Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery

On The War Memorial Trail…. Battlefields Tour With Joël Stoppels Part 2: The Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket Began In Appingedam

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A life’s ambition realized! Daria in the driver’s seat of a jeep! Spoiler alert – our battlefield tour was in an SUV, not the jeep! (Photo credit: Joël Stoppels)

October 5, 2025.  While in Europe this spring for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, we visited 14 cemeteries to place flags at the graves of 383 soldiers that Pieter has researched since 2014.  The stories of many soldiers have been told on this blog. 

On our wish list for this trip was to tour some of the battlefields in which these soldiers lost their lives in order to have a better appreciation of what they had faced. 

Battlefields guide Joël Stoppels, of Groningen, The Netherlands, offered to spend a day showing us locations where the various battles that comprised the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket took place.  Over the years, we’ve featured stories of many soldiers who lost their lives in the last weeks of the North-West Europe campaign during WWII, and we eagerly anticipated learning more. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/delfzijlpocket.htm)

Map showing the locations during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket. (Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

In Part 1, our battlefield tour began at a field where 19 Canadians lost their lives during the Battle for Wagenborgen, the preliminary battle before the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/10/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-battlefields-tour-with-joel-stoppels-part-1-battle-for-wagenborgen/)

Now, in Part 2, we travelled to Appingedam, the town where the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket began…. 

From Wagenborgen, we made our way towards Appingedam, the location of the beginning of the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.  William ‘Willie’ DANIELS, Donald Charles MACKENZIE, whose stories were previously told on this blog, along with William James ‘Jimmy’ Sutherland HOLE, who Pieter also researched, lost their lives here.

…. We found banners for two soldiers whose stories were previously told…

We found the banners for Daniels and MacKenzie, but no banner was made for Hole as up to now no photo has been found of him. 

Banner for William ‘Willie’ Daniels in Appingedam. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The banner for William ‘Willie’ Daniels was quite high up and it was hard for me to get a good angle, but thankfully Joël was kind enough to send us a better photo of the banner. 

Banner for William ‘Willie’ Daniels. (Photo courtesy of Joël Stoppels/ Battlefield Tours)

William ‘Willie’ DANIELS, from the Big River Reserve in Depton, Saskatchewan, was serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles when he was killed, aged 20, on April 22, 1945 as troops moved through Appingedam in The Netherlands at the very beginning of the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-william-willie-daniels/

Banner for Donald Charles MacKenzie in Appingedam. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Donald Charles MACKENZIE of Springhill, Nova Scotia, was serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles when he was killed, aged 30, on Sunday, April 22, 1945. He had been wounded during heavy fighting at the railway bridge near Appingedam, and placed in a house temporarily to rest. However, he was fatally hit by shrapnel by German shelling of the house.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/01/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-from-springhill-who-received-a-memorial-cross/

Helmet that had belonged to Donald Charles MacKenzie. (Photo Courtesy of Joël Stoppels / Battlefield Tours)

Joël told us that he has Donald Charles MacKenzie’s helmet in his private collection, and was kind enough to share a photo…a link of the past with the present! 

…. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in Appingedam as of April 21, 1945…

Map helped explain what happened in Appingedam in 1945.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In setting the scene on what unfolded in Appingedam back in 1945, Joël referred to a map that he had brought along for the battlefields tour.  “….Two roads led into Appingedam in 1945, both heavily mined by the defending Kriegsmarine…” he explained. The Kriegsmarine was Nazi Germany’s Navy from 1939-1945.  By 1945, as the war progressed, the Kriegsmarine formed infantry units from its personnel, who were re-trained as infantry to fight on land, all in an attempt to alleviate the strain on the German Army.

“…The Canadians were aware of the mines…” Joël noted, and on “…April 21, 1945, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles attacked.  Heavy fighting ensued but the town was partially liberated on April 23, 1945….” allowing “….the Royal Winnipeg Rifles to move back into Wirdum….”

The Regimental history, ‘Little Black Devils: a history of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles’, by Bruce Tascona and Eric Wells, describes what happened at Appingedam. “…..Beginning on April 21….the Rifles attacked with the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment, and several of the armoured cars were knocked out by anti-tank guns.  The Germans then blew up the bridge which the Rifles intended to cross…”

In trying to find another plan of attack, patrols had discovered a small bridge.  “…The bridge, deemed too feeble to carry motor transport, was still intact and patrols affirmed that it would carry the weight of jeeps.  With that information, the Rifles shifted position on a new start line during the night…”

The plan in place, “…in the early hours of April 22, A Company….went over the bridge, followed closely by C Company.  They were met by heavy machine gun fire but the worst problem they faced were the minefields….”

A WASP carrier with 2 soldiers from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on a street in Appingedam in April 1945.  (Photo Courtesy of Joël Stoppels / Battlefield Tours)

In spite of the challenges, during the day “… the Battalion consolidated its position in front of the town…”  Then, a surprise attack during the night meant that “…by dawn the Rifles were inside Appingedam and by mid-morning of April 23, they were mopping up. On April 24, the Rifles were replaced by the Perth Regiment….”

The 9th Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Dragoons) were assigned to support the Perth Regiment.  The war diary for the BC Dragoons for April 22, 1945 explained the orders.  “…Lt Col Angle liaised with Commander Perth Regiment as BCD will form one portion of the 5 CAB Battle Group…” (CAB referred to Canadian Armoured Brigade)

The Situation Report for ‘A’ Squadron of the BC Dragoons noted that “…troops moved forward and positions taken over from Winnipeg Rifles before last light.  Approach to town heavily shelled by enemy heavy calibre guns…”

…. Appingedam was evacuated on the night of April 23, 1945…

Per the war diary for the BC Dragoons for April 23, 1945, it was overcast and orders had been received at 2 am from HQ CAB that the Regiment was to relieve the Royal Winnipeg Rifles at 12:30 pm, and that troops from ‘A’ and ‘B’ squadrons were to be temporarily reorganized into one infantry squadron.  The tanks were parked in an area away from the town, with “….one crew member per tank to remain in the tanks and perform necessary maintenance and act as guards….”….all in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Appingedam had a population of 7,000, who were about to be in the midst of a heavy fight.  Joël told us that after “…a Dutch resistance fighter named Leugs went to Battalion HQ and offered to help, he was tasked with evacuating the town.  With the aid of Canadian trucks, this was done on the night of April 23, 1945…”

On April 24, 1945, the Situation Report for ‘A’ Squadron of the BC Dragoons recorded that “…the troop of tanks under Lt Gamlin, ‘C’ Squadron, took up positions at first light, spasmodic shelling throughout the day.  Underground contacted and reliable information was received concerning enemy positions….Enemy continued heavy shelling….” 

The Germans surrendered on May 2, 1945, and residents were able to return home and assess the damage to their properties.

…. Plaques to commemorate the RWR and BC Dragoons are in Appingedam…

Daria and Joël in Appingedam’s town square. The commemorative plaques are on a wall in the passageway to the right. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

We learned about all that happened in Appingedam while standing in the town square, and next went to see two plaques placed nearby – one for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, and the other for the British Columbia Dragoons.  We could still see shrapnel in the bricks of the buildings!

Commemorative plaque for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Commemorative plaque for the BC Dragoons.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Three soldiers from the BC Dragoons are remembered on the plaque:

  • Sgt Stanley FOSTER, aged 24, died April 30, 1945
  • Trooper Louis Graham RICHARD, aged 27, died April 26, 1945
  • Trooper Charles Ernest SOUCY, aged 30, died April 30, 1945

Sgt Foster is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  Troopers Richard and Soucy are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  You can read Richard’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-7/

…. ‘The best stroopwafel I ever ate!’…

Pieter, Daria, and Joél having a much needed break in Appingedam.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

After digesting all the history from Wagenborgen and Appingedam, we desperately needed a break, so were very receptive to Joël’s suggestion that we go for coffee at ‘Stroopwoafeltje, Koffie & Meer’, a café in the town square.

Joël recommended the homemade stroopwafels made by the lady running the café, and both he and Pieter ordered one.  After Pieter told me “…this is the best stroopwafel I ever ate!!!!..” I tried a piece of his, and he was right.  It was much nicer than the syrupy, overly chewy ones you get commercially! 

In case you’ve never tried this treat, a stroopwafel is a traditional Dutch cookie made from two thin waffle layers sandwiched around a warm caramel filling.  I’m only sorry that I didn’t think to take a photo of Pieter’s stroopwafel before he ate it all up!

Our stay in Appingedam ended once we finished our coffee break.  It was time to move on and continue our battlefields tour as part of our 2025 European War Memorial Tour. Coming up in Battlefields Tour With Joël Stoppels Part 3: Visit To Stefanuskerk In Holwierde.

Thank you to Joël Stoppels, guide and founder of Battlefield Tours, for a wonderful and informative tour. (See www.battlefieldtours.nu)  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/

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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Pieter Valkenburg appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

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Left to right:  Her Honour Marie Salamoun-Dunne, His Honour Dr Wassim Salamoun, Lt Governor of Prince Edward Island, Daria Valkenburg, Pieter Valkenburg, Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada, Lt-Colonel  Mark De Wit, Defence Attaché for The Netherlands to Canada.  (Photo credit: Matthew B. MacFarlane)

August 11, 2025.  On July 2, 2025, by Royal Decree of His Majesty Willem-Alexander, King of The Netherlands, Pieter was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.  Created on April 4, 1892, the Order of Orange-Nassau is conferred on people who have made a contribution of outstanding value. Those who are appointed Knights have rendered meritorious service of national importance to The Netherlands.

Invitation to the July 2, 2025 Ceremony.

….The knighthood was in recognition of Pieter’s ongoing military research…

Pieter received his knighthood in recognition of the military research he’s done, and continues to do, to help ensure that Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands are not forgotten, and that their stories are told.  The Dutch have never forgotten their Canadian liberators!

English translation of what was in the Staatscourant (Government Gazette):  For services in the field of commemoration of victims of WWII (Dutch wording: voor verdiensten op het terrein van herdenking slachtoffers Tweede Wereldoorlog)

 ….Lt Colonel Mark de Wit provided background on the decoration …

Order of Orange-Nassau. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The decoration was presented by Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada, in a beautiful ceremony hosted by His Honour, Dr Wassim Salamoun, Lt Governor of Prince Edward Island.

The ceremony began with greetings by Dr Wassim Salamoun, followed by Lt Colonel Mark de Wit of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Netherlands Defence Attaché to Canada, who described the decoration to be presented to Pieter.

“…The medal itself is a blue and white cross, topped with the royal crown. In the middle of the cross is a blue medallion with the Dutch lion. Around the lion are the French words: je maintiendrai – I will maintain, ‘ik zal handhaven’.

On the back of the medallion is the letter ‘W’, representing Queen Wilhelmina. Around the ‘W’ are the words: God is met ons – God is with us….”

….The Knighthood was presented to Pieter by Ambassador Vonno…

Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada with Pieter.  (Photo by Provincial Photographer Evan Ceretti)

In her remarks just before Pieter was presented with his decoration, Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada, began by saying “…We are all here to honour a Dutchman, and I am glad to see so many of his friends and family gathered today at the Lieutenant Governor’s residence here in Charlottetown.

Pieter is one of these people that has worked endlessly and voluntarily, for over many years now, to do something for our Canadian Liberators who did not return and lie buried in The Netherlands. 

Preserving their stories and literally putting faces to graves. Not a simple task, because we all know that 80 years has passed and finding the families and information about these young soldiers is not easy….”

After listing the accomplishments that led to this honour, Ambassador Vonno concluded by saying  “…Pieter, you have given all your spare time to not only preserve stories of our fallen liberators but also to promote them to a wider public. I know you continue this important work to this day and I hope you will have many more years of success. I am sure that much of this was also due to the incredible support of your wife Daria.

So it is only appropriate to thank you, on behalf of all, for what you have done all those years, and to commend you.

Dear guests, His Majesty King Willem Alexander has decided to award Pieter Anthonie Valkenburg with Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau and it is my great honour to present the insignia of the order….”

Newly decorated Pieter shakes hands with Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada.  (Photo by Provincial Photographer Evan Ceretti)

…. Pieter was invited to give his remarks…

Pieter says a few words after his investiture. (Photo by Provincial Photographer Evan Ceretti)

Following his investiture, an emotional Pieter was invited to say a few words, and he began with expressing his thanks.  “….I am deeply humbled by this honour, and a bit overwhelmed. Many thanks are in order.  First, thank you to His Honour, Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lt. Governor of Prince Edward Island, for hosting this ceremony. Thank you to Her Excellency, Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Canada, for nominating me for this precious decoration.

I’m grateful to everyone who wrote a letter of support, and to Wendy Sewell, Assistant Defence Attaché, who coordinated this nomination.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank my wife and soulmate Daria, who says I have a tendency to hide my light under a bushel. Her support has been tremendous. Without her, no one would know about our work…”

Pieter provided a few highlights of what happened since he began researching, and how the project has grown from a modest start in Prince Edward Island.  “….I never dreamed that this small scale Island research project could have grown into a pan-Canadian research project that keeps getting bigger, and has taken me down several paths….”

In conclusion, Pieter noted that “…remembrance of those who gave their lives for our continued freedom is important, and no soldier buried overseas should ever be forgotten….”   

Wendy Sewell, Assistant Defence Attaché, with Pieter and Daria at lunch following the ceremony.  (Photo credit: Mark de Wit)

….The honour came after a very busy trip to Europe for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands…

Pieter placing flags of Canada and Prince Edward Island at the grave of Elmer Bagnall Muttart. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

This recognition came on top of a busy spring, which found us in Europe for commemoration events for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands. Over our 5 week stay, we visited 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium, placing small Canadian and provincial flags at 383 graves of soldiers that Pieter had researched, as well as Acadian flags, where appropriate. We’d even been sent Indigenous flags by families to be placed at the graves of 3 Indigenous soldiers. The graves were of soldiers from all 10 provinces, plus Yukon Territory. 

After having placed 120 flags at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek on April 28, 2025, Pieter was pleased to see the flags still in place when we attended the May 2, 2025 commemoration service for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands at the cemetery.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/07/19/on-the-war-memorial-trailwe-attended-the-ceremony-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

The next day, at the grave re-dedication ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten for WWII soldier Arthur VANANCE of Kenora, Ontario, His Excellency Hugh Adsett, Ambassador of Canada to The Netherlands, commented on how much pride he’d felt in seeing so many flags of New Brunswick, his home province, the day before in Groesbeek.

We attended the grave re-dedication as we’d been recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces Casualty Identification Program for our part in finding a family member of the soldier, and for translating documents that helped in determining that the grave of an unknown soldier buried in Holten was actually the resting place of Vanance.  (Note: This story is still to come, plus more stories about our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.)

….Island media interviews …

Following the July 2 ceremony, articles about Pieter’s knighthood ran in Island newspapers:  County Line Courier, The Guardian, and by Josh Lewis of The Eastern Graphic.  Pieter also was interviewed on CBC PEI Radio’s ‘Island Morning With Mitch Cormier’ by Taylor O’Brien.

Taylor O’Brien with Pieter at the CBC studio in Charlottetown.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

See https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/pieter-valkenburg-of-p-e-i-appointed-knight-of-the-order-of-orange-nassau and https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-30-island-morning/clip/16162199-islander-knighted-king-netherlands

….Previous recognition…

This was the second honour this year from The Netherlands!  In May, we received a Certificate and a Faces To Graves ‘coin’ by the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation for their research into Canadian soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, and for finding families and sharing photos of over 100 of the soldiers.

Pieter has also been recognized here in Canada, most recently in 2024, when he received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/recognition/)

Now that the excitement of receiving a Knighthood is over, the research work continues for Pieter, and we’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail on our journey of remembrance.   

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/

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…We Attended The Ceremony at The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek

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July 19, 2025.  Every year we receive an invitation to attend the annual commemoration ceremony in May at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  For the first time, however, we were able to accept the invitation as we would be in Europe.

Pieter made sure that flags had been placed ahead of the May 2, 2025 ceremony at all of the 120 graves on our research list at the cemetery, and we were very happy to see them all still in place.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

….A beautiful ceremony…

On May 2, 2025, we were picked up by Henk Vincent, a volunteer at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, which was near where we were staying.  Henk had offered us a ride, for which we were grateful as traffic was heavy and a 2 hour drive each way was not one we had been looking forward to. 

Pieter and I had assigned seating in the ‘Canadian contingent’ and were placed in the first row. I was next to a woman from Calgary, who was seated with her brother, a retired Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP.  She said there were 9 of them travelling together, all present to honour a soldier named MacDonald….and all were originally from Amaranth, Manitoba, which is near Lake Manitoba and not far from Riding Mountain National Park.  They were amazed to learn that I was also from Manitoba!  Pieter just shook his head.  He said I manage to meet someone from Manitoba everywhere I go.

The Canadian Forces Band marched past us as the ceremony began.  (Photo credit:  Daria Valkenburg)

The ceremony itself was beautiful, but it was very hot and sunny. At 30oC, sitting outside for hours, with the hot sun beating down on everyone, was very uncomfortable.  I ended up covering my head and shoulders with my sweater or I would have gotten heatstroke. 

I wasn’t alone.  There were a number of elderly WWII veterans – the oldest 101 – who had initially been placed in the front, but had to be moved into a shaded area. 

Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation at the podium, near the Cross of Remembrance, during the ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Caught on TV with a pink sweater on my head…

That evening, when we got back to the cottage we’d rented, there was an email from Don Coutts, saying that he had seen us briefly on CTV… and he sent the link.  Yes…. we were caught on camera…….me with a sweater on my head, and Pieter in a red polo shirt.

CTV National News: ‘You are not forgotten’: Canadians honoured on 80th anniversary of Netherlands liberation- —–Friday, May 2, 2025.  Stop the video at the 1 minute 5 second mark and see if you can spot us: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/you-are-not-forgotten-canadians-honoured-on-80th-anniversary-of-netherlands-liberation/

….Pieter noticed a grave without a photo…

Grave of Donald Montgomery.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Where we were seated, and while waiting for the ceremony to start, Pieter noticed that there was a grave in the row that didn’t have a photo beside it.  Always ready to do research, he took a photo of the grave and later looked up the soldier and found a photo. Donald MONTGOMERY of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, son of Malcolm and Catherine Montgomery, was serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry when he lost his life on March 2, 1945, aged 23.  

In a subsequent email to Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation, he explained what happened.  “….During the ceremony on May 2nd I was near the gravestone of a soldier without a photo, while in the same row most graves had a photo. 

This intrigued me and so I took a photo of the gravestone. It is Donald Montgomery, he is buried in: XXIV. A. 15. 

I found the accompanying photo on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. So now he has a face….” 

Donald Montgomery.  (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

In 2027, during the next Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition, Donald Montgomery will have a photo by his grave!

….A tobacco pouch was placed at the grave of John Henry Lavigne…

Grave of John Henry Lavigne, who was serving with 9 Field Ambulance of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps when he died on August 21, 1945, aged 21. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Nova Wolf, Knowledge Keeper Musqueam First Nation, who was from Vancouver, was one of the first performers at the Commemoration Ceremony in Groesbeek.  He spoke about his grandfather, and he sang and danced. 

In his presentation, he mentioned how the Musqueam had fought the Haida First Nation in the past. Afterwards we spoke with him briefly, mentioning we had researched the story of Stanley Owen JONES, a WWII soldier and Haida Nation member of the Massett Band in British Columbia, who is buried in Holten. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/09/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-wwii-soldier-stanley-owen-jones/)

He asked about Indigenous soldiers in the cemetery in Groesbeek, and we said there were several, including a soldier from Restigouche, Quebec, John Henry LAVIGNE, at whose grave we had placed a Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag.  “…Where is the grave?…” he asked.  We took him to it, and were very touched when he placed a tobacco pouch at his grave.  What a thoughtful and kind young man!

Nova Wolf holds a tobacco pouch that he placed at the grave of John Henry Lavigne.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation for inviting us to attend the ceremony, and to Don Coutts for sending the CTV video clip.  Thank you also to Della Maguire who had provided Lnu (Mi’kmaw) flag on behalf of the Toney/Smith Family in memory of Pte Leo Francis TONEY (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi’kmaq and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-leo-francis-toney/)

Over the next postings, we’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail on our journey of remembrance.

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/

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

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

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

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

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July 4, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible. 

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with many of their stories told on this blog. 

This was the third Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, with the first in 2021 and the second in 2023. Many of the graves with photos of soldiers, whose stories have been told in time for those Exhibitions, have been previously featured.

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

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries.  Yes, Pieter was on his hands and knees 383 times, placing flags at these graves, as you can see below….

Pieter placing flags at the grave of Marven Glenroy Harvey of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

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

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

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

…4 Soldiers From Nova Scotia Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

In Part 2, five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers, from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-3-the-soldiers-from-alberta-manitoba-and-quebec/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  For the flags placed at the graves of soldiers from New Brunswick, our thanks go to: 

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

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers.  Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

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

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 4: The Soldiers From New Brunswick

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

June 30, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible.  They also organized the Liberation Day commemoration events. 

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with many of their stories told on this blog. 

This was the third Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, with the first in 2021 and the second in 2023. Many of the graves with photos of soldiers, whose stories have been told in time for those Exhibitions, have been previously featured.

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

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries.  Yes, Pieter was on his hands and knees 383 times, placing flags at these graves, as you can see below….

Pieter placing flags at the grave of Gilles Lanteigne of Caraquet, New Brunswick.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Gilles LANTEIGNE, of Caraquet, New Brunswick, was serving with Le Regiment de Maisonneuve in Germany, when he died of severe wounds on March 9, 1945, just a few weeks before his 21st birthday. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/11/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-10/

Grave of Gilles Lanteigne after Pieter had placed New Brunswick, Canadian, and Acadian flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 36 soldiers from New Brunswick.

…3 Soldiers From New Brunswick Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

In Part 2, five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers, from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-3-the-soldiers-from-alberta-manitoba-and-quebec/)

Now, in Part 4, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories have previously been told, are featured.

Pieter at the grave of Donald Roy Carter.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Donald Roy CARTER from Central Blissville, New Brunswick, who was killed in action during the Attack on the Goch-Calcar Road in Germany on February 20, 1945.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-central-blissville-killed-along-the-goch-calcar-road/

Grave of Edgar M. Guitard.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edgar M. GUITARD from Belledune, New Brunswick, who was killed by German mortar fire in The Netherlands on January 15, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-lumberjack-from-belledune-killed-by-stray-mortar-fire-in-the-nijmegen-salient/

Pieter at the grave of Ange Aimé LeClair.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Ange Aimé LECLAIR from Shannonvale (now part of Eel River Crossing), New Brunswick, was killed by artillery fire in Germany during the Battle of Hochwald Gap on March 2, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-acadian-soldier-serving-with-le-regiment-de-maisonneuve-who-made-the-ultimate-sacrifice-in-the-hochwald-forest/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  For the flags placed at the graves of soldiers from New Brunswick, our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • New Brunswick and Acadian flags were provided by Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick, AND by Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers.  Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

In Part 5, the graves and photos of soldiers from Nova Scotia, whose stories have previously been told, will be featured.

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 3: The Soldiers From Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec

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

June 28, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible.  You can watch a short video on the preparations that were involved in putting the photo exhibition together:

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with many of their stories told on this blog. 

This was the third Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, with the first in 2021 and the second in 2023. Many of the graves with photos of soldiers, whose stories have been told in time for those Exhibitions, have been previously featured on this blog.

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries.

120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 3 soldiers from Alberta, 7 from Manitoba, and 3 from Quebec. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

…3 Soldiers From 3 Provinces Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided.  In Part 2, five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/)

Now, in Part 3, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, are featured. Two of the men, both serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, died within a day of each other during the Battle of Moyland Wood. 

Pieter at the grave of Thomas ‘Tom’ Alfred Brown.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thomas ‘Tom’ Alfred BROWN from Altario, Alberta, was killed in action during the Battle of Moyland Wood in Germany on February 17, 1945, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/01/25/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-successful-search-for-a-photo-of-wwii-soldier-thomas-alfred-brown-left-us-with-a-mystery/

Pieter at the grave of Norman Victor Holgate Buchanan. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Norman Victor Holgate BUCHANAN, from Miami, Manitoba, lost his life in Germany on February 16, 1945, during the Battle of Moyland Wood, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/11/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-monument-in-st-claude-led-to-a-photo-of-a-wwii-soldier/

Grave of Joseph ‘Albert Noel’ Lamontagne.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Joseph ‘Albert Noel’ LAMONTAGNE from Saint-Basile, Quebec, was killed in action during the advance towards Xanten in Germany on March 3, 1945, while serving with Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/02/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-saint-basile-who-lost-his-life-during-the-advance-towards-xanten/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  For the flags placed at the graves of soldiers from Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Alberta flags were provided by Marie Renaud, MLA St Albert, Alberta at the request of Roman Berezowsky.
  • Manitoba flags were provided by Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba.
  • Quebec flags were provided by Mario Henry and his brother Etienne Henry.

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers.  Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

In Part 4, the graves and photos of soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories have previously been told, will be featured.

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

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

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June 26, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible.  They also organized the Liberation Day commemoration events. 

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with many of their stories told on this blog. 

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. 120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 17 soldiers from Prince Edward Island. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

…5 Soldiers From Prince Edward Island Commemorated…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers.  Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

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

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 1: Flags Placed At 120 Graves

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

June 23, 2025.  In 2021, photos were placed at more than 1,600 graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands for three weeks.  The event was so successful that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which oversees the cemetery, gave permission for photos to be placed by the graves every two years.  In 2023, almost 2,000 photos, just over 350 more than 2 years ago were placed.  

Several hundred more have been found since then, and it was announced that for the 2025 Exhibition, 80% of the graves now have a photo of the soldier. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025. 

Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

This year, we were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries.

The first cemetery we visited was Sleen General Cemetery, where we placed flags at the graves of 4 airmen who lost their lives during the last flight of Halifax DT630.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-visit-to-sleen-general-cemetery/)

The second cemetery to visit on our 2025 European War Memorial Tour was the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, where Pieter placed flags at 120 graves. We arrived at the cemetery at 10 am, after a 1 ½ drive from where we were staying, and didn’t finish until 6:15 pm. 

It was a long and very hot day. I must confess that I tried several times to convince Pieter to divide the flag placing in two trips, but that stubborn Dutchman was determined to place all the flags in one day, no matter how much I complained! 

….Flags placed at the graves of soldiers from all 10 provinces…

This was the final tally for the 120 graves:

  • 34 were from Nova Scotia
  • 26 from New Brunswick
  • 17 from Prince Edward Island
  • 1 from British Columbia
  • 3 from Saskatchewan
  • 7 from Manitoba
  • 3 from Alberta
  • 14 from Ontario
  • 3 from Quebec
  • 2 from Newfoundland

23 of the graves also received an Acadian flag, and 1 received an Indigenous flag from the Mi’kmaq Nation.  All of the graves received a Canadian flag.  Provincial flags were placed at all graves, with the exception of the soldiers from British Columbia and Saskatchewan. 

All of the flags placed on our war memorial tour had been donated, as mentioned in an earlier posting. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-flags-and-pins-received-for-our-2025-european-war-memorial-tour/)

….A Memorial Wall in the cemetery honours those who have no known grave…

Rifleman Clifford Alexander Blake is listed on Panel 11 of the Memorial Wall at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We also took photos of the name of one soldier who has no known grave and is listed on Panel 11 of the Memorial Wall.  Clifford Alexander BLAKE of Toronto, Ontario, was the son of William C. and Sarah L. Blake, and husband of Ferne E. Blake.  He died February 16, 1945, aged 23, while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.  A photo of this soldier is still being sought.

….A cemetery volunteer took our photo at one grave…

Daria and Pieter at the grave of George Taylor in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo credit: Else Schaberg)

While in the cemetery we were approached by a volunteer, Else Schaberg, after we placed flags at the grave of George TAYLOR, a soldier from Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario. She asked us if we were Pieter and Daria….and when we said yes, asked if she could take a photo of us.  Don’t we look cheerful?  Luckily, it was only 11 am, and we still had plenty of energy!  (You can read George Taylor’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-wwii-soldier-george-taylor/)

..Lunch and a chance to meet up with Alice van Bekkum…

A quick lunch of soup and sandwich at a cafe near the cemetery.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After meeting Else, we also had a chance to meet and greet Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, who we’ve known for many years.  She served us coffee with Dutch Easter bread made with almond paste. Yum yum! Pieter was able to give her photos that people had mailed to us over the past few years.

I did eventually convince Pieter to go for a quick lunch, before returning to place the rest of the flags. You should have seen us after 6:15 pm, when we finished!  We were so tired that we could hardly make it back to the car….and then had to face a 1 ½ hour drive back ‘home’. 

The Dutch continue to stress the importance of remembrance to the next generation so they can continue to remember those who lost their lives in WWII.  May we never forget the sacrifices made by our Canadian soldiers. Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave in 2027.

In Part 2, the graves and photos of soldiers from Prince Edward Island whose stories have been told in the past few years will be featured.

If you have a photo of Clifford Alexander Blake, or another soldier buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….Pieter and Daria Honoured By Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation

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Daria and Pieter Valkenburg hold the Faces To Graves Coin and Certificate that was presented to them by Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation.  (Photo credit: Kim Huvenaars)

May 30, 2025.  On May 24, 2025, we were honoured by the Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation for our research into Canadian soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, finding families and sharing photos of over 100 of the soldiers.  We were presented with a Certificate and a Faces To Graves ‘coin’ by Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves Groesbeek Foundation.

Faces To Graves Groesbeek ‘coin’.

The image used on the ‘coin’ is that of Major Willard Bruce PARKER, born in Rothwell, New Brunswick, who was serving with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment when he lost his life on February 26, 1945, aged 29.

….Flags placed at 383 graves visited at 14 cemeteries.…

We recently returned from Europe, where Pieter placed flags at 383 graves in 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium. 

We attended the commemoration service for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. 

As well, we visited several memorials in The Netherlands and Germany, attended the grave re-dedication ceremony of a WWII soldier from Ontario, and, with the help of GPS coordinates on a trench map, we found the location of the original burial of a WWI soldier from Prince Edward Island who was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917. 

Over the next several postings, we’ll share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail.

Text of Certificate presented to the Valkenburgs.

Thank you to Faces Of Graves Groesbeek Foundation for surprising us with this honour.  If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in Groesbeek, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Prince Edward Island Who Lost His Life In Germany Two Days Before His 21st Birthday

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February 12, 2025. Once you visit a Canadian War Cemetery and place down a flag by the grave of a soldier from the province where you live, it stays with you, and makes you wonder about the young man who is buried there. 

In 2017, when we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, with our friends Ad and Noor Scheepers, we had a list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island buried there, but only knew the story of one, George Preston SMITH, whose name is listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (See On the War Memorial Trail ….. At The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and On the War Memorial Trail ….. PEI Soldiers Buried In The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2018/03/21/another-photo-for-wwii-soldier-george-preston-smith/)

Ad and Noor Scheepers with Pieter (right) by the grave of Arthur Gaudet at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Since then, Pieter has researched and we’ve told the stories of 12 more Islanders buried in that Dutch cemetery. Our 14th story is about Arthur GAUDET of Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island.  While Arthur had been on the list of Islanders buried in Groesbeek, he was not on the cemetery’s photo wish list as they had a photo of him. 

15 Pointe is a cape not far from Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island.  (Map source: https://www.geodata.us/canada_names_maps)

Born February 28, 1924 in 15 Pointe, near Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island, Arthur was the son of Joseph Stanley and Mary Jacqueline Gaudet.  He was one of 10 children, 8 of them still alive at the time that he enlisted at the No. 5 District Depot in Quebec City, Quebec on July 24, 1942.  His three older brothers were also in the Canadian Army.

Arthur Gaudet. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek)

According to his Personnel Selection Record, Arthur spoke English, not French, and had completed Grade 9.  He was working as a labourer for the PEI Bag Company. (See https://atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca/web-exclusives/89-years-in-the-bag-and-counting-for-p-e-i-bag-company/)

After completing his basic training, Arthur was sent to No. 22 Canadian Army Educational (Basic) Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario on September 19, 1942.

He remained there until December 2, 1942, when he was transferred to A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Camp Petawawa, Ontario, for training as a gunner.  While still at A1 CATC, he qualified as a Driver i/c Class III wheeled vehicles on January 29, 1943. (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.)

On February 8, 1943, he was granted embarkation leave until February 21, 1943, the last chance he would have to see his family before going overseas.

….Arthur left Canada for overseas service….

On March 24, 1943, Arthur left Canada for the United Kingdom.  Upon arriving on March 31, 1943 he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (CARU). 

On June 18, 1943, Arthur was transferred to No. 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery for Light Machine-Gun and Rifle training, and undertook various Tests of Elementary Training (TOET).

Arthur was allocated to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC), part of the 10th Battalion, 21st Army Group, on June 21, 1944, in preparation for going to North West Europe.

….Arthur was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal….

Arthur Gaudet joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal near Etavaux, France, indicated by the large red marker.  (Map source: Google maps)

On July 22, 1944 he left the United Kingdom for France, arriving a day later. On July 25, 1944, he was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, joining them in an area behind Etavaux in Normandy, France.

The Regiment remained in France until September 9, 1944 when it moved into Belgium.  Arthur received a promotion to Acting Corporal a few days later, on September 12, 1944.

.….Arthur was badly wounded during the Battle of the Scheldt ….

Map shows location of Kapellen and Brasschaat, not far from Antwerp in Belgium.  (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On October 2, 1944, the Battle of the Scheldt began and involved Canadian forces advancing through northern Belgium, including areas like Kapellen, to clear German defenses and secure access to the port of Antwerp.

The municipality of Kapellen, in Belgium, was liberated on October 4, 1944 by Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. The war diary entry for October 4, 1944 for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal confirmed this.  “…Advance up to Brasschaat.  In the afternoon, advance towards Cappellan, which we taken, then sweep towards north-east of town.  Positions at night, anti-tank ditch 2 miles from Cappellan…”   Cappellan is the old spelling of Kapellen.

Arthur, who was in ‘A’ Company, was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder on October 5, 1944 and was evacuated to No. 9 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) in Horsham, England.  After a recuperation period of three months, Arthur left the United Kingdom on January 10, 1945, returning to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal 2 days later.  He joined them in Mook, The Netherlands, which is near Nijmegen.

.….Arthur lost his life during Operation Blockbuster ….

By February 17, 1945, the Regiment was in Germany, in place for Operation Blockbuster, as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, along with several other Canadian Regiments. The Operation was to begin at dawn on February 26, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

Arthur Gaudet lost his life during a battle near Kalkar, Germany.  (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On February 25, 1945, the war diary for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal recorded that during a briefing of troops for Operation Blockbuster, the brigade’s task was “…to capture high ground west of Kalkar. The attack is to be made at night with troops mounted on tanks….”  Kalkar is a municipality in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is located near the Rhine River.

The war diary for February 26, 1945 described what happened.  “….The attack commenced at 0400 hrs under cover of an artillery barrage. Camerons of Canada regiment on our right encountered mines a few hundred yards from the FDL’s which caused the Commander’s tank to be knocked out resulting in considerable confusion. South Saskatchewan regiment on our left and our Battalion reached the objective…”  FDL refers to the French acronym for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.

During the February 26, 1945 attack, Arthur was wounded and died later that day.  He was two days short of his 21st birthday!

Arthur lost his life about a week before another soldier in the same Regiment, Joseph ‘Albert Noel’ LAMONTAGNE, whose story was previously told, lost his on March 3, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/02/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-saint-basile-who-lost-his-life-during-the-advance-towards-xanten/

.….11 other soldiers died on February 26, 1945….

Arthur was one of 12 members of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal who lost their lives on February 26, 1945.  The other 11 were:

  • Private Rosaire BELLERIVE of Ste Flore, Quebec, aged 19
  • Private Romeo BENOIT of Montreal, Quebec, aged 41
  • Private Joseph Wilfrid Rheal GUERTIN of Moose Creek, Ontario, aged 19
  • Private Marcel LAVIGNE of Henri, Montreal, Quebec, aged 19
  • Private Maurice PAQUETTE of Sherbrooke, Quebec, aged 22
  • Lieutenant Ovide Joseph PAQUETTE of North Bay, Ontario, aged 24
  • Private Paul Eugene PARENT of St. Honore, Beauce County, Quebec, aged 24
  • Private Alphie Raymond PELTIER, born in Chatham, Ontario, aged 30
  • Private Jean Marie ST ONGE of Amqui, Quebec, aged 23
  • Lieutenant Robert TALBOT of Quebec City, Quebec, aged 25
  • Private Vincent THIBODEAU of Maria, Bonaventure County, Quebec, aged 24

.….Arthur is buried in Groesbeek….

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

Grave of Arthur Gaudet in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, for sending Pieter that initial list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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