Harry Elwood WRIGHT

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/

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Trooper From Clementsvale Who Lost His Life During The Liberation Of The Netherlands

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August 20, 2023. After seeing Pieter in a TV interview last fall, Debbie Cook contacted us. “…I saw the episode on ATV/CTV … of what you are doing, and I say a huge ‘thank you’ to you both. I have 4 sons who are First Responders and I hold dear to my heart all those individuals in the Wars and all other First Responders who allow me to live free & happy as I have. My sons have a great-uncle who was killed overseas in WWII. His name was Harry Wright – do you have any information on him?…”  (Link to the interview that Debbie saw: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/maritime-man-appealing-to-public-for-help-identifying-lost-canadian-soldiers-1.6143236)

It was a wide-ranging question as there wasn’t a lot of detailed information, but after checking, we found a Harry WRIGHT from Nova Scotia who was a trooper in the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment.  He was buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands, and was on the cemetery’s photo wish list. 

We asked Debbie if this could be her Harry Wright.  “…He was in the army and yes from Nova Scotia. Harry was the uncle of my ex-husband. I believe we have a photo….”  We had the right soldier and so the research began.

IMG_3767 Harry Wright

Harry Elwood Wright.  (Photo courtesy of the Wright Family)

…Harry was born in Clementsvale, Nova Scotia…

Born in Clementsvale, Nova Scotia on September 2, 1916, Harry Elwood WRIGHT was the son of John Everett and Florence May Wright. 

Screenshot 2023-08-15 at 18-36-53 Clementsvale

Map shows location of Clementsvale, Nova Scotia, where Harry was born, and the communities of Clementsport and Princedale. All three places are near Digby, Nova Scotia. (Map source: https://mapcarta.com/)

…Harry was an experienced mechanic….

When he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Kentville, Nova Scotia on August 5, 1942, he had worked as a sawyer in a mill for 3 ½ years in Princedale, Nova Scotia, and drove a truck and worked in a garage for over 4 years. He was working for Mills Motors in Annapolis Royal as a mechanic and driver at the time of his enlistment.

His Personnel Selection Record noted that Harry was “…strong and robust…” with an “… aggressive, mature manner….”  Although he had only a Grade 7 education, he had “…superior learning ability and mechanical aptitude…”  The record went on to say that he had “…significant experience as truck driver and garage worker.  Is able to do many minor repairs and has good knowledge of related theory…”

On August 15, 1942, Harry was sent to No. 60 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

…Harry became a Canadian Armoured Corps Driver….

Once he completed his basic training, Harry was transferred to the A9- Canadian Armoured Corps (Advanced) Training Centre (CACATC) in Borden, Ontario on October 15, 1942.   He arrived there just a few weeks ahead of another soldier living in Nova Scotia – Ronald Sidney WATERHOUSE (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/03/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-ronald-sidney-waterhouse/)

By November 16, 1942, Harry qualified as a Class III Driver Wheeled, which meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars.  On December 12, 1942, he qualified as a Class II Driver Tracked, which meant he was trained to drive tracked vehicles, such as tanks. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/vehicles/tanks/mainbattletanks.htm for an idea of the type of equipment Harry would have driven.)

…Harry left Canada for overseas service….

On March 9, 1943, he left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on March 17, 1943, where he was transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit (CACRU).

Harry was sent for further training, successfully completing several courses for qualifying as a Driver Mechanic (MV) C and Driver Mechanic TK C. This meant that in addition to being a driver, Harry would also be responsible for minor vehicle repairs on vehicles in his unit.

On October 1, 1943, Harry was transferred to the 2nd Armoured Regiment – Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian).   With the Regiment, Harry’s training continued in England with Canadian built Ram tanks, in preparation for the Italian Campaign. (See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_campaign_(World_War_II)). 

“…The Regiment moved to the Mediterranean for service in November 1943…. One of the Regiment’s most noteworthy battles in Italy was at the Melfa Crossing, where the reconnaissance troop established a bridgehead on the Melfa River and held it against determined German tank and infantry attacks until reinforcements could arrive….” (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/regiments/armoured/lordstrathconashorse.htm)

…Harry and his Regiment left Italy for northern Europe…

On February 19, 1945, the Regiment left Italy as part of Operation Goldflake, arriving in Marseilles, France two days later.  Operation Goldflake was the codename for moving troops from Italy to North-West Europe.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Goldflake)

The Regiment moved through France as far as Iseghem, Belgium.  The war diary summary for the month of March 1945 explained that it was “…quiet because of the lack of shells, exciting because we remained the entire month in the town of Iseghem, which was an entire change to our past Italian memories, which was not at all 100% pleasant…” 

During the month “…a great deal of maintenance was done on vehicles…” and soldiers had opportunities to take leave.  Harry was granted 9 days leave to the United Kingdom on March 28, 1945, returning back to his Regiment on April 7, 1945.

The stay in Iseghem was a prelude to what lay ahead.  “…The end of March found the Regiment preparing its tanks for a proposed move…”  By the time Harry returned from leave, the Regiment was in Malden, The Netherlands, south of Nijmegen.

On April 8, 1945, the war diary recorded that the Regiment “…passed through a part of Germany and back into Holland. Passed through flattened Cleve and Emmerich…”

Screenshot 2023-08-19 at 09-35-12 Barneveld · Netherlands

Map shows movement of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment from Otterlo to Barneveld towards Nijkerk.  (Map source: Google maps)

Over the next few days, the Regiment encountered artillery fire as they moved to a staging area in Arnhem.  The April 15, 1945 war diary entry noted that the “… Regiment fought from Arnhem to Otterlo…”

On April 16, 1945 the war diary reported that the Regiment was on the move.  “…Rolling was good to Barneveld area where ‘A’ Squadron ran into a bit of trouble…”

The war diary entry for April 17, 1945 recorded that as they moved towards Nijkerk, their “…advance continued at a slower pace due to anti-tank guns, road blocks, and shelling…”  5 non-commissioned soldiers were reported killed in action.  Among those killed was Harry Wright.

…Harry is buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

Harry was temporarily buried in Barneveld before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

IMG_2844 Grave of Harry Wright from Alice

Grave of Harry Elwood Wright at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo courtesy of Faces To Graves Groesbeek)

Thank you to Debbie Cook for contacting us and ensuring that a photo of Harry Wright was provided.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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 on the book, please 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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