Lorne Scots – Ground Defence Platoon

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Caledonia Who Lost His Life During The Struggle To Capture The Goch-Calcar Road

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

Sign for the community of Caledonia, Queen’s County, Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

February 19, 2026. As Pieter works his way through the various photo wish lists he receives from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, he tends to be methodical.  Occasionally, however, he decides to throw a ‘wild card’ and asks me to choose a soldier to research. 

My process is definitely not methodical – I pick a soldier based on something that triggers a memory – either through a surname or place of residence or even because Pieter previously researched a soldier from the same Regiment who lost his life on the same day. This time around, I chose a soldier who came from Caledonia, Nova Scotia. Why? I remembered that when I was in school and we studied British history that Scotland was often referred to as Caledonia, its Latin name during the Roman period. Caledonia made me think of my late mother, who loved anything Scottish.  (See https://www.britannica.com/place/Caledonia-ancient-region-Britain)

….The search for family of William Owen Seldon was successful…

Caledonia, located in Queens County, Nova Scotia is 151 kms (94 miles) from Halifax. (Map source: Google maps)

Pieter just shook his head, but dutifully began his research into William Owen SELDON, born January 2, 1917 in Caledonia, Nova Scotia, son of Roland Chivers and Effie Bond (nee Doggett) Seldon.  William had lost his life in Germany on February 19, 1945 while serving with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment).

It wasn’t long before Pieter was in contact with retired schoolteacher, Wilma Shupe, the daughter of William’s sister Rhoda Irene Forrest….and received a photo from her. Wilma explained that “…My mother always called him William.  They were very close.  They went to dances together as he could drive, and he used a truck with a flat bed, like was used for hauling logs, etc.  They would pick up people along the way and go to dances in a neighbouring community...”

William Owen Seldon.  (Photo courtesy of the Seldon Family)

In addition to his sister Rhoda, William had a brother, George Roland, and another sister, Roseanna May.  “…Two nephews were named for him.  Rose and George, his younger siblings, named their sons after him…” Wilma noted.  “….The farm where William grew up was purchased by Dutch immigrants in the 1950s and are well known to this day as Van Dyk blueberries…” (See https://vandykblueberries.ca/)

….William enlisted in 1942…

William originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 6 NRMA Clearing Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 24, 1942 and joined the 54th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) in Bedford, Nova Scotia. At the time, he stated that he’d left school at the age of 17 after completing Grade 9, and had been working ever since.   (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

Wilma had mentioned that “…William worked in the woods and on the family farm before he enlisted…”

His personnel file for his occupational background noted that he had been “…driving horses for 6 months. Truck driver for 3 months.  Gold miner for 1 ½ years and coal mining for 3 or 4 years. …Can operate car and truck and effect minor repairs….”

His interests included “…playing softball, dancing, movies, fishing, playing cards, and recitation and dialogue…”

On November 5, 1942, William enlisted in the Active Army with the 54th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA). 

….William served in Newfoundland…

After completing his basic training, William was transferred on August 6, 1943 to the 25th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, based in St. John’s-Torbay, Newfoundland as part of Atlantic Command, and tasked with strengthening and administering home defence facilities on Canada’s Atlantic Coast and Newfoundland.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Command_(Canadian_Army))

Before travelling to Newfoundland, however, he received a furlough from August 6 to 23, 1943. (NOTE: Newfoundland and Labrador became part of Canada on March 31, 1949.)

….William briefly returned to Canada before travelling overseas…

William remained in Newfoundland until April 26, 1944, when he was transferred to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Then, on May 20, 1944, he was reallocated to the No. 1 Training Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC) in Debert, Nova Scotia, and received further training before being transferred to the Training Brigade Group in preparation for overseas service.

….William left Canada for overseas service …

On July 19, 1944, William left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on July 27, 1944, where he was placed with No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

The following day after arrival he was interviewed and recommended for training as a Driver I/C for the Infantry.  (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.) However, that training never happened, as a few weeks later he was transferred to the X4 Reinforcement List for the Royal Regiment of Canada, part of 21st Army Group, on August 10, 1944 and sent to France the following day, arriving on August 12, 1944.

In France he was transferred to the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada on August 15, 1944, joining them as preparations were made for the upcoming Battle of Falaise Gap.  On August 18, 1944, he was sent to HQ No. 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB).

William was wounded in his right leg by mortar fire on August 22, 1944, and taken to No. 102 Field Dressing Station (FDS).   After being discharged on September 11, 1944, he was put on the X4 Reinforcement List of the 13th Battalion, where he remained until November 28, 1944, when he was transferred to No. 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB) Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots Regiment), joining them in The Netherlands. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Canadian_Infantry_Brigade) 

Then, on January 19, 1945, he was transferred to the 4th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots Regiment). The Lorne Scots role was to mobilize units to fulfill defence and employment requirements for the Canadian Army. This included various support roles, focusing on logistical and defensive operations rather than front-line combat.

….William was attached to the Essex Scottish Regiment for an attack on the Goch-Calcar Road …

Although officially with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment), William was attached, for all purposes, to the Essex Scottish Regiment on February 8, 1945.  On February 16, 1945, the Essex Scottish Regiment left The Netherlands and crossed the border into Germany, at Kleve.  The following day, the war diary reported that the battalion “…moved off to an assembly area between Kleve and Calcar….” in preparation for an attack on the Goch-Calcar Road, which was subsequently delayed until February 19, 1945. (Calcar in English is Kalkar in German)

….Heavy fighting along the Goch-Calcar Road proved deadly….

Moyland Wood and the Goch-Calcar Road, 16-21 February 1945 (Map source: HyperWar: The Victory Campaign [Chapter 18] ibiblio.org)

An account of the role played by No. 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade during the struggle for the Goch-Calcar Road on February 19-20, 1945 was provided by Brigadier Frederick Norman CABELDU on February 28, 1945.  (See https://matthewkbarrett.com/2024/07/17/brig-f-n-cabeldu/)

His report began by stating that “…prior to the attack made by 4 Cdn Inf Bde on 19 Feb 1945, the enemy controlled the main Goch-Calcar road, southwest of Calcar…The enemy held a line on the outskirts of Calcar that included Moyland,…” a wooded area, “…and that continued to the southwest.  The latter portion of this line ran parallel to, and about a mile north-west of, the main Goch-Calcar road…”

A description of the attack, which began just after noon, followed.  “…The attack involved an advance over open country, and sufficient ‘Kangaroos’…were used….”  Kangaroos are turret-less tanks with a platform for carrying troops.

Things didn’t go according to plan, as “…movement over the soft ground was difficult and ….several ‘Kangaroos’ and tanks became bogged down…”  They were sitting ducks. “…It soon became evident that the enemy had a screen of anti-tank defences, including many 88 mm guns…”  German positions were held by “…fresh troops of 12 Parachute Recce Regiment…” and in the rear of these positions were “…elements of Panzer Lehr Division….”

The Essex Scottish Regiment’s war diary for February 19, 1945 noted that the attack on the Goch-Calcar Road resulted in the Regiment fighting “….under a heavy hail of shrapnel and small arms fire. Casualties were fairly heavy….Communications were difficult. Vehicles became bogged in the soft mud, casualties were difficult to evacuate, and guns and ammunition could not get up where they were required. Battalion HQ moved into a group of buildings which were later surrounded and demolished by tanks…” 

William, who was attached to the Essex Scottish Regiment, was one of the fatal casualties that day.  Also killed in the attack on the Goch-Calcar Road, but on the following day, was Donald Roy CARTER.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-central-blissville-killed-along-the-goch-calcar-road/)

….William is buried in Groesbeek…

Grave of William Owen Seldon with Canadian and Nova Scotia flags placed by Pieter. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

William was initially buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany, before being reburied on September 11, 1945 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.   During our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, Pieter placed flags of Canada and Nova Scotia by his grave.

Pieter at the grave of William Owen Seldon after placing flags of Canada and Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….We met William’s family when we visited Caledonia…

We are always happy to meet family members of the soldiers that Pieter researches, and so we were delighted to have the chance to visit Caledonia and meet Wilma Shupe and her husband Tom.

Pieter with Wilma and Tom Shupe.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Tom and Wilma showed us the Cenotaph in Caledonia, on which William is listed on the Roll of Honour.

Tom and Wilma Shupe (left), with Pieter pointing to William Seldon’s name on the Roll of Honour on the Cenotaph in Caledonia.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Wilma and Tom Shupe for providing photos and information, and a warm welcome during our visit.

The flags that were placed by Pieter at William’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.

Pieter encourages readers with photos or stories of Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium to 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. 

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….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 5

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

January 27, 2021. Responses to the news clips on CTV’s Atlantic Live At 5 on January 4 and 13 continue to come in.  As mentioned in the previous 4 parts, Pieter is ensuring that every email is acknowledged, and that the photos of soldiers buried in The Netherlands are forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.

This posting features more of the photos submitted…..

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

William Herbert Bellamy

William Herbert Bellamy.  (Photo courtesy of the Bellamy Family)

On behalf of the Bellamy Family, Linda Fury submitted a photo of her uncle, William Herbert “Billy’ BELLAMY, explaining that “….There are about 150 members of our family now.  We hold reunions often and all know the story of our Uncle Bill.  He belonged to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and died in January 1945 while a prisoner in Germany.  Thanks so much for all you have done and are continuing to do.  Your work is very much appreciated by all of us….”

William Herbert ‘Billy’ was born on May 2, 1921 in Hereford, England, the son of Percy and Frances Bellamy.  In 1927 he immigrated to Canada with his family and settled in Midgic Station (now Midgic), New Brunswick.  Following his 18th birthday, he enlisted with the West Nova Scotia Highlanders on August 2, 1940 in Aldershot, Nova Scotia. On April 30, 1941 he transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and was on his way to England in July 1941.

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders were among the troops to land in Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944.  Unfortunately, on June 7, 1944 he was captured by the Germans in Normandy and became a prisoner of war (POW).  On August 13, 1944 he arrived at Stalag XII A [Limburg an der Lahn, Hessen, a POW transit camp] and then, on August 26, 1944 was transferred to Stalag Camp VIII B [Lamsdorf, Oberschlesien] near the German-Polish border.  On November 2, 1944 he was sent to the work camp E 902 Delbrückschächte Hindenburg where, along with other POWs, he worked in a nearby coal mine.

According to an account that a former POW sent after the war to Billy’s father, Billy was seriously injured on January 1, 1945 when the mine ceiling collapsed.  He was taken to hospital in Hindenburg (now Zabrze and part of Poland).  However, according to the POW record kept by his captors, he was seriously injured on November 23, 1944 and sent to a military hospital in Knurow (now Knurów, Poland). Curiously, the same injuries described as happening on January 1, 1945 were reported on the POW record as having occurred on November 23, 1944.

In January 1945 he died of his injuries. Records of the exact circumstances have not been found, likely due to advancing Russian troops.  His military service file lists his official date of death as January 28, 1945. On February 6, 1945, Billy was buried in the Municipal Cemetery of Teupitz (in the state of Brandenburg, Germany).  After the war ended he was reburied in the Heerstrasse British Cemetery in Berlin, and then in 1949 reburied for the final time in Holten.

Robert Cole

Robert Theodore Cole. (Photo courtesy of Emily Gilbert)

Ervin Ellis submitted a photo of Robert Theodore COLE, explaining that “…I was told by Kent Caldwell that you were looking for a picture of Robert Cole, WWII Veteran from Coles Island. A woman that I knew had close ties to that area.  She said the whole family was deceased but her first husband was part of that family, if anyone had any pictures it would be her.  She looked through her old pictures and by some sort of miracle she had pictures…”  This was Emily Gilbert.  Robert Cole was the nephew of her husband.

Born in Coles Island, New Brunswick, the son of Fred and Maria Cole, Robert enlisted in March 1940 and served in Canada and Labrador before going overseas in September 1943. He was in France by 1944, and also was with his regiment in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany.  He lost his life on April 21, 1945 during the Battle of Friesoythe in Germany while serving with the Lorne Scots – Ground Defence Platoon.

Ervin’s assistance was invaluable in putting a face to this soldier’s name! He went on to write Pieter that “….This is a great project you are working on, saw you on TV a couple of times. I am the Zone Commander for the legions in this area so I know them pretty good and their Cenotaphs. If I can help you any let me know…”  Needless to say, Pieter has taken Ervin up on his offer and is grateful for the help that he and Kent Caldwell have provided.

Joseph Gerald Fougere

Joseph Gerald Fougere. (Photo submitted by Doug Landry)

Gerald Douglas ‘Doug’ Landry submitted a photo of his uncle, Joseph ‘Gerald’ FOUGERE, explaining that he was “….born in Poulamon, Nova Scotia, the only son of Felix and Josephine (Marchand) Fougere. Gerald had three sisters: Evelyn, married to Thomas Sampson; Anita, married to Val Poirier; and Theresa, married to James W. Landry….”

Doug went on to write that “…Gerald was with the Perth Regiment.  He was dangerously wounded in action on April 24th, 1945 and died of wounds on April 26th, 1945 at the age of 28 years, 11 months….” He lost his life during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket.

Soldiers Buried In Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium

Arthur Jack Taylor

Arthur ‘Jack’ Taylor.  (Photo courtesy of the Taylor Family)

On behalf of the Taylor family, Art Taylor submitted a photo of his uncle, Arthur Brambel ‘Jack’ TAYLOR, explaining that “…My father and his four brothers, from the small town of Woodstock, New Brunswick, all served in WWII.  Three saw action.  My father (John Taylor) was in the Royal Canadian Navy and escorted convoys to Europe.  His two brothers were in the army.  Russell Taylor fought into Holland and survived.  His other brother Arthur ‘Jack’ Taylor was with the Winnipeg Rifles.  He was killed at the Leopold Canal on October 12, 1944.  He is buried at the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.  He was 26 years old…”

Jack was a rifleman, killed during Operation Switchback, part of the Battle of the Scheldt.  A Wikipedia article explains that “….October 10, 11, and 12 were days of intense struggle while the men of the 7th Brigade with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles took, lost and then retook a group of houses known as Graaf Jan and the Regina Rifles found themselves pinned down by a group of well dug-in pillboxes that seemed to be resilient to artillery…” (For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt#Operation_Switchback) Jack was initially buried in Madelgem before being reburied in Adegem.

Thank you to Ervin Ellis, Emily Gilbert, Doug Landy, Linda Fury, and Art Taylor for sharing photos and anecdotes.  Kudos to CTV’s Atlantic Live At 5 for helping to get the word out on this quest of remembrance. Atlantic Canadians remember their loved ones who are buried overseas.  Pieter and I extend our condolences to Ervin Ellis, who sadly lost his wife on January 20.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 6! If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…..Previous postings in the Atlantic Canada Remembers series….

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

…Want to follow our research?…

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following 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.

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