Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU

On The War Memorial Trail….Remembrance Week 2025 – Reflections and Updates

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November 9, 2025.  When we write a story on the blog, we often receive additional information about the soldiers we’ve written about, about other soldiers buried in the same cemetery, or who served in the same unit. This Remembrance Week 2025 posting gives an update on three soldiers whose stories were previously told, one whose story is coming up in a future posting, and about our visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission office in Ottawa, Ontario.

Each year we also try to visit one or more war memorials in Canada. In this posting we feature a visit to the Memramcook Veterans Park in Memramcook, New Brunswick, and Beach Grove Memorial Forest in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

…A banner for WWII soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau….

Banner for WWII soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau. (Photo credit: Simone Comeau)

One of the WWII soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, is Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia. Ambroise was one of 5 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, aged 21.  His was one of the 383 graves we visited this spring during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, and Pieter had placed flags of Canada and Nova Scotia, as well as an Acadian flag, by his grave.

When Simone Comeau recently sent us a photo of her uncle’s banner, she explained why it included both a Canadian and Acadian flag.  “…We had a choice as to which flag we wanted along with the flag of Canada so since you honoured the Acadian veterans this year in Holland and we are Acadians I figured it was only appropriate to do so….”

You can read Ambroise’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/  and about our visit to his grave at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-4-soldiers-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/

 ….The family of WWII soldier James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas framed the photo we sent…

Framed photo taken at the grave of James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver Thomas.  (Photo courtesy of Rodd Cooper)

During our visit to the various cemeteries during the 2025 European War Memorial Tour, we took photos of each grave at which Pieter placed flags, and later sent photos to the families of these soldiers.  Rodd Cooper, nephew of WWII soldier James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver THOMAS framed the photo we had emailed him, and emailed us back a photo of the framed picture with the family’s thanks.  We were deeply touched by this!

Born in St. Peters, Manitoba, Jimmy died in Germany on May 2, 1945, aged 33, a few days after being liberated from the Stalag VII-A POW Camp in Moosburg, Germany. He had been taken prisoner of war on May 22, 1943, while serving with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, during the breaking of the Hitler Line.

You can read Jimmy’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/02/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-manitoba-who-died-shortly-after-being-liberated-from-stalag-vii-a/  and about our visit to his grave at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-5-indigenous-soldiers/

….WWII soldier Samuel George Engen was remembered by his great-niece Clover Rusk on National Indigenous Veterans Day…

In a November 8, 2025 Facebook posting, Clover Rusk remembered her great-uncle, Samuel George ENGEN of The Pas, Manitoba on National Indigenous Veterans Day….and thanked Pieter “…for dedicating his time to Indigenous war vets buried overseas…”

After a 3 year search by various family members, a photo was found by Clover earlier this year, in an album that had belonged to her great-grandfather Aaron, the older brother of Samuel.

The son of Louis Julius Engen and Mary Helen (nee Buck) Engen, and husband of Miriam Susan Pranteau, Samuel died April 23, 1945 in Germany, during the Battle for the Kusten Canal, aged 27, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment.  

Samuel is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, which we visited this past May, and where Pieter placed flags of Canada and Manitoba by his grave.  His story will be told in an upcoming posting.

….Flags were placed at the grave of WWII airman William Andrew Hood on our behalf…

Grave of William Andrew Hood.  (Photo credit: Robert van der Ende)

One of the cemeteries to visit on our 2025 European War Memorial Tour was Eindhoven General Cemetery in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where WWII airman William Andrew HOOD, of Little Bras D’or, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is buried. 

Eindhoven was near where we were for a family visit, and we had planned to go to the cemetery before we left for Belgium the following day.  But….by this time we were totally exhausted, and didn’t see how we could manage it.  Thankfully, Robert van der Ende volunteered to take flags of Canada and Nova Scotia and place them at William’s grave on our behalf.  We were very grateful for that act of kindness!  This was the only cemetery on our list that we didn’t personally visit.

William was the mid-upper gunner aboard Halifax JD215 when it was shot down over The Netherlands on June 29, 1943.  None of the crew survived.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/19/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-airman-from-bras-dor-who-was-aboard-the-last-flight-of-halifax-jd215/

….We visited the CWGC office in Ottawa…

This year, Pieter became one of the volunteers across Canada participate in the National Volunteer Program.  He was assigned 4 cemeteries on Prince Edward Island to visit and gather information about the condition of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) war graves, and to clean the grave stones as needed. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-cwgc-volunteer-at-cape-traverse-community-cemetery/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/28/on-the-war-memorial-trailthe-wwii-carpenter-buried-in-seven-mile-bay-who-does-not-have-a-cwgc-headstone/ for stories about two of the soldiers buried in a CWGC grave)

Left to right: Pieter Valkenburg, Julene Warren, Daria Valkenburg, Elizabeth Hale.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family Collection)

During a trip to Ottawa in October, we visited the CWGC office and met with two of the coordinators overseeing the volunteers:  Elizabeth Hale and Julene Warren.  It was a chance to put faces to names, and to learn more about the important work being done to look after war graves here in Canada.

….We visited the Memramcook Veterans Park in Memramcook, New Brunswick…

Our friend and fellow researcher, Etienne Gaudet, had invited us several times to visit his hometown of Memramcook, New Brunswick, and one Saturday in June we were able to do so.  Etienne proudly took us around the Memramcook Veterans Park, which commemorates those who served and are from the Memramcook area. 

Etienne Gaudet (left) with Pieter at Memramcook Veterans Park. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

A unique billboard highlighted the ships on which troops travelled to Great Britain, and the countries in Europe in which they fought. 

Etienne Gaudet (left) with Pieter at Memramcook Veterans Park. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Etienne also wanted us to meet 102 year old WWII veteran, Romeo LEBLANC, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to do so. 

Etienne Gaudet (left) and Pieter (right) with WWII veteran Romeo LeBlanc. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….We visited the Beach Grove Memorial Forest in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island…

Pieter at the entrance to Beach Grove Memorial Forest in Charlottetown. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

This spring we received an email from Jim Little, saying he was writing a story about Private Frank LUTZ, an orphan from Prince Edward Island, who was badly wounded on February 20, 1945 during the Battle of Moyland Wood, while serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. He died on March 2, 1945, aged 19, and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (See https://www.facestograves.nl/LifeStories/LUTZ%20Frank-JLE-bio-EN.pdf)

Jim wanted to know if Frank was listed on a cenotaph on the Island.  Yes, was the answer….he is listed on a Canadian Army memorial stone at Beach Grove Memorial Forest in Charlottetown.  The memorial forest honours WWII veterans from Prince Edward Island with granite stones that list their names and includes a tree for each person that is honoured.

Pieter walks along the path in Beach Grove Memorial Forest.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The memorial stones are located along a path in the forest, which, during the war, had been used as a training facility for various regiments and units.  The stones honour those who died during the war while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy, Merchant Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.  We found Frank’s name listed on the stone for the Canadian Army.

Frank Lutz was listed on one of the memorial stones for the Canadian Army. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We ended up spending a long time in the forest, looking at each stone, as Pieter had researched so many of the names listed on each stone!

Thank you to Simone Comeau, Rodd Cooper, Etienne Gaudet, Clover Rusk, and Robert van der Ende. The work of remembrance of those who served continues.

The flags placed at William Andrew Hood’s grave were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 4: Soldiers Who Drowned During Operation Duck

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Cross of Remembrance at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 4, 2025.  Pieter has been involved in finding photos of Canadians who are buried in all three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands since 2014, with stories of many soldiers told on this blog. 

While in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. At the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, flags were placed at 156 graves. Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May.

In Part 1, the graves and photos of soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945, and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-1-soldiers-killed-near-posterenk/)

In Part 2, the graves and photos of two soldiers whose names are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-listed-on-the-cenotaph-in-borden-carleton/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of soldiers killed in vehicle accidents were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-3-soldiers-killed-while-travelling-in-vehicles/)

Now, in Part 4, six soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Leer during Operation Duck, whose stories have previously been told on this blog, are featured.  Four of these soldiers were in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment, while two were with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.

…6 soldiers who drowned during Operation Duck are commemorated…

Grave of Joseph ‘Ambroise’ Comeau. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident in the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945, aged 21.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/

After sending a photo of the grave with Ambroise’s photo to his niece, Simone Comeau, she not only thanked us, but a few days later wrote to say that “…my son, Delphis, has a pen pal in The Hague and he told him about your project and that he had a great-uncle buried in the Holten cemetery. That pen pal went to visit his tomb the week of the commemorations and he sent Delphis a photo almost identical to the one you sent me.

Afterwards he sent him another one and he had added two flowers, a red one to represent Canada and an orange one to represent Holland. Delphis was so pleased that he wanted me to tell you….”  What a lovely gesture by the pen pal!

Grave of Lewis Wilkieson Marsh. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 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, aged 19. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/

RCMP piper Mike Ward played a lament at the grave of Lewis Wilkieson Marsh of Nova Scotia.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

While at the cemetery in Holten, we met others who were honouring the fallen, including an RCMP pipe band from Ottawa. One of the pipers noticed Pieter placing flags nearby at Lewis’s grave, and came over to play a lament. It was so hauntingly beautiful that I had tears in my eyes.

After sending a photo of the grave with the photo of Lewis to his niece, Burnie Reynaert, she wrote back to say “…Thank you, Daria and Pieter. My heart is full of gratitude for all you do. There are no words….”

Grave of Ruel Kitchener Matheson.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, from Dundas, Prince Edward Island, was one of 5 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, aged 29.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/

Grave of Francis ‘Frank’ Eugene Munroe.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Francis ‘Frank’ Eugene MUNROE, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was one of 19 men from with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders who drowned during the crossing of the Ems River in Germany on April 28, 1945, at the age of 22, while participating in Operation Duck. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/11/on-the-war-memorial-trail-tragedy-on-the-ems-part-2-the-wwii-soldier-from-halifax-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/

Grave of Lloyd William Murray.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lloyd William MURRAY, from Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 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, aged 27.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-2/

Pieter by the grave of James Edward Sullivan.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

James Edward SULLIVAN, from Rexton, New Brunswick, one of 19 men serving with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders who drowned during the crossing of the Ems River in Germany on April 28, 1945, at the age of 25, while participating in Operation Duck. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-tragedy-on-the-ems-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-from-rexton-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the Prince Edward Island flag. 
  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia, for the Nova Scotia flags.
  • La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau for the Acadian flag.

Thank you to Simone Comeau and Burnie Reynaert for their kind words.  In Part 5, the graves and photos of Indigenous soldiers killed will be featured as we continue with our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

Pieter encourages readers with photos to come forward so that eventually all the known graves of Canadians buried in Holten will have a photo displayed by their grave. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail…..The Inclusion Of Acadian Flags On The 2025 European War Memorial Tour Received Publicity

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June 8, 2025.  In planning for the 2025 European War Memorial Tour, we were very grateful for help we received in getting flags and pins to take with us.  The many donors were identified and thanked in the previous posting.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-flags-and-pins-received-for-our-2025-european-war-memorial-tour/)

Simone Comeau, of Nova Scotia, is the niece of Pte Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, an Acadian soldier, whose story was told several years ago on this blog.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/) She ensured that we received Acadian flags from La Société acadienne de Clare when she learned about the planned tour! 

When she told us that French language media in Nova Scotia was interested in interviewing her about sending us Acadian flags and in learning more about her uncle, we asked if the media could include the names of 4 Acadian soldiers from Nova Scotia whose photos Pieter has yet to find. 

Simone was subsequently interviewed this past winter on the radio by Colette Deveau of Radio-Canada’s La Mouvée, and in ‘Le Courier’ newspaper by Richard Landry.  Both interviews included the names of the 4 soldiers for which photos are still missing.

….Simone Comeau was interviewed by Richard Landry for the ‘Le Courier’ newspaper…

The following is a translation into English (by me) of an article in French by Richard Landry published in the February 21, 2025 edition of ‘Le Courier’: https://lecourrier.com/nos-communautes/nos-communautes-clare/2025/02/21/ambroise-comeau-parmi-55-soldats-acadiens-honores-avec-un-drapeau-acadien-aux-pays-bas/.  The article includes the backstory of how we met Simone, while researching her uncle’s story, as well as the donation of Acadian flags for the 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

 “…Ambroise Comeau among 55 Acadian soldiers honoured with an Acadian flag in the Netherlands

Simone proudly shows off a photo of her uncle Ambroise Comeau’s grave in the Netherlands. Credit: Richard Landry

SAULNIERVILLE – Simone Comeau of Meteghan, niece of Ambroise Comeau (born in Saulnierville), who lost his life defending Holland during the Second World War, has just paid a special tribute to her uncle. For the first time, Acadian soldiers from the Maritimes buried in Holten, Netherlands, will have an Acadian flag placed on their graves, thanks to Simone’s efforts.  (NOTE: Acadian soldiers buried in Groesbeek, Bergen Op Zoom, and Adegem (Belgium) also received flags.) 

Pieter Valkenburg, originally from Holland, lives in Prince Edward Island with his Canadian wife, Daria. He became Canadian and is a former Dutch diplomat. The couple has been working for some time on a research project called On The War Memorial Trail, which aims to find information about Maritime soldiers who served in the liberation of Holland during the Second World War. (NOTE: The research project also features soldiers from other Canadian provinces.)

Private Ambroise Comeau died during World War II in Germany. Credit: Photo from the Simone Comeau collection

Among all the soldiers killed there, they discovered 55 Acadian soldiers from the region who died there during this war, including Ambroise Comeau from Saulnierville, who died during the war in Germany at the age of 21 in 1945.  

Ambroise’s niece, Simone Comeau, of Meteghan, a retired teacher and school principal, conducted extensive research on her uncle after discovering that the Valkenburgs were looking for information. It all began four years ago. She has since accumulated a large file on her uncle. 

The Valkenburgs regularly visit the graves of Maritime soldiers in Holland. This year, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, they will return there in April. In the past, they have placed Canadian and provincial flags on the graves of all Maritime soldiers. This year, for the first time, they will also place an Acadian flag on the 55 graves of Acadian soldiers. 

Pieter asked Simone to find small Acadian flags to place on the graves of these Acadian soldiers. This will be the first time that the Acadian flag will be placed alongside the provincial and Canadian flags on the graves of Acadians who gave their lives defending Holland. 

Simone enlisted the help of Nathalie Robichaud, executive director of the Société acadienne de Clare, to find the 55 flags. Nathalie managed to locate them and donated them to the cause. Coincidentally, Natalie is Ambroise’s great-niece. 

There are photos of 51 of the 55 Acadian soldiers from the Maritimes in the small museums located at the entrance to the cemeteries with details available on each deceased soldier. We are looking for information and especially photos of the four missing persons. They are: Herbert A. BOUDREAU of Ward’s Brook (died October 28, 1944 while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and buried in the cemetery at Bergen Op Zoom, Netherlands), Theodore J. GALLANT of Sydney Mines (died October 20, 1944 while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and buried in the cemetery at Bergen Op Zoom), Sherman William BOUTILIER of Sheet Harbour (died February 19, 1945 while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and buried in the cemetery at Groesbeek, Netherlands) and Albert G. LERUE of Halifax (died March 7, 1945 while serving with the Algonquin Regiment and buried in the cemetery at Groesbeek). 

Anyone who can offer photos or information about them is asked to email to memorialtrail@gmail.com. 

As for Ambroise Comeau, he was a carpenter during his short career. A funeral service was held in early June 1945 at Sacré-Cœur Church in Saulnierville. He was the son of the late Gus and Jessie Comeau. A military parade took place from his parents’ home to the church before the mass celebrated by Father Castonguay.

The grave of Ambroise Comeau with the cemetery caretaker in Holten, the Netherlands, and Pieter Valkenburg, right. Credit: Photo from the Simone Comeau collection (Note: The man in the photo with Pieter isn’t the cemetery caretaker but Edwin van der Wolf, one of the researchers for Holten.)

His grave in Holten reads: F.602531, J.A. Comeau, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, April 28, 1945 (in French). “Actually, there are two graves for Ambroise. The other is in Germany, where he fell. Soldiers were buried where they fell during the war. The Dutch didn’t want these soldiers buried in an enemy country, so they brought Ambroise and the others to Holten after the armistice. They are buried in Holland, where they can be given the honour they deserve,” Simone added.  (Note: the original grave in Germany is no longer there, since Ambroise was disinterred and reburied in Holten.)….” 

….Simone Comeau was interviewed by Colette Deveau of Radio-Canad’s La Mouvée…

During an interview this past winter with Colette Deveau of Radio-Canada’s La Mouvée, Simone presented her research on her uncle. She explained that through Ambroise’s sister’s daughter, Pieter had contacted Simone, who agreed to conduct the research. (Note: You can listen to the interview, which is in French, here: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/la-mouvee/segments/rattrapage/1984976/apercu-simone-comeau and https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/la-mouvee/segments/rattrapage/1985381/reconnaissance-soldats-acadiens-decedes-durant-seconde-guerre-mondiale) 

“…The Dutch are quite, quite grateful to the Canadians for helping to liberate their country because they suffered so much during the Second World War. The Acadian flags that will be placed on the graves come from Clare…” Simone said proudly. 

“….My sister Jacqueline had gone to Holland with her eldest son’s school band. Because they were going to schools, they also visited the Holten cemetery. There was a girl with the band who saw Comeau’s name and told Jacqueline. It was Ambroise’s grave. We knew because we had his regimental number… 

…Ambroise, born into a family of six children, was called to war a year before the end of World War II and lost his life there….”

….Can you help with finding photos of 4 Acadian soldiers from Nova Scotia?…

Up to now, Pieter has not found photos of the 4 Acadian soldiers mentioned in Simone’s interviews, who are all buried in The Netherlands….and who all received Canadian, Nova Scotia, and Acadian flags during our visit to their graves.  The soldiers are: 

  • Herbert Andrew BOUDREAU of Ward’s Brook, who died October 28, 1944, aged 23, while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom
  • Theodore Joseph GALLANT of Sydney Mines, who died October 20, 1944, aged 30, while serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom
  • Sherman William BOUTILIER of Sheet Harbour, who died February 19, 1945, aged 26, while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek
  • Albert George LERUE of Halifax, who died March 7, 1945, aged 24, while serving with the Algonquin Regiment and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek

Thank you to Simone Comeau for publicizing that Acadian flags would be included in the flags we took to Europe, in addition to the Canadian and provincial flags.  Thank you also to the two reporters who interviewed her – Richard Landry and Colette Deveau.  If you have photos or information to share about the 4 Acadian soldiers mentioned, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

….We also received Acadian flags from New Brunswick…

We also received Acadian flags from New Brunswick, for which we were grateful, as in the end we placed Acadian flags at more graves than had been on our initial list!  Thank you again to:

Over the next several postings, we’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail….including the various cemeteries we visited along our journey of remembrance.  Now that we’re back home, the research work continues for Pieter.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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

On The War Memorial Trail….Flags and Pins Received For Our 2025 European War Memorial Tour

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June 4, 2025.  When Pieter decided he wanted to go to Europe for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Europe in May 2025, planning began over a year in advance.  This would be our most ambitious war memorial tour, and Pieter wanted to ensure that the graves in The Netherlands and Belgium of as many of the soldiers and airmen that he’d researched over the past 11 years would be visited. He had a vision of being able to place, not only Canadian flags by the graves, but also provincial, and, where appropriate, Acadian flags.

A project like this didn’t happen overnight, and we needed help with donations of flags in order to meet Pieter’s goal.  Requests for flags began in the summer of 2024, and in the end we received donations of flags from most provinces.  Some came from provincial governments, others from politicians, and quite a few were donated by families of soldiers that had been researched, or readers of this blog. 

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

In addition, we received flags to place at the graves of two Indigenous soldiers, a very special tribute that we were honoured to be involved in.

We also received donations of Canadian flag pins and 80th anniversary pins to hand out, which were very popular with everyone we met along what turned out to be a 5 week journey along the war memorial trail.

By the time we returned back to Canada, Pieter had placed flags at 383 graves in 14 cemeteries in The Netherlands and Belgium!  We very much appreciate and want to recognize all who helped to provide flags and pins.

….Donations received of flags and pins…

We were blown away by the response to requests for flags, and the messages of support and encouragement we received.  The large Canadian flags were donated to small organizations in The Netherlands and Belgium who honour soldiers and airmen buried in smaller war cemeteries and in municipal or church cemeteries.  They also received small Canadian flags and flag pins. 

Some groups were involved with children in The Netherlands who are taught about the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers during WWII. We provided small Canadian flags, flag pins, and Frisbees for them to hand out.

Here below are the generous donors of flags and pins:

Pieter with Alan Waddell (right) from the office of Heath MacDonald with Canadian flags.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP (Member of Parliament) for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island and recently appointed as the Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Canada – small Canadian flags, flag pins, Frisbees
  • Mary Robinson, Senator for Prince Edward Island – large Canadian flags, flag pins
  • Jane MacAdam, Senator for Prince Edward Island – large Canadian flags

Matt MacFarlane (left) and Pieter hold flags from Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, Prince Edward Island – small PEI flags

After providing the flags from Prince Edward Island, Matt commented that “…I am happy to help with such important work…”

Simone Comeau (left) with Nathalie Robicheau. (Photo courtesy of Simone Comeau)

  • La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau – small Acadian flags

For Simone, providing Acadian flags was very personal, to honour her uncle, Pte Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/)  “…I picked up the flags yesterday. They are donated by ‘La Société acadienne de Clare.  Clare is the name of our municipality. In this picture we are standing in front of the banner of “La Société acadienne de Clare”. The lady presenting me the flags is the general director of the organization. Her name is Nathalie Robicheau and by coincidence she is the grand niece of J. Ambroise Comeau. Her father, my cousin, is the son of Ambroise’s other sister….” 

Pieter holds a selection of Acadian (left) and New Brunswick flags (right).  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick – small New Brunswick and Acadian flags

For Cécile, helping to provide the flags was in honour of her uncle, Pte Ange Aimé LECLAIR. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-acadian-soldier-serving-with-le-regiment-de-maisonneuve-who-made-the-ultimate-sacrifice-in-the-hochwald-forest/)

  • Armel ‘Mel’ Lanteigne, President of the Caraquet Legion in New Brunswick – small New Brunswick flags, small Acadian flags, small Canadian flags

Pieter with flags of Newfoundland sent by Gerald Bartlett.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Gerald Bartlett in memory of Trooper John Frederick BARTLETT (whose story is yet to be written) – small Newfoundland flags
  • Mario Henry and his brother Etienne Henry – small Quebec flags
  • Kyle Graham, Research Officer, Military Relations, Nova Scotia Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of Premier Tim Houston, Province of Nova Scotia – small Nova Scotia flags

Kyle emailed us, saying “…as part of the Military Relations team for the Province, I am responding on behalf of …..” Premier Tim Houston.  “…Absolutely, our pleasure to support this…”

Wayne enclosed a lovely note with the flags sent by his office. “…Thank you ….for the meaningful work you are doing to honour Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.  We are please to support your efforts.

We have enclosed ….Manitoba flags for your upcoming trip to The Netherlands for the 80th anniversary of the liberation.  We hope these flags will help commemorate the brave Manitoban soldiers and provide a special tribute at their gravesites….”

  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba

The flags were accompanied by a note from Brad, saying “…with thanks, on behalf of the Premier of Manitoba…”

  • Peggy Menard – small Ontario flags
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall MUTTART – small Ontario flags

Elmer Muttart was the first airman researched by Pieter, and his story has been extensively told on this blog.  You can read his story here:

  • Marie Renaud, MLA St Albert, Alberta at the request of Roman Berezowsky – small Alberta flags

….Two Indigenous flags received…

Daria with the very personalized Lnu flag to be placed at the grave of Leo Toney.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Della explained that the term ‘Lnu’  means “…the people, it’s what the Mi’kmaw people call themselves.  We are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy. People of the Dawnland, or People of the First Light. This area includes areas of NS, NB, PEI, eastern Quebec, and Maine. Made up of these nations Abenaki, Mi’kmaw, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Wolastoqiyik …”

Pieter holds the Wolasatoqey Nation flag to be placed at the grave of Sanford Steven Saulis. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After I’d contacted Conrad to ask if the Wolastoqey used the same flag as the Mi’Kmaq, he replied that “….the Wolastoqey (we no longer recognize the term Maliseet) Nation is a distinct Nation of Peoples from the Mi’Kmaq much like the Portuguese are distinct from the Spanish yet have similar linguistic aspects. My Nation, along with the Mi’Kmaq, are two of the many First Nations that make up the Wabanaki Confederacy along with other Nations such as the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and other First Nation of the northeast seaboard as far as Manhattan.

Our Wolastoq Ancestors named our peoples after the Wolastoq river since it was a primary provider of water, fish and other foods including fiddleheads (mahsos) that grow along the river banks.  Our Ancestral lands intersect with the Mi’Kmaq through the central portions of NB covering the entirety of the Wolastoq River (St John River) from St. John to Rivere du Loup (St Lawrence) west towards Quebec City.…”

Conrad then arranged to send a flag for his uncle’s grave, saying that  “…the flag is courtesy of Grand Chief Ron Tremblay – a fellow Wolastoqey Nation citizen and designer of the flag….” and represents “…a muskrat swimming in front of the two in the canoe which was our primary means of transportation during Ancestral times…..”  

….80th Anniversary pins received…

  • Wendy Sewell, Assistant Defence Attaché, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canada – 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands pins
  • Gerry Blom, Owner/Operator of the Dutch Truck – 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands pins

Thank you to everyone who provided flags and pins.  Over the next several postings, we’ll share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail….and how the flags were placed at the various cemeteries along our journey of remembrance.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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

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

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‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ Is Not Forgotten By Readers

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October 17, 2022. We very much appreciate hearing from readers of ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’.  We love seeing the photos that you send, your feedback, and where possible, having the opportunity to meet you.

…We love meeting readers of our book!….

Janet Fitzgerald with book

Janet FitzGerald with book. (Photo courtesy of Janet FitzGerald)

Janet FitzGerald wrote to say that “….the work you two are doing is so important and amazing.  I am reading your book and loving every story in it.  May you both be blessed for the precious work you are doing….”

Janet’s uncle, WW2 airman Rowan Charles ‘Bunky’ FITZGERALD of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was on the last flight of Halifax W1175 of the 405th Squadron when it was hit by shellfire and crashed onto a sandbank in the Wadden Sea off the Dutch coast on June 28, 1942.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-well-never-forget-uncle-bunky/)

CIMG5812 Sep 12 2022 Simone Comeau and Daria with book

Simone Comeau with book. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We first met Simone Comeau and her sister Jacqueline in 2018 while researching a tragic drowning in which her uncle lost his life.  On a recent trip to Nova Scotia, we had a chance to meet up with Simone again.

Simone’s uncle, WW2 soldier Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, from Lower Saulnierville, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident on the Leda River during the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-3/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-linking-the-past-with-the-present/)

…A short interview in North Bay….

In May we were in North Bay, Ontario for an Author Talk. I was interviewed by Clarke Heipel of YOUR TV North Bay prior to the talk I gave at the North Bay Public Library in North Bay, Ontario on May 19, 2022.

The Author Talk resulted in several postings about our North Bay visit and stories of several soldiers. Each posting in the North Bay series has links to previous stories. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/07/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-stretcher-bearer-whose-compassion-cost-him-his-life/)

At the time we hadn’t seen the interview, so we were very happy when Don Coutts received a copy of the interview clip.

Thank you to Simone Comeau and Janet FitzGerald for taking the time to share photos and comments.  Thank you to Don Coutts and YOUR TV North Bay for sharing the interview about the presentation in North Bay, Ontario.  Photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

…..Upcoming Presentation….

  • Friday, November 11, 2022 – Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, short presentation ‘They Aren’t Just Names On A Cenotaph’ during the Inter-Faith Remembrance Day service at the Borden-Carleton Legion. Time: Service begins at 9:55 am.

…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 OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope 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 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.

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

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

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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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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 WWI 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 WWI 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://onthewarmemorialtrail.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.

© Daria Valkenburg

Rememberance-Day-2020-Canada-5

..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/ 

Screenshot_2021-02-27 On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg

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 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/

Screenshot_2021-02-27 On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg

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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

…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/

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…..Our 2019 Visit To The Canadian War Cemetery In Holten

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October 8, 2019.  While in The Netherlands we visited the three Canadian War Cemeteries and laid down flags of Canada and PEI for the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, as well as other Islanders who have been identified by Dutch researchers.

The first Canadian War Cemetery we visited on the 2019 trip was in Holten.  (See On the War Memorial Trail ….. At Holten Canadian War Cemetery for an account of our 2017 visit.) On this visit we also were able to place flags on graves of soldiers that were identified by Pieter while doing research for photos and other information to help the researchers at the cemetery with their “A Face For Every Grave” project.

For some reason, we have never been able to visit the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten on a dry day.  We started off in beautiful sunshine, but as soon as we entered the gate into the cemetery, it started to rain.  At first we ignored the rain, and were rewarded with a downpour.  We got the message and went back to the car to wait for the rain to stop.

.… ‘Are you really from Canada?’….

While we waited we noticed that schoolchildren from an elementary school in nearby Holten were having a tour and explanation of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers in liberating The Netherlands during WWII.  We approached a teacher and asked if the children would like Canadian flag pins.  As soon as the children understood what was being offered, Pieter was mobbed!  “Are you really from Canada?” he was asked.

CIMG3191 Oct 3 2019 Pieter surrounded by children at Holten

Pieter handing out Canadian flag pins to children from a nearby elementary school at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

While handing out pins to the schoolchildren, the rain stopped and we returned to visit the graves.  We went through the gate into the cemetery and stopped to take a photo at the entrance.  No sooner had the photo been taken than it started to rain again, quite heavily! Back we went to the car.

CIMG3190 Oct 3 2019 Pieter by sign at Holten Cdn War Cemetery

Pieter at the entrance to the Holten Canadian War Cemetery. As soon as we took this photo, it started to rain! (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We were soon joined by Edwin van der Wolf and Henk Vincent of the Information Centre, Canadian War Cemetery Holten, and decided to go for lunch in the hope that the sun would come out later.  We’d visited the Information Centre in 2017 (See On the War Memorial Trail ….. At The Information Centre at Holten Canadian War Cemetery) but it closed at the beginning of October for several months for expansion of the facility and preparation of digital innovations, such as holographic stories of various soldiers.

CIMG3194 Oct 3 2019 Lunch at Grand Cafe in Holten

At Grand Café in Holten. Left to right: Daria Valkenburg, Pieter Valkenburg, Edwin van der Wolf, Henk Vincent.

After a nice visit and lunch, the sun began peeking out from the clouds and it started to dry up, so a third attempt was made at placing flags at the cemetery.  This time we were joined by Edwin and Henk.  Again, however, we no sooner came past the gate than it started to rain.  This time we kept on going, and the four of us managed to place 33 flags and take photos of each grave…. in the rain.

CIMG3219 Oct 3 2019 Holten Carmen Gillcash

Edwin van der Wolf, Henk Vincent, and Pieter by the grave of Carman Gillcash of O’Leary. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

.… 33 flags were placed in Holten….

Flags of Canada and Prince Edward Island were placed at the graves of the following Islanders:

  • Alfred ARSENAULT, born in Urbanville
  • Frederick Charles CHEVERIE, born in Summerside
  • Nelson DESROCHES, born in Tignish
  • Harald FRASER, born in Vernon Bridge
  • Frank GALLANT, born in Mount Carmel
  • Carman Edward GILLCASH, born in O’Leary
  • Maurice J. HUGHES, born in Charlottetown
  • Francis E. LAWLESS, born in Grand Tracadie
  • Neal F. MACDONALD, born in North Wiltshire
  • Daniel Peter MACKENZIE, born in Summerville
  • Ruel Kitchener MATHESON, born in Charlottetown
  • John B. MATTHEW, born in Souris
  • Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, born in Montague
  • John A. MCLAREN, born in Armadale
  • George Martin MCMAHON, born in Kinkora
  • William Douglas SHERREN, born in Crapaud
  • Charles Borden TUPLIN, born in Kensington
  • Archibald H. NELSON, born in Charlottetown

Flags of Canada and Nova Scotia were placed at the graves of the following soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment:

  • Joseph ‘Ambroise’ COMEAU, born in Lower Saulnierville
  • Gordon Frederick JOHNSON, born in Truro
  • Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, born in Sydney Mines
  • Lloyd William MURRAY, born in Tatamagouche

A flag of Canada was placed at the graves of the following soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, who were not from Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island:

  • Allan ‘Gordon’ COUTTS, born in Saskatchewan
  • Howard Milo NICHOLLS, born in Mattawa, Ontario
  • Gunnar DALMAN, born in Saskatchewan

Edwin van der Wolf researched a tragic story of Canadian soldiers murdered in cold blood by German soldiers on April 9, 1945 while they were sleeping in tents in Sögel, Germany, and Canadian flags were placed in honour of these men as well:

  • Karl CHRISTENSEN of Alberta
  • Louis FELDMANN of Ontario
  • Lewis GALLANT of Manitoba
  • Thomas F. GREENHALGH of Alberta
  • John D. MCDOUGALL of Manitoba
  • Harlow D. RANKIN of Ontario
  • Franklin ZIMMERMAN of Ontario

A flag was also placed for a soldier with the 23rd Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, who was killed in action in Sögel on April 10, 1945.

  • Victor HUBACHECK of Ontario

Placing flags is the easiest part of a cemetery visit.  Gathering flags to bring from Canada is an event in itself, involving many people who provided them.  Our thanks go to:

  • the office of Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island for Canada flags and pins
  • the office of Senator Mike Duffy, Senate of Canada for Canada flags and pins
  • Mary McQuaid of Veterans Affairs Canada for arranging for us to have PEI flags
  • John Wales of North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum for making a trip to the Island to drop off Nova Scotia flags.
CIMG3047 Jul 24 2019 John Wales with NS flags

John Wales of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum dropped of Nova Scotia flags to be placed at graves in The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

If anyone has more information to share on any of the soldiers listed above, or know of more Islanders buried in the cemetery in Holten, 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 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. 

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