James CAIRNS

On The War Memorial Trail….. A Photo For WWI Soldier James Cairns

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 1 Comment

December 4, 2022. When Pieter began researching the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in 2015, he hoped to be able to put a face and story to each of the 48 names.  Over the years he was able to research each name, and we’ve told the story of each one, plus shared our visits made to the graves or memorials for many of them.

Unfortunately, up to now, photos for several have never been found.  The Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance in the Borden-Carleton Legion, which displays the photos of the men listed on the Cenotaph, has empty frames for those photos waiting to be found.

…The 7 year search for a photo of WW1 soldier James Cairns…

20221130_194445 Empty Frame

Empty frame awaiting a photo of WWI soldier James Cairns.  (Photo credit: Kathy Henry)

One of those for which a photo was missing was James CAIRNS, born February 22, 1897 in Kinkora, the son of Thomas Cairns and Mary Jane MacDonald.  He later went to Manitoba to work, joining his brother Edward, a farmer, in Cartwright, Manitoba.

While living in Manitoba, WWI broke out, and James he enlisted in July 1916 with the 190th Battalion Manitoba Regiment (which later became what we know as the Royal Winnipeg Rifles). He was killed on August 9, 1918 in France during the Battle of Amiens, and is buried in Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France.  We visited this cemetery in 2017. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

CIMG8561 Pte James Cairns

The grave of James Cairns at Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Various media appeals were not successful…

Inquiries and appeals for a photo were unsuccessful. Although James had 7 siblings, Pieter ran into one dead end after another.  On October 8, 2020, Vicki Wallace, editor of the Southern Manitoba Review in Cartwright, Manitoba, published Pieter’s letter to the editor.  (Unfortunately, this publication ceased publication at the end of 2021.)

Letter to the editor re James Cairns

While no photo of James Cairns resulted from the letter, Vicki Wallace did some research on Edward Cairns, the brother of James. Edward died on June 3, 1929 in a tragic farming accident, leaving behind a widow, Lily Victoria nee McKelvey, and several children, the youngest just 16 months old at the time of Edward’s death.

On November 11, 2021, Kevin Rollason of the Winnipeg Free Press put out an appeal for a photo at the end of an article about a very successful photo search for WWII soldier Edmond Coulombe, but we weren’t lucky twice.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/12/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-successful-search-for-a-photo-of-ww2-soldier-edmond-coulombe/)

We even tried a YouTube video appeal.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/the-search-for-a-photo-of-james-cairns-moves-to-youtube/)

…Success when the grandchildren of Edward Cairns sent a photo…

Then, with the help of Judie Klassen, family members of Edward’s son Alvin were found.  Sisters Kelly Slade and Shannon Cairns Zemp got in contact, and Shannon sent a photo of James and their grandfather Edward.  “…Our brother Patrick had the photo…” she explained.

Her father Alvin received it from a family member on a trip made to the Island with an 18 year old Shannon in 1990. “...My dad, Alvin Walter and my Mom, Patricia, were searching for members of the Cairns Family – which is how we have the picture that we have of James and Edward. I want to thank you Pieter for remembering James and I thank you for your hard work…”

Coloured photo James and Edward Cairns

James Cairns (left) with his older brother Edward. (Photo courtesy of the Cairns Family.  Photo colourization: Pieter Valkenburg)

…10 photos are still to be found for the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion….

The photo of James Cairns will soon be in that empty frame on the Legion wall, and Pieter hopes that more of the empty frames will be filled over the coming year. “…Unfortunately, photos for 8 from WWI and 2 from WWII have yet to be found….” he said.  Can YOU help with this photo wish list?

Names still without faces from WWI

  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque
  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden

A huge thank you goes out to Shannon Cairns Zemp for providing a photo on behalf of the family, to Vicki Wallace for publishing the letter to the editor in the Southern Manitoba Review and researching what happened to Edward Cairns, and to Judie Klassen for researching Edward’s descendants. If you can help with the photo search request or have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.   

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’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/

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

© Daria Valkenburg

 

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WW1 Soldier From Abrams Village Buried In Manitoba Cemetery in France

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March 6, 2022.  In 2017, we visited Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix, France, to place flags by the grave of WW1 soldier James CAIRNS of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on August 9, 1918 during the Battle of Amiens. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

When we signed the Guest Register Book, we were astonished to find that the previous visitors had come to honour their great-uncle and great-great uncle Theodore (Ted) Francis ARSENAULT from Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island.

Pte Theodore Arsenault (Great great uncle)

Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

In November 2021 Colleen Arsenault shared a photo of her great-great-uncle, explaining that her mother and sister had signed the guest book in that far away cemetery. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-linking-the-past-with-the-present/)

…4 generations of the Arsenault family have served in the military….

Shortly after this, Stephen Arsenault sent us research on Ted Arsenault, and explained that 4 generations of his family served in the military.  “…Theodore and his brother Camille were both from Abrams Village. Further descriptions as follows:

Gnr Camille Arsenault (Great Grandfather, Theodore's Brother)

Camille Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Gnr Camille J Arsenault, 2nd Canadian (Overseas) Siege Artillery Battery CEF. Saw action at Vimy Ridge. Survived the war and re-enlisted during WW2 serving with the Canadian Army Service Corps at a POW camp in New Brunswick at the time. Camille was born August 22, 1895.

    Sgt Francis Arsenault (Grandfather)

    Francis Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Stephen’s grandfather: Sgt Francis J Arsenault, served with 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

Portrait

Edgar Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

  • Stephen’s father: LCol Edgar F Arsenault, Logistics Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force. Later Honorary Colonel of 14 Mission Support Squadron, 14 Wing CFB Greenwood.  

He went on to say that “…Interestingly, in my (limited) spare time, I am an Artillery Officer serving in the Primary Reserves with 1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA, which makes 4 consecutive generations of military service to Canada spanning over 100 years. …”

… Ted Arsenault enlisted in the 105th Overseas Battalion….

Ted Arsenault was born May 14, 1897 in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island, the son of François (Frank) and Adeline (nee Gallant) Arsenault.  When he enlisted with the 105th Overseas Battalion in Summerside, Prince Edward Island on May 1, 1916 he listed his occupation as farmer.

In June 1916, Ted travelled to Valcartier, Quebec with the Regiment for training prior to sailing to England from Halifax a month later aboard ‘Empress of Britain’.

…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with Ted Arsenault….

Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, were on that same ship.  Among them were:

The ship docked in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916.  The troops were sent to Shorncliffe and attached to the 1st Training Brigade.  They were later transferred to different training brigades in Surrey.

…Ted was gassed at Passchendaele….

In November 1916, Ted was sent to France as part of the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment).  A year later, on November 5, 1917, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, Ted was poisoned by a mustard gas shell that exploded.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Passchendaele)

He was invalided to England and sent to the King George Hospital in London for treatment. According to his medical file, he “…had a sore throat and loss of voice for a month…” and “…breathing was difficult at night…” until January 13, 1918.

From the hospital in London he was sent to Manor War Hospital, a convalescent facility in Epsom.  It wasn’t until March 4, 1918 that the medical staff declared his chest was clear, and he was discharged 4 days later.  On May 16, 1918 he returned to France and the 14th Battalion.

….The Battle of Amiens…

The Battle of Amiens, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive.  It began on August 8, 1918 and ended on August 18.  Later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, this was the battle that ultimately led to the end of the First World War.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Amiens_(1918) and a short video clip at https://finance.yahoo.com/video/battle-amiens-started-century-ago-173913821.html)

A few years ago, a short video on ‘The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Amiens and Canada’s Hundred Days’ was prepared and is available on YouTube:

…Two Islanders lost their lives on August 9, 1918…

Byce.Amiens.map_.04

Battle of Amiens.  (Map source: http://www.rememberourvets.ca)

According to the war diary of the 14th Battalion, on the morning of August 9, 1918, the Regiment was ordered to “…march towards Cayeux, the headquarters of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.  The march was very difficult owing to the congested traffic on the road. The Battalion was ordered to support the 8th Canadian Battalion and moved to assembly positions….”

By 11:40 am they were in position, for the expected attack at 1 pm.  “… The attack was made over very flat ground and many casualties were caused by the intense machine gun fire…”  Among the casualties killed in action that day was Ted Arsenault.

As mentioned at the beginning of this posting, James CAIRNS, who served with the 8th Canadian Battalion, also lost his life that afternoon.

…Buried at Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix…

CIMG8555 Sep 6 2017 Pieter at entrance to Manitoba Cemetery

Pieter at the entrance to Manitoba Cemetery just outside Caix. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Like so many WW1 cemeteries in France, Manitoba Cemetery, where both James Cairns and Theodore (Ted) Francis Arsenault are buried, is in a rural location, surrounded by farmers’ fields.  It was fitting that during our visit in September 2017, bales of hay, a familiar site on Prince Edward Island during this period, surrounded the cemetery.

CIMG8558 Sep 6 2017 Manitoba Cemetery by hay bales

Bales of hay surround Manitoba Cemetery outside Caix.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

IMG_20170906_152615630 Sep 6 2017 grave of Ted Arsenault in Manitoba Cemetery in Caix

Grave of Theodore Francis Arsenault of Abrams Village. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Thank you to Colleen Arsenault and Steven Arsenault for sharing information on their great-uncle and their family’s ongoing military service.  If you have photos or information to share, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is now available.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Linking The Past With The Present

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 3 Comments

November 10, 2021. Recently our friend Annie Lee MacDonald sent an email to say that she and her husband had been sent a story by their friend Jim, “…about his Father and brothers. We didn’t know any of this. Shows the important contribution you two are making of taking the past and sharing it with the present…”  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/10/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-pilot-from-pei-who-flew-40-missions-overseas-and-returned-home/)

We loved her phrase of ‘taking the past and sharing it with the present’ as that is what we are doing in telling these stories.  Many of the postings and articles have had a ripple effect, leading to more remembrances, information, and stories. This posting shares some of these ….

In May 2021, a 4 part series entitled ‘A Tragic Drowning On The Leda River in Germany’ told the story of five Canadian soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, one of the final actions to end WW2 in Europe.  All 5 men are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

…A series of coincidences ensures this niece will never forget…..

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau of Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of these men.   (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/)

Joseph Ambroise Comeau from Simone

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

His nieces have never forgotten him. Jacqueline Comeau shared how she found her uncle’s gravesite at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in 1990 while on a school band trip with her son.

“….In 1990 I visited The Netherlands with my older son on a high school band trip. To say we had a marvelous time and were so warmly greeted everywhere we went is an understatement. Thankfully we were taken to the Holten War Cemetery and, purely by accident, while walking the grounds, I spotted my uncle’s grave. To that moment, my mother’s family believed he was buried in Germany, perhaps because he died on German land.

This was a momentous event for myself as we were at the cemetery on the 45th anniversary of his death, I was 45 years old and I then discovered that he had a memorial service in his home village on the day I was born (June 3, 1945) …”

Ambroise had indeed initially been buried in Germany, and then was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten afterwards.  Jacqueline shared her story in a French language newspaper, Le Courrier….

article about Jacqueline Comeau visit to Holten

Newspaper article submitted by Jacqueline Comeau. The headline reads ‘Found after 45 years’.

“…The discovery of my uncle’s grave in 1990, with the coincidences of dates, such as the date of his death is the date I discovered his grave; a memorial service was held in his honor in his home parish of Saulnierville on the day I was born, June 3, 1945 is unique…”

…A telegram one niece will never forget…..

Photo Lewis Marsh

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

Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, was another casualty of the drowning in the Leda River.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/)

Burnie Reynaert wrote to say that “…My Uncle Lewis Wilkieson Marsh died on April 28, 1945. I was with my Nana when she received the first telegram that he was believed drowned.  I remember I was standing on the last step near front door when this boy gave her the telegram….”

Burnie shared the telegram she was witness to.  One can just feel the horror and fear that her grandmother must have felt upon receiving it.

Telegram advising Marsh is missing

First telegram advising that Lewis Marsh was missing and believed drowned.  (Document courtesy of Burnie Reynaert)

Worse news was to come, as a second telegram confirmed that Lewis had lost his life.

Telegram advising Marsh is KIA

Second telegram advising that Lewis Marsh was killed in action.  (Document courtesy of Burnie Reynaert)

Burnie went on to say “…Thank you so much for your research, I never thought I would see his name and the others that died with him.  I want to thank you both. I am so emotional with love and gratitude for all you have done. I am finally feeling some closure.

My uncle was born November 14, 1925 in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He had 8 siblings and his father died in 1934. Nana raised them, and had me to raise.

Uncle Lewis worked in Princess Collieries in Sydney Mines for thirteen months. He would be seventeen. I recall Nana and my mom arguing with Lewis that he was not old enough to join. Maybe she had to sign papers? He enlisted on May 26 1944, embarked from Halifax on December 1944, and embarked from UK on December 25 1944….”

…A niece now knows what happened to her uncle …..

Charles Borden Tuplin

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

As part of the Atlantic Canada Remembers series of postings, we did a story in March 2021 on Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN of Indian River, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on December 7, 1944 while serving with the Black Watch.  While crossing a bridge on the Maas River in The Netherlands, Charlie was shot while trying to retrieve the body of Lt Thomas Wilson MacKenzie.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/03/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-from-indian-river/)

Charlie was wounded and taken by the Germans, but died very shortly afterwards.  He’s buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. Months after the story about Tuplin was posted on our blog, Lt MacKenzie’s niece, Judy Hopkins, got in contact to say that until she read the story that arose out of Pieter’s research, no one in the family knew how Lt MacKenzie had died.  This is probably right as MacKenzie’s service file had multiple letters from his parents asking for this information.

Judy wrote that “… I am responding to your article of March 29, 2021, about Charles B. Tuplin. My uncle was Lieutenant Thomas Wilson MacKenzie of No. 1 Black Watch of Canada RHR, mentioned in the article.  And what astonishment to see and read this account of the raid on the front line that took both these men’s lives.

I have just recently been researching this event, as I am writing a life story for the ‘Faces to Graves’ project involving the soldiers buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. So, it was with intense interest that I read this article.

My uncle was ‘Missing in Action’ for several months, causing great concern to his family in Calgary, Alberta. When the regiment moved forward in February, no graves were located for Tuplin or MacKenzie, leaving them to believe that they may have been taken POW.

It was never explained to my grandmother where her son’s remains were found….just that after some months, a body had been identified as his.

In the article, it stated: ‘MacKenzie’s body was later found buried in a temporary cemetery, near where he lost his life.’ And so these two men were together at the end of their lives; Tuplin was taken prisoner, and my uncle likely died at the site of his injury.

After all these years, it is still incredible that new information is learned, and also that people such as yourself are providing a space to honor these men’s memories. Thank you for this. ..”

Thomas_MacKenzie-GAV

Thomas Wilson MacKenzie. (Photo submitted by Judy Hopkins)

“…He was the much beloved son of Christine MacKenzie, a widow, and brother to my mother, Margaret.  In his letters home, which I still have, he writes about the great bunch of men under his command, and speaks highly of all of them…”

…A street in The Netherlands may be named for one soldier …..

Lt. Percy Dexter Higgins

Percy Dexter Higgins.  (Photo courtesy of the Higgins Family)

In a January 2021 posting in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, we wrote a story about Percy Dexter HIGGINS of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, who was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he lost his life during the Battle of Warnsveld on April 4, 1945.  He’s buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2021/01/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-3/)

Shortly afterwards, we received an email from Harm Kuijper in The Netherlands, who explained that there was “…a proposed plan to name a street for Lt Percy Dexter Higgins in the city of Zutphen, Netherlands in the new Looer Enk Subdivision….”  The Higgins family was notified of this proposal and we look forward to hearing more on the street naming as plans progress.

…Two WW1 soldiers from Prince Edward Island are buried in France …..

In 2017, we visited the Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France, to place flags by the grave of WW1 soldier James CAIRNS of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, who lost his life on August 9, 1918 during the Battle of Amiens.  James had moved to Manitoba and was serving with what is now the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

We weren’t surprised to see soldiers from the Prairie Provinces in the cemetery, but when we signed the Guest Register Book, we were astonished to find that the previous visitors had come to honour their great-uncle and great-great uncle Theodore (Ted) ARSENAULT from Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island.

Although this posting dates back to 2017, it wasn’t until a few days ago that Colleen Arsenault wrote us.  “…Hi there, in doing a bit of internet research on my Great Great Uncle Ted (Theodore Arsenault) to prepare my kids for Canadian Remembrance Day here in Toronto, I came across this post. I instantly recognized my mother Debi and sister Melanie’s handwriting above your entry in the guest book at Manitoba Cemetery. It is so lovely for our family to know that you had put an additional decoration up for our Uncle Ted. Sometimes the internet can truly be a wonderful place! The Arsenault family thanks you….”

A mystery was solved!  The Arsenault family sent us a picture of Theodore.  Unfortunately, up to now, no photo has ever been found for James Cairns.

Pte Theodore Arsenault (Great great uncle)

Theodore Arsenault. (Photo submitted by Stephen Arsenault)

Thank you to Colleen Arsenault, Jacqueline Comeau, Judy Hopkins, Harm Kuijper, and Burnie Reynaert for sharing photos and anecdotes. We very much appreciate hearing from readers and having them share their stories.

If you have photos and information to share about Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

Rememberance-Day-2020-Canada-5

..Want to follow our research?….

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

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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

The Search For A Photo Of James Cairns Moves To YouTube

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CIMG8559 Sep 6 2017 Pieter by grave of James Cairns at Manitoba Cemetery

Pieter by the grave of James Cairns at Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

December 17, 2020.  When you look at a gravestone in a cemetery, particularly one filled with graves from soldiers who were killed, you can easily see them as a collection of graves, not individuals who had hopes and dreams of their own.

In 2017, when we visited cemeteries in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany to honour soldiers from WW1 and WW2 who are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, Pieter tried to have a photo of each person whose grave or memorial we were visiting.

It wasn’t always possible, and one of those without a photo was WW1 soldier James CAIRNS, who was born on February 22, 1897 in Kinkora, the son of Thomas Cairns and Mary Jane MacDonald.

Before WW1 began, several members of the family moved to Manitoba from the Island, and so it was no surprise to learn that Cairns enlisted with the 190th Battalion Manitoba Regiment on July 8, 1916. This Regiment became part of the Winnipeg Rifles.  (See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/190th_Battalion_(Winnipeg_Rifles),_CEF#:~:text=The%20190th%20(Winnipeg%20Rifles)%20Battalion,that%20city%20and%20surrounding%20district)

James was killed in action during the Battle of Amiens on August 9, 1918 and is buried in the Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France.

Appeals for a photo on the blog and in newspaper articles went nowhere, and neither did a letter to the editor in a Manitoba newspaper in the area where members of the Cairns family had lived.

Four years of an unsuccessful search later, Pieter has taken his appeal for a photo to YouTube, in the hope that a viewer might come forward:

Pieters saying

You can read more about James Cairns, our visit to the Manitoba Cemetery, and the appeal for a photo, here:

Thank you to post-production editor Wendy Nattress, who made this YouTube video a reality. If you have photos or information to share about James Cairns, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

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On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Continuing The Search For Soldiers Killed In Action In WW1 and WW2

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October 17, 2020.  One of the many characteristics I admire about Pieter is his commitment to find a photo and family for every WW1 and WW2 soldier he researches.  He refuses to believe that there is a Canadian soldier lying in an overseas cemetery who has been completely forgotten. 

When he exhausts his research leads, he asks for help from the media.  Today’s posting will mention some of the searches through the media and provide an update on what he’s learned as of today.

pieter recherche photo de militaire

Pieter during an interview about WW1 soldier Basil Cormier.  (Photo credit: Jacinthe LaForest, courtesy of La Voix Acadienne)

WW1 Soldier Bazil Cormier

The story of WW1 soldier Bazil CORMIER, whose name is listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, was told when we visited his grave in Rouen, France in 2017. (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/on-the-road-to-rouen/)

In addition to the blog posting, an article was published in the Country Line Courier newspaper. (See CLC Dec 6 2017 p17 Bazil Cormier Rouen France)

Up to now, no family or photo has been found, so we wondered if we would have any success if an appeal was made in the French language media.  Jacinthe LaForest interviewed Pieter for the La Voix Acadienne newspaper.  (You can read the article here, which is in French: LaVoix14oct2020_06_10 Bazil Cormier ) So far, no one has come forward.

WW1 soldier James Cairns

Another WW1 soldier whose name is listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion is James CAIRNS.  He’s buried in Caix, France, which we visited in 2017. (For his story, see https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/) 

In addition to the blog posting, an article was published in the Country Line Courier newspaper. (See CLC Oct 18 2017 p23 Manitoba Cemetery in France) 

Before war broke out, he had moved to Manitoba and lived in the community of Cartwright.  With no luck on the Island to find family or a photo, Pieter contacted the Southern Manitoba Review newspaper and his letter was published earlier this month. The editor, Vicki Wallace, is a history buff and dug into the story, giving Pieter more information about the family.  However, up to now, no one has responded and a photo has not yet been found. 

James Cairns

WW2 soldier John Clifford Rogers

For the Faces To Grave project, which is trying to find photos of WW2 soldiers in The Netherlands, Pieter was unsuccessful in finding a photo for John Clifford ROGERS, whose grave at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands we’d visited in 2019.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2019/12/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

In addition to the blog posting, an article was published in the Country Line Courier newspaper. (See CLC Jan 29 2020 p26 2019 Visit To Groesbeek)

In an attempt to find family and a photo, Pieter contacted The Guardian newspaper, and his letter was published last week. (See https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/local-perspectives/letter-seeking-photo-of-soldier-from-second-world-war-508864/) Although he received some inquiries about his letter, to date no family or photo has been found.

John Clifford Rogers

WW2 soldier Vernon James Nixon

In another Faces To Grave project search, Pieter contacted The Saint Croix Courier in St. Stephen, New Brunswick about WW2 soldier Vernon James NIXON, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.   We didn’t receive a copy of this letter from editor Kristi Marples, but a few people did contact Pieter. 

Kent Caldwell of the local Legion branch mentioned that an old scrapbook had been found several years ago, and an old newspaper photo submitted for the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet.  The Royal Canadian Legion’s New Brunswick Command subsequently mailed Pieter the entry from the booklet.

Nixon writeup

Excerpt from the New Brunswick Military Recognition Booklet.

Then Pieter was contacted by a family member, who had visited the grave.  Hopefully, a photo will be provided. 

WW2 soldier Philip Hubert Long

In another Faces To Graves project search, Pieter was interviewed by David Pate of CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon about Philip Hubert LONG of New Brunswick, who is also buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  (You can listen to the interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R07RkSjTeshJA_-UO_W68fsY3FHCSLPB/view?usp=sharing) 

Within two hours of the broadcast, Pieter received a call from a family member, and hopefully a photo will be provided.

More photos of soldiers are still to be found

For a list of more soldiers from PEI that Pieter is hoping to find photos of, see here: List of photos needed

Our thanks go to the media for helping us to tell these stories:  CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon, County Line Courier, La Voix Acadienne, Southern Manitoba Review, The Guardian, and The Saint Croix Courier.  If you can help with providing information on James Cairns, Bazil Cormier, Philip Hubert Long, Vernon James Nixon, or John Clifford Rogers, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

The WW1 Names On The Cenotaph Have Stories Of Their Own

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

February 8, 2020. Recently, Pieter and a friend went to see the British WW1 movie ‘1917’, which is nominated for several Oscars and has a Canadian connection due to a map used in the film.  (For that story see https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/1917-canadian-contribution-1.5450608)  The story takes place in France on April 6, 1917, and is about two men tasked with delivering a message to another unit to warn of a German ambush.  The men go through several towns and villages in France’s Western Front.  Canadians may remember this period as being the lead up to the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917.

Pieter found the movie of great interest for several reasons. It was a depiction of the horrors of war… without being overly gory.  After being through the trenches and tunnels in Vimy Ridge a few years ago, he was intrigued to see the way soldiers sat on either side of a trench while waiting to go up into battle.   But the main reason he liked the movie is that it told the story of two people.

Contrary to what we learn in history books and classes, in the end all history is the cumulative stories of individuals.  A list of names on a cenotaph, such as the one outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, is meaningless without knowing who those people were and what happened to them.  This is what started Pieter on the journey to uncover the stories behind the names on the Cenotaph.

Over the years, the stories of those from WW1 have been told in this blog.  24 are listed on the Cenotaph and half of them died in France…. Patrick Raymond ARSENAULT and John Lymon ‘Ly’ WOOD are listed on the Vimy Memorial as their bodies were never identified.    Also killed in France were Kenneth John Martin BELL, James CAIRNS, James Ambrose CAIRNS, Arthur Leigh COLLETT, Bazil CORMIER, Patrick Phillip DEEGAN (DEIGHAN), Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, Percy Earl FARROW (FARRAR), Ellis Moyse HOOPER, and Charles W. LOWTHER.  We were at the Vimy Memorial and visited each grave.

Five men died in Belgium. Two are listed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, as their bodies were never identified: Charles Benjamin Murray BUXTON and George Albert CAMPBELL.  We visited Menin Gate and the area where they died.  We also visited the graves of James Lymon CAMERON, Vincent Earl CARR, and Arthur Clinton ROBINSON.

Vincent Carr, who died during the Battle of Passchendaele on October 30, 1918, was initially buried in a trench with 4 others – two Canadian and two British soldiers.  Decades later, when they were reburied in a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, all three Canadians were still identifiable.  The British Army’s cardboard identity ‘tags’ had disintegrated, leaving the two British soldiers as unidentified.  Today, DNA testing can be done to help with identity, but decades ago this was impossible.

Two men died in England.  John Goodwill HOWATT was wounded in France, and died in a British hospital.  Bruce Sutherland McKAY had gotten ill during the transport from Canada to England and also died in a British hospital.

Henry Warburton STEWART survived the war, only to fall ill while in Germany as part of the occupation forces.  He’s buried in a German cemetery in Cologne, which we visited.

James Graham FARROW (FARRAR) was not a soldier, but in the Merchant Navy, transporting vital supplies between England and France, when his ship was torpedoed by a U-boat.

Three men died on Canadian soil.  Leigh Hunt CAMERON died of illness, while Harry ROBINSON died from blood poisoning.  William Galen CAMPBELL was poisoned with mustard gas on May 28, 1918, a few months before the end of the war, but was able to return home.  And yes, we’ve visited those graves as well.

We were also able to tell you parallel stories, such as that of Clifford Almon WELLS, who had many of the same experiences as John Lymon Wood, and also died in France. Another story was that of George BRUCKER, of the German Army, who was taken prisoner during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and survived the war, never forgetting the two ‘tall’ Canadians who didn’t shoot him.  Decades later his son, now in his 80s, is still hoping to thank the families of those two unknown men.

Thanks to Pieter’s curiosity in trying to find out why one Commonwealth War Graves Commission gravestone in a cemetery in Cape Traverse was not recorded on the Cenotaph, we were able to tell you the story of Elmyr KRUGER, a soldier from Saskatchewan who died of illness while guarding German prisoners of war from a POW camp in Amherst.

We’ve told the stories of each man, and shared our visits to the various cemeteries and war memorials.  As photos and letters came in, we shared those experiences as well.

We are still missing photos of several of these soldiers, so the quest to put a face to every name and story is still ongoing.  Who are we missing?  Take a look and see if you can help:

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It’s great to watch a movie about fictional characters, but let’s not forget the stories of real life people! There won’t be any Academy Awards given out, but they will be remembered. Research continues to uncover more stories.  If you have a story or photo to share about any of the names mentioned in this posting, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

Appeal For Relatives Of These WW1 Casualties!

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 3 Comments

August 18, 2019.  Over the past few years, Pieter has been diligently researching the 48 names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion here on Prince Edward Island.  Along the way he’s met many family members of these men, and we’ve visited a number of the graves.  However, in some cases, either no family members have come forward, or the family members themselves have no photos and little information.

In an attempt to achieve the goal of putting a face to each name on the Cenotaph, we’re asking for your help with these WW1 casualties for whom no photo has been found as yet.

Please see the attached PDF which provides information on the person’s name, service number, place of birth, unit served in at the time of death, and date of death.  (See Appeal For Relatives of Soldiers)  As well, the names are summarized below.

Can you help with photos????

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora
  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche
  • James Graham FARROW, born in Argyle Shore
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

If you have information and photos to share on any of these names listed on the Cenotaph, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

Upcoming Presentation in Crapaud

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 1 Comment

July 9, 2018.  Everyone is invited to attend the upcoming presentation about the Cenotaph Research Project at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Crapaud on Thursday, July 12, 2018.  Below, please see poster and a list of photos of soldiers we are still looking for.  Can you help???

Poster Cenotaph Research Project presentation

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora
  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche
  • James Graham FARROW, born in Argyle Shore
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque
  • John Daniel FERGUSON, born in Borden
  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden
  • Singleton Charles JEFFERY, born in Bayfield, New Brunswick

The Cenotaph also lists an F. ARSENAULT.  No information at all has been found for someone of this name from this area.

As a separate project, Pieter is helping researchers in The Netherlands who are looking for photos and information on Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands.  If you have a relative with a grave in The Netherlands and would like to participate, you can email your photos and info to Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca and he will forward the information on your behalf.  Or you can drop off your photos on Thursday and after being scanned they will be returned to you.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

Another Photo For WWII Soldier George Preston Smith

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

March 21, 2018.  In two previous blog entries the story of George Preston Smith was shared. SMITH, of Kinkora, was with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, and lost his life in a freak accident in Belgium during WWII when his gun went off while he was trying to pull it out from under a pile of coats stashed in the back of a military truck.  (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)

After reading an article mentioning Smith, “On the War Memorial Trail ….. PEI Soldiers Buried In The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek”, published in the County Line Courier, one reader, who asked to remain anonymous, shared a photo of George Preston Smith with Alice van Bekkum of the Faces To Graves Foundation in The Netherlands and also with Pieter as part of the Cenotaph Research Project.

George Preston Smith

George Preston Smith (Photo courtesy of Smith’s family)

This generous gesture is giving this soldier an additional layer to his personality, as can be seen from this undated photo.  If you have a story about George Preston Smith or more photos, please let us know.

Smith is buried at Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  If you have photos or information on any other WWII soldiers who are buried in The Netherlands, please help the researchers at the Faces to Graves project by sharing that information. Photos and stories can be sent either through their website at http://facestograves.nl/index.html or by email to info@facestograves.nl.  Alternatively, you can contact us at dariadv@yahoo.ca and we’ll forward on your behalf.

In looking at missing faces for the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project, which this blog documents, we are still seeking photos for the following:

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora
  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche
  • James Graham FARROW, birthplace unknown
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

 Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque
  • John Daniel FERGUSON, born in Borden
  • Singleton Charles JEFFREY, born in Bayfield, New Brunswick

Please check your old photo albums and see if you might not have one of these men in them!  Our goal is to find a photo for them all!  Please share your comments and stories by emailing us at dariadv@yahoo.ca or by commenting on this blog.

UPCOMING PRESENTATION: Pieter has been invited to speak about the Cenotaph Research Project at Central Trinity United Church in Breadalbane at 7 pm on Sunday, March 25, 2018.  Photos and information about soldiers welcome.  Members of the Tryon & Area Historical Association will be present to accept donations to the “Muttart Memorial Fund”.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

 

On The Road To Rouen

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 5 Comments

October 1, 2017.  Leaving the Arras area, which we had thought was busy enough, was an experience, as now we encountered toll roads.  We soon learned to dread the words ‘gare de péage’.  While all the toll booths have iconic names, like the first one we pulled up at, named ‘Jules Verne’, they are now mostly automated, and you need cash or a debit or credit card.

If you are one of the modern people thinking “Dinosaur”, let me describe the experience.  First off, the box where you have to pay is designed to accommodate truckers, not people in dinky toy cars like the majority of cars used in Europe.  Most people do not have the rubber arms needed to reach up to drop the money in, so each toll booth encounter takes longer than it would if you paid an attendant, as car doors open and people try to squeeze out in the available space to drop their money in manually, or pay by card.  And of course, you need first to figure out WHERE you place your money as there is more than one slot.

If you use cash, as we did, you soon also learned that it’s best to have exact change, as otherwise you have to WAIT for change and then reach up to another slot to get your money.  Anyone in a hurry sometimes leaves their change behind!

PEI is not alone in charging heavy tolls.  We left 7.70 euros at Jules Verne, only to encounter another toll booth 6 minutes later!  At this one we picked up a ticket which cost us another 5.70 euros half an hour later.  The count so far … 13.40 euros.  In Canadian dollars it comes to about $19.75, and the day was just beginning.

It took us just over 2 ½ hours to get to Rouen from Mont St. Eloi, and, following the GPS instructions to the St. Sever Cemetery, arrived at Boulevard Stanislas Girardin, only to find it was in downtown Rouen.  No cemetery in sight!  The streets are extremely narrow, jam packed with cars and pedestrians and most of the streets one way traffic only.  We finally gave up trying to figure out what had gone wrong and stopped in front of a short driveway into a huge government building behind a walled gate, and asked a passerby for help.

The poor man looked at our sheet from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and finally said, very kindly, that we were on the right street, but not in Rouen.  The cemetery was in a nearby community.  Sure enough, when we looked at the cemetery location instructions, it said it was “situated on the eastern edge of the southern Rouen suburbs of Le Grand Quevilly and Le Petit Quevilly.”  But what we didn’t understand was why we’d been directed downtown when we had the right street.

The man explained that it was in either Le Grand Quevilly or Le Petit Quevilly, he wasn’t sure which.  So, the GPS got reprogrammed for Le Grand Quevilly.  The word “suburb” was a misnomer.

While this discussion had been going on, traffic was backing up as people wanting to get into or out of the government driveway were held up as we were blocking the road.  Not one person honked or showed any impatience!  We thanked the man for his help, and then slowly backed up onto the traffic, and made our way out of town.

Le Grand Quevilly was a short distance away, but it was not the location of the cemetery.  We pulled into a car dealership to ask directions, only to find out that France shuts down for lunch break.  Everything was locked up, but we found a salesman in a tent on the lot, reading his emails.

“I’m from a different country,” he said, when we asked about the cemetery.  Then he made us laugh when he went on to say, “I’m from Paris.”  But he was very effective at finding someone who could help us and that’s when we learned that we wanted to be in Le Petit Quevilly, and how to get there.

In Le Petit Quevilly, on a street by the same name as in Rouen (what are the odds?), we were able to find St. Sever Cemetery Extension, the location where Bazil Cormier is buried.

CIMG8598 Sep 7 2017 sign directing us to St Sever Cemetery Extension

Sign to the St. Sever Cemetery in Le Petit Quevilly. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

According to the information provided by the Canadian War Graves Commission, during WW1, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen.  Most hospitals remained there during the war.  A number of those who died in the hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the majority were buried at St. Sever Cemetery.  In September 1916, the Extension, where Cormier is buried, began.

In WWII, Rouen was again a hospital centre, and several Commonwealth soldiers who were prisoners of war during the German occupation are buried in the Extension.

St. Sever Cemetery Extension is the largest cemetery we’ve been to so far, with 8,348 WWI Commonwealth burials, 10 of them unidentified, 328 WWII Commonwealth burials, 18 of them unidentified, and 8 foreign nationals.

With such a large cemetery, it was not easy to find Cormier’s grave.  Luckily, in this cemetery, several gardeners from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were on site.  While Pieter went to look in the Grave Register, I looked at the graves, trying to find the row in which Cormier was buried.  One gardener asked if I needed help.  When I explained who we were looking for, he asked if I had the paper with the burial information.  I explained it was on the other side of the cemetery with Pieter, who was comparing it to the information in the Grave Register.

Just to let you know how great these workers are, the gardener immediately went over to the other side of the cemetery and then spent the next few minutes looking for the grave, which of course was as far away as possible from where we were!

CIMG8587 Sep 7 2017 Pieter at the grave of Bazil Cormier at St Sever Cemetery Extension

Pieter at the grave of Bazil Cormier in St. Sever Cemetery Extension in Le Petit Quevilly. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

According to his Attestation papers, Private Bazil CORMIER was born January 6, 1898 in Tignish, the son of Joseph Cormier and Marie Arsenault.  A farmer before enlisting with the 105th Draft Regiment on December 4, 1916, he died of wounds received in the Battle of Amiens near Cachy on August 12, 1918, at the age of 21.  At the time of his death he was with the 26th New Brunswick Battalion.

The War Graves Register Circumstances of Death notes that “…During operations east of Amiens, on the morning of August 8th 1918, he was hit in the head by a machine gun bullet. He was immediately dressed by a comrade and carried out, but succumbed to his wounds at No 4 General Hospital, Rouen, four days later...”  According to the active/casualty document in his file, however, he was transported to the No. 5 General Hospital, not the No 4 General Hospital, where he died.

The Battle of Amiens, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive which began on August 8, 1918, later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, that ultimately led to the end of the First World War.  This is the same battle in which James Cairns lost his life on August 9, 1918.

CIMG8592 Sep 7 2017 Pieter at grave of B Cormier in St Sever Cemetery Extension

Pieter by the grave of Bazil Cormier. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

As with too many of the WW1 soldiers, we have no photo or further information about Bazil Cormier.

The cemeteries we’d been to in the past days had all been in the countryside.  St. Sever Cemetery Extension was in an urban setting, and bordered the Rouen Soccer Club, which caught the interest of soccer fan Pieter.

CIMG8590 Sep 7 2017 next to St Sever Cemetery Extension is the soccer club of Rouen

The Rouen Soccer Club was on the other side of the fence of the St. Sever Cemetery Extension. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We couldn’t leave the cemetery without giving flag pins to the gardeners, one of whom spoke English and told Pieter that he had just graduated from horticultural college and loved his job.  The head gardener, who had helped us in the beginning, was unfortunately out on an errand, so we were not able to say goodbye to him.

CIMG8596 Sep 7 2017 Pieter with a CWGC gardener at St Sever Cemetery Extension

Pieter with a young CWGC gardener at St. Sever Cemetery Extension. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In the next blog entry we make our way to Bayeux, which has a connection with Pieter’s genealogical research as well as the Cenotaph research project. Do you have photo or info on Bazil Cormier?  Comments or stories?  You can share them by emailing us at dariadv@yahoo.ca or by commenting on this blog.

© Daria Valkenburg