Michael Joseph MCKENNA

On The War Memorial Trail…..The Knights of Columbus Auxiliary Services Supervisor Who Drowned In A Belgian Canal

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

December 21, 2025. Pieter’s research results are faster than I can keep up with, and so several of the graves we visited during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour were for soldiers whose stories have yet to be told. One of the cemeteries we visited was the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/12/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-visit-to-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-adegem/) 

Before we left for Europe this past spring, we looked at the names of 12 soldiers from Prince Edward Island are buried in this cemetery. One surname was familiar as we had researched a soldier who was born in the same village and had the same surname,  Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MACKENNA. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/09/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-prince-edward-island-killed-during-the-battle-of-rha/) We contacted Joe MacKenna’s niece, Teresa Hennebery, and asked if there was a family connection.

 ….The search for a photo of Joseph began…

Teresa was certain the families were distantly related and began a search into family records.  In the meantime, Pieter began his own research.    

Joseph Augustine MACKENNA, born June 28, 1903 in Newton Cross, Prince Edward Island, was the son of James and Georgina (nee MacMillan) MacKenna of Newtown, Prince Edward Island, and the husband of Mary (nee Hanrahan) MacKenna, of Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

When he enlisted with the 13th Company of the Canadian Army Forestry Corps (CAFC) in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 2, 1940, he had been a bank manager with the Royal Bank of Canada, and had over 20 years of banking experience.  It was also noted that he had graduated from high school, was married, and was the father of three daughters:  Mary Eileen, Alice Clare, and Enid Gertrude.

His daughter Mary Eileen later married Cliff Gorman, and it was their son Mike Gorman who first provided a photo of his grandfather. Not long afterwards, Mary McPherson, daughter of Joseph’s brother Francis, also provided photos of her uncle.

Joseph Augustine MacKenna, likely taken in the United Kingdom.  (Photo courtesy of Mike Gorman)

 ….Joseph underwent basic training in Valcartier…

Joseph was sent to A13 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Valcartier, Quebec for basic training, as were all members of the Canadian Army Forestry Corps, whose role was to cut down and process trees for wood and lumber in the United Kingdom. 

As stated in an article on http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/corpsbranches/forestrycorps.htm  “…wood was needed for living quarters, messes, and recreation facilities, as well as crates for vital supplies such as food, ammunition and even vehicles, and for the creation of explosives, stocks for weapons, the construction of ships, aircraft and factory facilities….”

Although members of the CAFC were not expected to be in combat, very rudimentary basic training in using firearms was considered essential due to the threat to the United Kingdom of invasion by German forces.  As a result, members of CAFC “…received five to seven months of training…” at Valcartier.

On January 15, 1941, while still in Valcartier, Joseph was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal.  A few months later, on April 10, 1941, he was confirmed as Lance Corporal, and at the same time transferred to a Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) unit that was attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps Headquarters.  He was a few months short of his 38th birthday, and while he likely was seen as finding active logging work a challenge, his extensive banking and administrative experience was considered a valuable asset.  

Joseph remained in Valcartier, assigned temporarily to No. 12, No. 14, and No. 19 Companies as needed. 

He was granted embarkation leave from May 23 to June 5, 1941, the last chance he had to see his family again.

….Joseph left Canada for overseas service….

Joseph left Canada for the United Kingdom on June 18, 1941, sailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, disembarking in Gourock, Scotland on July 2, 1941, before moving on to Canadian Army Forestry Corps Headquarters in Beauly, Scotland. 

August 1941 photo of staff at CAFC HQ in Beauly, Scotland.  Joseph Augustine MacKenna is identified by yellow arrows.  (Photo courtesy of Mary McPherson)

While in Scotland, Joseph received a number of promotions.  On September 2, 1941 he was made Acting Sergeant, and classified as a Clerk Class III, Group C.  He was confirmed in the rank of Sergeant on December 2, 1941.

On July 1, 1942, Joseph was promoted to Staff Sergeant, and a month later promoted again to Acting Quarter Master Sergeant.  On November 1, 1942 he was confirmed in the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant.

Part of an August 1943 photo of staff at CAFC HQ in Beauly, Scotland.  Joseph Augustine MacKenna is identified by red arrow.  (Photo courtesy of Mary McPherson)

Joseph was transferred to the Canadian Army Forestry Corps Headquarters in London, England on September 28, 1943, and requested a demotion to Sergeant on October 15, 1943.  Over the next months, he was posted back and forth ‘On Command’ between London and Camp Whitley in Surrey, England, as Acting Staff Sergeant.

 ….Joseph was appointed Auxiliary Services Supervisor…

On July 18, 1944, Joseph was officially discharged from the Canadian Army and transferred to the Canadian Army Auxiliary Services (CAAS) upon receiving an appointment as Auxiliary Services Supervisor with the Canadian Military Headquarters in London.

What did Auxiliary Services do?  Members organized sports and dances, provided movies and concerts, reading and writing and recreation rooms, libraries, mobile canteens, and established leave hostels and information bureaus for troops on leave.

The Auxiliary Services section included four national volunteer service organizations: Canadian Legion War Services, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army Canadian War Services, and Canadian Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Overseas.  Joseph was with the Knights of Columbus.

Now a civilian employee of the government, as were all members of Auxiliary Services, Joseph was considered an officer, with equivalent rank of captain, and addressed as Supervisor. As an Auxiliary Services officer he wore a modified service uniform.

 ….Joseph waited for an assignment in Continental Europe…

Example of a dual drive truck.  (Photo courtesy of The Royal Canadian Artillery Museum)

As Allied troops moved through France following D-Day on June 6, 1944 and then into Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany, Auxiliary Services needed to plan for the support services needed as troops advanced. 

Joseph’s first task was to learn how to operate a Dual Drive truck with front wheel drive, an essential vehicle for the services that the Knights of Columbus would provide in France, Belgium, and The Netherlands, receiving his qualification in early August 1944.

On August 8, 1944, as a member of No. 11 Canadian Army Auxiliary Section (CAAS) Joseph was attached to No. 24 Canadian General Hospital in Horley, Surrey. It was a busy environment with wounded soldiers coming for treatment from the French front. He was there almost 8 months before being transferred to No. 1 Canadian General Reinforcement Unit (CGRU) on March 6, 1945, in preparation for a posting in North West Europe.

 ….Joseph was posted to Belgium…

On March 10, 1945, Joseph was transferred to the X4 General Reinforcement List of the 9th Battalion, leaving England and arriving in Belgium the following day. On March 13, 1945, he was assigned to the 14th Canadian Army Auxiliary Section (CAAS), which was attached to the 13th Canadian Base Reinforcement (CBR) Battalion.  This Battalion was part of the 13th Canadian Infantry Training Brigade, whose main role was administration and training for infantry reinforcements rather than a combat role in the field.

Joseph Augustine MacKenna, likely taken in Belgium. (Photo courtesy of Mary McPherson.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg.)

By the time Joseph arrived in Belgium, the country had been liberated since February 4, 1945.  At the time that Joseph arrived, the 14th CAAS, and 13th CBR Battalion, were based in Ghent, which had been liberated months earlier, on September 6, 1944. Among its’ other duties, the 13th CBR Battalion provided 14th CAAS with the supplies it required.

The Knights of Columbus recreation huts stated ‘Everybody Welcome, Everything Free’, providing services to soldiers regardless of race or religion. Travelling by truck to Knights of Columbus huts in Belgium and The Netherlands, Joseph transported supplies such as cigarettes, chocolates, and magazines, as well as equipment such as movie projectors and films. 

One of the many items provided to soldiers was stationery to allow them to write home to their family and friends.

Stationery provided to soldiers by the Knights of Columbus, with the logo showing Canadian symbols of the beaver and the maple leaf and the royal coat of arms at the top. (Photos source: Tales From The Supply Depot)

While Joseph was qualified to drive a truck, as an officer he was entitled to a driver who drove the vehicle in which they travelled to deliver supplies and equipment, before returning to Ghent for more supplies before the next journey.

 ….Mystery of what happened on June 12, 1945…

All went well with Joseph’s assignment with 14th CAAS until the evening of June 12, 1945, when he disappeared after arriving back in Ghent from a trip.  According to testimony by his driver, Private A. J. FONTAINE, after arriving at 14th CAAS in Ghent, “…we unloaded a movie projector and cigarettes and turned them in there.…” Joseph told him that he “…had other business to do here.  He told me to go and park the vehicle and to meet him at the Marguerite Café later.  On the way to Marguerite Café I stopped in at the American Café for a drink…. ”

Joseph met him at the American Café and they had a drink before going on to Marguerite Café, located at 230 Groendreef, at 7:30 pm. 

At the Marguerite Café Pte Fontaine stated that Joseph told the proprietor, Marguerite Cador, that “…I would occupy his room for the night there for that night and he would occupy another room across the canal he had already arranged for….”

They left the café together at 8 pm and crossed to the other side of the canal. Joseph then “…told me to return to the Marguerite Café to my room and to meet him the next morning at 14 Canadian Auxiliary Services Section at 1000 hours. I returned to the Marguerite Café, bought myself another drink and went to my room….”  It was the last time he saw Joseph.

Marguerite Cador, proprietor of Marguerite Café, testified that Pte Fontaine returned to the café “…15 or 20 minutes…” after they had left.  When she asked where Joseph was, he replied that “…I took him over the bridge to the other side of the canal and left him.  I gave him his bag before I left…”

When Joseph didn’t report for work the following day, Pte Fontaine returned to Marguerite Café “….at different times during the day and the same for the next two days. He always asked if I had seen Mr. MacKenna…” Where had Joseph gone?

 ….A body was found in a canal in Ghent…

On the morning of June 21, 1945, Sgt Alexander MATTHEW, special investigator for the Canadian Provost Corps (Military Police), 3rd Canadian Base Reinforcement Group, was informed by the Ghent Civil Police that “….the body of a soldier was in the canal at Ketelplein Bridge….” Sgt Matthew proceeded to the bridge.  “…I looked down from the bank of the canal and saw the body.  I could see that the uniform on it bore ‘Canada’ flashes …”

The local fire department retrieved the body and transported it to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital’s morgue, and the body was turned over to Quartermaster Sgt G. H. MACMILLAN, chief ward master at the hospital.  With Quartermaster Sgt MacMillan, Sgt Matthew stated that they “… searched his battle dress and obtained a wallet enclosing the identity card of Joseph Augustine MacKenna. There was also a sum of Dutch money…”   

Quartermaster Sgt MacMillan noted that the body was “…badly decomposed…”

Major J. D. DUFFIN, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Pathologist at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, performed an autopsy. His report noted that “…There were no marks of injury either on the clothes or on the skin….” The lungs “…were heavy, voluminous, and filled with dirty water…” leading Major Duffin to surmise that “…death was apparently due to drowning….” The only oddity was that the drowning appeared to have occurred “…an estimated 5 to 7 weeks previously…” and not the 9 days since Joseph had last been seen.

On June 29, 1945, a Court of Inquiry concluded that Joseph died an accidental death by drowning in a canal in Ghent, Belgium.  Although Joseph was last seen on the evening of June 12, 1945, his death was ‘arbitrarily determined’ to be June 20, 1945, and his death ‘confirmed’ on June 21, 1945.

 ….Joseph is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem…

Pieter stands behind the grave of Joseph Augustine MacKenna.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Joseph was buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium on June 24, 1945.  We visited his grave during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, and Pieter placed flags of Canada and Prince Edward Island at his grave. 

This was the second story written about a canal drowning in Ghent!  New Brunswick soldier Azade BOUDREAU also drowned in a canal in Ghent in 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/12/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-petit-rocher-nord-who-accidentally-drowned-in-a-belgian-canal/

….A surprise encounter in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

Amy Meunier (left) with Daria and Pieter at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.  (Photo credit: Ben Miller)

When Mike Gorman had learned that we would be in Europe for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, he mentioned that we might meet up with Amy Meunier, who works for Veterans Affairs.  “…Amy is my 1st cousin’s (Duane Gorman) ex…”

We didn’t think anything about it, but then, when we were at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands for the grave re-dedication ceremony for WWII soldier Arthur VANANCE of Kenora, Ontario, Paul Ledwell, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, was in attendance with several people from Veterans Affairs.  One of them was Amy!  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-kenora-who-lay-in-an-unknown-grave-for-80-years-part-2-the-grave-re-dedication-ceremony/)

Paul called Amy over and once she realized that we were the people that Mike had told her about, she said “…OMG, my son Levi will love this…”  This surprise encounter helped bridge the past with the present, helping to ensure that those buried overseas will not be forgotten.

The flags placed at Joseph’s grave were donated.  Our thanks go to: 

  • Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flag.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the flag from Prince Edward Island.

Thank you to Joseph’s grandson Mike Gorman and Joseph’s niece Mary McKenna MacPherson for sharing photos and information. Thank you also to Teresa Hennebery. We’ll continue to share the highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Tour. 

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

….Another Canadian Army Forestry Corps story….

This was the second story written on this blog about the CAFC.  Edgar M. GUITARD of New Brunswick also served in the Canadian Army Forestry Corps.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-lumberjack-from-belledune-killed-by-stray-mortar-fire-in-the-nijmegen-salient/

….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….2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition Part 6: Soldiers Killed In Battle In The Netherlands

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

September 14, 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 Europe 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.

Our visit coincided with The 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition, which ran for three weeks in May, showing photos of the soldiers by their graves. Visitors found it meaningful to see what the soldiers looked like.

—-Recap…..

In Part 1, soldiers who were killed near Posterenk in April 1945, 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 listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island, 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 two soldiers who lost their lives while travelling in military vehicles 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/)

In Part 4, the graves and photos of six soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Leer during Operation Duck were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-4-soldiers-who-drowned-during-operation-duck/)

In Part 5, the graves and photos of 8 Indigenous soldiers were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/09/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-holten-exhibition-part-5-indigenous-soldiers/)

…7 soldiers are commemorated…

Now, the 2025 Faces of Holten Exhibition series concludes in Part 6, as we feature the graves and photos of seven more soldiers, whose stories have previously been told, who lost their lives in battles in The Netherlands.

Grave of Clive Elbert Steele Gerow.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Clive Elbert Steele GEROW, from Burk’s Falls, Ontario, was killed in action during the liberation of Deventer in The Netherlands on April 10, 1945 while serving with the 27th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment), aged 30.  You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/10/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-burks-falls-killed-during-the-liberation-of-deventer/

Pieter by the grave of Carman Edward Gillcash. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Carman Edward GILLCASH, from Glenwood, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Cape Breton Highlanders when he lost his life on April 29, 1945 during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket in The Netherlands, aged 27. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-glenwood-killed-during-the-battle-of-the-delfzijl-pocket/

Daria and Pieter at the grave of Theodor ‘Ted’ Henschel. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

Theodor ‘Ted’ HENSCHEL, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but lived in Trail, British Columbia, was serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment when he was killed in action during the Battle for Wagenborgen in The Netherlands on April 22, 1945, aged 28. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-trail-who-played-the-cornet/

Just as Pieter finished placing flags at Ted’s grave, an elderly Dutch lady approached us, and asked if she could take our photo by the grave!  We were a bit confused, but then wondered if she thought that we were relatives.  Pieter explained to her that we were not relatives, but were placing flags at graves of soldiers that he had researched.  She wanted a photo anyways, and so it’s one of only two photos of the two of us together by a grave at one of the cemeteries!  (The other photo had been taken in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek by a Faces To Graves Groesbeek volunteer.)

Grave of Gordon Frederick Johnson. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Gordon Frederick JOHNSON, from Truro, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed in action, at the age of 33, on April 8, 1945, near Zutphen, The Netherlands, while trying to retrieve an anti-tank weapon that one of the members in his platoon had left behind. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-gordon-frederick-johnson-is-over/

Grave of Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ McKenna. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, from Newton Cross, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Queen’s Own Rifles when was killed in The Netherlands on April 5, 1945 during the Battle of Rha, at the age of 26. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/09/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-prince-edward-island-killed-during-the-battle-of-rha/

Grave of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN from Edmundston, New Brunswick, was serving with the the Carleton & York Regiment when he died from wounds received on April 13, 1945 during Operation Cannonshot in The Netherlands, aged 25. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-archie-was-a-good-guy/

When Pieter was researching Archie’s story back in 2023, we met with Archie’s nephew, Donald Moore, who gave Pieter a poppy pin, and asked if Pieter would place it at his uncle’s grave next time we visited the cemetery in Holten.  Shortly after the story was published in the fall of 2023, Donald passed away. 

Pieter never forgot Donald’s request, and when we were preparing for our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, the poppy travelled with us. On May 1, 2025, Pieter affixed Donald’s poppy pin onto Archie’s grave.

Pieter places the poppy pin from Donald Moore onto the gravestone of Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ McLean.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter by the grave of Charles Borden Tuplin. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Charles ‘Charlie’ Borden TUPLIN, from Indian River, Prince Edward Island, was serving with the Black Watch when he was fatally wounded in The Netherlands, and listed as having died on December 8, 1944, aged 34. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-from-indian-river/

….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.
  • Jean-Claude D’Amours, MLA for Edmundston-Madawaska Centre, Minister responsible for Military Affairs, with the help of Cécile LePage, Province of New Brunswick, for the New Brunswick flag.
  • Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, for the Prince Edward Island flag. 
  • Don Coutts on behalf of the Muttart and Coutts families in memory of Flight Sergeant Elmer Bagnall Muttart for the Ontario flag.
  • Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Government of Manitoba, on behalf of Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, for the Manitoba 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.

This concludes the 2025 Faces Of Holten Exhibition series, featuring soldiers whose stories have been previously told on this blog. But our adventures are not over, 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 WWII Soldier From Prince Edward Island Killed During The Battle Of Rha

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

September 22, 2022. When we did a story on Joseph ‘Joe’ Edmund HENNEBERY, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, his niece, Teresa Hennebery, mentioned that “…My mother Mary and I were in Holland in May 2001 for a commemoration ceremony for her brother (also named Joe) who was killed in Rha a couple of weeks before my other Uncle Joe died.  It was so beautiful and the people of Rha treated us like Royalty….”

Exif_JPEG_420

Teresa Hennebery (left) shared information on her uncle, Joe McKenna.  (Photo courtesy Valkenburg Family Collection)

Teresa was referring to her mother’s brother, Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, who also lost his life during WWII.  In addition to visiting the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Teresa and her late mother “… visited Holten Cemetery where Joe McKenna is buried…” (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/05/31/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-face-for-joseph-hennebery/)

Joe McKenna

Joe McKenna (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection.)

Joe McKenna was born August 22, 1917 in Newton Cross, Prince Edward Island, the son of Patrick Joseph and Laura Josephine McKenna. 

…Joe began basic training in the summer of 1942…

At the time of his enrollment on August 28, 1942 with the #62 Basic Training Centre in Charlottetown, under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA), he had been working on his father’s farm since he left school.  Joe’s mother had died in 1932, and he was the oldest son with two brothers and four sisters.  

The NRMA was a compulsory national registration for military service, originally for home defence, but later for service overseas as WWII continued. (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/national-resources-mobilization-act)

On October 28, 1942, he was sent for advanced training to A23TC in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a month, then sent to the #22 Anti Aircraft Battery in St. John, New Brunswick. 

Joe remained there until March 1, 1943, when he formally enlisted for active service in Saint John, New Brunswick and was transferred to the 8th Anti Aircraft Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, which was also in St. John.

… Joe transferred to the Canadian Infantry….

On January 27, 1944, Joe was transferred to the No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia.  Then, a decision was made to ‘reallocate’ Joe to an infantry regiment, and on February 13, 1944 he was transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for further training.

After completing basic training, Joe was transferred to the A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia on June 11, 1944.

On August 31, 1944 Joe was sent to Debert, Nova Scotia, the final staging and training area for troops going overseas.

… Joe left Canada in October 1944….

Joe’s overseas service began when he boarded a troop ship on October 14, 1944, arriving in the United Kingdom on October 20, 1944.  Upon arrival he was assigned to #4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On November 24, 1944 he went to Northwest Europe as part of a reinforcement unit, then was assigned to the Headquarters of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade on January 26, 1945.

Joe had his final transfer on March 14, 1945, when he joined the Queen’s Own Rifles as a rifleman in ‘A’ Company.  The Regiment was in the Reichswald Forest in Germany where Operation Blockbuster had ended.  Reinforcements were needed as preparations began for Operation Plunder. 

Operation Plunder, which began March 21, 1945 and ended April 1, 1945, involved the crossing of the Rhine River to the north of the Ruhr industrial region in western Germany.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

…Joe’s Regiment left Germany and entered The Netherlands…

After crossing the Rhine River in Germany, the Queen’s Own Rifles entered The Netherlands.  Their new objective was to capture the town of Rha.  The town was near a bridge crossing.  In ‘Battle Diary’ author Charles Cromwell Martin explains its importance. “…The enemy command headquarters for the remaining part of Holland was located at Appeldoorn, and the bridge was the approach that led there…”

Martin was the Company Sergeant-Major, ‘A’ Company, in the Queen’s Own Rifles.  He noted there were difficulties due to “…the complete changeover of our men and leaders.  We had received about thirty reinforcements….. But everything was too new, too untried, and this included our new company commander…”

…The Regiment prepared to liberate the municipality of Steenderen….

On the afternoon of April 4, 1945, the Queen’s Own Rifles travelled along the IJssel River.  They had already liberated the villages of Steenderen and Toldijk the day before.

The war diary for April 4, 1945 recorded that “… ‘C’ Company was to occupy Rodenburg… and ‘D’ Company to go to Hoefken. ‘A’ Company to Eekhorn and ‘B’ Company to Zwaarte  Schar… The only trouble encountered on the move was by ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies, who came under fire from an enemy S.P. gun on the other side of the IJssel river and mortar fire from Rha….” S.P refers to self-propelled artillery.

On April 5, 1945 the war diary stated that “…plans were laid for an attack that afternoon on the bulge of the east bank of the IJssel…”  Around 3:30 pm, they occupied “…enemy trench systems that had been abandoned…” 

‘A’ Company’s assignment was to occupy Rha. Led by 9 platoon, they “…went into their series of trenches, which were full of water, and followed them around to the outskirts of Rha.  There was quite a lot of sniping and mortaring but the trenches gave them good cover…” 

By 8:00 pm “… the end of the trenches was reached….” and they began their way towards the town.  “….It was getting night time but there was plenty of light from burning buildings…”  They encountered “…furious resistance…” from bazookas.  “…Our own weapons were in very bad shape from the mud encountered in the trenches…”

In the midst of counterattacks, two sections of 7 platoon got cut off from the rest. They “…got into a house near the centre of the village…” This was the Berendsen farm. 

By the time the night was over, the war diary reported that “…the final count of casualties was 5 wounded, 5 killed, and 6 missing…”  Four were found killed in the barn on the Berendsen farm.

…The Battle of Rha was deadly….

One of the men killed during the Battle of Rha, and found in the barn, was Joe McKenna. In the 2001 Special Edition of ‘De Zwerfsteen’ (The Boulder), a publication from the Historical Society of Steenderen, a bit more information was provided.  The Berendsen farm was located at 5 Rhabergseweg, and had German troops billeted on the farm.  During the evening of April 5, the family hid in the cellar.

One daughter, Be Helmerhorst-Berendsen, who was 20 years old at the time, gave an eyewitness report.  “…The Germans were not present at the time we came under fire. They must have been in the trenches in the surrounding area….”

While they were in the cellar the hatch opened and two Canadians came down the steps.  “…One was injured on the leg and the other one had severe injuries on the head…”  The next morning, the Germans opened the hatch and ordered them to come out.  The Canadians were taken prisoner, the rest allowed to leave.

“…As we were leaving the building through the barn, we saw the Canadians lying there, dead.  One lay behind the cows in the gutter.  The second lay in the cows’ trough, still holding the rope of the cow’s neck in his hands, and the third one lay near the back door…”

….Joe was initially buried in Rha….

The official death report of the military authorities noted that the helmets of the soldiers had holes in them, likely caused by grenade fragments. They had been killed by Germans who were in trenches about 20 metres in front of the farmhouse. 

The date of deaths on this report was recorded as April 5, 1945 for each soldier.  The date of April 6, 1945 in the service file and on the gravestones was likely due to when the bodies were found and the notice of deaths were received and recorded.

Dutch explanation of deaths

Rha burial

Burial of 4 soldiers in Rha.  (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection, but sent to the family by Henk Dykman.)

One of the organizers of the May 4, 2001 commemoration events in Rha, Reverend Hendrik ‘Henk’ Jan Dykman, wrote to explain that “…Joe died with three comrades in or near the farm of J Berendsen on April 5 1945. He was buried in front of it by German soldiers, with his name carefully put on the grave. The farmer’s daughter took care of the graves till the men were moved to Holten a year later….”

The other three soldiers were:

  • James Earl AIKEN, aged 19, son of Basil E. and Alice A. Aiken, of Toronto, Ontario.
  • Thomas ‘Ted’ Edward Cornelius CRAWFORD, aged 31, son of Thomas A. and Nellie Crawford; husband of Marie Edmee Crawford, of Kapuskasing, Ontario. 
  • George Clifford WOODRUFF, aged 23, son of George and Jane Woodruff, of Langstaff, Ontario.

All 4 were reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. 

The 5th casualty mentioned in the war diary was John George KAVANAGH, aged 23, son of Cora Kavanagh and husband of Emily Jean (née Haddleton) of Toronto, Ontario.  He is buried in the Steenderen General Cemetery in Steenderen, The Netherlands.

…Confusion about where Joe McKenna had been originally buried….

20210717_105714 McKenna parents grave in Montague

Grave of Joe McKenna’s parents in Montague, Prince Edward Island. (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection.)

Teresa Hennebery explained that there was confusion about where her uncle was initially buried. “… I was at the graveyard at St. Mary’s church in Montague.  Here is a photo of my grandparents’ gravestone which also recognizes my Uncle Joe McKenna….please note reference to Doesburg. For many years his family thought he was buried in Doesburg….”

Screenshot 2022-09-17 at 11-13-37 Doesburg to Rha

Map shows the short distance between Doesburg and Rha.  (Map source: Google)

The confusion wasn’t just on the part of Teresa’s grandparents.  A Field Service Report dated June 7, 1945 recorded that Joe McKenna had died in Germany and been buried in West Bocholt, Germany!  The coordinates of the burial location were recorded as 911850.

… Joe was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

We asked Henk Vincent from the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten if he could look up where Joe’s body had been before arriving for reburial, as we had a report that he had been buried in Rha. 

A translation of his reply confirmed that Rha was where he was initially buried.  “…The East Gelderland area, where Rha is located, is often referred to as West Bocholt in the Canadian War Diaries. If I enter the coordinates QE911850 on the Nord de Guerre map I end up exactly in… Rha, so the report is correct, he was first temporarily buried in Rha….”

CIMG3292 Oct 3 2019 Holten Michael McKenna

Grave of Joe McKenna in Holten.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Teresa kindly wrote to say “… Thank you for all you are doing to keep the memory of soldiers buried in Holland alive.  I am so grateful for your work and dedication to this project…” It’s an honour to tell these stories, and we are very appreciative of the effort that families put into remembrance and are willing to share photos and information.

Thank you to Teresa Hennebery for sharing photos and information on her uncle, and to Henk Dykman for sharing a photo and initial burial information.  Thank you also to Henk Vincent for confirming Joe’s original burial location. If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. 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/

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/

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…..A Face For WWII Soldier Joseph Hennebery!

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

May 31, 2020.  Last year, a request was made for photos and information on PEI soldiers from WWII who were buried in The Netherlands.  (See Photos and Info Requested For WW2 Soldiers From PEI Buried In The Netherlands)  One of these soldiers, buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, was Joseph ‘Joe’ Edmund HENNEBERY. 

He was born in Morell on July 7, 1919, the son of Edmund Joseph and Mary ‘May’ Hennebery, and was a sapper with the Royal Canadian Engineers – 33rd Field Company, and served in the UK, France, and The Netherlands.  He died in The Netherlands on April 20, 1945, aged 25, along with two other men, Pte L. A. CROSS, a cook in the platoon, and Sapper A. COLVIN, following an accident on April 18 while off duty.

When we were in The Netherlands last fall, Pieter placed flags at his grave.  “It’s always much more meaningful when I’m standing at a grave and have an idea what the person looked like.”  After our return, a chance encounter with Hennebery’s niece, Teresa Hennebery, resulted in a photo of her uncle, finally giving a face to the name listed on the grave.  “He looks exactly like my father” Teresa explained. “Joe is my father’s brother.”

improved colour photo Joseph Hennebery

Joseph ‘Joe’ E. Henneberry.  (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

“The Hennebery Family from Morell Rear (now called Green Meadows) was very committed to the World War II war effort.  At one point seven of the twelve children in the family were serving in the Canadian Army or Air Force.  Sadly, Joe was the only one of the Hennebery siblings that did not come home.”

In 2000, Teresa visited his grave with family members.  “…That was the first time anyone from the Hennebery family visited Joe Hennebery’s grave.  It was a very emotional and impactful trip…”

20200529_184532 Hennebery family visiting grave

In 2000, Joe Hennebery’s sister-in-law Mary visited his grave, and posed for a photo with her sisters. Left to right: Laura Brazel, Mary Hennebery, Evelyn McAliney.  (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection)

20200529_185216 Teresa ahd Mary Hennebery

Teresa and Mary Hennebery at Joe Hennebery’s grave in 2000.  (Photo courtesy Hennebery Family Collection)

On behalf of the Hennebery family, Teresa wrote that “…The family appreciates the efforts of the Dutch people to commemorate and remember those Islanders and Canadians who gave their lives for our freedom. ‘Dying for freedom is not the worst thing that could happen; being forgotten is.’…”

Joe Hennebery is not the only family member buried in a Dutch cemetery.  Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, the brother of Teresa’s mother Mary, is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. “…My mother and I were in Holland in May 2000 for a commemoration ceremony for her brother (also named Joe) who was killed in Rha a couple of weeks before my other Uncle Joe died.  It was so beautiful and the people of Rha treated us like Royalty...”

Thank you to Teresa Hennebery for sharing her family photos, which will be forwarded by Pieter to the researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  If you have information to share about 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.

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

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

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. 

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