On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Kenora Who Lay In An Unknown Grave For 80 Years…. Part 1: What Happened To Arthur Vanance?

August 19, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

Arthur Vanance. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

August 19, 2025. Sometimes research into a soldier takes years to unfold before the file can be closed. Often a file remains open while a photo is being sought, or additional information. When it drags on for too many years, it’s often deemed a Cold Case File. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/our-cold-cases/)

Other times, a file remains open because of special circumstances. This happened in the case of WWII soldier Arthur VANANCE of Kenora, Ontario, whose story was written in ‘Holtense Canadezen’, Jan Braakman’s book (in Dutch) about some of the soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, which we translated in 2021.

….Arthur was in the Lake Superior Regiment….

Born January 5, 1919 in Kenora, Ontario, Arthur Vanance (surname also spelled Vanasse) was the son of Emmanuel Joseph and Annie Rosie (nee Halley) Vanance. After his father died in April 1934, his mother remarried and moved to Powell River, British Columbia.

Before enlisting with the Lake Superior Regiment on July 11, 1940 in Kenora, Arthur worked as a truck driver.

On October 2, 1940, he married Rita Margaret Meservier in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ontario. Rita had a son, Allan Glenn McGuire, who had been born on July 21, 1939 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Rita and Arthur’s son, Arthur Henry Vanance, was born on December 27, 1941 in Thunder Bay. (After Arthur’s death, Rita married Clayton (Mickey) McGuire, Allan’s father.)

By August 22, 1942, Arthur was in the United Kingdom with his Regiment, and remained there until July 21, 1944, when they were sent to Northwest Europe.

Pieter in Bokhoven in 2010. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In February 1945, the Lake Superior Regiment was near Bokhoven, The Netherlands, a place we knew very well, as Pieter’s maternal ancestor, Willem Kremers, lived there and died, along with his daughter Maria Anna, on the night of February 21-22, 1799. Strong winds had pushed up ice floes from the Maas River, and caused the collapse of a barn near a castle, where Willem and Maria Anna had been sheltering, but ended up being buried under the rubble.

246 years later, on February 15, 1945, the area also proved to be unlucky for Arthur and three other soldiers from the Lake Superior Regiment.

……Arthur lost his life on February 15, 1945…….

An excerpt from ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’, from the chapter ‘Mission across the Maas’ gave an account of what happened on February 15, 1945…..

Map showing location of Bokhoven, Hedel, Zaltbommel, and Ammerzoden. (Map source: Mapbox)

“….In February 1945, his regiment was stationed near Bokhoven, on the south bank of the Maas, north of Hertogenbosch. And there he was deployed early in the morning for the fateful patrol on February 15, 1945. Such patrols were undertaken by both sides. The Germans tried to penetrate the Canadian lines on the Maas at Empel, Crevecoeur, and Gewande. Meanwhile, Canadians crossed the river to carry out reconnaissance of the north side and to check whether the Germans were still occupying their positions. Prisoners of war were captured by both sides during the skirmishes.

After the war, Lieutenant Colonel H.H.A. Parker of the Lake Superior Regiment explained what had happened to the patrol that Vanance was part of. “On the night of 14-15 February, B-Company had a patrol across the River Maas . . . ran into trouble on the way back with the result that only about half of the men got back to our side.” The patrol returned battered. One soldier (Walter Russell Lahoda) had been killed, ten were wounded, and three had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Among them – probably – was Arthur Vanance.

Parker stated in a letter to relatives of the deceased Earl Carlbom that a rescue operation was set up. ‘Sergeant Carlbom, along with Lieutenant Banks and Sergeant Boomhower decided to cross the river again and search for the missing men from their platoon. Unfortunately, they were ambushed, Lieutenant Banks and your son being wounded. Sergeant Boomhower managed to make his escape and he told us that there was little doubt that your son had been taken prisoner, but apparently, his wounds must have been more serious than they appeared. We have twice carried out a search of the whole area but have been unable to locate his grave.’

What happened to Arthur Vanance after that remains unclear. One of the soldiers, W.R. Marsh, later reported that Lance-Corporal Hilderley had been fatally wounded, and that they had been unable to recover his body due to intense enemy fire. But, said the same soldier, if they had had two stretchers, they could have picked up Hilderley and Vanance.

Banks told Marsh that another NCO, Carlbom, would take care of that. But Carlbom was also ambushed and killed. After the war it turned out that Carlbom had been buried by the Germans in the cemetery in Zaltbommel. Hilderley had been buried in occupied Ammerzoden, along with an unidentified Canadian soldier. Where Arthur Vanance had gone was unclear: he was missing. Hilderley’s body was exhumed after the war and reburied in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, in Plot XI, Row H, Grave 6. Carlbom was also reburied in Plot XI, Row H, Grave 7 in the same cemetery. The unidentified Canadian from Ammerzoden also ended up in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, in Plot XI, Row H, Grave 5….”

……The other casualties ……

Private Arthur Vanance wasn’t the only casualty that night….

Sgt Earl Herbert CARLBOM of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, aged 27
Lance-Corporal Harold Frederick HILDERLEY of Stratford, Ontario, aged 19
Private Walter Russell LAHODA of Winnipeg, Manitoba, aged 27

Carlbom and Hilderley are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. Lahoda is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.

Lt. George Calvin ‘Cal’ Banks. (Photo courtesy of Mitch Banks)

Lt. George Calvin ‘Cal’ BANKS survived. His son, Mitch Banks, wrote to let us know that “….Private Arthur Vanance is part of my Father’s story as he was his Platoon commander that fateful night on February 15th 1945 when Private Vanance and three others of Dad’s platoon were killed. My Dad was severely wounded and taken prisoner….”

Mitch explained that “…having learned his friend Sergeant Carlbom was killed and Dad having lost a lot of blood, he would have been in a state of shock and probably not sure where he was initially taken….”

In the Liberated Prisoner of War Questionnaire that was completed after the war ended, Cal stated that he had been captured near Hedel on February 15, 1945, then initially taken to a hospital in Apeldoorn until March 31, 1945, followed by a hospital in Haarlem, where he remained until May 8, 1945.

……Was Arthur buried in that unknown grave? ……

Was Arthur Vanance in Plot XI, Row H, Grave 5 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten? (Photo courtesy of the Information Centre Canadian Cemetery Holten)

The account in Jan Braakman’s book ended with the belief that it was Arthur who lay buried in Plot XI, Row H, Grave 5 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, and was so compelling that the translated excerpt was sent to Dr. Sarah Lockyer, Casualty Identification Coordinator, Directorate of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence of the Government of Canada.

In a subsequent phone conversation, Dr Lockyer asked if a family member had been found, as that would be very helpful. Pieter immediately began his research and it wasn’t long before he was in contact with Paulette Alcock of Alberta, who wrote to say that “…I can confirm that Arthur Vanance was my dad’s half-brother. He spoke of him being missing in the war and remembers his mom receiving a medal. He was young, so it was tough, and my dad has also been gone for over 30 years. If I can help in the further steps, let me know. It would be nice to have my uncle Arthur as a known soldier….” Paulette agreed to have her contact information shared with Dr Lockyer, which was done.

We heard nothing for several years, but did keep Dr Lockyer updated, such as when the translated book was published in English in October 2023 as ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/ )

In March 2024, Jan Braakman submitted the English language chapter about Arthur Vanance to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which can be read at: https://www.cwgc.org/stories/stories/private-arthur-vanance-lake-superior-regiment-mission-across-the-river-maas/

….The Directorate of Heritage and History wrote to inform us that Arthur’s grave was no longer unknown ….

Then, a year later, on March 3, 2025, we received the following email from Dr. Lockyer:

“….Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Valkenburg,

I am delighted to inform you that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have publicly announced the identification of Private Arthur Vanance. His case was adjudicated and accepted at the December 2024 Casualty Identification Review Board and his next of kin was recently notified by the Canadian Armed Forces. I have attached a letter from the Acting Director of History and Heritage thanking you for your submission that ultimately made this happen.

The URLs for the News Release are found below….

ENGLISH: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2025/03/canadian-soldier-of-the-second-world-war-identified.html

FRENCH: https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/nouvelles/2025/03/identification-dun-soldat-canadien-de-la-seconde-guerre-mondiale.html

The Canadian Armed Forces are aiming to conduct his rededication ceremony in early May to coincide with the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands commemorative events hosted by Veterans Affairs Canada at Holten Cemetery.

Thank you for your help in making this happen. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Sarah

Sarah Lockyer, PhD….”

The March 3, 2025 letter to us from Captain Ken Ingram, Acting Director of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence of the Government of Canada, provided the same information as Dr Lockyer, and thanked us for the small part we played in this story:

“….We are pleased to inform you that following extensive research undertaken by both the CWGC and Directorate of History and Heritage (Canadian Armed Forces), the information you submitted was accepted in December 2024 by the Casualty Identification Review Board.

We sincerely thank you for submitting your report to the CWGC. Your excellent research helped to enable this incredible outcome.…”

Media coverage picked up this wonderful outcome…. see https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/grave-of-missing-northern-ont-solider-identified-after-80-years/

….The Re-dedication Ceremony was planned for May 3, 2025 …

Towards the end of March, we were informed by both Henk Vincent, volunteer at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, and by Adjum/MWO Brian Keene, Directorate History and Heritage (3-3) – Dress and Ceremonial, of the Canadian Armed Forces that the re-dedication ceremony for Arthur’s grave would be held on the morning of May 3, 2025. As we would be in The Netherlands during the period, we were able to attend this special event.

Coming up in Part 2….we attend the grave re-dedication ceremony for Arthur Vanance, one of the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail.

Thank you to Mitch Banks for the information and photos about his father, Lt Banks, and to Yannic Wethly for sending us the Liberated POW Questionnaire. Thank you to Jan Braakman for permission to quote from his book, with translation into English by Pieter and Daria Valkenburg

If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…Holten Rolled Out A Warm Welcome

June 12, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 12, 2025. During the first part of our 2025 European War Memorial Tour we stayed in the village of Holten, just a few kms from the Canadian War Cemetery outside the village. We’d been in Holten several times over the years, but this year we saw Canadian flags everywhere – on roundabouts, streets, houses, and businesses – all commemorating 80 years of freedom. Who knew that orange and red looked so good together? It quickly became our favourite colour combination!

Pieter by a roundabout in the village of Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Houses in the village of Holten were bedecked with streamers and Canadian flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Several signs along the street commemorated 80 years of freedom and showed Canadian and Dutch flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

It was a heartwarming welcome to the many Canadian visitors who made their way to the village enroute to the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. We were just two of those visitors.

….The author and translators of ‘Holten Heroes’ finally meet in person!….

While we were in Holten, we had the opportunity to finally meet in person with Jan Braakman, whose book we had translated into English during the Covid years when we were all housebound. ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’ was translated by us from the original Dutch book ‘Holtense Canadezen’ that Jan wrote. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/)

Of course, we made sure to take a photo of the three of us with both versions of the book!

Pieter and Daria with Jan Braakman, and the English and Dutch versions of Jan’s book. (Photo credit: Trudy van ‘t Hoff)

The translators with the English language edition of ‘Holten Heroes’. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg family)

….We met 3 students from Rijssen….

Left to right: Jan Braakman, Roselle de Jong, Manon ten Hove, Lieke Brinks, Jorina Lensink (teacher), Pieter Valkenburg, Henk Vincent. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter was invited by Henk Vincent, one of the volunteers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, to meet with 3 high school students from Jacobus Fruytier Scholengemeenschap in Rijssen, plus their teacher, Jorina Lensink. Roselle de Jong, Manon ten Hove, and Lieke Brinks are 16 years old and had done research on Canadian soldiers. Ms Lensink explained that the research of soldiers was part of their history exams.

All of the soldiers researched are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. I asked how they chose a soldier, and learned that the names had been given to them by Henk. Pieter briefly looked at their papers and said they had done a fantastic job of research.

Roselle had studied Victor Lloyd CARPENTER of Fort Frances, Ontario, who died April 27, 1945, aged 22, while serving with the South Alberta Regiment.

Manon had studied Neil Patrick O’Connor STEWART of St. Paul, Alberta, who died April 8, 1945, aged 20, while serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment.

Lieke had studied two soldiers: Clarence Warren LORENSEN, who died April 2, 1945, while serving with the South Alberta Regiment, and Lyle Lewis CRAIG of Paddockwood, Saskatchewan, who died April 19, 1945, while also serving with the South Alberta Regiment.

Over the next several postings, we’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail….including the various cemeteries we visited along our journey of remembrance.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Tragedy On The Ems Part 2: The WWII Soldier From Halifax Who Drowned During Operation Duck

March 11, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

March 11, 2025. In 2021, in a period when we were all at home due to Covid, we translated, into English, ‘Holtense Canadezen’, Jan Braakman’s book about some of the soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. In October 2023, this was published in English as ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/)

One story in the Chapter ‘Drama On The Ems’ was about a tragic incident during the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WWII in Europe. Operation Duck, which involved the crossing of the Ems and Leda rivers in northern Germany in order to take the port of Leer, turned out very badly for 19 men of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.

Two Maritime soldiers mentioned in the chapter, one from Nova Scotia, and one from New Brunswick, were on the photo wish list from the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. Pieter was successful in finding family and a photo of these men, who were both with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.

James Edward SULLIVAN, from Rexton, New Brunswick, was one of the Maritimers. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-tragedy-on-the-ems-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-from-rexton-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/) Frank Eugene MUNROE, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the other Maritimer.

…Frank enlisted in December 1943…

Born February 1, 1923 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Francis ‘Frank’ Eugene MUNROE was the son of Francis ‘Frank’ Harold and Mary Gertrude Munroe. He had 3 brothers, two of whom also served during WWII, and 3 sisters.

When he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 13, 1943, he stated that he’d been employed for 3 years as an iron worker at the Halifax Ship Yards. His father had died in September 1943, just a few months before his enlistment.

Frank’s niece, Sharon Carvery, the daughter of his sister Margaret Frances Jeffery, sent Pieter a photo, saying “…this is the only picture I could find with Uncle Frank with his sister Aunt Dot…” Aunt Dot was Frank’s sister Dorothy Donnelly.

After completing his basic training at No. 60 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Frank was sent to the A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia on February 27, 1944 for additional training on various rifles and mortar.

Frank Munroe with his sister Dorothy. (Photo courtesy of Sharon Carvery. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Upon completion of the courses at A14, he was attached to S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School (CD & M School) in Woodstock, Ontario on May 5, 1944, for a Driver i/c course. On June 14, 1944, he qualified as a Driver i/c Class III (Wheeled). (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’. Class III meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, but not tanks.)

He was reassigned back to A14 CITC in Aldershot in preparation for overseas service, before being granted embarkation leave from June 23, 1944 until July 6, 1944, the last chance he would have to see his family before going overseas.

….Frank left Canada for overseas service….

On July 21, 1944, Frank left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on July 27, 1944, he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

Unfortunately, on August 4, 1944, while in England, he failed to requalify as a Driver i/c Class III (Wheeled), and was “…remustered for general duty…” according to his service file.

On August 16, 1944 he was assigned to the X-4 reinforcement list of No. 2 Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (CBRG) and shipped to France, arriving the following day.

Frank joined the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders in Trun, France. (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On August 22, 1944, he was transferred to the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment, joining them in Normandy, France, where they were based in Trun, following a heavy day of fighting by the Regiment, which had resulted in a number of casualties. The next day the Regiment moved north of Trun.

Frank remained with the Regiment as it fought across France, and into The Netherlands. It was in Nijmegen to relieve the airborne troops, and helped guard the bridge while the Rhine crossing was prepared. The Regiment then fought through the Hochwald in Germany, and continued north as it prepared to cross the Ems River and take the city of Leer on April 28, 1945, in what became known as Operation Duck.

…Operation Duck…

Map showing the Ems and Leda Rivers, and position of Regiments during the Battle for Leer. (Map courtesy of and ©Jan Braakman)

In the plan for Operation Duck, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders would cross the Leda River in assault boats and secure the northern bank of the river in preparation for the attack to capture Leer. The Highland Light Infantry of Canada would cross the Leda River at the point where the Ems and Leda rivers meet. The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders would go across the Ems River towards the western edge of Leer.

These three Regiments were part of the 9^th Canadian Infantry Brigade. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/leer.htm)

While the men from the Highland Light Infantry all crossed safely, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders lost 5 men, and the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders lost 19. It was a terrible tragedy, so close to the end of the war.

To see what an assault boat looks like, take a look at this short YouTube video, which shows troops preparing to cross the Ems:

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

A translated excerpt from Jan Braakman’s ‘Holtense Canadezen’ explained why Operation Duck was important. “…At the end of April 1945, Canadian troops stood just across the Dutch-German border in Ostfriesland (East Frisia) in front of the river Ems….” (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Frisia)

Leer was a challenge to capture. “…The town of Leer was on the other side of the river on the route to Emden. Surrounded by inaccessible lowlands in the north and with rivers (Ems and Leda) in the west and south, Leer was a well defensible and therefore difficult to capture port city. All access bridges over the Ems and Leda were blown up by the Germans. For the Canadians there was no other option than to reach the city by water….”

River crossings can be tricky due to currents and tides, and in wartime, there is always the risk of enemy fire. “….The Ems River has an open connection with the Wadden Sea, which means that tides influence water levels and currents in the river. Tides made the currents unpredictable, and the Canadian Army didn’t have accurate information about the tides. What was clear: high tide was the best time to make the crossing. Aerial photographs showed that German troops had fortified themselves well behind the dikes that surrounded the city….”

A decision was made on how to cross the two rivers – the Leda and the Ems.. “… Only under the protection of a smoke screen and solid artillery support would it be possible to successfully complete the attack on Leer, using boats … General Simonds ordered that on April 28, 1945, before darkness fell, there had to be a solid bridgehead, from which the capture of Leer could be initiated. That meant that the attack had to be launched during the middle of the day, around three o’clock, when the water level was at its highest…”

The Highland Light Infantry crossed safely “… at the point where the Leda flows into the Ems, about three kilometres south of the city centre…”

The other two regiments ran into trouble. “…The crossing was made at three different places. At the same time, artillery fire and attacks from the air put the German defence line to the test. The North Nova Scotia Highlanders would cross the Leda from the south bank and take the harbour of Leer, which abutted the city on a peninsula…”

…The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Regiment ran into trouble…

The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment was to cross the Ems River “…from the west bank of the Ems at Bingum to attack the city from the west.…”

All three Regiments launched their attacks at the same time. “….It began at half past two with fierce shelling, during which the positions of the German defence forces were fired upon. The attack from the south was spectacular and successful, with relatively few losses….”

This wasn’t the case for the attack from the west. “….A number of boats….” from the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment “…showed motor defects or capsized. Some of the drowning men were rescued, but at the end of the day at least nineteen men from the Regiment were dead, drowned, or missing….”

….Why did the men drown?….

After WWII ended “…a team from the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders returned to the Ems. They dragged the river, looking for the bodies of the missing men. Some of them were found with their full kit still attached to their bodies….”

Why did the men drown? In ‘River Assault – Operation Duck: The 3^rd Canadian Infantry Division’s Attack On Leer 28^th April 1945’, author John Sliz noted that “…These men sank, never to rise again, even though life belts were worn. The reason for this was the heavy equipment worn by the men was too much for the life belt that was used….”

Sliz quotes from a report by Brigadier John M. Rockingham. “…The equipment was worn….. in such a way that the waist belt alone had to be unbuckled to permit the soldier to shake it free. There was, however, a tendency for this equipment to slide down the arms, pressing them into the side, preventing any swimming motion, until it was finally clear….” It would have been like trying to swim while wearing a straightjacket!

….Frank was one of the fatalities….

Major J.A. Forman and Lance Corporal V. C. Abrams, who survived the crossing, had recorded in their witness statements that at “….approximately 15:15 hours on April 28, 1945….” They were in an assault boat “…crossing the Ems River in the assault on Leer. Enemy fire sunk the craft….” and 10 men were “…thrown into the river…”

In the ‘Drama on the Ems’ chapter, a third survivor listed was Private Whitcombe. The three survivors “…explained what had happened to the boat in which they tried to get across. They were in an assault boat with fourteen men. Their boat ran into problems because the gunner in the front of the boat (the bow man) almost fell overboard, possibly because he was hit. The man was hanging over the bow. Perhaps because of that, but at least practically at the same time, the prow of the storm boat dipped after being sucked into the bow wave of the boat ahead. In a matter of seconds their boat disappeared under water and the crew was in the cold river water.….”

Frank was one of the 10 men who drowned, losing his life at the age of 22.

….Frank is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

Frank was originally buried in Bingum, Germany, before being reburied on March 26, 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Grave of Frank Eugene Munroe in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

In November 1947, Frank’s grave was adopted by Mr. Arend Jan Markerink from Almelo, The Netherlands. He sent a letter, plus an international postage reply coupon, to the Department of National Defence, asking for Frank’s next of kin to be notified. A note in the file stated that the letter and postage reply coupon were sent to the family on December 9, 1947.

….Other soldiers from the Stormont Dundas Glengarry Highlanders who lost their lives that day…

In addition to Frank Eugene Munroe, 18 more soldiers from the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders lost their lives on April 28, 1945, and are listed below. If there are asterisks beside the name (****) it means there is a brief anecdote in the ‘Drama On the Ems’ chapter in ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’.

A/Cpl John SAWATSKY of Petaigan, Saskatchewan, aged 20
L/Cpl Merle Coleman MOORE of Breckenridge Station, Quebec
L/Cpl James Edward SULLIVAN of Rexton, New Brunswick, aged 28 ****
Pte Frank Joseph BIERNASKI of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, aged 32 ****
Pte Walter James BROOKS of Toronto, Ontario, aged 28
Pte Leonard Gordon BROUGH of Sudbury, Ontario, aged 21****
Pte Steven John GRAVELLE of Peterborough, Ontario, aged 23
Pte Joseph Gerard HINDS of Orillia, Ontario, aged 20
Pte Earl Harcourt JOSLIN of Kingston, Ontario ****
Pte Ira Charles LANGILLE of Milton, Nova Scotia, aged 32 ****
Pte Cecil Albert LAWES of Frankford Ontario, aged 28
Pte Sidney Alexander OSLUND of Haileybury, Ontario, aged 29 ****
Pte Samuel Donald POWELL of Newcastle, Ontario, aged 22
Pte Edgar Douglas SMITH of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, aged 28 ****
Pte Francis Wilber SPENCER of Stonecliffe, Ontario, aged 35 ****
Pte Jack Allan STEWARD of Belleville, Ontario, aged 24 ****
Pte Roy Ivenson THACKERAY of Peterborough, Ontario, aged 20 ****
Pte George Sidney WAKELY of Port Hope, Ontario, aged 31****

….A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River….

As mentioned in the ‘Holten Heroes’ excerpt, the crossing of the rivers to reach Leer involved three Regiments – Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and the Highland Light Infantry.

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders were tasked with crossing the Leda River from the south bank and then take the harbour of Leer. 5 soldiers from this Regiment lost their lives when the storm boat they were in capsized, and their stories were told in previous blog postings as a 4 part series:

….Blog posting about another soldier mentioned in the book Holten Heroes…

James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver THOMAS https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/02/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-manitoba-who-died-shortly-after-being-liberated-from-stalag-vii-a/

Thank you to Jan Braakman for permission to quote from his book and use of the map showing the position of the Regiments, and to Sharon Carvery for a providing a photo of her uncle. If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..Tragedy On The Ems Part 1: The WWII Soldier From Rexton Who Drowned During Operation Duck

March 5, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

March 5, 2025. In 2021, during a period when we were all at home due to Covid, we translated, into English, ‘Holtense Canadezen’, Jan Braakman’s book about some of the soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. In October 2023, this was published in English as ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/)

The chapter ‘Drama On The Ems’ was about a tragic incident during the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WWII in Europe. Operation Duck, which involved the crossing of the Ems and Leda rivers in northern Germany in order to take the port of Leer, turned out very badly for 19 men of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Regiment.

…..James is remembered on a plaque in the United Church in Rexton….

St. Andrew’s United Church in Rexton, New Brunswick. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

James Edward SULLIVAN, from Rexton, New Brunswick, was one of the Maritimers. In a serendipitous coincidence, we’d visited Rexton to meet the family of another soldier – Janice Little and Gayle McBeath, nieces of WWII trooper Stanley Leigh MCBEATH. They took us to St. Andrew’s United Church, where Stanley’s name was listed on a plaque on the church organ. Then we noticed that James was also listed on the plaque! (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/02/03/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-trooper-from-rexton-who-lost-his-life-three-days-before-his-birthday/)

James Sullivan and Stanley McBeath are listed on a memorial plaque on the organ in St Andrew’s United Church in Rexton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….James’s niece had a photo!….

Barbara Sullivan at the grave of her uncle, James Sullivan, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Sullivan)

Born July 7, 1919 in Main River, New Brunswick, James was the son of Edward and Augusta Sullivan. James had a younger brother, Kenneth, and it was through Kenneth’s daughter, Barbara Sullivan, that a photo was found, after she’d been contacted by Janice Little. “…I’m the niece of L/Corporal James Edward Sullivan of The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. I never knew him, he died a long while before I was born. His brother Kenneth is my dad. Both of my parents passed away in 2001….” Barbara wrote.

…..James enlisted under the NRMA in 1941….

James Edward Sullivan. (Photo courtesy of the Sullivan Family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

James originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 7 NRMA Clearing Depot in Fredericton, New Brunswick on March 20, 1941 and began basic training at No. 70 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre in Fredericton. At the time, he stated he was employed as a truck driver and sawyer for a lumber company. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

On May 20, 1941, he was transferred to A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) at Camp Petawawa, Ontario for further training. On July 26, 1941, he was sent to A23 Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Advanced Training Centre (C&AAATC) in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a few weeks. The centre trained coast and anti-aircraft gunners.

Next, James was attached to 1st (Halifax) Coast Brigade of the Royal Canadian Artillery in Halifax on August 21, 1941, which was responsible for providing coastal artillery support as part of the defences of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Devil’s Battery. (Photo source: https://hmhps.ca)

On September 26, 1941, he was attached as a gunner to the 53rd Coast Battery of the 1st (Halifax) Coast Brigade, part of the defence of Devil’s Battery, and remaining there even after joining the active army in Halifax on February 1, 1942.

James was sent back to A23 Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Advanced Training Centre (C&AAATC) in Halifax on August 31, 1942 for further training. After completing Range Takers Course No. 5 on October 10, 1942, he returned to the 53rd Coast Battery.

….James served in Newfoundland….

Cape Spear Battery. (Photo source: https://www.hiddennewfoundland.ca)

On February 12, 1943, James was transferred to the 103rd Coast Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery and sent to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Based at Cape Spear, the most eastern point in North America, the Battery was responsible for maintaining the 10″ guns.

Cape Spear’s close proximity to convoy routes and the entrance to St. Johns Harbour was an essential place to have a coastal defense battery, post-war signal station, and searchlight emplacement during World War II. (NOTE: Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada on March 31, 1949.)

On November 18, 1943, James left Newfoundland for Shelburne, Nova Scotia and was transferred to the 104th Coast Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA).

….James was transferred to the infantry….

On January 14, 1944, James was assigned to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia for preparation before being sent overseas. However, instead of going overseas immediately, he was transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry (Basic) Training Centre (CIBTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for additional training.

Then, on April 9, 1944, he was sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia for final preparations before going overseas.

James was granted embarkation leave from June 2 to June 15, 1944, the last chance he had to see his family again.

….James left Canada for overseas service….

On June 25, 1944, James left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on July 3, 1944 he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

He continued his training for a few weeks before being transferred to the X-4 reinforcement list of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC), on July 26, 1944. Three days later he was on his way to France, disembarking on July 30, 1944.

On July 31, 1944 he was assigned to the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, part of the 21st Army Group, joining the Regiment in the vicinity of Le Vey, France, 23 km (14 miles) northwest of Falaise. The Regiment needed downtime to get reorganized and to give the men a chance to train and have a rest following heavy fighting since landing in Normandy on D-Day.

He received a promotion to Lance Corporal a few weeks later, on August 19, 1944. James remained with the Regiment as it fought across France, and into The Netherlands. It was in Nijmegen to relieve the airborne troops, and helped guard the bridge while the Rhine crossing was prepared. The Regiment then fought through the Hochwald in Germany, and then north as it prepared to cross the Ems River and take the city of Leer on April 28, 1945, in what became known as Operation Duck.

… Operation Duck…

In the plan for Operation Duck, the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders would go across the Ems River towards the western edge of Leer. At the same time, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders would cross the Leda River in assault boats and secure the northern bank of the river in preparation for the attack to capture Leer. The Highland Light Infantry of Canada would cross the Leda River, where the Ems and Leda rivers meet.

These three Regiments were part of the 9^th Canadian Infantry Brigade. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/leer.htm)

While the men from the Highland Light Infantry all crossed safely, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders lost 5 men, and the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders lost 19.

Map showing the Ems and Leda Rivers, and position of Regiments during the Battle for Leer. (Map courtesy of and ©Jan Braakman)

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

A Storm boat is moved into the water during Operation Duck on April 28, 1945. (Photo source: Library and Archives Canada)

A translated excerpt from Jan Braakman’s ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’ explained why Operation Duck was important. “…At the end of April 1945, Canadian troops stood just across the Dutch-German border in Ostfriesland (East Frisia) in front of the river Ems….” (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Frisia)

The Highland Light Infantry crossed safely “… at the point where the Leda flows into the Ems, about three kilometres south of the city centre…”

…The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment ran into trouble…

The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment was to cross the Ems River “…from the west bank of the Ems at Bingum to attack the city from the west.…”

….James was one of the fatalities….

Sergeant G.W. McGill, who survived the crossing, had reported that at “….approximately 15:30 hours, 28-April-1945, I was crossing the river Ems in an assault craft during the attack on Leer. Suddenly, the nose of our craft dipped and the craft overturned and we were all thrown into the water. I came to the surface and was picked up by another assault craft, along with Cpl W.M.J. Wood. We cruised around for approximately ten minutes, but we could not see Sullivan anywhere. A check on the shore by the platoon commander indicated that Sullivan, Brough, and Oslund were missing….”

James was not found until almost the end of May 1945. “….25 year-old James E. Sullivan was …. initially reported missing. On May 28, his family was informed by telegram that ….” his body had been found.

….James is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

James was originally buried in Oldenburg, Germany, before being reburied in 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Grave of James Edward Sullivan in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

….Other soldiers from the Stormont Dundas Glengarry Highlanders who lost their lives that day…

In addition to James Edward Sullivan, 18 more soldiers from the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders lost their lives on April 28, 1945, and are listed below. If there are asterisks beside the name (****) it means there is a brief anecdote in the ‘Drama On the Ems’ chapter in ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’.

A/Cpl John SAWATSKY of Petaigan, Saskatchewan, aged 20
L/Cpl Merle Coleman MOORE of Breckenridge Station, Quebec, aged 22
Pte Frank Joseph BIERNASKI of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, aged 32 ****
Pte Walter James BROOKS of Toronto, Ontario, aged 28
Pte Leonard Gordon BROUGH of Sudbury, Ontario, aged 21****
Pte Steven John GRAVELLE of Peterborough, Ontario, aged 23
Pte Joseph Gerard HINDS of Orillia, Ontario, aged 20
Pte Earl Harcourt JOSLIN of Kingston, Ontario, aged 34****
Pte Ira Charles LANGILLE of Milton, Nova Scotia, aged 32 ****
Pte Cecil Albert LAWES of Frankford, Ontario, aged 28
Pte Frank Eugene MUNROE of Halifax, Nova Scotia, aged 22
Pte Sidney Alexander OSLUND of Haileybury, Ontario, aged 29 ****
Pte Samuel Donald POWELL of Newcastle, Ontario, aged 22
Pte Edgar Douglas SMITH of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, aged 28 ****
Pte Francis Wilber SPENCER of Stonecliffe, Ontario, aged 35 ****
Pte Jack Allan STEWARD of Belleville, Ontario, aged 24 ****
Pte Roy Ivenson THACKERAY of Peterborough, Ontario, aged 20 ****
Pte George Sidney WAKELY of Port Hope, Ontario, aged 31****

….A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River….

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders were tasked with crossing the Leda River from the south bank and to then take the harbour of Leer. 5 soldiers from this Regiment lost their lives when the storm boat they were in capsized. Their stories were told in previous blog postings as a 4 part series:

….Blog posting about another soldier mentioned in the book Holten Heroes…

James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver THOMAS https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/02/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-manitoba-who-died-shortly-after-being-liberated-from-stalag-vii-a/

Tragedy On The Ems Part 2 will be about the other Maritimer on the photo wish list: Frank Eugene MUNROE of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Thank you to Jan Braakman for permission to quote from his book and use of the map showing the position of the Regiments, with translation into English by Pieter and Daria Valkenburg, and to Barbara Sullivan for sharing a photo of her uncle. If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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 WWII Soldier From Manitoba Who Died Shortly After Being Liberated From Stalag VII-A

February 18, 2024August 30, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

February 18, 2024. A few years ago, we translated ‘Holtense Canadezen’, Jan Braakman’s book about some of the soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, which was published in English in October 2023 as ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/)

One very sad story related how 6 newly liberated prisoners of war – 5 Canadians, 1 Australian – died after accepting what turned out to be alcohol containing methanol from liberated Soviet prisoners of war.

The story resonated as my father, who had been in a displaced persons camp in Post-WWII Germany, had told me of similar stories. Refugees who had survived the war, many under brutal conditions, died or became blind after drinking alcohol that contained methanol (methyl alcohol) or alcohol made in containers that had once held gasoline, oil, and other substances. Only a few sips could result in death or permanent disability.

One of the six soldiers, whose story was not told in ‘Holtense Canadezen’, was on the photo wish list from Holten – James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver THOMAS, born July 4, 1912 in St. Peters, Manitoba, the son of Henry ‘Harry’ Curtis James and Margaret Thomas.

Screenshot 2024-02-15 at 12-28-03 St. Peters

Map shows location of St. Peters and Hodgson in Manitoba. (Map source: http://www.mapcarta.com)

St. Peters was an area familiar to me as childhood summers were spent in Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg and we travelled often in that direction from Winnipeg, which was just a bit further south.

Jimmy’s parents left St. Peters in the fall of 1912 and moved to Hodgson, where Jimmy grew up with his siblings – 7 brothers and 1 sister.

The Peguis First Nation, whose members are of Ojibway (Saulteaux) and Swampy Cree (Maškēkowak) descent, is nearby, and the Thomas family has its roots here. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peguis_First_Nation)

….Jimmy’s niece provided a photo….

James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas. (Photo courtesy of the Thomas Family)

In the search for a photo, Pieter was in contact with Theresa Cooper, daughter of Jimmy’s brother, Rodney Thomas, one of two brothers who also served in the Canadian Army during WWII in addition to Jimmy. The photo was emailed to us by Theresa’s son, Rodd Cooper. “…Thank you for your work and recognition in honouring him and the other Canadian soldiers….” Rodd wrote.

….Jimmy was hard-working and versatile….

After his father died in 1925, Jimmy left school at the age of thirteen to help out at home. He spent 6 years working on the family farm, 2 years as a mechanic in a garage in Virden, Manitoba, 6 years in a hard rock quarry in Ontario and Manitoba, plus casual labour wherever he could find work. In his Estate Form, his mother noted that he “…would look for a job anywhere he could make good money…”

By the time Jimmy enlisted at the No. XI District Depot in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 21, 1943, he was working as a plumber’s helper for a plumbing and heating company based in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, in a wartime housing project.

The interviewer for Jimmy’s Personnel Selection Record noted that he had “…above average learning ability….” and that his “…occupational background indicates versatility and adaptability. Has been farmer, garage mechanic, fisherman, and latterly miner…”

The Record went on to describe Jimmy as having a “….robust appearance…” and that he was “…of quiet nature but self-confident and unhurried…”

Among his hobbies and interests, Jimmy “…played hockey. Enjoys hunting and fishing. Can swim. Doesn’t dance. Reads true detective stories. Attends movies…”

….Jimmy’s military career began in British Columbia….

On June 3, 1943, Jimmy was sent for basic training at No. 110 Canadian Army Basic Training Camp (CABTC) in Vernon, British Columbia. After completing basic training, he was transferred to A16 Canadian Infantry Training Camp (CITC) in Calgary, Alberta on August 4, 1943.

At the beginning of October 1943, Jimmy was given a week’s embarkation leave, the last chance he had to visit his family before being sent overseas.

On November 3, 1943, he left Calgary when he was transferred to No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia.

On December 15, 1943, Jimmy left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on December 21, 1943. He most likely had been on the same ship as Eli Ambrose SNAKE. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/12/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-eli-ambrose-snake/) While Jimmy was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU), Eli was sent to No. 3 CIRU.

…Jimmy joined the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in Italy….

On February 19, 1943, Jimmy was sent to Italy as part of the Allied Armies In Italy (AAI) and assigned to the 2 Battalion X-4 Reinforcement. Then, on May 5, 1944, he was transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

The Regiment had finished in Ortona and continued to move north, fighting through the Liri Valley. Next, the Regiment received orders to work with other Regiments to break through the Hitler Line, the Germans’ second defensive line. (See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Line and https://liri-valley.project44.ca/)

Screenshot 2024-02-18 at 09-56-04 Liri Valley

Placement of troops for breaching the Hitler Line on May 23, 1944. (Map source: https://liri-valley.project44.ca/)

On May 22, 1943, the War Diary for the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada recorded that at 4 pm, “…the Commanding Officer received orders from 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade that Seaforth Highlanders of Canada would attack the Adolph Hitler Line… The attack was ordered for 0600 hours 23 May 1944. The PPCLI to attack on right, Seaforths on left, Edmonton Regiment reserve to exploit through PPCLI….” (PPCLI refers to Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry.)

A fierce battle occurred the following day. The War Diary recorded that by 7:30 pm “…it was now apparent that the Adolph Hitler Line had been broken. The enemy were in full retreat, jamming the roads with his transport, which provided a good target for our Air Force…”

…Jimmy became a POW during the breaking of the Hitler Line….

The war diary noted that there were many casualties: 51 killed, 110 wounded, and 72 missing. Among the missing was Jimmy Thomas, who became a prisoner of war and taken to Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany, where he was recorded as POW number 131885. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_VII-A and https://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/S7A/cSt_7A_Description.htm)

32898f4eaba6b4904152e84b63f6f18e--bavaria-vii

Entrance to Stalag VII-A. (Photo source: Moosburg Online)

Stalag VII-A was captured on April 29, 1945 by Combat Command A of the 14th Armored Division of the US Army. (See https://www.moosburg.org/info/stalag/14theng.html) Jimmy and his fellow POWs couldn’t believe how lucky they were, after all the hardships they had experienced. Reports stated that 110,000 Allied POWs were freed from that camp alone.

The POWs were now free, but with the war still ongoing, it was impossible to evacuate all of them immediately. They were instead moved west in large groups and placed in temporary transit camps while they waited impatiently to be transported out of Germany.

Unfortunately, there were not enough planes to quickly transport them to Reims, France, and from there to England. So they waited for their turn.

…A drink containing methanol proved fatal….

On May 1, 1945, Jimmy was in a temporary camp in Ettringen, Bavaria, Germany, along with other former prisoners of war. A translated excerpt from Jan Braakman’s ‘Holtense Canadezen’ related what happened that day. “…Canadians John Decoine, Robert Consterdine, Joe Giguire, Steven Motkaluk, James Thomas, and Australian Joe Brydon could not believe their luck when they were liberated by the Americans ….. The six met a group of Russian prisoners of war near Ettringen (Bavaria), who apparently had a large amount of liquor at their disposal….”

The men were unaware that they were being offered liquor that contained methanol, which was fatal for all six. “…Captain C.T. Sutherland wrote a report for the Department of National Defence about the incident …. According to him, on May 1, on the street in Ettringen, the Canadians had been given alcohol by members of a Russian labour command. (The prisoner of war camp had numerous labour commands, consisting of prisoners of war of different nationalities)….”

Most likely, the Russians were not aware that the alcohol had been poisoned. “…British prisoner of war Tom Tate, who was captured in Germany in early 1945 after his Royal Air Force bomber was downed, said that Russian prisoners of war had found and binged on methylated spirits on the estate (Ost-Ettringen). He recalled two Russian prisoners of war who died of it and more who had severe symptoms of poisoning….”

…Jimmy died on May 2, 1945….

Captain Sutherland’s report did not include the names of Steve Motkaluk and James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas, who had both been in Stalag VII-A in Moosburg. They had been taken to the US Hospital in Thannhausen, Germany. Both men died on May 2, 1945.

A medical report for Steven Motkaluk stated that the amount of alcohol he’d drunk was only 1 pint (2 cups). Likely Jimmy had drunk the same amount or less.

The other 4 men had been under the care of British physician John “Sandy” Rutherford, a former prisoner of war himself.

It was a sad ending to soldiers who had endured so much during the war and their time in a POW camp. During the investigation into this incident and others involving the poisoning of Allied soldiers, the Canadian Intelligence Service “…managed to obtain an October 1944 document from the Kriminaltechnisches Institut der Sicherheitspolizei (Forensic Institute of the Security Police), describing the various possibilities of deliberate poisoning. One of these was the addition of methyl alcohol (methanol) to bottled drinks. It is conceivable that the prisoners of war were victims of this practice….”

…The other 5 victims of methanol poisoning….

In addition to Jimmy, the other 5 victims of methanol poisoning were:

· Robert James CONSTERDINE of Vancouver, British Columbia, died May 2, 1945

· John DECOINE of Wabaska, Alberta, died May 1, 1945

· Joseph ‘Joe’ August GIGUIRE of Conklin, Alberta, died May 3, 1945

· Steven MOTKALUK, of Toronto, Ontario, but born in Lviv, Ukraine, died May 2, 1945

· Joseph ‘Joe’ William BRYDON of Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia, died May 2, 1945

….Jimmy is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

Along with Steven Motkaluk, Jimmy was initially buried in the US Military Cemetery in Reutti, Germany, before being reburied in the British Military Cemetery in Durnbach, Germany. Then, on June 4, 1948, they were reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Grave of James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

…..Jimmy is listed on the National Métis Veterans Memorial Monument….

Jimmy is listed on the National Métis Veterans Memorial Monument just outside of Batoche, Saskatchewan. (See https://www.metismuseum.ca/metisveteransmonument/)

His name can be found on Column 8 on the outside, Row 67. (https://www.metismuseum.ca/metisveteransmonument/column.php?v=XCHRVC)

….Thomas Esker in northern Manitoba is named in Jimmy’s honour…..

Screenshot 2024-02-21 at 08-38-47 Thomas Esker

Thomas Esker is named in honour of James ‘Jimmy Oliver Thomas. (Map source: http://www.mapcarta.com)

Thomas Esker in northern Manitoba, east of Tadoule Lake, was named after Jimmy in 1995. This mountain has an elevation of 246 metres (807 feet). (See https://mapcarta.com/24676318)

Thank you to Theresa and Rodd Cooper for providing a photo of James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas, to Shawn Rainville for helping with the initial newspaper search for family and information, to Judie Klassen for finding the geographic commemoration in ‘A Place Of Honour’, and to Jan Braakman for researching the May 1, 1945 incident in which 6 men lost their lives.

Do you have photos or information to share? 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/

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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Happy Holidays From The Valkenburgs – And Our Year In Review!

December 23, 2023December 3, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments

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December 23, 2023. 2023 has simply raced by, and Pieter is currently preparing his research plan for 2024.

It was another busy year and yes, Pieter remains committed to this research project. While several long-standing searches for photos were successful, allowing Pieter to complete his files for those soldiers, many files still remain open. In most cases, family members were found, but no photo was available for one reason or another.

A number of these files have been carried over from year to year, with no luck in finding photos, and so we now have a Cold Case Files page on the On The War Memorial Trail website. Hopefully, by featuring a list of the cold cases, someone will see a name and realize that they have a photo. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/our-cold-cases/)

A research project that began in the fall of 2022 to find photos and family of several soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment that died on March 25, 1945 during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, and who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands was completed, with the stories told in a 12 part series that ran between March and May.

New research files were added, and Pieter was able to finish his research for many of the unfinished files from 2022. As always, there is a lag between him completing his work and me getting a chance to document his research, but that is on my ‘to do’ list for this winter.

He began a new project this fall, to upload photos to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial website, and has earmarked this as his winter project.

This year, we were able to meet several more families, which we very much appreciated. We were grateful that so many families came forward to share photos and information, and were thankful for continued media interest in helping to find photos. What follows in the rest of this posting is a summary of what happened in 2023 with this research project.

…Book ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’….

Book cover front and back

Daria and Pieter were the translators for ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’ by Jan Braakman, translated from the original Dutch book ‘Holtense Canadezen’. For more information, see the press package prepared by the author: https://janbraakman.nl/press-package-holten-heroes/ or the Amazon Canada entry: https://www.amazon.ca/Holten-Heroes-Stories-Canadian-Honour/dp/B0CM25LRD3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QEQCI0LBFLPK&keywords=holten+heroes&qid=1698840141&sprefix=holten+heroes%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

…We received a 2023 Heritage Recognition Award from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation….

A February 9, 2023 letter offered Congratulations and notified us that “… the Board of Governors of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation has selected you for a Heritage Recognition Award for your powerful research project, ‘On The War Memorial Trail’….” (See https://www.peimuseum.ca/pieter-and-daria-valkenburg-heritage-recognition-award)

The Heritage Awards ceremony, which celebrates the Island’s heritage and recognition of those who preserve and share it, was held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. Unfortunately we were unable to attend as we were not on the Island at the time. Jack Sorensen, Chair of the Tryon and Area Historical Society, accepted the award on our behalf. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/15/we-receive-a-2023-pei-heritage-recognition-award/)

…We received a Legionnaire of the Year Award ….

On June 10, 2023, we received a Legionnaire of the Year award from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 10 in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island.

CIMG6369 Jun 10 2023 Cropped - Daria and Pieter receive Legionnaire of the Year Award

Pieter and Daria receive a Legionnaire of the Year Award. (Photo credit: Kathy Henry)

…Presentation ‘Up Close With A Halifax Bomber’….

Crapaud Hall Nov 7 2023 Presentation title page

On November 7, 2023, we gave a presentation at Crapaud Hall in Crapaud, Prince Edward Island, ‘Up Close With A Halifax Bomber’ about our tour of a Halifax bomber and a summary of two Island airmen who lost their lives in one. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-presentation-up-close-with-a-halifax-bomber/)

…. Soldiers Listed On The Cenotaph Outside Borden-Carleton Legion …….

This year we added more information on soldiers whose stories had previously been told:

We updated the story of the battle in which WW1 soldier Arthur Clinton ROBINSON lost his life on March 27, 1916 and how the burials in La Laiterie Military Cemetery, where he was buried, included a message in a bottle.
We shared a September 23, 1942 letter that WWII airman Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles MCIVER wrote while posted in northern Russia near the Arctic Circle, while serving in RAF Coastal Command.
After an 8 year search we received a photo for WWI soldier Joseph ‘Arthur’ DESROCHES of Miscouche, Prince Edward Island, who died after receiving a gunshot wound to the head and is buried in France.

… WWI Related Stories….

We updated the story of what happened when we repatriated to Nova Scotia the portrait of WW1 soldier Lloyd Clifton SHORTLIFF of Barton, Nova Scotia, whose name is inscribed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

… WWII Related Stories….

We shared a story about the 2022 candle lighting at graves of Canadian soldiers in The Netherlands.
We did a multi-part series about The Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition – 36 photo tributes by the graves of soldiers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. The Exhibition ran from April 30 to May 21, 2023. Part 1 featured 5 soldiers from Prince Edward Island. Part 2 featured 4 Indigenous soldiers. Part 3 featured 8 soldiers from Nova Scotia whose stories were told in 2021’s Atlantic Canada Remembers series. Part 4 featured 6 soldiers from New Brunswick whose stories were told in 2021’s Atlantic Canada Remembers series. Part 5 featured 7 soldiers from the Battle of Bienen series. Part 6 featured 6 soldiers from photo wish lists. We also shared some of the feedback received from families whose relatives were featured in the photo tributes.
We updated the 2022 story about the search for WWII soldier Wilfred GIROUX who was in Gilze Rijen, The Netherlands in December 1944 and befriended a Dutch couple whose daughter wished to repatriate a photo and two Christmas cards to the Giroux family. This story had a successful conclusion with the photo and cards going to Wilfred’s niece.
We did an update to the Battle of Bienen series with a brief feature on the Bienen Memorial and shared the short video we made to honour those North Novies whose stories we told this spring (S4E1 Battle of Bienen on our YouTube Channel).
We shared an account of our visit to the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario, to tour a Halifax Mark VII Bomber.
We shared the story of how a letter written from the POW camp Stalag Luft III by WWII pilot John ‘Hubert’ HALL impacted not only his family, but the family of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART. Both men were from Prince Edward Island.
We shared the story about the successful search for a photo of WWII soldier Norman Victor Holgate BUCHANAN, from Manitoba, who lost his life in Germany on February 16, 1945, during the Battle of Moyland Wood, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
In a two-part series, we shared excerpts from the WWII letters of Edison Reynolds SMITH, who lost his life in The Netherlands on October 16, 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt.

…Indigenous Soldiers….

We were able to tell the stories of the service by these WWII Indigenous soldiers:

WWII Indigenous soldier John CULBERTSON from Ontario, who was killed in Germany on April 30, 1944 during the Battle of Edewecht.
WWII Indigenous soldier Harry Henry DAVIS from Yukon Territory, who died in The Netherlands on January 15, 1945 from wounds received the day before after being shot while on patrol.
WWII Indigenous soldier Sanford Steven SAULIS from New Brunswick, who died of a brain hemorrhage in The Netherlands on August 10, 1945.
WWII Indigenous soldier George TAYLOR from Ontario, who died accidentally in his sleep in The Netherlands on June 17, 1945.

…. Stories About Servicemen From The Maritimes…

We also featured stories about servicemen from The Maritimes:

WWII soldier Ralph Schurman BOULTER from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON from New Brunswick, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII airman John ‘Hubert’ HALL from Prince Edward Island, who was aboard the last flight of Wellington Z1203 when it crashed over The Netherlands on March 29, 1942. All crew members survived, and Hubert spent the remainder of the war years as a POW in Stalag Luft III.
WWII airman William Andrew HOOD from Nova Scotia, who was aboard the last flight of Halifax JD215 when it was shot down over The Netherlands on June 29, 1943, with no survivors.
WWII soldier Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Lawrence Edward LUCAS from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action in Germany on April 23, 1945.
WWI soldier Angus Clayton MACDONALD from Prince Edward Island, who served with the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), and was injured in Belgium during the Passage of the Grande Honnelle Battle.
WWII soldier Daniel ‘Dan’ Peter MACKENZIE from Prince Edward Island, who died from wounds received on April 13, 1945 during the liberation of Posterenk in The Netherlands, part of Operation Cannonshot.
WWII soldier James ‘Jim’ Andrew MACLEOD from New Brunswick, who was killed in action in Belgium on October 23, 1944.
WWII soldier Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN from New Brunswick, who died from wounds received on April 13, 1945 during Operation Cannonshot in The Netherlands.
WWI soldier Merrill Augustus MARSHALL from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in action during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France on April 9, 1917.
WWII soldier Austin Havelock MUNROE from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Leonard William PORTER from New Brunswick, who was killed in action during the Battle of Walcheren Causeway in The Netherlands on November 1, 1944.
WWII soldier Joseph ‘Edmond’ ROBICHEAU from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Five Woods in The Netherlands on April 14, 1945.
WWII soldier Edison Alexander SMITH from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier John Lewis ‘Ducky’ WALLACE from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.

…. Stories About Servicemen From Outside The Maritimes…

WWII soldier Clifford BATEMAN from Newfoundland, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier John Joseph BOHON, from Ontario, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Clive Elbert Steele GEROW, from Ontario, who was killed in action during the liberation of Deventer in The Netherlands on April 10, 1945.
WWII soldier Theodor ‘Ted’ HENSCHEL, born in Manitoba, but from British Columbia, who was killed in action during the Battle for Wagenborgen in The Netherlands on April 22, 1945.
WWII soldier Adam KLEIN, from Saskatchewan, who died in The Netherlands while crossing the Maas River in January 1945.
WWII pilot Jack ‘Douglas’ MACKENZIE, from Manitoba, who died at the controls of his plane, Halifax DT630, after being attacked on February 3, 1943 over The Netherlands.
WWII soldier Harold Edward Roy MARTIN, from Ontario, who was killed in The Netherlands during the Battle of the Scheldt on October 14, 1944.
WWII pilot George Glenn ‘Dusty’ MILLAR, from Manitoba, who died on September 28, 1944 in The Netherlands.
WWII soldier Joseph Hudson PALLISTER, from Alberta, who was killed in action during the Battle of the Leopold Canal on October 6, 1944.
WWII soldier Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER, from British Columbia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Louis Allan SEXTON, from Quebec, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945.
WWII soldier Harry Elwood WRIGHT, from Nova Scotia, who was killed in action in The Netherlands on April 17, 1945.

…In Conversation And More….

We shared our condolences on the passing of Helen Coutts, sister of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, in July 2023 at the age of 101.
We shared our condolences on the passing of Delbert Carr, nephew of WWI soldier Vincent CARR, in July 2023, and on the passing in April 2023 of Pam Alexander, whose father Reg Alexander was part of the Halifax L9561 crew in which WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART lost his life.
We shared our condolences on the passing of John Robinson, nephew of WWI soldier Arthur Clinton ROBINSON in November 2023, and on the passing, also in November 2023 of Donald Moore, nephew of WWII soldier Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN.
As part of our Remembrance Week 2023 feature, we shared updates on previous stories and about our visit to the Springhill Cenotaph in Springhill, Nova Scotia.
We wrote about the Remembrance Day ceremonies we attended in Borden-Carleton and Kinkora, two Prince Edward Island communities.

…. Interviews To Highlight Search For Photos….

Pieter did the following interviews:

Kevin Rollason of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote about Pieter’s search for photos and featured the story of WWII Medic John Lewis HUGHES, of Eriksdale, Manitoba, who died during the Battle of the Scheldt on November 2, 1944, and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. The article, ‘A Picture Of Compassion’, ran online and in the print edition on Friday, November 10, 2023. See https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2023/11/10/a-picture-of-compassion
Pieter was interviewed by Fraser Needham of APTN’s Nation To Nation program, about the search for photos of WWII Indigenous soldiers, Benjamin Roy ASHKEWE, from Cape Croker, Ontario, and Charles NANIBUSH, from Shawanaga, Ontario. Both are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. The interview ran on Thursday, November 9, 2023 and was subsequently posted on APTN’s YouTube Channel as ‘Their sacrifice should never ever be forgotten’: Extended interview with Pieter Valkenburg | N2N‘ To watch the 8:24 minute interview:

A subsequent 45 second clip was posted on APTN’s YouTube Channel as ‘Pieter Valkenburg explains the complications in locating the photos of veterans‘ https://youtu.be/b-kXWjL9R6w?si=cZYp8teF1sF8-nUV
On Thursday, April 27, 2023, Pieter was interviewed by Bob Murphy on CBC Radio’s program Maritime Noon. You can listen to ‘A Dutch-born man on PEI tells us about a project to help find photos of WW II veterans who are buried in the Netherlands. The photos are displayed at gravesites. | Maritime Noon with Bob Murphy | Live Radio | CBC Listen’ at https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-38-maritime-noon/clip/15981254-a-dutch-born-man-pei-tells-project-help-find

…. Letters To The Editor For Photo Searches….

Letters to the Editor in various newspapers were written in the quest for a photo for:

WWII soldier Austin Havelock MUNROE, who is buried in The Netherlands. A letter to the editor was published in the Guysborough Journal on November 2, 2022. This search was successful.
WWII soldier Thomas Alfred BROWN, who is buried in The Netherlands. A letter to the editor was published in The Consort Enterprise on April 26, 2023 and on ECA Review on April 27, 2023. This search was successful. (See https://ecareview.com/looking-for-photo-of-ww2-soldier/)

… Successful Search For Photos …..

Many WWII soldiers are buried in cemeteries in Europe. Pieter continues to work with photo wish lists from Canadian War Cemeteries for WWII soldiers buried in The Netherlands. This year we also received photos and information on soldiers buried in Belgium.

Photos of soldiers buried in Dutch cemeteries were forwarded to researchers there for their digital archive. Whenever possible, stories are featured on the blog but there is a backlog due to the success of Pieter’s research. I can’t keep up! This year, photos were found for:

Buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

Percy Joseph BARRY
Archibald BUNGAY
Harry Henry DAVIS
Theophile DUPERE
Gerald Edward FERGUSON
Arthur G. FLIEGER
Clive Elbert Steele GEROW
Frank GUIMOND
Merle Vincent HAMILTON
Lawrence Edward LUCAS
Neil Roderick MACLEAN
Joseph Taylor MACLEOD
Joseph ‘Felicien’ MALLEY
Stanley Leigh MCBEATH
Archibald ‘Archie’ Phillip MCLEAN
Ralph Foster MCLENAHAN
Sydney Guy MOSHER
Frank Eugene MUNROE
James ‘Gordon’ MURPHY
Seth Everett MURRAY
Herbert ‘Murray’ RAFUSE
Roslyn Ernest SANDS
Sanford Steven SAULIS
George Edward SHERWOOD
Ronald Eugene SMITH
James Edward SULLIVAN
James Oliver THOMAS
Gustav Evald ‘Ernie’ WINSA

Buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

Walter Conrad BENJAMIN
Thomas Alfred BROWN
Norman Victor BUCHANAN
Alexander Parke CALDWELL
Cyrille CAISSIE
Tom CHASKE
Henri CORMIER
Raymond Stavely ELLIOTT
John ‘Jack’ Charles FORWARD
Jean FRIGAULT
Edgar M. GUITARD
Lester L. HANLEY
Raymond Arthur HOSSACK
Maxwell KING
Albert Noel LAMONTAGNE
Gordon Archibald MACCALLUM
Leo Alexander MACDOUGALL
Neale Warren MERRITT
Reginald Vincent MOOERS
Austin Havelock MUNROE
Delphis ROY
Lawrence Arthur RUDOLPH
Oxaird J. SAVOIE
Thomas ‘Tom’ Hector SUTHERLAND
George TAYLOR
John Lewis WALLACE
Harry WRIGHT

Buried in Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

Earl AGNEW
Robert Oswald BLAKE
Gerald Joseph BOUCHER
James Burnes CARRUTHERS
Donald Whitman COOK
Adam KLEIN
Denis Joseph LANDRY
Harold Edward Roy MARTIN
James A. ‘Jim’ MACLEOD
Joseph Edmond NOELAN (NOWLAN)
Ernest Patrick OWENS
John Colin (Jack) POND
Peter William PORTER
Orville ‘Skip’ REEVES
Elmer Daniel SCHOFIELD
Leopold THERIAULT

Buried in Rotterdam (Crooswijk) General Cemetery in The Netherlands:

John PALMER

Buried in Sleen General Cemetery in The Netherlands:

Jack ‘Douglas’ MACKENZIE
Raymond Hepton ‘Ray’ HILL

Buried in Uden War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

George Glenn ‘Dusty’ MILLAR

Buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium:

Joseph Hudson PALLISTER

Buried in Ligny St. Flochel British Cemetery in France:

Joseph ‘Arthur’ DESROCHES

Listed On The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France:

Merrill Augustus MARSHALL

Buried in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery in Italy:

Millard Emery ALLEN

Photo Search For Airmen For Air Research Drenthe Foundation in The Netherlands:

One of the projects of the Air Research Drenthe Foundation in The Netherlands is to install information panels near WWII air crash sites. While many of the airmen lost their lives and are buried in The Netherlands or just across the border in Germany, other airmen survived the crash and were in prisoner of war camps until the war ended. It can be difficult to find photos and families of airmen that survived, but Pieter took up the challenge. Photos were found for:

Barry Matthews GODDEN, of Harbour Breton, Newfoundland, Flight Sergeant on Lancaster ED916, which crashed June 13, 1943. He died December 1, 2002 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Raymond ‘Ray’ Hepton HILL, of Montreal, Quebec, Air Gunner on Halifax DT630, which crashed February 3, 1943. He died in the crash and is buried at Sleen General Cemetery in Sleen, The Netherlands.
André Jean Jules HISETTE, of Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Air Bomber on Halifax LW461, which crashed January 16, 1945. He died in the crash and is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery in Wietzendorf, Germany.
Eric ‘Raymond’ MARQUAND, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bomb Aimer on Halifax DT630, which crashed February 3, 1943. He died April 25, 2006 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Henry ‘Hank’ PANKRATZ, of Ottawa, Ontario, Wireless Operator on Halifax NP945, which crashed December 6, 1944.

… Unsuccessful Search For Photos …..

Not all searches have been successful, for one reason or another. Below is a listing of some of the outstanding files for which research has been done, but no photo has been found. If you can help with a photo, please let us know.

John Frederick BARTLETT of Moreton’s Harbour, Newfoundland, son of Alfred and Jessie Bartlett, died February 27, 1945, aged 47, while serving with the South Alberta Regiment.
Douglas Gordon BLACK of Amherst, Nova Scotia, son of Sherman and Alice Black, died March 3, 1945, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment.
Clifford Alexander BLAKE of Toronto, Ontario, son of William C. and Sarah L. Blake, husband of Ferne E. Blake, died February 16, 1945, aged 23, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
James Lyman CAMERON, born in Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island, son of Edward H. and Susan (Harrington) Cameron, died July 24, 1916, aged 23, while serving with the 7^th Canadian Infantry Battalion (1^st British Columbia). (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany, Prince Edward Island, son of Anna Cameron, died May 5, 1916, aged 17, shortly after enlisting with the 105^th Battalion, C Company. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington, Prince Edward Island, son of John G. and Grace Emma Campbell, died April 24, 1953, aged 55, many years after being discharged from the ^8th Siege Battery of the 3^rd Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
Karl CHRISTENSEN, from Alberta, but born in Starheim, Nordfjord, Norway, son of Kristian Kristiansen Hafsas and Marie K. Hafsas, died April 10, 1945, aged 41, while serving with the 8^th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers.
John Edward COLEMAN of Moncton, New Brunswick, son of Edward J. and Florence Coleman, husband of Della Coleman, died June 17, 1945, aged 32, while serving with the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Lorne Mart COLFORD of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but born in Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, son of Howard and Jeanette Colford, died April 14, 1945, aged 22, while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, son of Joseph Cormier and Mary Arsenault, died August 12, 1918, aged 20, while serving with the 2^6th (New Brunswick) Battalion. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
Eric John CRUE of Moncton, New Brunswick, son of John and Margaret Crue, died April 6, 1945, aged 23, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment.
James Frank DOLMAN of Flatlands, New Brunswick, son of Frank Dolman and Lydia Thompson, husband of Henriette Gertrude Lyons, died April 14, 1945, aged 32, while serving with the New Brunswick Rangers -10th Ind. Machine Gun Company.
Samuel George ENGEN of The Pas, Manitoba, died April 23, 1945, aged 27, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment.
Douglas Bernard FARROW of Amherst, Nova Scotia, died April 26, 1945, aged 27, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment.
Clifford Glen FORSYTH born in Brandon, Manitoba, son of Alexander ‘Sandy’ Forsyth and Margaret McDougall, died April 11, 1945, aged 20, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment.
Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden (now Borden-Carleton), Prince Edward Island, son of John P. and Mary Blanche Gallant, died May 20, 1943, aged 27, while with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
William James ‘Jimmy’ Sutherland HOLE born in Carman, Manitoba, son of William and Eva Alise Hole, died April 22, 1945, aged 20, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
Claude Pearley HUBLEY of Chipman, New Brunswick, son of Joshua and Adelia Hubley, husband of Agnes Myrtle Hubley, died April 25, 1945, aged 29, while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
John Lewis HUGHES born in Eriksdale, Manitoba, son of Ebenezer George and Ellen (nee Rogan) Hughes, husband of Irene (nee Goodwin) Hughes of Winnipeg, Manitoba, died November 2, 1944, aged 28, while serving with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp – 10th Field Dressing Station.
George Mcdonald JOHNSTON of Toronto, Ontario, son of William and Annie Johnston, died April 2, 1945, aged 27, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment.
Lloyd Edward KITCHING of Winnipeg, Manitoba, son of Robert Burns Lloyd Kitching, and stepson of Eva L. Kitching, died May 1, 1945, aged 25, while serving with the Royal Canadian Artillery – 6^th Field Regiment.
Wallace Herbert LARLEE of Perth, New Brunswick, died April 24, 1945, aged 19, while serving with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.
Logan Elwood LESLIE, born in Oxford, Nova Scotia, died April 9, 1945, son of John J. and Georgie Mary Leslie of Moncton, New Brunswick, while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
Charles W. LOWTHER, born in North Carleton, Prince Edward Island, son of Bessie Lowther, died September 25, 1918, aged 21, while serving with the 25^th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
John Redmond MAHONEY, born in Port Elgin, New Brunswick, son of John J. and Gertrude C. Mahoney, died April 12, 1945, aged 30, while serving with the New Brunswick Rangers-10th Independent Machine Gun Company.
Francis Leslie MULCAHY of Halifax, Nova Scotia, son of Daniel and Mary Mulcahy, died April 24, 1945, aged 21, while serving with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.
Archibald Henry NELSON born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, son of William Henry and Winnifred Frances Nelson, died April 18, 1945, aged 34, while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment.
Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon, Prince Edward Island, son of Albert J. and Flora P. Scruton Robinson, died March 27, 1916, aged 19, while serving with the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove, Prince Edward Island, son of Thomas and Sarah Robinson, husband of Clara J. Robinson, died June 27, 1916, aged 34, while serving with the 105^th Battalion, C Company. (Listed on the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph)
Charles Patrick SHEFFIED of Sundridge, Ontario, son of Charles and Mrs Sheffield, husband of Bessie Alice Butler from Botwood, Newfoundland, and father of Patrick William Wallace Sheffield, died May 4, 1945, aged 24, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment.
Charles Bernard STAFFORD of Halifax, Nova Scotia, son of Charles Bernard and Blanche Stafford, husband of Winifred Leitha Stafford of Intake, Sheffield, England, died April 18, 1945, aged 28, while serving with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps – 9th Field Ambulance.
Harry WHITE of Halifax, Nova Scotia, son of Wilfred and Mary White, died May 19, 1945, aged 27, while serving with the West Nova Scotia Regiment.

… The YouTube Channel….

In 2023 the following videos were posted on the YouTube channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw

S4E1 Battle Of Bienen
S4E2 The Last Flight Of Halifax JD215

…Thank you for your support and encouragement of this research project!…

As 2023 comes to an end, we would like to thank all who helped with researching these stories and contributed photos. We also thank readers of this blog, and the On The War Memorial Trail column in The County Line Courier, who suggested some of stories you’ve read. A big thank you goes to Mike and Isabel Smith, owners of The County Line Courier.

Thank you to all the families that contributed photos and stories. Thank you to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville who volunteered their time to help find families of soldiers through newspaper and online searches. Thank you to Don Smith for answering any aircraft and military flight questions we’ve had. Thank you to Etienne Gaudet for visiting New Brunswick families on our behalf.

Thank you to the media who helped publicize the search for photos and information – APTN, CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon, ECA Review, Guysborough Journal, The Consort Enterprise, and the Winnipeg Free Press.

Last, but not least, the YouTube channel and videos would not be possible without the invaluable support of post-production editor Wendy Nattress. Wendy also designed and manages the book website: https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

….Happy Holidays…

Pieter and I wish you all the best for the holidays and in 2024. May we never forget those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Xmas greetings from Pieter and Daria

Pieter’s research work continues. If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter 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/

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…..‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ Is Still Available

December 19, 2023December 23, 2023 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

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.

December 19, 2023. We appreciate hearing from readers of ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’, and love seeing the photos that you send. In many cases, the only time we know someone has purchased a book is when they write to let us know.

IMG_2273 Dec 1 2022 Ray Coulsen by John Wales

Ray Coulsen with book. (Photo credit: John Wales)

Ray Coulsen, Curator at the Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum in Amherst, Nova Scotia, purchased a copy and was able to read about two North Novies featured in the book:

James Arthur AFFLECK, buried at Calais Canadian War Cemetery in France
George Ashley BARTLETT, buried at Bayeux War Cemetery in France

John Wales with book. (Photo courtesy of John Wales)

Until he moved from Amherst, John Wales had been the Assistant Curator at the Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum, and had also a great interest in the story of Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who is buried in Harlingen General Cemetery in The Netherlands, and whose story is also featured in the book.

CIMG6561 Oct 20 2023 Paulette Ryan with book

Paulette Ryan with book. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Paulette Ryan contacted us after a trip in which she visited the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands. We had a chance to meet for coffee as she had brought back a booklet for Pieter from Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek. The Dutch-language booklet contains short stories about some of the soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.

CIMG6559 Oct 20 2023 Pieter with Paulette Ryan

Pieter with Paulette Ryan. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

20230918_124503 Sep 18 2023 Malcolm John Pres Richibuctu Legion with book

Malcolm John with book. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

This fall we visited the Richibucto Legion Branch No. 30 in Richibucto, New Brunswick, and met the Branch President, Malcolm John. The Legion had photos of WWII soldier Albert Noel LAMONTAGNE in a shadow box donated by the family of Albert Chevarie. Malcolm had sent us photos of every item in the shadow box, for an upcoming story in 2024 about this soldier, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

After purchasing a book last fall, Simone Comeau took the time to write. “…I have just completed reading your interesting book. Your work and dedication is unbelievable. Thank you very much for all you have done and are still doing so that no one gave their lives in vain. Your efforts are a great relief to the families of the fallen soldiers as many were left just knowing their loved ones had died somewhere in Europe. This includes my family and my uncle’s siblings and their parents…”

Simone’s uncle, WWII soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident on the Leda River during the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-linking-the-past-with-the-present/)

If you’ve read ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ do let us know! In case you missed an earlier blog posting, ‘Holten Heroes’, by Jan Braakman, and translated from Dutch by us, was published a few months ago. For more information, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/01/new-book-about-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten-the-netherlands/

Thank you to Ray Coulsen, John Wales, Paulette Ryan, Malcom John, and Simone Comeau. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Previous Postings About The Book…

To read previous postings about ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’:

….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/

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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New Book About Soldiers Buried In The Canadian War Cemetery In Holten, The Netherlands

November 1, 2023November 26, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

Holten Heroes’ by Jan Braakman, translated by Pieter and Daria Valkenburg

November 1, 2023. A new book, published in English on October 27, 2023 was translated by us – Daria and Pieter Valkenburg. ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’ by Jan Braakman, was translated from the original Dutch book that Jan wrote: ‘Holtense Canadezen’.

Here is an excerpt from the media release:

Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour

– A book that pays tribute to Canadian soldiers

Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Dutch province of Overijssel is the Holten field of honour for Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in World War II.

For the first time since the cemetery was established, the buried soldiers are being honoured in a book: Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour. Holten Heroes describes the genesis of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Holten and tells stories of the soldiers buried there.

In 155 pages, the book takes you through the incredible journey Canadian soldiers made from Dieppe to German prisoner-of-war camps, you learn about the hardships they lived under, you read about the opposition they encountered during the liberation of The Netherlands and you become part of the grief felt by those left behind.

The book about the Holten cemetery marks the connection between Canada and The Netherlands since Canadian soldiers liberated the country from the Nazis in the spring of 1945.

The liberation of The Netherlands brought joy and sorrow. The Dutch people were delirious with joy when Canadian heroes gave them back their freedom. But that did not come without the sacrifice of thousands of lives Canadian young men who still had a bright future ahead.

They are the heroes to whom the book Holten Heroes pays tribute. The names of all of them are mentioned in Holten Heroes, many of them with a photo from the collection of the Canadian Cemetery Information Centre (ICB) in Holten. The book is a valuable gem for all bereaved Canadians.

The book’s sales will benefit the work of the Canadian Cemetery Information Centre (ICB) in Holten.

…..A bit about the author and translators….

Jan Braakman. (Photo credit: Paulus Maessen)

The Author: Jan Braakman (b. 1960) is a Dutch investigative journalist, and the author of several books in Dutch.

In 2012, his book The War in the Corner was published in Canada. During his research he discovered the truth behind the arrest that led to the death of his grandfather in 1944 in the concentration camp, Neuengamme, near Hamburg.

He has been working as a volunteer researcher for the Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery in Holten since 2014. In 2019, he produced the documentary Lest We Forget featuring Canadian bereaved families, who told of their loved ones buried in Holten (with Sander Jongsma, RTV Oost).

Daria and Pieter Valkenburg (Photo credit: Karen McKay)

The Translators: Canadian born Daria Valkenburg is a retired accountant, adult education instructor, and writer whose work has been published in several newspapers and journals. The Netherlands born Pieter Valkenburg served in the Dutch Air Force before going on to a career in the Dutch Foreign Service and 10 postings around the world. Pieter has been a volunteer researcher for the Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery in Holten since the fall of 2014.

Daria and Pieter’s research into Canadian soldiers is documented on this blog and in the ‘On The War Memorial Trail’ column in the ‘County Line Courier’, a newspaper on Prince Edward Island. Daria is also the author of ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ (https://nosoldierforgotten.com/).

…..Where is the book available?….

‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’ is available through Amazon, and at the Cemetery’s Information Centre.

Please see the Amazon Canada entry for more information: https://www.amazon.ca/Holten-Heroes-Stories-Canadian-Honour/dp/B0CM25LRD3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QEQCI0LBFLPK&keywords=holten+heroes&qid=1698840141&sprefix=holten+heroes%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

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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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….Arthur was in the Lake Superior Regiment….

……Arthur lost his life on February 15, 1945…….

……The other casualties ……

……Was Arthur buried in that unknown grave? ……

….The Directorate of Heritage and History wrote to inform us that Arthur’s grave was no longer unknown ….

….The Re-dedication Ceremony was planned for May 3, 2025 …

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….The author and translators of ‘Holten Heroes’ finally meet in person!….

….We met 3 students from Rijssen….

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…Frank enlisted in December 1943…

….Frank left Canada for overseas service….

…Operation Duck…

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

…The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Regiment ran into trouble…

….Why did the men drown?….

….Frank was one of the fatalities….

….Frank is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

….Other soldiers from the Stormont Dundas Glengarry Highlanders who lost their lives that day…

….A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River….

….Blog posting about another soldier mentioned in the book Holten Heroes…

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…..James is remembered on a plaque in the United Church in Rexton….

….James’s niece had a photo!….

…..James enlisted under the NRMA in 1941….

….James served in Newfoundland….

….James was transferred to the infantry….

….James left Canada for overseas service….

… Operation Duck…

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

…The Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders Regiment ran into trouble…

….James was one of the fatalities….

….James is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

….Other soldiers from the Stormont Dundas Glengarry Highlanders who lost their lives that day…

….A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River….

….Blog posting about another soldier mentioned in the book Holten Heroes…

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….Jimmy’s niece provided a photo….

….Jimmy was hard-working and versatile….

….Jimmy’s military career began in British Columbia….

…Jimmy joined the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in Italy….

…Jimmy became a POW during the breaking of the Hitler Line….

…A drink containing methanol proved fatal….

…Jimmy died on May 2, 1945….

…The other 5 victims of methanol poisoning….

….Jimmy is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

…..Jimmy is listed on the National Métis Veterans Memorial Monument….

….Thomas Esker in northern Manitoba is named in Jimmy’s honour…..

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…Book ‘Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’….

…We received a 2023 Heritage Recognition Award from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation….

…We received a Legionnaire of the Year Award ….

…Presentation ‘Up Close With A Halifax Bomber’….

…. Soldiers Listed On The Cenotaph Outside Borden-Carleton Legion …….

… WWI Related Stories….

… WWII Related Stories….

…Indigenous Soldiers….

…. Stories About Servicemen From The Maritimes…

…. Stories About Servicemen From Outside The Maritimes…

…In Conversation And More….

…. Interviews To Highlight Search For Photos….

…. Letters To The Editor For Photo Searches….

… Successful Search For Photos …..

… Unsuccessful Search For Photos …..

… The YouTube Channel….

…Thank you for your support and encouragement of this research project!…

….Happy Holidays…

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…Previous Postings About The Book…

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…..A bit about the author and translators….

…..Where is the book available?….

…Want to follow our research?….

*…Book ‘**Holten Heroes: Stories from a Canadian Field of Honour’….*

… *Unsuccessful Search For Photos …..***