Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 11

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November 28, 2021. In Part 11, two stories from the many photos submitted about Atlantic Canadian soldiers buried overseas are featured. Pieter continues to ensure that photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands are forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.

Soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Gerald Coolen from Gerry Smith

Gerald Burnell Coolen.  (Photo submitted by Gerry Smith)

After seeing a November 9, 2021 interview on CTV Atlantic Live at 5, Sherry Muise wrote us about her uncle, Gerald Burnell COOLEN, born June 19, 1923 in Western Head, Nova Scotia, the son of Eben Burnell Coolen and Dorothy Belle (nee Guest) Coolen.  “…I recently saw your interview on CTV News Atlantic and wanted to share this information with you.

Private Gerald Coolen was my mother’s (June) brother. In June of 2010, we learned that his service medals had somehow become for sale on Ebay.  The Legion in Berwick was able to secretly buy them back and a repatriation of the medals ceremony was held in Berwick. Private Coolen’s sister Eleanor and 3 nieces and a nephew were able to attend. The medals remain on display at the Legion Branch in Berwick….” (To watch the CTV interview, see: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2318376&jwsource=em)

On July 16, 1940, Gerald enlisted with the West Nova Scotia Regiment in Aldershot, Nova Scotia, giving a false birthdate of June 16, 1921 as he was underage.  He was discharged on May 5, 1941 at the request of his parents.  On September 15, 1941 he married Gladys Mary Rafuse in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.

Once he was of age, Gerald re-enlisted on January 31, 1942, this time at the No 6 District Depot in Halifax.   An interviewer described him as “…young and strong…” with an “…open and pleasant manner…”

After training in Yarmouth and Aldershot in Nova Scotia, Gerald was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and sent overseas to the United Kingdom.  He arrived on June 12, 1942 and was attached to the Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

….Gerald Coolen is transferred to the Black Watch….

On December 16, 1944 he was sent to northwest Europe, and then on December 30, 1944 he was transferred to the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.

On February 25, 1945 2nd Canadian Division troops began taking their positions in the muddy fields south-west of Calcar, Germany. The goal?  Clear the Rhine River in Xanten, Germany in an operation codenamed Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

Five infantry battalions participated as part of the 2nd Canadian Division: Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, The South Saskatchewan Regiment, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

On February 26, 1945, Gerald’s regiment advanced towards the Hochwald Gap, the scene of what became a fierce battle. (See https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

The Black Watch war diary entry for February 27, 1945 noted that “…Weather – cloudy and cold, clear in afternoon…..”  The Regiment was over an hour late in moving out and then “…moved at a rate of 3 mph owing to the congestion of vehicles on roads due to the awful conditions – the roads being badly cratered in many places. … Enemy fire killed two men from A Company…”

These are the only two deaths recorded on February 27, 1945 in the Black Watch diary, the day that the service records for Gerald indicate that he was killed in action.

Gerald was initially buried in Bedburg Military Cemetery in Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands in 1946.

Sherry went on to note that “…Pte Coolen’s widower never remarried and they did not have children. The last few years of Aunt Gladys’s life she resided in a private care home.  Thank you for all of your efforts in this research project….”

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was fierce and under wet and muddy conditions….

This is the same event in which Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, lost his life a few days later.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/)

A 46 minute YouTube video on the Battle of Hochwald Gap explained the fierce battle that took place.  Watching it made it clear to us that it was a miracle that anyone survived at all, a testament to the determination and courage of those who were in the midst of it.

Soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

Samuel Glazier Porter

Samuel Glazier Porter.  (Photo submitted by Don Hulsman)

Don Hulsman submitted a newspaper photo found in the archives in Fredericton, New Brunswick of Samuel Glazier PORTER, born December 7, 1918 in Dow Flat, Victoria County, New Brunswick, son of George and Amy Porter.

He enlisted in August 1942 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and underwent basic training, followed by advanced training in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then spent time in St. John, New Brunswick.  In September 1944 he was transferred to the PEI Highlanders and had additional training in Vernon, British Columbia before going overseas to the United Kingdom in January 1945.

Once in the United Kingdom, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).  On March 28, 1945 he was sent to north-west Europe as part of the troop reinforcements, and transferred to the Carleton & York Regiment on April 2, 1945.

Unfortunately, on April 15, 1945, while with the Carleton & York Regiment, he lost his life as the unit advanced to the Apeldoorn Canal in The Netherlands.  He was one of 6 soldiers initially buried along the main road to Posterenk, a village near Zutphen.  Samuel was later reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

…The Posterenk Memorial…

In September 2017, Pieter and I visited the village of Posterenk with Edwin van der Wolf, one of the research volunteers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

CIMG9297 Sep 25 2017 Edwin and Pieter with CYR list

Edwin van der Wolf and Pieter in Posterenk in 2017.  Pieter holds up a list of the 6 Carleton & York Regiment soldiers who were temporarily buried in the village.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The village prepared a list of 6 soldiers to commemorate from the Carleton & York Regiment.  Unfortunately, not all soldiers who died are included.

Posterenk list of 6 CYR members

List of 6 Carleton & York Regiment soldiers temporarily buried in Posterenk in 1945.

As well, a memorial stone is inscribed in the village windmill:

CIMG9295 Sep 25 2017 Posterenk windmill

Windmill in Posterenk.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG9300 Sep 25 2017 Sign Posterenk freed by CYR Apr 13 1945

Translation of memorial stone on the windmill: Posterenk freed by the Carleton & York Regiment of Canada on April 13, 1945. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

To read about two more soldiers who lost their lives in the area of Posterenk, see:

Thank you to Don Hulsman, Sherry Muise, and Gerry Smith and for sharing photos and anecdotes to ensure that Atlantic Canadians who are buried overseas are not forgotten.

If you can help with a better photo of Samuel Porter, or have photos or information to share about other Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

Missed the previous postings in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series?

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WW2 Soldier From Indian River

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March 29, 2021. In January, our first Atlantic Canada Remembers special feature included a photo of WW2 soldier Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN of Indian River, Prince Edward Island, submitted by the Perry family of Nova Scotia.   (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-1/)

Charles Borden Tuplin

Charles Borden Tuplin. (Photo submitted by Gary Richard Perry)

Shortly afterwards we received another submission on Charles Borden Tuplin, this time from June Gillis.  “…Charlie Tuplin was our neighbour in Indian River when I was growing up, and he went overseas with my older brother, Bruce Gordon. Bruce survived the war, but Charlie didn’t...” she told us.  June’s late husband, Dr Wilfred R. ‘Bunny’ Gillis, grew up on a family homestead in Indian River, and also knew the Tuplin family.

CIMG5087 Mar 18 2021 Visit with June Gillis and Murphy

Pieter with June Gillis and her dog Murphy.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Born March 13, 1910 in Indian River, Charlie was the son of William and Minnie Tuplin, and worked as a fisherman and a miller prior to enlistment.  His father, who died in 1944, was a miller.

 “…The Tuplin family members were very musical...” June recalled, “…and Charlie played the violin….”

On September 3, 1939, Charlie enlisted with the PEI Highlanders, but was discharged in July 1940 after falling ill with tonsillitis.  In September 1940 he re-enlisted with the PEI Light Horse Regiment, with the rank of Sergeant, and became an instructor at the Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre #62 in Charlottetown.

In 1943 he was in Aldershot, Nova Scotia, taking advanced infantry training.  His service file notes that in an interview he was “…anxious to proceed overseas…”

In June 1944, he requested a demotion to Corporal so that he could serve overseas.  This was granted on June 25, 1944, and he left for the United Kingdom the next day. On August 18, 1944 he was in France with the PEI Light Horse Regiment.  On October 13, 1944 he was transferred to the Black Watch Regiment’s D Company, Platoon 18.

The Perry family had written that “…He was shot on December 7, 1944, was taken as a POW but died the next day…” This matches what is in Charlie’s military service file, but an account by the late William McNally of Summerside, who was interviewed by Charlie’s cousin Ann Tuplin Nunes, gave a different version of how Charlie lost his life.

According to William McNally, as per an account by Ann Tuplin Nunes that June Gillis shared with us, on December 7, 1944, he and Charlie “…were stationed by the Maas River in Holland. In order to enable Canadian soldiers to cross the river, a makeshift bridge was made by putting planks over little boats...”

While crossing the bridge, the two men were talking to each other, and crossed to the other side safely.   “….They got to the other side and went a quarter mile along the river when they ran into the German army….”

The officer in charge, Major E.W. HUDSON, had decided upon a “…hit and run raid to try to get prisoners and find out from them what was going on in the German lines….” The Canadian soldier contingent drove the Germans back “….one-half mile. By then it was the middle of the night.  They came to a village where there were three houses which stood out from the others….”

McNally, Tuplin, and two other soldiers “…headed for these houses because there was a lot of shooting coming from that direction…”  The men thought German soldiers were in the houses, and they wanted to “…knock out the machine guns….”

Unfortunately, the men were being shelled with mortar bombs.  “…Charlie was to the right of McNally and ten or twelve feet ahead of him. McNally saw Charlie falling.  He hit the ground and never moved...”

McNally ran to check on Charlie, but he appeared lifeless.  After turning him over, McNally noticed that “…there was blood on his neck...”  He may have been wounded in more than one place, as McNally believed that “…if he was wounded only in the neck, he should have showed some sign of life….”  There was speculation that he may have been “…shot in the lower stomach and killed instantly….”

Stretcher bearers were sent for, while McNally and the other men continued on their mission.  “…The next day, McNally inquired as to what had happened to Charlie and was told that, when the soldier with the stretcher bearers returned, Charlie’s body could not be found….”

The Black Watch war diary entry for December 7, 1944 indicates that the unit was just east of Mook, a town along the Maas River.  The following casualties were reported:

Killed: A/Sgt Leonard John KING, Pte Joseph S R PELLAND, Pte James Bissett WATT

Missing: Lt Thomas Wilson MACKENZIE, Pte Robert Albert MARTIN, Cpl Charles Borden TUPLIN, L/Cpl George Frederick ELLIOTT, Pte Joseph Edward WALKER

In addition, 14 men were wounded. According to research by the Groesbeek Airborne Friends, this December 7, 1944 event was named ‘Operation Mickey Finn’.

Pieter decided to look at the service files of the other soldiers reported missing, to see if more clarity about what happened and the exact location could be determined.  He discovered that all of the missing had died, and, with the exception of Charlie Tuplin, had been temporarily buried in the area.

The service file for Lt MacKenzie had an account that differed in some respects from William McNally’s recollections.

On December 14, 1944, a ‘Questionnaire On A Missing Officer Or Soldier’ included testimony by Major Hudson in which he stated that Lt MacKenzie was last seen by “…Pte C A CHARRON and Pte W J STEPHENS…” With them was “… Cpl C B TUPLIN…”

MacKenzie was leading his men in an attack when he was “…wounded on the enemy position.  Attempts were made to evacuate him but the men carrying him were also wounded.  One man managed to evacuate himself and told the stretcher bearers that Lt MacKenzie was wounded, but they were unable to find him...”

Both Pte Stephens and Charlie Tuplin were wounded.  Pte Charron was the soldier able to escape and go for help.  His statement recorded that “… At approximately 20:15 hours on December 7, 1944, I was with Lt T W MacKenzie about 10 yards from house 25.  I heard Lt MacKenzie call out for help, saying he had been hit...”

After learning that MacKenzie had been hit in the back and was paralyzed, “... Cpl C B Tuplin and I tried to drag Lt MacKenzie out as we were too exposed walking.  After going about 15 feet we found we couldn’t manage so called to Pte W J Stephens to help us.  Before he got to us Cpl Tuplin was hit.  Lt MacKenzie and Cpl Tuplin told us to go for a stretcher bearer…”

Stephens and Charron left, but “… after going about 15 yards, Pte Stephens was hit, so I kept going and told two of the stretcher bearers where I had left Lt MacKenzie and Cpl Tuplin. They made a search of the ground but were unable to find either of the wounded men….”

MacKenzie and Tuplin were missing, but Stephens was found and hospitalized.  Like Charlie Tuplin, Lt MacKenzie was initially recorded as a prisoner of war. MacKenzie’s body was later found buried in a temporary cemetery, near where he lost his life.

According to Charron’s testimony, Charlie Tuplin was alive after being hit.  Perhaps William McNally came across Charlie Tuplin after Pte Charron left to go for help.  In the dark and under mortar fire attack, it’s very likely that he would not have seen Pte Stephens or Lt MacKenzie.  It’s also possible that William McNally found another soldier that he mistook for Charlie.

Map Goch to Mook

Map shows area of the action on December 7, 1944, and the location in Goch where Charlie Tuplin’s body was initially buried. (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.com)

Although the official records state that Charlie died while a prisoner of war on December 8, 1944, McNally believed that “…he died the night of December 7th and was never a prisoner….”

What happened to Charlie Tuplin?  After the war ended, Charlie was identified, through his dental records, as a soldier buried in a public cemetery near Goch, Germany.  This is not near where he was hit, and he is the only one of the missing men identified in the war diary that was not initially buried near the location where they fell.

Therefore, the information in his service file is likely correct.  He was picked up by German soldiers while still alive, died shortly afterwards, and was buried by the Germans.

Lt MacKenzie was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, as were the other missing men.  Charlie Tuplin was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

CIMG3207 Oct 3 2019 Holten Charles Tuplin

Grave of Charlie Tuplin in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to June Gillis for sharing information about Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden Tuplin.  If you have information to share about Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, or memories to share about Charles Borden Tuplin or the other soldiers mentioned in this posting, please email us at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 6

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February 9, 2021. We continue to feature more of the photos submitted by Atlantic Canadians of soldiers buried overseas. Pieter is ensuring that every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands will be forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives. 

Currently, only the volunteers at the Canadian War Cemeteries in Holten and Groesbeek are active.  Submissions for Bergen Op Zoom and for any soldiers buried in municipal cemeteries are being held until Pieter gets the go-ahead that volunteers are active again.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

Howard Armstong

Howard W. Armstrong. (Photo submitted by Marion Fryday-Cook)

Marion Fryday-Cook, President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Nova Scotia/Nunavat Command, submitted a photo of Howard W. ARMSTRONG of Chester, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, explaining that “…This is the information gathered by Branch 44 in Chester, NS for our Command’s Veterans Recognition Service Book. Howard’s family still reside in Chester…” 

Howard was with the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, and lost his life on September 5, 1945 due to an accidental death after a misstep on a dark and unlit street in Amsterdam led to him falling into a canal and drowning.

Douglas Jury1

Douglas Jury. (Photo courtesy of the Jury Family)

On behalf of the Jury family, Dara Legere of Branch 4 of The Royal Canadian Legion in Joggins, Nova Scotia, submitted a photo of Douglas JURY, writing “…I have attached a photo of Sapper Douglas Jury of Joggins, NS who is buried in Holten Cemetery, Holland. Douglas Jury was related to my family. My mom’s sister Mary was married to Douglas’s brother Roy. There were three Jury brothers who served in WW2, Douglas, Roy, and William. William was taken prisoner by the Germans shortly after D-Day and was forced to work in the coal mines in Germany…”

Douglas was with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 18th Field Company, and lost his life on August 17, 1945. Dara explained that “…Douglas remained in Holland after the war ended, repairing dykes and bridges, etc with the Canadian Engineers. The vehicle he was travelling in rolled off one of the dykes and he was trapped under it and drowned. Such a sad story….”

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Harry William Doucette

Harry William Doucette.  (Photo courtesy of the Doucette Family)

On behalf of the Doucette family, Cyrille LeBlanc and Andre Boudreau of Legion Branch 155 in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia submitted a photo of Harry William DOUCETTE. Cyrille wrote that he “….was a private in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He was born May 25, 1925 in Bell Neck, Sainte-Anne Catholic Parish, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia.

Private Doucette was the son of John and Celina Mary Doucette. He had eight brothers and one sister. Two brothers served in the RCAF during World War II.  He completed Grade 8 at the age of fourteen and left school to work as a lumber-man in the woods. He enjoyed reading western and veteran stories.  

 He enlisted in Halifax at age 18 October 6, 1943, and served in Canada from October 4, 1943 to October 13, 1944; in the United Kingdom from October 14, 1944 to November 23, 1944 and in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany from November 24, 1944 to March 25, 1945.  He was killed in action against the enemy in Germany March 25, 1945 at age 19….”

Harry William lost his life during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, in which  44 members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders lost their lives and 68 were wounded.  In 2000 a memorial plaque was placed in Bienen to honour those who lost their lives in this battle.  (See http://wikimapia.org/17003812/Commemorative-plaque-of-Battle-of-Bienen)

Cyrille went on to explain that “…Private Doucette was remembered and honoured May 5, 2020, September 12, 2020 and November 11, 2020 – the 75th anniversary year of the liberation of The Netherlands….”  He also was kind enough to include a link to a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3SowfKA_E

Arnold Hupman

Arnold F Hupman.  (Photo submitted by Marilyn Hupman)

Marilyn Hupman sent a photo and information on her grandfather, Flying Officer Arnold F. HUPMAN, writing that “… He was the only boy of 7 children, born and raised in East Side of Ragged Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. 

Margaret Nickerson and he married and had 3 sons, Arnold, Robert and Arthur.  Arthur is the only surviving child.  My father, Arthur, was 7 years old when he last saw his father, just before he went overseas. 

From the stories I heard as a child he was asked to stay in Canada and teach pilots, but being a true Canadian he said no that he signed up to fight and he was going over.

Our family is very proud of our Grandfather and the rest of the family that fought. The only loss was F.O. A.F. Hupman….”

Arnold lost his life when the Lancaster bomber he was in crashed on the outskirts of Arnhem on the night of June 16 to 17, 1944, after being shot down by a German nightfighter. All 7 members of the crew of Lancaster VR-V lost their lives.  They were temporarily buried in the Netherlands Reformed Church Cemetery in Huissensedijk on June 29, and later reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.   

In addition to Arnold Hupman, the other crew members were: Donald MORISSEN, Gerald QUINN, Harold FLETCHER, Clifford JOHNSTON, Philip MCMANUS, and Edward FAHY. (More information can be found in this English translation of an article by the late Willem Tiemans: https://airbornearnhem.nl/WillemTiemens/Elden%20bomber%20crash.htm)

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands

Austin Boutilier photo from Judy MacKenzie

Austin Ephraim Boutilier. (Photo submitted by Judy MacKenzie)

Judy MacKenzie submitted a photo of her great-uncle, Austin Ephraim BOUTILIER, who was killed in action in Belgium during the Battle of the Scheldt on September 29, 1944, aged 26, while serving with the Black Watch Regiment.  (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Judy MacKenzie explained that “…He was gone long before I was born. His father was Ansil Boutilier. He was married to Hannah Hershman. They lived in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. They would have been my great grandparents. I remember stories that he joined the military before he was old enough.  However, if he was 26 when he died, that would appear to be untrue. All of Austin’s siblings are gone. Several of Austin’s siblings fought in the war, including my grandfather, who married Austin’s sister. Everyone else made it home, some with shrapnel in them….”

Judy’s uncle, Ernest ‘Ernie’ MacKenzie, wrote that “…our Uncle Austin is buried at Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery. We did visit Austin’s grave in 2011….” 

According to the Field Service record, Austin was initially buried in Belgium on September 30, 1944 “…on the south side of the road between Ryckevorsel towards St. Leonard...” before being reburied in Bergen Op Zoom in The Netherlands.

Thank you to André Boudreau, Marion Fryday-Cook, the Doucette family, Marilym Hupman, Cyrille LeBlanc, Dara Legere, Ernie MacKenzie, and Judy MacKenzie for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 7! If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

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

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 1

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“No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten.”

January 7, 2021.  “No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten.” This statement by Pieter in a news clip on CTV’s Atlantic Live At 5 touched many people who watched it, and many photos and stories were subsequently emailed to him.   Since the broadcast, Pieter has been working to ensure every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands are forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-ww2-soldiers-buried-in-the-netherlands-featured-on-ctvs-atlantic-live-at-5/)

This posting will feature some of the photos submitted. There were too many submissions for one posting so more will be featured in subsequent postings.

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands

James Grant Anningson

James Grant Anningson. (Photo submitted by Brenda Budd)

Brenda Budd submitted a photo of James Grant ANNINGSON, saying “…My husband’s uncle is buried there.  His name was James Grant Anningson but the family called him Grant.  He was the only one in the family that didn’t return…”  Sgt Anningson was with the New Brunswick Rangers and lost his life on April 27, 1945, at the age of 23.

image002 John Angus Beaton

John Angus Beaton. (Photo submitted by Alexander Beaton)

Alexander Beaton submitted a photo of his uncle John Angus BEATON from Mabou Ridge, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  Alexander’s brother Daniel wrote that his uncle “… made it through the war but due to the amount of soldiers that had to return to Canada, he and other soldiers were waiting their turn to be flown home.  While waiting one Sunday morning in January 1946, He was fatally shot by a Canadian soldier suffering from a mental illness. This soldier was later charged with his murder…”

The shooting occurred in Oldenburg, Germany, where there was a large Canadian base.  Daniel continued by telling us that “…I was told that John Angus’s parents, my grandparents, were happy and waiting for John Angus to return home, but were informed later that he would never return. He was 32 years old when he died, and was the son of Mary and Alex Tailor Beaton…”

Melvin Collins

Melvin Collins.  (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Kelly)

Phyllis Kelly submitted a photo of her uncle, Melvin COLLINS, from South Kouchibouguac, New Brunswick.  He served with the New Brunswick Rangers and died on April 12, 1945 in Papenburg, Germany, age 26, when he accidentally tripped a hidden high-incendiary booby trap. 

Goldwin Marven Pollick

Goldwin Marven Pollick pushing his brother Ralph on a bike. (Photo courtesy of Gary Pollick and Family of Goldwin Pollick)

On behalf of the Goldwin Pollick family, Gary Pollick submitted a photo of his uncle, Goldwin Marven POLLICK, and explained that “…We remember him as always being referred to as Goldy.  I don’t know a lot about him as I was not born yet and no one in my family spoke much about the war.  My father was in The Netherlands at the same time, and he was able to view his brother’s body before it was taken away for burial…”

Goldwin Pollick was born in Minto, New Brunswick, and served with the Carleton and York Regiment.  He lost his life on April 13, 1945 in Wilp-Achterhoek. This date was familiar to us as in 2017 we visited a windmill in the nearby village of Posterenk, in which 6 members of the Carlton and York Regiment are listed as having died between April 13 and 15.  Unfortunately, this listing does not include every soldier who was killed in the area.

Ford Hilton Spidle

Ford Hilton Spidle (Photo submitted by Dawn (Spidle) Coldwell)

Dawn (Spidle) Coldwell submitted a photo of her uncle, Ford Hilton SPIDLE, explaining that “…He was a member of the Cape Breton Highlanders. I’ve been told that he was killed by a sniper bullet the day the war was declared over. He was the young age of 32.  Apparently, the information hadn’t been received that the war was over….” The war in The Netherlands ended on May 5 and Ford Hilton died on May 1, 1945 during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket, which lasted from April 23 to May 2.  20 soldiers from the Cape Breton Highlanders were killed in action during that battle.

Dawn went on to share a personal experience.  “…I was fortunate enough to have attended the Memorial Day Service in Holten, in 2009. While I was there the Dutch people treated me like I was royalty. I have stayed in close contact with the people over there who made my trip possible. Uncle Ford was my Dad’s only brother. I have a brother who was named after Uncle Ford.  I wasn’t even born when Uncle Ford was killed but my Dad always kept his memory alive.…”

Charles Borden Tuplin

Charles Borden Tuplin. (Photo submitted by Gary Richard Perry)

Gary Richard Perry of Nova Scotia submitted a photo of Charles Borden TUPLIN of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), and explained that “…My maternal grandfather Charles Borden Tuplin of Indian River, PEI is buried at Holten. He was shot on December 7, 1944, was taken as a POW but died the next day…”

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands

William Francis Stewart

William Francis Stewart.  (Photo courtesy of the Stewart Family)

Phyllis Kelly submitted a photo of William Francis STEWART on behalf of the Stewart family, and explained that “…He was born in Claire Fontaine, New Brunswick (this community doesn’t exist now, it was expropriated and became part of Kouchibouguac National Park.) He was the son of John and Katherine (Butler) Stewart. He was married to Audrey Savoie and they had three daughters, Gloria, Bernetta, and Margaret. …”  He lost his life on July 8, 1945 when he fell out of a window in Amersfoort, The Netherlands in the early morning. 

Benjamin James Witherall

Benjamin James Witherall (Photo submitted by Jacqueline Inder)

Jacqueline Inder submitted a photo of Benjamin James WITHERALL of Nova Scotia, and wrote that “…I would like to share with you the only picture my mother’s family had of their brother in uniform.  His name is Benjamin James Witherall who was a private with the Highland Light Infantry in WW2.  He was killed in action on December 27th, 1944 at the age of 20…”

The Highland Light Infantry was based on the front line on a ridge between Nijmegen and Arnhem during that time. (See https://pipesforfreedom.com/webtxt/0502THE_HIGHLAND_LIGHT_INFANTRY_OF_CANADA.htm)

Soldiers Buried In Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium

Edison Reynolds Smith

Edison Reynolds Smith.  (Photo courtesy of Angela Leighton)

Angela Leighton submitted a photo of Edison Reynolds SMITH, explaining that “…I wish to advise that my uncle, Private Edison Reynolds Smith of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, Service #F/57514 (date of birth May 11, 1924) was killed in action in Holland on October 16, 1944, at the age of 20…” He lost his life during the Battle of the Scheldt and was initially buried in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands.  (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt) Angela ended her email with the statement: “…None of these heroes should ever be forgotten….”  She is correct!

Thank you to Alexander and Daniel Beaton, Brenda Budd, Dawn (Spidle) Coldwell, Jacqueline Inder, Phyllis Kelly, Angela Leighton, Gary Richard Perry, and Gary Pollick for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Thank you again to CTV’s Atlantic Live At 5 for helping to get the word out on this quest of remembrance. Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 2! If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

On The War Memorial Trail…..Our 2019 Visit To The Canadian War Cemetery In Bergen Op Zoom

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

December 7, 2019.  While in The Netherlands this fall, we visited the three Canadian War Cemeteries and laid down flags of Canada and PEI for the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, as well as other Islanders who have been identified by Dutch researchers. The third Canadian War Cemetery we visited on our 2019 trip was in Bergen Op Zoom, near the Belgian border.  As no one listed on the Cenotaph is buried in this cemetery, we had not visited it before.

On this trip, however, we decided to lay flags down at the graves of 6 soldiers from Prince Edward Island and 1 from Nova Scotia.  Our first surprise was that there are two war cemeteries, side by side, and of course we went to the wrong one, which turned out to be a British War Cemetery.  Luckily, a teacher visiting with a group of high school students noticed the bag we carried the flags in, and asked if we thought we were in the Canadian War Cemetery.  If so, it was further down the road.  Thank goodness the Dutch are not shy!

CIMG3382 Oct 7 2019 Bergen Op Zoom Pieter at Cdn War Cemetery

Pieter at the entrance to the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom.  Our Sobey’s bag saved us from wandering around the wrong cemetery!  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We weren’t alone in the cemetery as there were more teachers, supervising schoolchildren carrying roses.  With our Sobey’s bag filled with flags, we were easily picked out as visitors!  A teacher told us that 2,600 schoolchildren would be visiting the Canadian and British War Cemeteries, each carrying a rose to place at a designated grave, until October 28, the day of liberation for this part of The Netherlands.

One of the most recent photos Pieter received of PEI soldiers buried in The Netherlands was that of Lawrence Adolphus SWEENEY, provided by his nephew David Perry.  Placing flags by a grave when you have a photo of the person makes this small event more meaningful.

Lawrence Sweeney from David Perry

Lawrence Sweeney.  (Photo courtesy of David Perry)

CIMG3392 Oct 7 2019 Bergen Op Zoom Lawrence Sweeney

Pieter by the grave of Lawrence Sweeney, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In alphabetical order, here are the known soldiers from PEI that are buried in the cemetery:

  • Pte James Walter AULD, Algonquin Regiment, from O’Leary Station
  • Tpr Alvah Ray LEARD, Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment – 27th Armoured Regiment, from Northam
  • Pte Milton Evangeline LIVINGSTONE, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, from Murray River
  • Bdr Hugh Allister MACDONALD, Royal Canadian Artillery – 02 Anti-Tank Regiment, from Georgetown
  • L/Cpl Roy SMITH, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, from O’Leary
  • Pte Lawrence Adolphus SWEENEY, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, from Souris

Canadian and Nova Scotia flags were placed at the grave of one soldier from Nova Scotia, who had mistakenly been recorded as being from PEI by the Cemetery:

  • Pte Elmer D. SCHOFIELD, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, from North Alton

Unfortunately, no photo has been found for one PEI soldier:

  • James Walter AULD, born in Glenwood, son of James and Margaret Auld of O’Leary Station. He died on November 1, 1944, aged 21.

The weather in Bergen Op Zoom was cloudy, but it was dry.  We had just missed a rainfall, as we found out while walking through the cemetery.  The ground was saturated and my shoes were soaking wet by the time we finished, giving me an excuse to go to the car and change my shoes and warm up.  In the meantime, Caroline Raajmakers of the Faces To Graves Bergen Op Zoom Project dropped by to invite us over for coffee and a stroopwafel (a delicious Dutch treat).

CIMG3411 Oct 7 2019 Bergen Op Zoom Pieter & Caroline Raaijmakers

Pieter with Caroline Raajmakers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Caroline explained that most of the burials in the British and Canadian War Cemeteries in Bergen Op Zoom are due to casualties from the Battle of the Scheldt (For more information, see https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt#scheldt03).  We learned that information on this battle, in which 6,300 Canadian lives were lost, is in the Liberation Museum Zeeland in nearby Nieuwdorp, which will be on our list of places to visit next trip.  (See https://liberationroute.com/the-netherlands/spots/l/liberation-museum-zeeland-(spot221))

CIMG3413 Oct 7 2019 Bergen Op Zoom holding up poster at Carolines house

Holding up a poster for the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the province of Brabant on October 28, 2019.  (Photo credit: Caroline Raajmakers)

Pieter gave Caroline a large Canadian flag, which was provided by Senator Mike Duffy for this war memorial trip.  Flags had also been provided for Pieter to give to the cemeteries in Harlingen, Holten, and Groesbeek, which he did.

Thank you to Senator Mike Duffy for the large Canadian flag, to the office of Malpeque MP Wayne Easter for the small Canadian flags placed by the graves, and to John Wales of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum in Amherst for the Nova Scotia flag. If anyone has more information to share on any of the soldiers listed above, or know of more Islanders buried in the cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg