Battle of the Ruhr

On The War Memorial Trail…Remembrance Week 2026 – Reflections and Updates

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November 10, 2026.  When we write a story on the blog, we often receive additional information about the soldiers we’ve written about, and reactions from family members of the soldiers. This Remembrance Week 2026 posting gives an update on eleven soldiers whose stories were previously told.

….The family of WWII soldier Azade Boudreau appreciated the research that went into telling his story…

WWII soldier Azade BOUDREAU from Petit Rocher Nord, New Brunswick, drowned in a canal in Ghent, Belgium on December 15, 1944, aged 22, while serving with the 4th Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.

There is usually quite a time lag from when Pieter begins his research, family is contacted and a photo is provided, and a story is written.  Azade’s story took 2 years from the initial start of research until a story was written and published on our blog, just before last Christmas.

It meant a great deal to us when Azade’s niece, Pauline Theriault, who had provided a photo, wrote us to say “….. Words can’t express how grateful the Boudreau family is for all the time and research you have invested in telling Azade’s story.  We knew nothing about it at all.

The fact that you went to Petit Rocher and also visited his gravesite is beyond anything we could have ever hoped for.

We definitely treasure all you have done for us.  You have no way to know how much this means to us. It’s part of our history that we can now pass on to the next generation.

 Thanks very much & Happy Holidays….”

You can read Azade’s story at: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/12/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-petit-rocher-nord-who-accidentally-drowned-in-a-belgian-canal/

….A local Dutch researcher sent a photo of the location where WWII soldier Peter Hydichuk lost his life…

WWII soldier Peter HYDICHUK, from Theodore, Saskatchewan, lost his life in The Netherlands on March 31, 1945, aged 27, while serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment.

Maarten Koudijs, an amateur researcher in the Gendringen area, and author of ‘Tussen Grens En Hoop’, was quoted in the story we wrote, as he’d stated that Peter was “…killed near Alofs’s house on the Tappenweg in Etten….”  (Translated from the original Dutch)

In January 2026 Maarten sent us a photo of the former farm where Peter died.

Former Alofs farm where Peter Hydichuk was killed. (Photo courtesy of Maarten Koudijs)

You can read Peter’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/11/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2025-the-wwii-soldier-who-was-never-forgotten-by-his-girlfriend-and-her-family/

 ….The family of WWII soldier Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ Jorgenson shared his story with relatives…

WWII soldier Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ JORGENSON, from Kenora, Ontario, was serving with the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment when he was killed in action during the Battle of the Scheldt in The Netherlands on October 23, 1944.

Terry and Leni Ellwood, who had provided photos and a wealth of information on Leni’s uncle Vin, were very appreciative, and wrote to say that “…we loved your article. It will become a family heirloom documenting the life of Vin Jorgenson. We will share it with all of Vin’s relatives.

Thank you so much for the effort you have taken to do the research and document this very important time in history. Bravo!…”

You can read Vin’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/04/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-sergeant-from-kenora-killed-during-the-battle-of-the-scheldt-near-hoogerheide/

….The great-nephew of WWII soldier Garnet Joseph Gallant shared a photo of his original headstone in Groesbeek…

WWII soldier Garnet Joseph GALLANT, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, lost his life in Germany on February 18, 1945 during the Battle of Moyland Wood, while serving with the Regina Rifles Regiment.

Garnet’s great-nephew, Frank Elliott, got in touch after the story was written, explaining that “…. Garnet Gallant was my great-uncle. You had been talking with my Aunt Janet Lowerison when you wrote that great piece on Garnet. I have a box of old family pictures, which is where I found the one of Garnet that Janet shared with you. I also found this one of his first grave….” 

Original headstone for Garnet Gallant at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of the Gallant Family)

Frank not only provided the photo, but went on to say “…I really enjoyed reading your website. Not just of Garnet but of the others as well. Thanks for doing the Memorial Trail project….”

You can read Garnet’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/11/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2025-the-wwii-soldier-from-amherst-whose-photo-was-sent-a-few-days-before-what-would-have-been-his-103rd-birthday/

….Frans Nijsen empathized with a family whose relative was buried far from home…

When we were in The Netherlands on our 2025 European War Memorial Tour we encountered a sign by one grave in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, that Pieter placed flags at, asking for whoever had been annually placing flowers at this grave to come forward – a mystery that was soon solved. After speaking with Saskia Peters, who had placed the sign, we learned that she had met Frans Nijsen, the man who had been placing the flowers.

WWII airman Arnold Freeman HUPMAN, from East Side of Ragged Island, Nova Scotia, lost his life during the last flight of Lancaster X KB728, which was shot down in Elden, The Netherlands in the early hours of June 17, 1944 as it was returning to England from a bombing mission in Germany.

You can read about this special story of remembrance at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-mystery-of-who-placed-flowers-at-one-airmans-grave-was-solved-in-a-story-spanning-two-continents/

After we shared the story about solving the mystery of who had been annually placing flowers, we heard back from Frans.  “…The reason I started doing this was as a thank you to Graham’s family. I knew that it was difficult for them that Arnold wasn’t buried close to them and they couldn’t visit it. For me, this was a sign, that if they can’t, I will do it for them and let them know every year that we don’t forget. Reading the article made me emotional, in between the lines I can read the pain that still exists. My family has a similar pain, but I’m also proud of what my family members did with the resistance during the war. I will continue to bring flowers every year and let Graham know that we won’t forget. That’s the least we can do…”

Flowers placed at the grave of Arnold Hupman on May 5, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Frans Nijsen)

In May 2026, Frans contacted us with photos of this year’s visit.  “…Yesterday we visited the grave of Arnold Hupman and laid flowers on the grave together with my family. We transfer our knowledge and history so that this never happens again. I wish more people did that. We do our best to keep the memories and lessons alive….”

….A two part story about 2 brothers from Prince Edward Island brought back family history memories…

Two brothers from Prince Edward Island lost their lives during WWII.  One is buried on the Island, the other in Germany….and a two part series told their stories.

WWII soldier Michael ‘Cecil’ STORDY from Brookvale, Prince Edward Island, drowned on June 14, 1945 during a swimming exercise in Nova Scotia, while training with A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC).

WWII airman John ‘Lawrence’ STORDY from Brookvale, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the RCAF’s No. 405 Pathfinder Squadron, when he lost his life on April 27, 1943 while aboard the last flight of Halifax JB-920 when it was shot down by German flak over Germany during the Battle of the Ruhr.

After reading this two part series on the Stordy brothers, Kendra Mellish contacted us.  “….Just wanted to send you a note to say Thank-You for the work you do ’On The War Memorial Trail’.  Very interesting article on the two Stordy brothers in the military and from Brookvale/Kelly’s Cross.  My maiden name was Stordy. My grandfather William Stordy grew up in Crapaud and his father ran Stordy’s Mill also in Crapaud. William Stordy created/owned Crystal Milk Dairy in Summerside.  As a child, my father Eldon Stordy took me to Kelly’s Cross cemetery to work on family tree history….“

You can read Cecil’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/02/11/on-the-war-memorial-trailthe-stordy-brothers-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-from-brookvale-who-drowned-during-a-swimming-exercise-in-nova-scotia/

You can read Lawrence’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/02/16/on-the-war-memorial-trailthe-stordy-brothers-part-2-the-wwii-airman-from-brookvale-who-lost-his-life-on-the-last-flight-of-halifax-jb-920/

….The family of WWI soldiers Francis Edmund Graves and Charles Stuart was grateful to have their stories told…

WWI soldier Francis Edmund GRAVES, born in England, but from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was serving with the 31st Battalion when he was seriously wounded on May 3, 1917 during the Battle of Fresnoy in France. One leg was amputated and he spent 2 years in various hospitals but was able to return to civilian life in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he raised a family and worked as a clerk at the Empire Sash and Door Co. Ltd until his death on November 8, 1941.

WWI soldier Charles STUART, born in England, but from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was serving with the 8th Battalion when he was seriously wounded on August 10, 1918 during the Battle of Amiens in France. He received multiple shrapnel wounds in scalp, jaw, larynx, neck, hand, and chest, and he spent almost 2 years in various hospitals, requiring reconstructive surgery on his nose and face, but was able to return to civilian life in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he raised a family and worked for the CNR (Canadian National Railway) until retirement, before passing away on September 23, 1977 in Winnipeg.

Brenda Graves wrote us after reading Part 2 of the two part series on her husband Stuart’s grandfathers, who both served in WWI and returned home with major injuries.  “….Amazing story! And to think about how we complain about relatively minor aches and pains. Charles and Francis were so critically injured and medical care was slow coming and without antibiotics, it was incredible that they even survived. Another great piece.  Good job seems to be so inadequate on such well researched pieces.  Thanks again. ….”

You can read Francis’ story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-duty-sacrifice-resilience-part-1-the-wwi-soldier-whose-war-injuries-didnt-stop-him-from-living-his-life/

You can read Charles’ story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/05/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-duty-sacrifice-resilience-part-2-the-wwi-soldier-who-was-seriously-wounded-by-an-exploding-grenade-during-the-battle-of-amiens/

….The niece of WWII soldier Albert Ahlwardt shares the same birth day as her uncle…

WWII soldier Albert Donald AHLWARDT, from Olds, Alberta, was serving with the 6th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, when he was killed on February 26, 1945 during the Battle of Keppeln in Germany, after a shell burst near him, as Pte Harry BIZNAR and Lt Robert Joseph MARKEY were trying to him to safety in a nearby house, after he was wounded.

His niece, Betty Askeland, daughter of Albert’s sister Stella, wrote us, saying “…thank you so much for sending this article, it means so much to me.  I am his sister’s daughter Betty and we shared the same birth day June 2. This means so much to have this information…“

You can read Albert’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/07/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-struck-by-shellfire-part-3-the-wwii-gunner-from-olds-who-lost-his-life-as-he-was-being-moved-to-safety/

….The nephew of WWII soldier James ‘Jim’ Kosowan found his story a reminder of ‘how much honour and respect we owe to so many from so long ago’.…

WWII soldier James ‘Jim’ John George KOSOWAN, born in Samburg, Saskatchewan, was serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles when he was killed in action during the Liberation of Deventer in The Netherlands on April 10, 1945.

After reading Jim’s story, his nephew, Randy Sanjenko, wrote us. “…I read the beautiful article you wrote about my uncle Jim it touched the hearts of my wife and children and the tears from me are still falling. It is not with sadness that I read it but with the knowledge that many fallen soldiers are somewhere silently thanking you for the work and sacrifice you make to keep their memories alive and the honour and respect you bring to them.

In a world with so much division and hate remembering those who fought against it is an honourable thing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart…“

You can read Jim’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/09/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-born-in-samburg-who-lost-his-life-during-the-liberation-of-deventer/

Thank you to Betty Askeland, Brenda Graves, Frank Elliott, Terry and Leni Ellwood, Kendra Mellish, Frans Nijsen, Maarten Koudijs, Randy Sanjenko, and Pauline Theriault. The work of remembrance of those who served continues.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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 Stordy Brothers Part 2 – The WWII Airman From Brookvale Who Lost His Life On The Last Flight Of Halifax JB-920

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February 16, 2026. During WWII, the Stordy family of Brookvale, Prince Edward Island, lost  two sons:  first, John ‘Lawrence’ STORDY, who is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Germany, and then, shortly after the war in Europe ended, Michael ‘Cecil’ STORDY, who is buried in Kelly’s Cross (St. Joseph) Parish Cemetery in Kelly’s Cross, Prince Edward Island.

….Two brothers gave their lives in WWII…

Two Stordy brothers are listed on the memorial outside St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Kelly’s Cross, behind which Pieter is standing. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In Part 1 of this two-part series, we began with Cecil’s story, as the Stordy family became known to Pieter when he was assigned Cecil’s grave after he became a volunteer under the National Volunteer Program for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/02/11/on-the-war-memorial-trailthe-stordy-brothers-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-from-brookvale-who-drowned-during-a-swimming-exercise-in-nova-scotia/) 

Now, in Part 2, we tell the story of John ‘Lawrence’ STORDY, who lost his life in Germany on April 27, 1943, aged 22,  two years earlier than his younger brother Cecil.

….Lawrence enlisted in the RCAF in July 1941 …

Born May 31, 1921 in Brookvale, Prince Edward Island, Lawrence was the son of John ‘Anthony’ and Mary ‘Ermina’ (nee Duffy) Stordy.  When he enlisted at the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Recruiting Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 17, 1941, he stated that he had completed Grade 10 and was employed at Schwartz & Sons.  Before that he had worked as a farm labourer for D. D. MacDonald on Prince Edward Island for 4 months, then on a dairy farm for B. Baxter in Truro, Nova Scotia.

In 1940, he left the dairy farm for a better job with Nova Scotia Light and Power in Halifax, Nova Scotia, remaining there until he was laid off in 1941, after which he went to work for Schwartz & Sons, a spice and food company, as an assistant shipper.  

Asked what special qualifications or hobbies would be useful to the RCAF, he wrote down that he knew how to fish, hunt, and skate, and occasionally played baseball.

After taking his basic training in Halifax, Lawrence was sent to No. 4 Air Manning Section (AMS) in Valcartier, Quebec on September 13, 1941 and to No. 5 Manning Depot in Lachine, Quebec.  Manning Depots were reception and training centres for new RCAF recruits, serving as the initial entry point for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). Recruits received uniforms, 4–5 weeks of basic military training, drills, and aptitude testing.  Upon completion, trainees were designated as ‘aircraftsmen 2’ and moved on to further specialized training schools.

Lawrence remained there until March 29, 1942, when he was sent to No. 1 Wireless School (WS) in Montreal, Quebec.  This BCATP facility for training wireless air gunners was located in the former Nazareth School for the Blind. On April 30, 1942, he was designated as Leading Aircraftman (LAC).

On June 7, 1942 he went to Composite Training School (KTS) in Trenton, Ontario for a four-week course in astro-navigation.

On July 5, 1942 he was sent to No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery (B&G) School in Mont-Joli, Quebec, where he received instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery.  Bombing and Gunnery schools required a large area to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used.

John ‘Lawrence’ Stordy. The 3 chevrons on his right arm indicate his promotion to T1 Sergeant. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

While at No. 9 B&G, Lawrence was awarded his Air Gunner’s badge on August 14, 1942, and a promotion to T1 Sergeant.  (The ‘T’ stands for Technician.) His Commanding Officer at the School noted that he was “…a hard worker and applied himself diligently…”

On September 11, 1942, he was sent to No. 34 Operational Training Unit (OTU) in Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick.  An OTU was the last stop for aircrew trainees before going overseas. 

….Lawrence left Canada for overseas service …

Lawrence was only in Pennfield Ridge for a few days before being transferred to the RCAF’s No. 1 ‘Y’ Embarkation Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  (See https://rcaf.info/rcaf-stations/nova-scotia-rcaf-stations/rcaf-station-halifax/)

Aerial view of Halifax showing the location of the Canadian National Railroad Station (red # 1) , Pier 21 Ocean Terminals (red # 2) and No. 1 “Y” Embarkation Depot (red # 3). Halifax Harbour is foreground and right with the Bedford Basin in background. (Source: Library and Archives Canada Collections website)

Things moved quickly after that, as on September 24, 1942, Lawrence was placed in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Trainee Pool and arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre (PRC) in Bournemouth, England on October 9, 1942. This was the arrival point for thousands of Commonwealth aircrew after training in Canada. 

Lawrence would have been at No. 3 PRC at the same time as Donald David MacKenzie TAYLOR, who arrived there two days earlier, and whose story was previously told.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/12/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-born-in-manitoba-who-lost-his-life-when-lst-420-hit-a-mine-in-the-harbour-outside-ostend/)

….Lawrence joined No. 405 Pathfinder Squadron…

On October 28, 1942, he was transferred to No. 405’s 1659 Conversion Fleet, the main training unit for No. 405 (Vancouver) Squadron, and based at RAF Leeming and Topcliffe in Yorkshire.  No. 405 was the only RCAF Pathfinder Squadron. Formed in April 1941, No. 405 had flown Wellingtons until April 1942, when it converted to Halifax bombers, and prepared crews for the Handley Page Halifax bomber.

Halifax B Mk II bomber photo.  (Photo source: Royal Air Force official photographer – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24454971)

Pathfinder Squadrons were target-marking squadrons that flew ahead of the main bombing crews to mark targets with slow falling, colour-coded parachute flares and very bright photo flash bombs that were on the centre of the target.  This helped bombing crews to increase the accuracy of their bombing.

Pathfinders didn’t immediately leave, but stayed around the target, to keep dropping markers on target, to keep second and third waves of bombers from ‘target creep’.  RAF and RCAF bombers were strung out like cars on the interstate, one behind the other, NOT in formation. Each individual aircraft had to navigate, get to the target, drop their bombs, and return to base – in the dark.  Pathfinders would remain until after the bombers had left to take photos of the damage inflicted.

On January 15, 1943, his training completed, Lawrence was assigned to No. 405 Squadron, based at RAF Beaulieu in Hampshire. At the time he joined, No. 405 had been detached to Coastal Command since October 1942. Coastal Command’s role was defensive, mainly protecting convoys from German U-boats.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Coastal_Command_during_World_War_II)

On March 1, 1943, No. 405 Squadron was reassigned back to Bomber Command as part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, selected to be part of No. 8 Pathfinder Group on March 18, 1943, and based at RAF Gransden Lodge, located 16.3 km (10.1 miles) west of Cambridge, England. They were to be participants in a bombing campaign in the industrial heart of Germany.

….No. 405 Squadron was involved in the Battle of the Ruhr…

The Battle of the Ruhr was a strategic bombing campaign carried out by Bomber Command against the Ruhr Valley Area in Germany from March 5 to July 31, 1943.  Why Ruhr? Responsible for 60% of Germany’s industrial output, it was the main centre of German heavy industry with coke plants, steelworks, armaments factories and ten synthetic oil plants. (Coke is a coal-based fuel with a high carbon content, used mainly in the smelting of iron ore, steelworks, armaments factories and ten synthetic oil plants.)  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Ruhr and https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2429/battle-of-the-ruhr/)

The Ruhr Valley was protected by about 200 flak batteries, each consisting of six or eight 88-mm (3.5 in) guns, many with radar capability. Some guns were even mounted on trains to follow the bombers. Due to this dense network of anti-aircraft guns and countless searchlights, Allied bombers soon gave the Ruhr the ironic nickname of ‘Happy Valley’.

In addition to anti-aircraft guns, smog was a big problem.  The Ruhr Valley was so heavily industrialized that constant smog in the skies above it not only impeded the bomb aimers, but also made it difficult for the navigators to find their target areas.

….The last flight of Halifax JB-920…

On the night of April 26 into 27, 1943, Bomber Command sent 561 bombers (215 Lancasters, 135 Wellingtons, 119 Halifaxes, 78 Stirlings, 14 Mosquitos) to Duisburg, Germany.  Duisburg had important railway yards, which connected the Ruhr to other parts of Germany, and the Thyssen steelworks.

In total, 17 planes were lost that night – 7 Halifaxes, 5 Wellingtons, 3 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings. German records show 130–207 people killed, 300 buildings destroyed and six other cities hit by bombs.

Map shows the plane’s path from England towards Duisburg.  It was shot down by German flak and crashed in Walsum, 11 km north northwest of its target of Duisburg.  (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

This operation was No. 405 Squadron’s first operation as a Pathfinder unit. Out of 11 Halifax aircraft dispatched, 1 was lost – Halifax JB-920.  Hit by German light and heavy flak, it was shot down as it approached the target area of Duisburg, and crashed in Walsum, 11 km (6.8 miles) north northwest of Duisburg. All eight crew members were killed, including Lawrence, who was one of the two air gunners on that flight.

….The other crew members on the last flight of Halifax JB-920…

On the last flight of Halifax JB-920, in addition to Flight Sgt John ‘Lawrence’ STORDY, the other crew members were:

  • Pilot : Pilot Officer David Edward CROCKATT of Vancouver, British Columbia
  • 2nd Pilot : RCAF Pilot Officer Chester Brockie DIXON of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan
  • Flight Engineer : RCAF Sergeant Isaac Abraham PENNER of Nipawin, Saskatchewan
  • Navigator : RCAF Pilot Officer John Robert MARRIOTT of Ottawa, Ontario
  • Navigator : RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Stewart SLEETH of Detroit, Michigan, USA
  • Wireless Operator / Air Gunner : RAF Pilot Officer Francis Edward O’HARE of the United Kingdom
  • Air Gunner : RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Thomas Lloyd BENTLEY of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

….Lawrence is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve…

The airmen were temporarily buried at North Cemetery in Dusseldorf, Germany, before being reburied in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Germany.

Grave of John ‘Lawrence’ Stordy in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Germany.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

I had wondered why the men were reburied in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, another cemetery in Germany, instead of in The Netherlands. Yannic Wethly, a volunteer with the Air Drenthe Research Foundation (Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe),  explained that “….almost all  RAF/RCAF/RAAF etc personnel who died in the German provinces that border to The Netherlands were reburied at Reichswald Forest. This explains the vast geospatial spread in the crash locations, and also why there are more than 7500 graves there….”

Patti W Noonan, daughter-in-law of the late Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Stordy Noonan, the youngest sister of Cecil and Lawrence, wrote us that “….the family is very proud of the sacrifice by Lawrence and Cecil…” and rightly so.

Thank you to Wendy Nattress, who prepared the map showing the flight path for Halifax JB-920.

This concludes the 2 part series on the Stordy Brothers. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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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