia for final preparation and training before being sent overseas.

… John went overseas in November 1944….

He left Canada for the United Kingdom on November 21, 1944 – from Halifax, most likely on the same transport as John Joseph BOHON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, and Marvin William MCGREGOR. Like Bohon, Harvey, Langille, and McGregor, John was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

Screenshot 2023-04-30 at 13-45-17 Project '44

Map shows location of North Nova Scotia Highlanders (red arrow) as troops begin making their way towards Xanten, Germany. (Map source: https://map.project44.ca/)

On January 25, 1945 he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of 21 Army Group, and then on March 4, 1945, was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in the area near Xanten, Germany.

…John lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

Operation Plunder (Map source: https://www.canada.ca Army Headquarters (AHQ) reports #19)

The Regiment continued its movement through Germany. By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

March 25, 1945 was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. The Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen. The problem with Bienen? The road through it was the only access point. In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ author Will Bird explained that it was “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

Plunder 015 Aerial of Bienen from 23 March 45, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Courtesy Becker) ww2talk

Aerial view of Bienen taken on March 23, 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Map source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

In the article ‘Too Close To The Guns!’ in Canadian Military History, Volume 12, Numbers 1& 2, Winter/Spring 2003, pp.5-28, author Lee Windsor explained that “…terrain conditions magnified the enemy’s force ratio advantage. In the flat, featureless topography …. villages were the decisive high ground. From the many two, and sometimes three story stone houses found in those villages, German infantry and artillery fire controllers easily observed and dominated the ground around them for thousands of yards. Furthermore, the level countryside enabled the numerous German machine guns to fire at extreme ranges of up to 1,500 yards, maximizing their effectiveness while limiting the ability of Canadian artillery observers to locate and engage them…”

In ‘Operation Plunder and Varsity: The British and Canadian Rhine Crossing’ author Tim Saunders noted in Chapter 9 that “…the attack was divided into two phases, with H Hour at 0900 hours. The first problem was to get the attacking troops across three hundred yards of open country and to help with this support by heavy artillery fire, including plenty of smoke fired by both field guns and the battalion’s 3-inch mortars…”

There were 6 platoons of riflemen involved in the fight. By late afternoon, the North Novies “….methodically set about the task of clearing each and every building in the main part of the village. It took the remainder of the day, yielding a mixed bag of Fallschirmjäger and Panzergrenadier prisoners….” (Note: ‘Fallschirmjäger’ are ‘Paratroopers’. ‘Panzergrenadier’ are ‘Armoured Infantry’)

This battle, that began in the morning and didn’t end until late that evening, was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, including John Lewis ‘Ducky’ Wallace. As we don’t know which Company he was in, we don’t know the circumstances of his death.

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, Marvin William MCGREGOR, Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, and Louis Allan SEXTON, John was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of John Lewis Wallace in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

….4 Wallace sons served in the military….

The Wallace family had three sons who served in WWII: John lost his life. James, who had been a prisoner of war, returned home. Another brother, Keith, was discharged on compassionate grounds after his wife died, leaving their 8 children motherless. A fourth brother, Paul, who was serving with the United Nations Emergency Force, died in Gaza on November 27, 1964 when the vehicle he was in ran over a land mine.

Thank you to Gladys Archer for sending us information about her brother, to Judie Klassen for finding his obituary, research into the Wallace brothers who served, and helping find family, and to Margie Welin and Carrie Hogan of the Royal Canadian Legion Hants County Branch #9 in Windsor, Nova Scotia for helping in the initial search for family members.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 12: Austin Havelock Munroe.

If you have a better photo of John Lewis ‘Ducky’ Wallace, or a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/
Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/

…Want to follow our research?….

Follow our blog

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 10: The WWII Soldier Who Wanted To Be A Paratrooper

April 10, 2023September 2, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

April 10, 2023. On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for 12 names.

The date of the battle haunted Pieter as he was “…exactly one year old when this battle occurred. I was born on March 25, 1944!…”

One of the names on the list of missing photos was Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER.

….Willy was born in Saskatchewan but grew up in British Columbia….

Born September 17, 1924 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, the son of Francis ‘Frank’ and Annie Power, Willy grew up on the west coast of Canada after the family moved to New Westminster, British Columbia in 1928.

Before enlisting on August 3, 1943 at the XI District Depot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Willy worked as a seaman with the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) Steamship in Vancouver. Before signing on as a deck hand, he had worked as an electrician’s helper in New Westminster.

Wilfred ‘Willy’ Power. (Photo courtesy of Brian Power. Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg and Duane MacEwen.)

Willy had three brothers and one sister, and his nephew Brian Power submitted a photo of his uncle.

….Willy was interested in joining the paratroops….

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record, it was noted that Willy liked reading “…mystery stories…” and in his spare time enjoyed “…tennis, basketball, baseball, swimming, fishing, and hunting…” He also liked “…dancing and movies, pool, and cards…” One asset was that he could “…drive cars and trucks up to three tons…”

He was assessed as having a “…high learning capacity....” and that he was “...very anxious to join the paratroops...” His interviewer concluded by writing “…generally impresses as a good prospect for paratroops and consideration therefore is recommended…” For whatever reason, a path towards the paratroops never happened.

On September 1, 1943, Willy was posted to No. 133 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CA(B)TC) in Wetaskiwin, Alberta for two months. From there he was transferred to No. A16 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Calgary, Alberta. This centre provided reinforcements for the Calgary Highlanders and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

….Willy was sent overseas in February 1944….

On February 14, 1944, Willy left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on February 25, 1944, and assigned to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On March 13, 1944 he was transferred to the Calgary Highlanders, training with them until July 2, 1944, when the Regiment left the United Kingdom for Normandy, France as part of 21 Army Group. The Calgary Highlanders arrived on open beaches near Courseulles-sur-Mer and spent several days in the cramped bridgehead behind Caen, under constant threat of air attack, while they prepared for battle.

Willy was with the Calgary Highlanders only for the start of their Normandy campaign, as on July 10, 1944 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in Caen, France.

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

Willy was with the Regiment through Northwest Europe, including the Battle of the Scheldt, receiving promotions to Lance Corporal on August 1, 1944 1944, Corporal on December 25, 1944, and then Lance Sergeant on February 25, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt)

The Regiment reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945. On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster).

…Willy lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

Aerial view of Bienen taken on March 23, 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Map source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

On March 25, 1945, the Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen. The problem with Bienen? The road through it was the only access point. In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ author Will Bird explained that it was “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. It was a battle that began in the morning and didn’t end until late that evening.

In the article ‘Too Close To The Guns!’ in Canadian Military History, Volume 12, Numbers 1& 2, Winter/Spring 2003, pp.5-28, author Lee Windsor explained that, contrary to expectations of many Allied military planners, the Germans who were defending German villages “…were extremely well-motivated considering their homeland was collapsing all around them. First Parachute Army received Germany’s last fresh draft of replacements several weeks before the battle. These were not old men, but teenagers newly-turned 17 or 18, most with Hitler Youth exposure to military training and Nazi ideology…” They were well-trained and would not give up ground.

In ‘Operation Plunder and Varsity: The British and Canadian Rhine Crossing’ author Tim Saunders noted in Chapter 9 that “…The attack was divided into two phases, with H Hour at 0900 hours. The first problem was to get the attacking troops across three hundred yards of open country and to help with this support by heavy artillery fire, including plenty of smoke fired by both field guns and the battalion’s 3-inch mortars…”

By late afternoon, the North Novies “….methodically set about the task of clearing each and every building in the main part of the village. It took the remainder of the day, yielding a mixed bag of Fallschirmjäger and Panzergrenadier prisoners….” (Note: ‘Fallschirmjäger’ are ‘Paratroopers’. ‘Panzergrenadier’ are ‘Armoured Infantry’)

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, including Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph Power. As we don’t know which Company Willy was in, we don’t know the circumstances of his death.

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, Marvin William MCGREGOR, and Louis Allan SEXTON, Willy was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

When Brian Power contacted us, he explained that he had included a “….picture of my Uncle Willy. This was a mass card given out at his memorial many years ago….”

Mass card submitted by Brian Power.

After seeing the mass card, we noted that Willy stated he was Roman Catholic in his attestation form when he enlisted. This suggested that Willy was one of the soldiers whose funeral on March 26, 1945 was one of 15 that had been presided over by Honorary Major Donald A. Kerr, Senior Chaplain (R.C.) in the 3^rd Canadian Infantry Division.

Grave of William ‘Willy’ Joseph Power at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Foundation.)

Thank you to Brian Power for submitting photos and to Duane MacEwen for help in photo restoration.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 11: John Lewis Wallace.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 9: The WWII Soldier From West Jeddore Killed In Germany

April 2, 2023September 2, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

April 2, 2023. On a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for 12 names. One of the names on the list of missing photos was Marvin William MCGREGOR.

The date of the battle was very meaningful as Pieter explained to Shirley Corbett when she shared photos of her uncle. Shirley’s mother, Gertrude Margaret Kent, was Marvin’s sister. “…I was exactly one year old when Marvin was killed. I was born on March 25, 1944!…”

Marvin William McGregor (Photo courtesy of Shirley Corbett)

Born January 16, 1925 in West Jeddore, Nova Scotia, Marvin was the son of Norman William and Laura McGregor. After leaving school at the age of 15, Marvin took a number of short term jobs before being employed as a truck driver with Woodlawn Dairies in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

…Marvin enlisted at the age of 18 ….

He’d also been in the Second Battalion of the Halifax Rifles Reserve Army since August 1943. Before enlisting at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 13, 1943, Marvin reported for a medical on October 2, 1943. In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record on that day, it was noted that his “…mother died 2 years ago. Father is mail and bus driver in Jeddore, Nova Scotia. Has 3 brothers – all younger – and 3 sisters…”

Marvin’s ability to drive cars and trucks was recorded, and he was described as being “…friendly and sociable….” It was recommended that he be considered for the Canadian Infantry Corps as a non-tradesman.

On January 1, 1944 he was transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CI (B) TC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

After turning 19 years of age, he was sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia for additional training on February 28, 1944. In a follow-up interview after completing basic training, his examiner noted that Marvin was “…interested in driving in the Army….” He was approved for the Canadian Infantry Corps – Automotive Trades – Driver.

On July 21, 1944, he was sent to the S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School (CD & M School) in Woodstock, Ontario, where he successfully completed a 6 week driving course to qualify as a Driver i/c Class III Wheeled Vehicles. This meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars.

Marvin William McGregor (Photo courtesy of Shirley Corbett)

After finishing the course and returning to Aldershot, Marvin received embarkation leave, which allowed him to go home and say farewell to his family before being transferred to the No. 1 Infantry Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia on October 27, 1944 – in preparation for going overseas.

He left Canada for the United Kingdom on November 21, 1944 – from Halifax, most likely on the same transport as John Joseph BOHON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, and Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE.

Upon arrival in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944, like Bohon, Harvey, and Langille, he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

Map showing Emmerich am Rhein, Germany. To the left of the map is The Netherlands. Many of the North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen would be initially buried near Rees. (Map source: https://duckduckgo.com)

On January 25, 1945 he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of 21 Army Group, and then on February 14, 1945, was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in the area of Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, located along the Rhine River, not that far from the Dutch border.

Marvin was a needed addition to the Regiment, as the war diary for February 14, 1945 reported that “…our total number of casualties for today’s action was 3 killed and 8 wounded…” following a successful attack the Regiment made to clear “… a triangle formed by the road running southwest and the canal running southeast…”

…Marvin lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

The Regiment continued its movement through Germany, past Calcar and Udem. By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

Palm Sunday in Siena, Italy in April 2009. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

On March 25, 1945, the Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen. It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter.

The war diary for March 25, 1945 noted the challenges the North Novies faced. “…The weather – sunny and clear. The day of the battle, 25 March 1945. …. The battalion objective was to be the town of BIENEN… code name ASTOR, which was formerly the objective of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They had penetrated as far as farm buildings … but had had two attacks on BIENEN beaten off with heavy casualties.

BIENEN was of tremendous importance to the Germans because it was the focal point of a narrow bottleneck controlling two main roads, the one to EMMERICH… and the other to MILLINGEN. Secondly, it was of extreme importance that the narrow bridgehead was expanded quickly North and North-East to protect it from enemy mortaring and shelling and allow bridging to be put up.

The enemy were strongly dug in around and in BIENEN itself. They were fresh troops of the 115 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, and fighting fanatically to hold this vital objective. The approach was over 300 yards of flat open country with only a dyke running from the Start Line up the left hand edge of the town….”

Right from the start, troops were pinned down, “…suffering heavy casualties…” Worse, in terms of communications, “….contact between platoons was next to impossible because of the murderous fire and heavy mortaring….”

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, including Marvin William McGregor.

We don’t know which Company Marvin was in, so do not know the circumstances of his death. Shirley Corbett wrote Pieter a story that her mother had told her. “….Marvin’s commanding officer visited her family yearly with a fruit basket when he returned home from overseas. Apparently, he told her that Marvin was standing in for him at the time of his being shot and he felt responsible. I am not sure if this is fact but my Mum certainly believed it…” Perhaps the ‘commanding officer’ was a Platoon Commander?

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Marven Glenroy HARVEY, Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE, and Louis SEXTON, Marvin was temporarily buried on Monday, March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

original mcgregor grave marker in Groesbeek

Marvin’s original burial cross in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo submitted by Wouter van Dijken. Photo source: ‘De historie van de Canadese begraafplaats en de Zevenheuvelweg te Groesbeek’ by G. G. Driessen)

Grave of Marvin William McGregor in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Shirley Corbett for helping for providing a photo and information. She explained that she was “…the oldest family member left, the people with the memories and knowledge are are all gone now. Good luck and Best Wishes with this fine work you are doing…”

If you can help identify Marvin’s commanding officer and/or verify the story that Shirley’s mother was told about Marvin’s death, please let Pieter know.

GG Driessen book about Groesbeek Thank you to Wouter van Dijken for sharing the photo of Marvin’s original grave marker at the cemetery, and for letting us know that the photo came from the book ‘De historie van de Canadese begraafplats en de Zevenheuvelweg te Groesbeek’ by G. G. Driessen.

Thank you to all who have helped Pieter to find family members of North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 10: Wilfred Joseph ‘Willy’ Power.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE:https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/

…Want to follow our research?….

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

…4 Soldiers From Nova Scotia Commemorated…

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

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…5 Soldiers From Prince Edward Island Commemorated…

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

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….Another story in the Battle of Bienen series….

…Lawrence enlisted at the age of 17 ….

…Lawrence was transferred from the Infantry to the Medical Corps ….

…Lawrence married Violet May Bedgood ….

….Lawrence left Canada for overseas service….

….Lawrence was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders….

…Lawrence lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

….Lawrence is buried in Groesbeek….

….Lawrence and his brother Hal are remembered on the Ellerslie Monument….

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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…A street in The Netherlands was named for Dexter in 2024 …..

..…Who was Percy ‘Dexter’ Higgins? …..

….Dexter left Canada for overseas service….

..…Dexter died during the night of April 4-5, 1945 …..

..…The war diary for the North Novies also states Dexter died April 4, 1945 …..

..…A former Warnsveld resident related an eyewitness account that also stated Dexter had died April 4, 1945…..

..…Dexter is buried in Holten …..

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…Battle of Bienen video on our YouTube Channel….

….A monument in Bienen commemorates those who died in battle….

….Stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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…The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition 2023 included almost 2,000 photos…

…8 Soldiers Who Lost Their Lives In Bienen Commemorated…

…Previous postings about The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek…

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…The search for a photo of Austin Havelock Munroe….

… Austin enlisted in 1940….

… Austin was on garrison duty in the Strait of Canso….

… Austin completed basic training…

… Austin was part of ‘B’ Force that served in Bermuda…

… Austin returned to Canada after a 15 month assignment in Bermuda…

… Austin married just before going overseas…

…Austin left Canada for overseas service in November 1944….

…Austin lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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…John, known as ‘Ducky’ to his friends, enlisted in 1940….

… John was sent to Newfoundland….

… Appendicitis stopped John from going to Hong Kong with his Regiment….

… While in service John became a husband and father….

… John went overseas in November 1944….

…John lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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

….4 Wallace sons served in the military….

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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….Willy was born in Saskatchewan but grew up in British Columbia….

….Willy was interested in joining the paratroops….

….Willy was sent overseas in February 1944….

…Willy lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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…Marvin enlisted at the age of 18 ….

…Marvin lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

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