Holten Canadian War Cemetery

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For A Photo Of WW2 Soldier Allan Gordon Coutts

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August 20, 2021. In 2017, Pieter received a photo wish list from researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  There were 6 names, all serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when they lost their lives.  How hard could that be?  Pieter thought.

Over the past years, families of 4 of the six have been found, along with photos of the soldiers.  Two remain elusive. One of these is Allan ‘Gordon’ COUTTS, born January 11, 1923 in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, the son of Benjamin and Susan Coutts.  During his childhood, the family moved to Olds, Alberta, where his father was a firefighter on a government experimental farm.

After enlisting in Calgary, Alberta on January 15, 1943 with the #13 District Depot, he went to the Canadian Basic Training Centre in Camrose, Alberta on February 1, 1943. About 6 weeks later he caught mumps and was placed in isolation in the military hospital.

Once recovered from mumps, he was sent to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Calgary, then on January 1944 he went to Camp Debert in Nova Scotia for final preparations before being sent overseas to the United Kingdom in March 1944.  In April 1944 he was transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment, then in June 1944 to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

On July 25, 1944 he was wounded by a gunshot wound in the right shoulder during an offensive called ‘Operation Spring’ in Tilly-la-Compagne, France, and was hospitalized for a few weeks before returning to duty.  (For more information on Operation Spring see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring)

In early May, just before the end of the war, the Regiment went to Norden, Germany, “…the first Recce party there...” according to ‘No Retreating Footsteps – the story of the North Novas’ by Will Bird.  Once they arrived, the German Commandant of the area was “...ordered to concentrate all his troops in the barracks area, to disarm them, and deliver all arms and ammunition to a selected arms dump, the Grattin Theda School….”

However, Bird continued in his account, “….A German Army deserter reported the organization of Werewolves in the Novas area who wanted to destroy Norden because it had surrendered without a fight, and wanted to prevent German ammunition falling into Allied hands….” The ammunition dump was then moved away from the school to the Sports Field.

An Explosion in Norden was fatal

On May 11, 1945, Gordon was monitoring the unloading of ammunition at the Sports Field.  Around 4:30 pm, there was an explosion which cost him his life.  The witness testimony of Private J. J. JONES of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders confirmed that the sports field was used as a dumping ground for “…enemy ammunition and equipment…”

As one of the drivers of these loads, his truck was parked at the dump and stated that he “… was standing by the tailboard of the truck, watching some German soldiers unloading a mixed load of ammunition and equipment.  I heard someone shout out a warning, and then I saw something come out the ground and land on the ground on the edge of the dump itself…. ”

Pte Jones noted that “… the object made a hissing sound and gave off a cloud of orange smoke….” As he ran to take cover, “… a loud explosion went off….” As he returned to the dump, he saw “…a German Officer kick the smoking object away from the dump…”  When he reached the dump, he noticed “…one of our soldiers lying on the ground...” with a hole in his head.  He immediately went to get medical help.

Pte H. K. KEDDY of the Nova Scotia Highlanders was on guard duty at the German ammunition dump at the Norden Sports Field. He too heard a hissing noise and saw orange smoke and ran to safety.  After the explosion he testified that he “…went back to the scene of the explosion which was about 10 to 12 feet from the rear of the ….truck….”  He saw “…Sgt Coutts, AG lying on the ground quite near the truck….” and a wounded German soldier lying nearby.  He helped apply a bandage to the wounds while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.

Capt Alan E. DE FOREST of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders testified that the pile of ammunition contained “…all types of German mines, grenades, bazookas, small arms etc, which included several steel cases of German stick grenades (potato mashers)...”  It appeared that the explosion was caused by one of the stick grenades.  The explosion was ruled an accident and not an act of sabotage.

Gordon was temporarily buried in the Leer Lutheran Cemetery in Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

CIMG3228 Oct 3 2019 Holten Allan Coutts

We visited the grave of Allan Gordon Coutts at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands in 2019. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In March 1948, Mr. G. F. Struik of Deventer, The Netherlands sent a letter to Veterans Affairs, asking that it be forwarded to the next of kin.  He wanted the family to know that he had adopted the grave, a volunteer program that was organized by the Netherlands War Graves Committee.

This was not an unusual occurrence. Many family members of soldiers that we have met over the years have explained that their families had been in contact with Dutch citizens who adopted a grave.

Unfortunately, although he’s tried since 2017 to find family of Allan Gordon Coutts, Pieter has been unsuccessful.  Earlier this month, he did an interview with Galen Hartviksen, News Director at 96.5 CKFM/ROCK 104.5 in Olds, Alberta, in the hope that someone will see the appeal and come forward.  Here is the link to the web article and interview: https://ckfm.ca/2021/08/09/11202/.  Up to now, no one has come forward, unfortunately.

Thank you to Galen Hartviksen at CKFM for helping to publicize the search for a photo. If you can help with a photo or information about Allan Gordon Coutts, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

 The North Nova Scotia Highlanders Wish List

The other North Nova Scotia Highlanders on that 2017 photo wish list from the researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, for which photos were found, were:

In addition to Allan Gordon COUTTS, one more photo is yet to be found for:

  • Archibald Henry NELSON, born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, son of William Henry and Winnifred Frances Nelson, who lost his life on April 18, 1945, aged 32.

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

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© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering WWII Soldier William (Willie) Daniels

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July 23, 2021. Over the past months, Pieter has been diligently working his way through photo wish lists from Dutch researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  Two names on the lists were members of First Nations: William ‘Willie’ DANIELS, a Cree Nation member from Saskatchewan, and Stanley Owen JONES, a Haida Nation member from British Columbia.  Both men are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Pieter had no luck in finding family so, as he has done over the past years, he turned to the media for help, this time from APTN, where he was interviewed by Brett Forester.  (To read the article, see https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dutch-born-p-e-i-man-on-a-mission-to-find-photos-of-first-nations-soldiers-killed-overseas-in-wwii/)

CIMG5084 Mar 17 2021 Pieter Valkenburg

Pieter on a Zoom interview with Brett Forester of APTN.  (Photo credit:  Daria Valkenburg)

Several readers of the article came forward to share photos and information about Indigenous soldiers, and these will be featured in future postings as Pieter completes his research.  (The story of Leo Francis TONEY was told previously.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-leo-francis-toney/)

… William Daniels was a member of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation…

What about the two soldiers mentioned in the article?  A photo of William ‘Willie’ DANIELS was sent by Dakota Ballantyne on behalf of Vince Daniels, with a note saying that “…Willie Daniels from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan was his uncle….”

William Daniels

William ‘Willie’ Daniels. (Photo courtesy of Vince Daniels)

The son of John Daniels, Willie was born March 20, 1925 on the Big River Reserve in Depton, Saskatchewan.  On September 24, 1941, he enlisted in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, stating that he was born in 1922.  He was sent for training as a Sapper with the Royal Canadian Engineers, until it was discovered he was underage. He was discharged in March 1942 for being “…under 17 years of age at date of application….”

On October 19, 1943, Willie re-enlisted.  According to his military records, his parents were dead and he listed a brother, Narcisse Daniels, as his next-of-kin.  He also noted that he spoke English and Cree. This time he was allowed to stay in the army, but on Canadian soil as soldiers under 19 years of age were not to be sent overseas.

It wasn’t until May 1, 1944 that he left for the United Kingdom, arriving on May 8 for additional training.  On July 7, 1944 he was transferred to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as a Rifleman and sent to Northwest Europe.

… The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in Germany and The Netherlands in 1945…

The war diary of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles gives an indication of what Willie Daniels and his fellow soldiers experienced in 1945. By January 1945 the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in The Netherlands, and spent the New Year in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.  The war diary for January 1, 1945 states that “…the Germans precipitated the New Year by opening up with considerable SA and mortar fire a few minutes before midnight.  Our artillery answered directly at midnight…..”

On February 1, 1945, the war diary recorded that the Regiment was informed of the part that the men “…would play in Operation Veritable…” This would take them into Germany. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable)

The Regiment arrived in Millingen, Germany on February 9, 1945.  The weather was uncooperative “…cloudy with rain….” and led to flooding.  In one area, the water rose “…another six feet, the only high ground in the area being in and near Keeken…”

They were ordered to move further back, but some of the men were stranded due to a shortage of equipment to get them out, or because the equipment itself got “…bogged down or diverted for other purposes….”

By February 16, 1945 the Regiment was based in Essen, Germany, as they cleared German positions in flooded areas of the Rhine flood plain and the Reichswald forest, which is close to the Dutch-German border.

On March 11, 1945 the Regiment began moving back towards ‘s-Hertogenbosch.  “…The whole day was spent in building the new camp….”  There were some peaceful days and time for training before the men moved back towards a base in Essen to participate in Operation Plunder. (See https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-plunder/)

The war diary for March 27, 1945 reported that “…Orders to move came through in the early hours of the morning ….. and after many starts and stops we finally crossed the Rhine River at 1700 hours…”

On April 10, 1945 the war diary noted that the Regiment “….would take over from the Regina Rifle Regiment…” and returned to The Netherlands, this time based in Almelo.  Then, on April 18, they were ordered to Groningen.

Map showing Appingedam

Purple arrow on the map indicates movement from Groningen towards Delfzijl, and Appingedam, where Willie Daniels lost his life.  The map also indicates the location of Loppersum, where he was initially buried.

On April 21, 1945 the Regiment was ordered to move towards Appingedam.  The war diary noted that on April 21, 1945 “…civilian reports claim mines set in cement….Blown bridges, snipers, and machine guns make the going very difficult.  Our casualties are becoming very heavy….”

At some point on April 22, 1945, a few weeks after his 20th birthday, Willie Daniels lost his life.  The movement of troops through Appingedam was the very beginning of the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket. Willie was initially buried in Loppersum General Cemetery in Groningen.  After the war Willie was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

initial gravemarker for Willie Daniels

Initial burial marker for Willie Daniels.  (Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, service file for William Daniels)

In March 1948, Mrs. W.G. Verbeek-Hermans of Enschede sent a letter to Veterans Affairs, asking that her letter be forwarded to a family member of Willie.  She wanted to let the family know that she had adopted Willie’s grave, a volunteer program that was organized by the Netherlands War Graves Committee. A separate letter for the family was enclosed, explaining that she was the mother of 4 children and felt it was her duty to look after the grave.  She also offered to send a photo of his grave.

This was not unusual. Many family members of soldiers that we have met over the years have explained that their families had been in contact with Dutch citizens who adopted a grave.

In 1995, the Stefanus Church in Holwierde placed a plaque to commemorate Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.  Willie Daniels was one of the men commemorated.

Plaque at Stefanus Church in Holwierde

Plaque at Stefanus Church in Holwierde, The Netherlands.  (Source: https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/40531/Herinneringsplaquette-Stefanus-Kerk.htm)

Current grave of Willie Daniels

Grave of Willie Daniels at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War  Memorial)

Thank you to Dakota Ballantyne and Vince Daniels for sharing a photo of William ‘Willie’ Daniels.  Thank you also to Brett Forester and APTN for the article on the search for photos of Indigenous soldiers buried in The Netherlands.

If you have information to share about William ‘Willie’ Daniels or other Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Other soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket …..

For previous stories on soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket, please see:

…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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For A Photo Of Gordon Frederick Johnson Is Over!

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July 17, 2021. The four year search for a photo of WWII soldier Gordon Frederick JOHNSON of Truro, Nova Scotia, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands is over!  (To read the original story about the search, see https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/04/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-gordon-frederick-johnson/)

CIMG3304 Oct 3 2019 Holten Gordon Johnson

Grave of Gordon Frederick Johnson at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

… A letter to the editor proved successful….

On June 24, 2021, Pieter’s letter to the editor was published in the Truro News. The first we knew of it was when the phone rang one Sunday.  The caller, Claudia Putnam, said a neighbour had dropped off the article while she was at church.  Her father, Clyde McCarthy, was a half-brother of Johnson, and her brother Randy had a photo.

Letter about GF Johnson in Truro News Jun 24 2021 with border

Pieter’s letter to the editor in the Truro News.

Thanks to the opening of the Atlantic Bubble and a medical appointment in Halifax, we were soon able to meet Claudia and Randy, and learn more about this remarkable soldier.

20210705_131112 Gordon Frederick Johnson

Gordon ‘Gordie’ Frederick Johnson.  (Photo courtesy of The McCarthy Family)

Randy explained that “…our father Clyde was very close to Gordon, who was known as Gordie…”

Randy McCarthy & Claudia Putnam with Pieter Masstown Market

Pieter, centre, with Randy McCarthy and Claudia Putnam.  (Photo credit:  Daria Valkenburg)

Randy and Claudia’s father was one of the children born to the second marriage of Gordon’s mother, Margaret.  Randy explained that “…Gordon’s father was a miner working in Missouri when he got black lung from working in the mines.  Margaret brought him back to Truro and he died in 1914, when Gordon was 3 years old...”

Gordon’s brothers, George Johnson and Clyde McCarthy (Randy and Claudia’s father), also served in WWII. Thankfully, both survived the war.

In researching further, Pieter learned that Gordon had joined the militia in 1927 and received an Efficiency Medal and Clasp in 1939 for 12 years of service.  On October 13, 1939 he enlisted for active service with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

20210705_131129 Gordon Frederick Johnson

Gordon ‘Gordie’ Frederick Johnson.  (Photo courtesy of The McCarthy Family)

He served many years as an instructor in the use of mortars in England, with the rank of Warrant Officer, and took a demotion to Sergeant in order to join his regiment in Italy.  Instead, he was demoted and sent back to Canada as an instructor.

….’He had a very strong sense of duty’….

Gordon filed a grievance.  “...He had a very strong sense of duty to his unit...” remarked Pieter. In early August 1944 he was back in the United Kingdom. On September 29, 1944 he rejoined the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in France.

20210705_131316 Gordon Frederick Johnson on a motorcycle

Gordon Frederick Johnson.  (Photo courtesy of The McCarthy Family)

On April 8, 1945, Gordon was killed in action near Zutphen while trying to retrieve an anti-tank weapon that one of the members in his platoon had left behind.

“…It’s worth repeating what had been said about him by a fellow soldier…” Pieter said. In ‘No Retreating Footsteps… the story of the North Novas’, Will Bird wrote that “…A PIAT was left by the canal by someone in D Company and Sgt Gordie Johnson went back to get it.  He was killed by a sniper as he reached the spot. His passing was a sad loss…”

Gordon’s mother died at the age of 93.  His wife Hazel Pearl stayed in touch with the family but as the older generation passed away, contact between the families faded.

Thank you to Claudia Putnam and Randy McCarthy for sharing information and photos.  Do you have photos or information about Gordon Frederick Johnson to share?  Please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Help needed to find two more photos …..

Your help is needed to put a face to two more members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders for which a photo continues to be on the wish list:

  • Allan G. COUTTS of Alberta  UPDATE:  Photo found!
  • Archibald Henry NELSON of Prince Edward Island

….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….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 10

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July 11, 2021. More of the photos submitted about Atlantic Canadian soldiers buried overseas are featured in Part 10. Pieter continues to ensure that photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands are forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives. 

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

Armand Gionet and family from Mel

Armand Gionet, far right, and his family.  (Photo courtesy of Edmonde Lanteigne)

Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, submitted a photo of Armand GIONET of Middle Caraquet, New Brunswick, explaining that he had found “…a picture for Armand Gionet, taken in front of the family farm and house.  From left to right: Lazare Gionet, Nicholas Hébert, Paul-Aurèle Gionet, Hectorine Gionet, Analda Gionet and at the end Armand Gionet, no name for the dog, sorry. 

Armand was a fisherman and a farmer. I took the house’s picture and did the leg work and phone calls.  I got the family’s picture from Edmonde Lanteigne, she is the daughter of Hectorine and Nicolas.  The house is owned by Victoria and Nicole, the daughters of Paul-Aurèle Gionet, Armand’s brother...”

After the photo was submitted to the researchers at the Information Centre at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, journalist Jan Braakman, one of the researchers at the Centre, wrote us that the photo “…has a very special meaning for me. Armand Gionet died in my town of birth (Laren, province of Gelderland) at the same place, same time and same way as my grandmother, Dina Koeslag. They were caught in flames after their hiding place had been hit by a German pantzerfaust (according to the cause of death as noted by my grandmothers’ doctor.)...” A pantzerfaust is a bazooka.

I have never had a chance to know my grandmother (nor my grandfather, who had been arrested and was killed in a concentration camp near Hamburg). But every once in a while I find pieces of her life and death. This is such a piece. Thanks very much for forwarding this photo to the Information Centre….” 

Armand was born April 26, 1924 in Middle Caraquet, New Brunswick, the son of Lazare Gionet and Laura Hebert.  One of 8 children, he worked on his parents’ farm.  He was also in the Reserve Labour Pool for the port of Halifax, and worked as a freight handler at the port on an as needed basis.

On March 25, 1944 he enlisted. After basic training he was sent to England, arriving on December 25, 1944.  By February 1945 he was in continental Europe and assigned to Le Regiment de Maisonneuve.

At the beginning of April 1945, the Regiment was in The Netherlands.  On April 4, the Regiment prepared to cross the Twente Canal near Almen for an attack from the bridgehead towards the village of Laren. The battle began at 8 pm and went throughout the night.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentekanaal)

The Regiment’s war diary for April 5, 1945 simply stated that: “…During the attack last night, we had 23 casualties and we captured 40 prisoners…” 

In a translated excerpt of a Dutch language article written by Jan Braakman, he summarized what happened. “…  Among the 23 casualties (wounded and killed) was Armand Gionet. During the fighting he ended up at a group of farms along the Zutphenseweg, just outside the church of Laren. Many civilians hid there from the violence of war. When Gionet and his mates arrived, the inhabitants were convinced that they had been liberated. They emerged from their hiding places in a euphoric mood.

Civilians and soldiers were festive on the road when suddenly fire was opened again by German soldiers. In panic everyone ran to a safe place. Armand Gionet took a position in the Klein Veldkamp farm, where many civilians… were looking for a safe place. But after a while the danger proved too great to stay there. The farm was on fire. Everyone had to go outside.

Fear reigned. In total chaos, everyone ran in one direction. Civilians were sent back by a wounded Canadian soldier as they walked towards the German fire. In the end, the neighbours found a makeshift shelter in a cowshed. Canadian soldiers sat upstairs.

The sky didn’t clear until late in the afternoon when Canadian jeeps pulled into the yard…..”

In the aftermath, among the casualties were Armand Gionet and Jan Braakman’s grandmother, who both had perished at the Klein Veldkamp farm.  (To read the original Dutch article, see https://wp.janbraakman.nl/armand-gionet-kon-zijn-ambitie-niet-waarmaken/)

Armand is buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  He was 19 years old. 

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

gilles lanteigne WWII

Gilles Lanteigne. (Photo courtesy of Dan Lanteigne)

Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, submitted a photo of Gilles LANTEIGNE, explaining that the photo came from “….Dan Lanteigne’s private collection.  He does research on the Lanteigne family…”

Born March 27, 1924 in Caraquet, New Brunswick, the son of Ella and Prospère Lanteigne, Gilles was a labourer before enlisting on February 10, 1944.  On July 19, 1944 he arrived in the United Kingdom as a member of the Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.  On August 12, 1944 he arrived in France and transferred to Le Regiment de Maisonneuve.

While serving with Le Regiment de Maisonneuve, he was severely wounded on March 8, 1945, and taken to a field hospital.  A day later, on March 9, 1945, he “…died of wounds…” received in action in Germany.  He was initially buried in Bedburg Military Cemetery before being reburied a year later in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Mariner Lost At Sea

William Arnold Johnston

William ‘Bill’ Johnston.  (Image courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Don Coutts wrote that “…I have been enjoying your articles.  My grandmother, Annie Bagnall Muttart, came from a large family, a total of nine boys and girls.  One of her brothers was Andrew Bagnall.  Andrew and his wife, Gussie, had four children: Kay, Eleanor, Ted, and Dick.

Kay married William (Bill) Arnold JOHNSTON on June 16th, 1940. He was a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy. His ship, the HMS Itchen, was torpedoed … and he lost his life. 

The Bagnall Family encountered two deaths of young men (Elmer in October 1941, and Bill in September 1943) during WWII….”  Don’s uncle, Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, has been previously featured on this blog.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/the-elmer-bagnall-muttart-story/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Rzg07kPw0&list=PLaJcEVojJra-ZwR6rvb-THj8Zr2QbUXLT&index=2)

Born November 25, 1918 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Bill was the son of Frank Ariel and Eudaviela Waters Johnston, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.  On May 17, 1937 he enlisted in the Militia in Charlottetown, and remained a member over the next few years, while employed as a teller at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Charlottetown.  On June 17, 1940, a day after his marriage, he was enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

On December 13, 1941 he was appointed to serve aboard HMCS Charlottetown.  Unfortunately, the ship was torpedoed and sunk on September 11, 1942 in the St. Lawrence River along the northern shore of Gaspé Peninsula, while returning to base from convoy duty.  Bill was one of the survivors.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Charlottetown_(1941)#Sinking)

After a stint of survivor’s duty at HMCS Stadacona in Halifax and short training courses, he was assigned to HMS Itchen on April 19, 1943, which was involved in anti-submarine warfare exercises off the coast of Scotland until September 1943, when it was assigned to convoy escort duty. 

While in the Atlantic Ocean, several ships in the convoy were attacked, beginning on September 19, 1943.  On September 20, HMCS St Croix was sunk.  81 survivors were picked up by HMS Itchen. 

HMS Itchen (K227)

Red dot shows location of sinking of HMS Itchen.  (Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Itchen_(K227))

Just after 2 am on September 23, 1943, HMS Itchen was torpedoed, causing the frigate to blow up, with a loss of 230 lives, including Bill. He was 24 years old.

Two people from HMS Itchen and one from HMCS St Croix survived and were picked up by a Polish steamer. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Itchen_(K227) and https://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3079.html)

Don Coutts noted that “…Kay and Bill had a son Tom who was born on March 18, 1943. Tom died a number of years ago. Kay married a Bob Mills from Nova Scotia…they split their time between Port Royal, NS (late Fall/Winter/early Spring) and Stanhope, PEI (late Spring/Summer/early Fall)...”

As his body was never recovered, Bill’s name is listed on the Halifax Memorial in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

To read previous stories about other mariners listed on the Halifax Memorial, please see:

Thank you to Jan Braakman, Don Coutts, Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, and Edmonde Lanteigne for sharing photos and anecdotes to ensure that Atlantic Canadians who are buried overseas are not forgotten.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 11! To share photos or information, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…Previous postings in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series…

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, 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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering WWII Soldier Leo Francis Toney

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May 22, 2021. “No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten.” This statement by Pieter underlines the efforts he has been making over the past years.  Currently he’s been working his way through a ‘photo wish list’ of soldiers buried in The Netherlands, on behalf of Dutch researchers.  After completing a list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island, last fall he started on a list of soldiers from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

In January 2021 a series entitled Atlantic Canada Remembers began on this blog.  Currently it’s up to Part 9, with ongoing research for Part 10.  The list has expanded to include the two Canadian War Cemeteries in Groesbeek and Bergen Op Zoom, and Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.

An article ‘First Nations in The Second World War’ by Berry Swarthoff and Glenn Miller, published in the Dutch magazine ‘Nanai’ noted that after Canada declared war in 1939, “…the country’s indigenous community responded quickly…. Officially, about 4,000 First Nations soldiers served abroad in World War I, while 4,250 First Nations soldiers served in World War II. Recent research has shown that thousands of other First Nations, Métis and Inuit soldiers … volunteered without identifying themselves as a First Nation….In total, more than 500 native soldiers died…”  This posting honours the sacrifice of one of these Indigenous soldiers.

….Remembering Leo Toney….

Leo Toney

Leo Francis Toney. (Photo courtesy of the Toney Family)

When Della Maguire contributed photos and information about her uncle, Leo Francis TONEY, on behalf of the Toney family, she explained that he “…was of Mi’kmaq ancestry and a member of the Annapolis Valley First Nation in Nova Scotia. The Mi’kmaq way to spell Leo is Li’o…”

Born March 24, 1924 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Leo was the son of Frank Robert Toney and Mary Lucy Bradford of Cambridge, Nova Scotia.

Before he enlisted in 1943 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leo worked as a farmer for Earl Brown of Cambridge.  Upon enlistment he was initially stationed at the No 6 District Depot on Chebucto Road in Halifax.

On January 14, 1944 he was sent to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for training.  On April 30, 1944 he was assigned to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia.

He arrived in the United Kingdom on July 27, 1944 and transferred to the Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (CBRG).   On August 18, 1944 he went to France as a member of the PEI Light Horse Regiment, and then, on October 6, 1944 was transferred to the South Saskatchewan Regiment.

leo xxx

Leo Francis Toney. (Photo courtesy of the Toney Family)

….The South Saskatchewan Regiment liberated the Schipbeek Canal bridge….

In a brief account by Lt Col G. B. Buchanan in ‘The March Of The Prairie Men – being a story of the South Saskatchewan Regiment’, in early April 1945, the liberation of Holten, The Netherlands, began as troops crossed the Twente Canal and began to build a bridge. “...The intention of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade was to pass through 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade and hold a bridgehead over the Schipbeek Canal north of Laren….”  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schipbeek)

They made it safely across on April 5.  They got stuck at the Schipbeek after the Germans blew up all bridges on April 6, and a bridgehead was formed at a weir on the border of the municipalities of Bathmen and Holten. The heavily defended Wipperts Bridge (Wippertsbrug) was a major obstacle between Laren and Holten.

“…The South Saskatchewan Regiment was to make the crossing with ‘H’ hour set at 0330 hours, 7th April.  ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies were to make the initial crossings with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies passing through them.  The opening artillery barrage caused casualties when a few rounds fell short….”

….10 soldiers were buried on Nijenhuis farm…

At some point during the fighting, Leo was killed in action on Saturday, April 7, 1945. In addition to Leo, the following members of the South Saskatchewan Regiment lost their lives in the battle:

  • Pte Murray James Hilton ELLIS, died April 9, 1945
  • Lt Richard Kelso KERR, of Port Arthur, Ontario, died April 8, 1945
  • Pte Edwin Allan ‘Eddie’ NUGENT, of Delisle, Saskatchewan, died April 9, 1945
  • Pte Arthur Francis PURCELL, of  East Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, died April 7, 1945
  • Pte Elmer Alphonso RICHARDS, of  Thorold, Ontario, died April 7, 1945
  • Pte Neil Patrick O‘Connor STEWART, of St. Paul, Alberta, died April 8, 1945
  • Sgt Kenneth Earl STUBBS, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, died April 7, 1945

Leo and his fellow soldiers from the South Saskatchewan Regiment, with the exception of Nugent and Stewart, were temporarily buried in a field on the Nijenhuis farm, along with 4 soldiers from other Regiments:

  • Lance Cpl Roger George COLLIN, Le Regiment de Maisonneuve, of Gogama, Ontario, died April 9, 1945
  • Sgt Donald Mayford FIFE, Canadian Provost Corps, of Halfway River, Nova Scotia, died April 7, 1945
  • Sapper Andrew Lawrence FORD, Royal Canadian Engineers, of St. Thomas, Ontario, died April 7, 1945
  • Pte Cyrille GIGUERE, Le Regiment de Maisonneuve, of Quebec City, Quebec, died April 9, 1945
Map showing Nijenhuis farm location

Map showing location of burials on the Nijenhuis farm.  (Map courtesy of the Holten Canadian War Cemetery Information centre.)

An account in ‘The Liberation Of The Beuseberg – How Canadians set a village in the Netherlands free’ quotes Bertus Ebrecht, who was 16 years old at the time, that the burials were “…in the meadow of Nijenhuis, about 70 metres from the ‘Larensweg’…”  This book, edited by Agnes van Wieringen, written by Joice Schutte, records the stories told to Gert Jansen by the people from the Beuseberg area.

In another excerpt from the book, Florina Dijkshoorn, 15 years old at the time, recalled that the Nijenhuis farm housed a German hospital.  “…April 7, half past four, it was still dim….”  People had been hiding in a dugout shelter, and after the shooting stopped, they were able to get out.  “… we walked to the farm….The German hospital flag was replaced by an allied flag.  What we also saw were a lot of soldiers walking in the meadow and on the road from the direction of ‘Schipbeek’. We had to go to Meijerman’s farm. Nijenhuis’ farm was probably filled with wounded Canadians…..”

When they were allowed to leave “…we were shown a path in the meadow which was cleared of explosive material.  It also meant we had to walk along the dead.  Once I was alone….I …. thought of all the mothers, fathers, women and children that might not even know they were dead!…. An hour later they were picked up and carried away in a closed lorry….”

On April 7, 2016 a memorial was placed to honour the members of the South Saskatchewan Regiment who died during this event. (See https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/100747/Memorial-The-South-Saskatchewan-Regiment.htm)

….Nugent and Stewart were buried elsewhere….

Map showing location of Nijenhuis farm and burial location near Lochem

Map showing location of burials on the Nijenhuis farm and near Lochem.  (Map courtesy of the Holten Canadian War Cemetery Information centre.)

I asked Henk Vincent, one of the researchers for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, if he had information on where Nugent and Stewart were first buried.  He confirmed that they “…were temporarily buried near Lochem, where there was a military hospital at the time. Perhaps they had been transported there seriously injured….”

….Leo’s brother-in-law was concerned….

Della’s father, Abraham ‘Abe’ SMITH, was with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps 36 Depot, an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army. “….My Father enlisted in September 1, 1943.  He became a truck driver delivering food, supplies, troops, and equipment to various places in England, Germany, France and Belgium, and was discharged May 29, 1946….”  (To learn more about Abraham Smith, see https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/canada/honouring-first-nations-wartime-experiences-accomplished-nova-scotian-mikmaq-basket-maker-remembered-518058/)

Abe had a feeling something had happened to his brother-in-law.   “….When he told us about Uncle Leo he said: ‘I used to write to Leo and he’d write back. I didn’t hear from him for a long time and I told Rita he must be wounded or got killed’….”   They had been in regular correspondence with each other and the silence suggested Leo was either wounded or had lost his life.

… Leo has a permanent resting place at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

Leo was reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten after the war.

toney, leo francis

Grave of Leo Toney at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo courtesy of Holten Canadian War Cemetery Information Centre)

Della reflected that her Uncle Leo “…would have been proud of his sister, my mother Rita, for being the only Mi’kmaq woman to become Chief of two communities…”

Thank you to Della Maguire for sharing photos and anecdotes of Leo Toney.  If you have information to share about Leo Toney or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, 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 the blog, 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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail…..A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany – Part 4

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May 18, 2021.  When we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019, we laid flags down at the graves of five soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who drowned in a tragic accident in Germany on April 28, 1945.

Recap: In Part 1, the 5 soldiers were identified and the circumstances leading up to the accident were summarized. In Part 2, more information on the accident was discussed, as well as a brief story on Lloyd William Murray, one of the 5 soldiers.  In Part 3, Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau was remembered by his family.

This time, the rest of North Nova Scotia Highlanders who lost their lives that day are remembered.

…. Ruel Kitchener Matheson Remembered….

matheson rk 11-d-12

Ruel Kitchener Matheson.  (Photo courtesy of the Holten Canadian War Cemetery Information Centre.)

Ruel Kitchener MATHESON was born July 6, 1916 in Dundas, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the son of Angus George and Catharina Matheson.   Ruel was a farm labourer before enlisting on January 24, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

He began basic training in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) at Camp Borden in Ontario, then took parachutist training with the Canadian Parachute Training Centre (CPTC) at Camp Shilo in Manitoba. On September 16, 1944 he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Centre and on November 20, 1944, sent overseas.  Upon arrival in the United Kingdom he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).  On March 27, 1945 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

He was temporarily buried in Bingum, Germany before being reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Matheson Ruel tijdelijk graf te Bingum (D) 11 D 12

Temporary grave of Ruel Kitchener Matheson in Bingum, Germany.  (Photo courtesy of the Holten Canadian War Cemetery Information Centre.)

CIMG3282 Oct 3 2019 Holten Ruel Matheson

Grave of Ruel Kitchener Matheson at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…. Lewis Wilkieson Marsh Remembered….

Photo Lewis Marsh

Lewis Wilkieson Marsh. (Photo source:  Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Born on November 14, 1925 in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Lewis Wilkieson MARSH was the son of Edward L. and Millicent M. Marsh.  He was an electrician and worked at the Princess Coal Mine in Sydney Mines before enlistment on May 25, 1944 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

After receiving basic training in Canada, he arrived in the United Kingdom on December 25, 1944 and was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).  By February 24, 1945 he was in North West Europe, and transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on March 27, 1945.

He was temporarily buried on May 12, 1945 in Bingum, Germany, before being reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

CIMG3278 Oct 3 2019 Holten Lewis Marsh

Grave of Lewis Wilkieson Marsh at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…. Howard Milo Nicholls Remembered….

Born March 21, 1924 in Mattawa, Ontario, Howard Milo NICHOLLS was the son of Albert and Frances Nicholls.  He was employed by the Dominion Bridge Company in Toronto from January 1941 until his enlistment with the Queen’s Own Rifles on March 31, 1943 in Toronto.  From March to May 1942, he was a member of the Reserve, in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC).

After training in Canada, Howard was sent overseas in December 1943.  Shortly after D-Day on June 6, 1944 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

He was temporarily buried on May 1, 1945 in Bingum, Germany before being reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

CIMG3279 Oct 3 2019 Holten Howard Nicholls

Grave of Howard Milo Nicholls at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

This concludes the series on the 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who tragically drowned on April 28, 1945 when the storm boat they were in capsized while crossing the Leda River in Germany.

Unfortunately, we were unable to find a photo of Howard Milo Nicholls.  If you have photos or information to share about these or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

…. Previous postings in this series…..

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

…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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail…..A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany – Part 3

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May 17, 2021.  When we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019, we laid flags down at the graves of five soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who drowned in a tragic accident in Germany on April 28, 1945.

Recap: In Part 1, the 5 soldiers were identified and the circumstances leading up to the accident were summarized. In Part 2, more information on the accident was discussed, as well as a brief story on Lloyd William Murray, one of the 5 soldiers.  The rest of this series features the other North Nova Scotia Highlanders who lost their lives that day.

In October 2018, while we were in Nova Scotia, we were able to meet two nieces of Joseph Ambroise COMEAU, the only family members of the 5 soldiers we were able to meet in person – up to now.

CIMG2715 Oct 11 2018 Simone Comeau Pieter Jacqueline Comeau in Windsor

Pieter with Simone Comeau, left, and Jacqueline Comeau, right.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Simone, Jacqueline, and their two sisters are diligent in remembering their uncle.

IMG-1039 Comeau sisters

The Comeau sisters of Nova Scotia.  Left to right:  Simone Comeau, Jacqueline Comeau, Anna (Comeau) Gammell, and Rose-Marie Comeau. (Photo courtesy of Simone Comeau)

…. Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau Remembered….

Joseph Ambroise Comeau from Simone

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau.  (Photo courtesy of niece Simone Comeau)

Niece Simone Comeau wrote a brief overview of her ‘oncle Ambroise’.  “… Private Joseph Ambroise Comeau was born on October 1, 1923 in Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, Canada, the fourth of six children to Gustave and Jessie (Saulnier) Comeau.

Ambroise was baptized on October 4, 1923 in Sacred Heart, Saulnierville, the local parish church. He also made his first confession, first Communion, and confirmation, all sacraments of the Roman Catholic faith in this church.

According to records, he had little schooling. Being from a poor family, his farmer/blacksmith father had no financial means to send him to the private local boys’ college. At the time of his draft he was employed as a carpenter for Clare Shipbuilding Company.

One has to wonder as to whether he had a premonition regarding the probability of his not returning to Canada as a veteran, since he was most reluctant to leave, according to the family of his then three old goddaughter, to whom he had brought a gift on his good-bye visit.

Sadly, Private J. Ambroise Comeau (F.602531) of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders was killed on April 28, 1945, a victim of World War II. On June 3, 1945, a memorial was held in Sacred Heart Church where he had practised his faith until his departure for the war. Being ever faithful to his beliefs, at the time of his death he carried a religious medal and a rosary on his person….”

Ambroise, who was fluent in both English and French, enlisted on April 28, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and lost his life exactly a year later.  As part of the Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR) he arrived in the United Kingdom on January 10, 1945.  He was temporarily assigned to the St John Fusiliers, before being reassigned to the CITR.  On March 28, 1945 he arrived in North West Europe as part of the IGU (Infantry General Unit) before being transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on April 19, 1945.

According to his service file, on May 19, 1945 Ambroise was buried on top of a dike in Leer, Germany before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

Grave of Joseph Ambroise Comeau

Original grave marker in Germany for J.A. Comeau.  (Photo from the service file.)

CIMG3274 Oct 3 2019 Holten Joseph Comeau

By the grave of Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019.  Pieter is standing with Dutch researcher Edwin van der Wolf, left. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…. to be continued…..

In Part 4 we learn about more of the North Novies who lost their lives.   Thank you to Simone and Jacqueline Comeau for sharing photos and information about their uncle.

If you have information to share about these or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…. Previous postings in this series…..

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

…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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail…..A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany – Part 2

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May 16, 2021.  When we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019, we laid flags down at the graves of five soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who drowned in a tragic accident in Germany on April 28, 1945. 

Recap: In Part 1, the 5 soldiers were identified and the circumstances leading up to the accident were summarized. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-1/)

….Another account of what happened….

Part 2 provides more information.  In ‘River Assault – Operation Duck: The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division’s Attack On Leer 28th April 1945’, author John Sliz wrote that “…The Highland Light Infantry cleared the north landing dock of the Leda River ferry in time for ‘C’ Company of the North Novas to be transported over in storm boats….. Unfortunately, ‘C’ Company’s crossing was eventful…”

“…It started at 1540 when Lt MacLean of the 20th Field Company, RCE, called the boat pool for 12 Storm Boats to go to the Leda River ferry site. The trip was fine, despite the choppy water and wind.  Sgt G. Stewart and 13 Platoon were the first to be ferried over…” RCE refers to Royal Canadian Engineers.

“…The next were company headquarters, Lt Laskin with 14 Platoon and Lt R.S. McGlashen with 15 Platoon….”  After crossing the river, all 3 Platoons were to “… swing north towards the town….” of Leer.

“… All was fine until a very unfortunate incident occurred when one boat, containing half of 15 Platoon, including Lt McGlashen, set out from the south bank. That is when the shelling started. The young engineer operating the motor became very excited.  The other sapper shouted at him not to turn on full power because when the motor dipped it would upset the boat’s balance. Unfortunately, when they were halfway across, a shell landed very close to the boat and the nervous sapper gunned the engine, shifting the weight and allowing water to flow over the gunwales….”

“…Lt McGlashen managed to shed his heavy equipment and not only made it to the shore, but managed to help another man ashore. All but 5 men made it to the shore…”  These were the 5 men from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

….Why did the men drown?….

Why did the five men drown?  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!

….From the Lloyd William Murray records….

Lloyd W Murray photo

Lloyd William Murray.  (Photo courtesy of Murray Baillie)

The accounts of the accident match the war diary entry for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment.  In the service file for Lloyd William MURRAY, a ‘Questionnaire On A Missing Officer Or Soldier’ noted that the boat capsized at “…about 1630 hours...”

A description of the event states that “…Boat was moving full throttle across Leda River which was very rough at the time.  Other boats were also making water choppy.  Waves breaking over bow of storm boat capsized the boat.  Pte Murray, LW was in boat when it sank...”

On May 22, 1945, Chaplain Graydon O. Coy wrote to Lloyd Murray’s mother, explaining that “…Lloyd was killed in action near the town of Leer in Germany when the North Novas were crossing the Emms Canal, one of the boats was hit; and your son and several others were killed. On account of the action, the bodies were not recovered until several days ago.

I buried Lloyd in the allied military plot in the Lutheran cemetery in Leer. I understand though that the Graves Commission will see that the bodies of our Canadian boys are brought together in a central cemetery as soon as possible….” 

On June 8, 1945, Lt McGlashen wrote to Lloyd Murray’s mother, to tell her that “…Your son was a loyal and efficient member of my platoon in C Company and in action proved himself a courageous leader…”

McGlashen went on to describe the events leading to the boat capsizing, and noted that “…other boats came to our rescue quickly, but 5 boys of my platoon were gone…”

…. Lloyd William Murray Remembered….

Lloyd Murray’s nephew, Murray Baillie, explained that “…Lloyd had three brothers and four sisters; they felt immense pain when they heard of his death near the end of the war in 1945…”

Born on April 4, 1917, Lloyd was the son of John and Bessie Murray, of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.  Before officially enlisting on June 1, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he worked for several years in Ontario mines and later in Pictou shipyards. 

CIMG2699 Lloyd Murrary & Murray Baillie 1941 in Corktown

Lloyd Murray with his nephew Murray Baillie in 1941. (Photo courtesy of Murray Baillie)

In 1944 Lloyd was at Camp Ipperwash in Forest, Ontario, and wrote to his sister Emma that “…I am getting along fine and like it here good. It is a very nice camp here. It is only about twenty miles from the border to US. I go over to Detroit quite often. They sure use the servicemen great there. We get leave every two weeks…”

On March 29, 1945 he wrote Emma from Europe.  “…I am in Germany now and getting along fine. I am writing this letter in a slit trench and there is sure quite a bit of noise around. We got the Germans on the run. Don’t think war will last much longer.

I hope not anyway. I was in Belgium quite a little while and like it great there. It sure is a nice place.

We are having nice weather here. Hope it stays this way….”

CIMG3234 Oct 3 2019 Holten Lloyd Murray

By the grave of Lloyd William Murray at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019.  Pieter is standing with Dutch researchers Edwin van der Wolf, left, and Henk Vincent, centre. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…. to be continued…..

In Part 3 we learn more about the North Novies who lost their lives.   Thank you to Murray Baillie for sharing photos and the letters written by Lloyd William Murray. 

If you have information to share about these or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, 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/

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 see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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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…..A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany – Part 1

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May 15, 2021.  When we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in October 2019, we laid flags down at the graves of five Canadian soldiers who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WWII in Europe.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/10/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-holten/)

…5 North Nova Scotia Highlanders Drowned….

These 5 soldiers, all from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment, were:

  • Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, age 22, of Saulnierville, Nova Scotia
  • Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, age 19, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia
  • Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, age 29, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  • Lloyd William MURRAY, age 28, of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
  • Howard Milo NICHOLLS, age 21, of Mattawa, Ontario

This tragedy became known to us when the people at the Holten Canadian Cemetery Information Centre asked for help in finding family of these soldiers as part of their project to put a face to every name on each gravestone.

Two families immediately came forward – the Comeau family in Nova Scotia shared information about Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, as did the nephew of Lloyd William MURRAY.

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau.  (Photo courtesy of niece Simone Comeau)

Lloyd William Murray.  (Photo courtesy of Murray Baillie)

…Operation Duck…

Putting faces to names made us want to know more about what happened in this event with the aptly named codename Operation Duck (See https://codenames.info/operation/duck-iii/).

The plan? 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. 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 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade.  (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/leer.htm)

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

In a translated excerpt from the recently published book ‘Holtense Canadezen’ (The Faces Of Holten) by Jan Braakman, we learned that the North Novies were not the only Regiment to have had casualties.  The men from the Highland Light Infantry all crossed safely, but 19 men from the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders didn’t.

…Why Operation Duck Was Important…

Jan Braakman’s account 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 Germany) in front of the river Ems. 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, but 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...”

 ….Panic Led To Tragedy….

Things didn’t go as planned.  3 sets of assault boats used by the North Nova Scotia Highlanders set off at 15:45 hours on April 28.  In ‘No Retreating Footsteps… the story of the North Novas’ by Will Bird, he explained that “…9 men were allotted to a boat at the river crossing.  Two men in each were operating these boats which used outboard motors….”

In each boat were 7 North Novies and two boat operators from the Royal Canadian Engineers.  “…. C Company, commanded by Major Winhold, had moved off from Driever …. with Thirteen Platoon leading, then…. Fourteen Platoon under Lt S Laskin and Fifteen under Lt McGlashen…”

Unfortunately for the men in the boat from Fifteen Platoon, one of the Engineers didn’t have nerves of steel.  “…Just as the craft were launched some shelling began and the young Engineer at the motor of the boat ….. became very excited.  His mate shouted at him not to turn on full power as the heavy load would sink when the motor dipped, but a shell landed quite near and the nervous man gave the motor the gun, sinking the boat at once…”

Five of the North Novies drowned.  Lt McGlashen managed to save himself and another man.  Men were not the only casualties.  “…Fifteen Platoon had been chosen to lead the attack, but most of its weapons were lost…”

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

…. to be continued…..

In Part 2 the aftermath of the accident is discussed and we’ll learn about the men who drowned.

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 Simone Comeau and Murray Baillie for sharing photos.

If you have information to share about these or any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Search For A Photo Of Gordon Frederick Johnson

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

April 16, 2021.  Sometimes a soldier’s story is one that Pieter feels a personal connection to.  This was the case when he was asked by the researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands for help in finding a photo of WW2 soldier Gordon Frederick JOHNSON.

That was back in 2017 when help was requested to find photos of 6 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment.  After going through Gordon’s service file, Pieter was determined to find a photo.  “….This was a responsible man, who took care of his men….” he said.

Gordon was born June 11, 1911 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, the son of James Gordon Johnson and Margaret Elizabeth de Wolfe. Later the family moved to Truro, Nova Scotia.  Sadly, he lost his father when he was only 3 years old. He had 6 brothers and sisters, and after his mother remarried to John McCarthy, had 6 half-brothers and sisters.

In 1935, Gordon married Hazel Pearl Williams and was employed as a machinist. On October 13, 1939, with WW2 underway, he enlisted with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

During the spring of 1945, it was clear to both sides that the war in Europe was nearing its end, but extreme resistance from the German army still resulted in many casualties during the liberation of The Netherlands.  By now a sergeant, Gordon was killed in action near Zutphen on April 8, 1945 while trying to retrieve an anti-tank weapon that one of the members in his platoon had left behind.  Going back to retrieve a weapon is exactly what Pieter would have done!

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps… the story of the North Novas’, Will Bird wrote that “…A PIAT was left by the canal by someone in D Company and Sgt Gordie Johnson went back to get it.  He was killed by a sniper as he reached the spot. His passing was a sad loss…”  A PIAT is an anti-tank weapon.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PIAT)

Grave of Gordon Frederick Johnson at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Gordon is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  Pieter had no luck finding family members, so in 2018 when we were in Nova Scotia, he made a stop in Truro and went to the Anglican Church that Gordon had belonged to.  Perhaps someone from the church office could help find family members, he thought.   He was told that no Johnsons were left in Truro, but that there were McCarthys and someone from the church would try to find someone who might have a photo.

Unfortunately, finding a photo has so far been surprisingly unsuccessful, given that he had 6 siblings and 6 half-siblings, plus a wife.

Now an appeal for a photo of Gordon Frederick Johnson has gone out on YouTube, which you can watch here:

A huge thank you goes to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made this YouTube video a reality.

Of the 6 soldiers for which photos were sought, family members and photos of three were found, but three remain outstanding.  In addition to Gordon Frederick Johnson, the other two members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders for which a photo is on the wish list are:

  • Allan G. COUTTS of Alberta
  • Archibald Henry NELSON of Prince Edward Island

Can you help put a face to any of these men! If you have photos or information, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.  As well, photos and stories are still being collected for the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, and for Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands.

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

© Daria Valkenburg