Liberation 75 of The Netherlands

A Taste Of The Netherlands In A Cookie

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments
CIMG3185 Sep 30 2019 Leeuwarden with Pieter Daria Douwe Alexander

Enjoying a Frisian cookie and  coffee in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands! Left to right: Alexander Tuinhout, Pieter and Daria Valkenburg, Douwe Drijver.

May 11, 2020.  Note:  This posting has NOTHING to do with military research, but as we are still at home due to Covid-19, I thought you might find it of interest. 

Last fall, while in The Netherlands, we were in a restaurant in the province of Friesland with two men from the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation.  In The Netherlands, when you order a cup of coffee or tea, it ALWAYS comes accompanied with a cookie.  In this restaurant it came with a traditional Frisian cookie.  After I raved about it, we went to a bakery near the restaurant, and the cookies were pointed out to me.  Naturally I bought a bag.

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Once we came home, Pieter found a recipe, made these delicious treats, and translated the recipe into English.  In honour of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands, here is the recipe, which you may wish to try for yourselves:

Fryse Dumkes

  • 250 grams (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 150 grams (3/4 cup) golden yellow sugar
  • 150 grams (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 egg
  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) finely chopped hazelnuts (not ground)
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp powdered ginger
  • ¾ tsp anise seed
  • Pinch of salt

Mix together flour, sugar, hazelnuts, spices, and salt in a large bowl.

Make a well in the centre and add the butter and egg.

Mix thoroughly until you get a ball of dough.

Cover dough with plastic or a plate and refrigerate for ½ hour.

After ½ hour, sprinkle some flour on a surface and roll out dough into a rectangular shape that is 1 cm (slightly less than ½ inch) thick.

Cut out shapes about the size of your thumb (such as in little sticks).

Prepare cookie tin with parchment paper and place cookies on tin.  Makes about 35 cookies.

Bake in a preheated 320oF (160oC) oven for 20 to 25 minutes.  Remove from oven.

Let cool, and then enjoy!  If any cookies are left, store in a tin.

Happy Baking!

20200503_150233 Frisian cookies

Fryske Dumkes ready to be enjoyed.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Rest assured….Pieter is still busy with researching Canadian soldiers, so if you have information to share, please contact him at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

3 Short Videos About The Liberation Of The Netherlands

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May 6, 2020.  In the last blog posting, photos about the tulips that were placed in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek were featured.  (See Tulips Placed At Each Grave At The Canadian War Cemetery In Groesbeek)

Alice van Bekkum, Chair of Faces To Graves, sent us a short YouTube video “Er zijn duizenden tulpen op de Canadese Erebegraafplaats geplaatst” (“Thousands of tulips have been placed in the Canadian War Cemetery”) that shows tulips being placed on the graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek by volunteers.  You can watch it here:

Historica Canada has produced a short video,  “Liberation of The Netherlands“ in their Heritage Minutes series.

 

“Think Like A Historian“, another Historica Canada production, also has a YouTube video on the Liberation of The Netherlands.

 

Happy Viewing!  If you have information to share about Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

Tulips Placed At Each Grave At The Canadian War Cemetery In Groesbeek

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speldje bevrijding

May 5, 2020.  While events planned for the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands were cancelled due to social distancing to prevent further outbreaks of coronavirus, organizations and individuals have found ways to mark the occasion.  One group from BC, the Dutch Canadian Liberation 2020 Society, planned many commemorative events.  (See https://www.dutchcanada2020.com/about-us/ )

When these had to be cancelled, the Society decided to pay for tulips to be placed at the graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  Most of the soldiers buried in this cemetery fell during the fighting on the Lower Rhine between February 8 and March 26, 1945.  In addition, the names of 1,103 soldiers reported missing between August 1944 and May 1945 are listed on the Groesbeek Memorial, with only a few found since the memorial was put up.  The rest are still listed as MIA (Missing In Action).

The Cemetery was closed on the first two days in May while volunteers placed tulips in vases beside each grave.

Tulips arriving at groesbeek on may 1st spanjers

Tulips arrive at the Cemetery on May 1.  (Photo credit: Piet Spanjers)

close up of tulip by grave in groesbeek spanjers

Each grave had a vase of tulips placed by volunteers.  (Photo credit: Piet Spanjers)

Memorial Wall scheepers

Vases of tulips line the bench along the Memorial Wall.  (Photo credit:  Scheepers family)

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Grave of L/Cpl Ralph Schurman BOULTER, North Nova Scotia Highlanders, from West Point. (Photo credit:  Scheepers family)

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Grave of PEI soldier Sapper Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY, Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, from Morrell. (Photo credit: Scheepers family)

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Grave of L/Cpl Frank Edward MCGOVERN, North Shore Regiment, born in Chipman. (Photo credit:  Scheepers family)

Our thanks to Ad and Noor Scheepers for taking photos, including those of the graves of:

  • Ralph Schurman BOULTER, who came from West Point, Prince Edward Island
  • Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY, who came from Morrell, Prince Edward Island
  • Frank Edward MCGOVERN, born in Chipman, New Brunswick

You can read (or re-read!) about our 2019 and 2017 War Memorial tour visits to the cemetery here:

·       https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/12/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-our-2019-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/

·     https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/12/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-pei-soldiers-buried-in-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/

·        https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/12/25/on-the-war-memorial-trail-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/

In an unrelated commemorative gesture, a group of Dutch farmers used tractors to spell out ’75 Jaar Vrijheid’ (75 Years of Freedom) in the shape of a torch. They were given a citation by Dutch authorities for not respecting social distancing rules! (Watch them make this tribute in a 42 second video at https://www.nu.nl/280619/video/boeren-vormen-fakkel-met-trekkers-in-wei-en-ontsteken-vrijheidsvuur.html?jwsource=em)

No photos have yet been found for Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY and Frank Edward MCGOVERN. Can you help? If you have information to share about any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.  UPDATE:  A photo of Joseph Edmond Hennebery was subsequently submitted.

© 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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New Website On Canadian Scottish Regiment During WW2

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   speldje bevrijdingMay 4, 2020.  As the Dutch remember the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of The Netherlands, this year without any public gatherings and events cancelled due to social distancing to prevent further outbreaks of coronavirus, Edwin van der Wolf of Hattem, The Netherlands, notified us about a website he’s begun.  This labour of love is about the 394 fallen soldiers of the Canadian Scottish Regiment during WW 2, a regiment from Victoria, BC.

The website is in Dutch and English, and includes maps, war diaries, a brief history of the regiment, photos, brief biographies of the fallen soldiers, and the cemeteries they are buried in. You can access the website at https://www.csri.nl/.

We first met Edwin on our 2017 War Memorial Tour, when we visited the graves and monuments of most of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  In addition to his research into the Canadian Scottish Regiment, Edwin is an active researcher at the Holten Information Centre based at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-at-the-information-centre-at-holten-canadian-war-cemetery/ for an account of our visit there.)

Back in 2017, we asked him about his interest in Canadian soldiers and he told us that he feels a special bond with Canada.  He explained that his grandfather lived in an area of Deventer that was liberated by Canadians. “My grandfather lived in a house in a corner of the street, and he could see a hospital fence 100 metres away.  Canadian soldiers climbed the iron gate and, in a crouching position, walked past a couple of Germans who were on the roof and firing at the Canadians who’d climbed over the gate.  The Germans withdrew as the Canadians advanced.  Grandfather told this story every Sunday!”  This story captured a young Edwin’s imagination.  “So many Canadians came from thousands of kms away to help liberate the Dutch!”

CIMG9320 Edwin van der Wolf and Pieter in Schalkhaar

Edwin van der Wolf (left) with Pieter in Schalkhaar beside a panel commemorating Lt. Clayton Leroy MITCHELL of the Canadian Scottish Regiment, who lost his life on April 10, 1945.  The panel was placed at Edwin’s initiative.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

One of the places where the Canadian Scottish Regiment fought was in Schalkhaar, near Deventer.  Edwin took us on a tour of the village and told us one story about what happened there on April 10, 1945…

“The Canadians were in a villa in Schalkhaar and saw Germans coming up the road, crawling through ditches.  After the Canadians shot at them from the villa, about 25 Germans came with a white flag and surrendered themselves as prisoners of war.  The Canadians thought that was the end of the incident, but then three tanks of Germans came and shot at them right through the villa.  Corporal Frank Arthur CHERRY was killed in that villa.”

You can find more about Lt Mitchell and Cpl Cherry on the website, along with 392 more soldiers.  Both men were killed during the Battle of Deventer and are buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. Kudos to Edwin for this initiative!

If you have information to share about any Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

Dutch Kings Day Is A Reminder Of The Upcoming Liberation Of The Netherlands Anniversary

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kings day

April 27, 2020.  Today is Kings Day (Koningsdag) in The Netherlands, the national holiday in that country, equivalent to our Canada Day on July 1.  It celebrates the birthday of the Dutch King Willem-Alexander.  Normally there are lots of activities, but with social distancing due to the coronavirus, events have been cancelled, and people have been asked to celebrate at home.

20200427_124326 Apr 27 2020 Pieter with Dutch flag

On a windy Island, Pieter has to hang on to the Dutch flag for dear life! (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Here on the Island, a proud Dutch-born Pieter put out the Dutch flag by our garage and held on to it long enough to take a photo before the wind whipped it around the pole.  The day is a reminder of next week’s 75th Liberation of The Netherlands on May 5.  Most events have been cancelled or curtailed, but the day will still be marked.

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Cartoon found on geheugenvannederland.nl

Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Face To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, has advised that stories and photos collected on those buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek are now online at www.facestograves.nl. She will be interviewed by CBC Calgary reporter Erin Collins on May 5.  (For more information see: Press Release Digital Monument May 2020)

Readers of this blog are aware of Pieter’s efforts to help the Foundation and other researchers with photos and stories about Prince Edward Island soldiers buried in The Netherlands. (See Photos and Info Requested For WW2 Soldiers From PEI Buried In The Netherlands)

Of the Islanders buried in Groesbeek, photos for all but two have been found.  Still missing photos are two who lost their lives in 1945:

  1. Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY, born in Morell, was with the Royal Canadian Engineers -33rd Field Company. He died on April 20, 1945, aged 25.  UPDATE: Photo found!
  2. Barney Ruben MCGUIGAN, born in St. Peter’s, son of Thomas and Sadie McGuigan, was with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. He died on February 26, 1945, aged 17.  UPDATE: Photo found!

If you have photos or information to share about Henneberry, McGuigan, or other 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/

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

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

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

Liberation 75 Commemoration Event At Province House

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Logo

September 17, 2019. The Netherlands was fully liberated in 1945 (part was liberated in 1944), and next year marks their 75th year of commemoration.  In recognition of the role Canadians had in their liberation during WW2, the Dutch are donating 1.1 million ‘Liberation 75’ tulips to remember the 1.1 million Canadians who served in WW2. 750 bulbs will go to each Lieutenant Governor, the Governor General, and the Territorial Commissioners.  In addition, 1,100 schools will receive 75 bulbs each, plus an educational program to explain the role Canada played in liberating The Netherlands.

The first stop on this cross-country launch was in Prince Edward Island, when Ambassador of The Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada, His Excellency Henk van der Zwan, presented Her Honour The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, with a box of tulips at a special event at Province House.  Invitees included WW2 veterans, and members of PEI Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Branch #1 Charlottetown Legion.  As a retired member of the Dutch Diplomatic Service and the Dutch Air Force, Pieter was also invited.  He was honoured to be included, given the work he is doing with the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project.

Invite

One of the WW2 veterans we spoke to before the event began was 95 year old Blanche Bennett, who we had met two years earlier, at the Senate of Canada 150 Medal Ceremony.  (See Recognition)  Mrs. Bennett quickly reminded us of that prior meeting, and told us about her trips to The Netherlands.  She explained that during the war, she had joined the Canadian Army and was stationed in Halifax, working as a switchboard operator.  “I’d do it again if I could” she said.

CIMG3157 Sep 16 2019 Liberation 75 Blanche Bennett Barbara Spence with Pieter

Blanche Bennett, seated, with her daughter Barbara Spence, and Pieter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In his remarks, Ambassador Van der Zwan explained that “the people of The Netherlands wanted to commemorate the role Canada played in liberating The Netherlands and in providing the Dutch Royal Family a safe haven in Ottawa.”  Crown Princess Juliana stayed in Ottawa with her children during the war.   Why Ottawa? Dutch Queen Wilhelmina and the wife of the Governor General of Canada were cousins.  After the war ended in 1945, the Dutch Royal Family donated 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada as a thank you gift.  Since then, The Netherlands has presented Canada with 20,000 bulbs annually.

CIMG3162 Sep 16 2019 Liberation 75 Ceremonial Planting

Ceremonial planting at Province House with Lt Gov Antoinette Perry, Ambassador Van der Zwan, WW2 veterans, and Legion members. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

After a ceremonial planting at Province House, Lt Governor Perry explained that the new bed for the Liberation 75 tulips was carefully chosen so that it pointed towards The Netherlands!

Ambassador Van der Zwan shared a story about his mother’s experience with Canadian troops on April 15, 1945.  “My mother was born in 1933 in Leeuwarden, and remembered Canadian troops driving through the city.  It’s when she had her first taste of chocolate and chewing gum!”  Leeuwarden, in the province of Friesland, was liberated by the Royal Canadian Dragoons.  (See https://www.intelligencer.ca/news/local-news/royal-canadian-dragoons-celebrate-liberation-of-leeuwarden-with-dutch-ambassador-to-canada/wcm/7dea7e30-e6bd-42c4-9491-ae5552e497ae and http://www.petawawapostlive.ca/stories_site/april2019/april18/leeuwarden.html#)

The official part of the event over, everyone had time to visit and chat with each other.

CIMG3169 Sep 16 2019 Liberation 75 Pieter John Ambassador Duane

Left to right: Pieter, John Yeo Chair of PEI Command Royal Canadian Legion, Dutch Ambassador Henk van der Zwan, Duane MacEwen President of PEI Command Royal Canadian Legion. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3172 Sep 16 2019 Liberation 75 Pieter with Lt Gov Perry

Pieter with Lt Governor Antoinette Perry. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

If you have a story to share about the Liberation of Holland, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.   Please note that we are still looking for photos of 10 names listed on the Cenotaph from WW1.  See Appeal For Relatives Of These WW1 Casualties! for more information.

 © Daria Valkenburg