Montechhio War Cemetery

On The War Memorial Trail….. Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 4

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January 20, 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 Parts 1, 2, and 3, 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

Nelson DesRoches Army

Nelson Desroches. (Photo courtesy of The Desroches Family)

Leo Gaudet submitted a photo of Nelson DESROCHES, on behalf of the Desroches family, and wrote that “…We have a vet buried at Holten from Tignish, whom my wife and I visited in 2014…”

Born May 23, 1915 in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, the son of John Desroches and Elizabeth Doucette, Nelson followed his older brother Merrick into military service.  He was serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry when he was killed in action on April 14, 1945.

Ernest Robert Haynes

Ernest Robert Haynes.  (Photo courtesy of the Haynes Family)

On behalf of the Haynes family, Teri Haynes submitted a photo of her father-in-law, Ernest Robert HAYNES, and explained that “…my Ernie visited the grave many years ago when he was in his teens with his Mother…”

Ernest Robert, born March 17, 1919 in St. John, New Brunswick, was the son of James Edward and Alice Beatrice Haynes.  A dyer in a laundromat before enlisting in 1939, he was married to Opal Bailey and the father of Teri’s late husband, Ernest David.

While serving with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, he was sent overseas to the United Kingdom in July 1944, and on June 1, 1945 to North West Europe. Unfortunately, due to a fatal accident with a passing Canadian Army truck near Soestdijk, he lost his life on July 5, 1945, age 26.  He was temporarily buried in the town of Hilversum before being reburied on March 29, 1946 in Holten.

Daniel Pearo

Daniel Pearo.  (Photo courtesy of the Pearo Family)

On behalf of the Pearo family, Colleen Hartling submitted a photo of her uncle, Daniel PEARO, and wrote that “…Daniel was my mother’s brother. She looked up to him as a child and loved him dearly. She said that he was full of fun and you can see the twinkle in his kind eyes. I was born in the 60s so I did not know Daniel…”

Daniel Pearo, son of Samuel and Dasie Pearo, served with the Cape Breton Highlanders and lost his life on May 1, 1945.  (A tribute to him can be found here: http://faculty.uccb.ca/highlanders/DANIEL%20PEARO.htm?fbclid=IwAR1ijEE5uz9tppYwN4dPcHA24DAGhDSAtVfQJUtRAEa21ZIY-zqRZwiUG9I)

Soldiers buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands

Gordon Brewer 2

Gordon Thomas Brewer.  (Photo submitted by Stephen and Hazel Albert)

Stephen Albert submitted a photo of Gordon Thomas BREWER on behalf of himself and his mother Hazel, explaining that his uncle “… was 17 when he enlisted to serve his country.  Killed in action on his 21st birthday on October 25, 1944.  School children at that time adopted a grave. Willamina Proost, a young girl, adopted Gordon’s grave, corresponded with his parents for many years until she married, then stopped writing, so lost contact with her. Gordon’s medals and all letters to his parents were burned in a house fire several years ago, only few photos taken before going overseas still remain. Thank you for taking time to honour the men and women who gave their lives to protect others…”

Hazel Albert, Gordon’s sister, wrote that she was the “…last remaining member of Gordon’s family….”  Gordon was born in Halifax on October 25, 1923, the son of Alonzo Wallace and Mary Ellen (nee Dean) Brewer.  

Gordon served with the Essex Scottish Regiment and lost his life during the Battle of the Scheldt.  (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Soldiers buried at the Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy

Felix Gaudet

Felix Gaudet.  (Photo submitted by Leo Gaudet)

Leo Gaudet submitted a photo of his uncle, Felix GAUDET, born May 30, 1923, son of Joseph J. and Mary Gaudet of Tignish, Prince Edward Island. After enlistment, he left Halifax for the United Kingdom in July 1943 and was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit a few days after his arrival.  On March 26, 1944 he was sent to Italy, and on May 13 transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders.

On August 30, 1944 he lost his life during the battle to take a knoll on the Gothic Defence Line.  Another soldier from PEI, Albert Eugene Arsenault, also with the Cape Breton Highlanders, lost his life the same day.  (See https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/the-ww2-soldier-killed-in-action-while-crossing-the-foglia-river-in-italy/)

“The Allies began the day of August 30th with an air bombardment against German positions at dawn. At 5.30 p.m., the Perth Regiment attacked the end of a ridge northeast of Montecchio, while a knoll at the west end of the town and the high ground beyond were the objectives of the Cape Breton Highlanders. Both units faced incessant fire from the heights as well as minefields along the flat lands. The Perths managed to break through the line first, reaching and passing their objective. The Cape Breton troops had the support of tanks from the 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars, which helped three of their companies make it to the base of the knoll. After each attempt, however, they were driven back to the Foglia, with casualties totalling 19 members killed and 46 wounded. The Irish Regiment, which had been in reserve, was moved through the path of the Perths. Tanks and artillery guns were not yet available here and as a result the regiment lost 19 killed and 31 wounded.” (Source: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/second-world-war/italy/montecchio)

The Gaudet family made a tribute to Felix last year, on what would have been his 97th birthday.  It was so special that it’s shared here:

Felix Gaudet tribute by Aunt Cathy

Tribute to Felix Gaudet submitted by Leo Gaudet.

Thank you to Hazel Albert, Stephen Albert, Kent Caldwell, Colleen Hartling, Teri Haynes, and Leo Gaudet 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.

More photos and stories in Atlantic Canada Remembers – Part 5! If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog. 

Missed the previous postings in this series? See:

© 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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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier Killed In Action While Trying To Break The Gothic Line In Italy

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4452150 Happy New Year

This first posting for 2021 tells the last of the stories of the WWI and WWII servicemen listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  This blog will continue to provide updates on their stories, and will also continue to tell stories of soldiers from the South Shore area of Prince Edward Island who returned home, and those who lost their lives in war but are not on the Cenotaph.  It will also feature more stories of WWII soldiers from Atlantic Canada who are buried in The Netherlands, a research project that Pieter is currently involved in.  Pieter and I thank you for your support as these stories have been researched, and hope that you continue with us on this expanded journey of remembrance along the war memorial trail….

January 2, 2021.  Four WWII soldiers on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion lost their lives in Italy…. George Alfred DUNN of the Carleton & York Regiment, Albert Eugene ARSENAULT of the Cape Breton Highlanders, Ernest Murray NORTON of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, and Arnold Dudley TAYLOR, also of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, the subject of this posting.

Arnold Taylor photo from Barbara Simester

Arnold Dudley Taylor.  (Photo courtesy of Barbara Simester)

Arnold Dudley Taylor was born on July 13, 1913 in Charlottetown, the son of Wilfred F. Taylor and Beatrice Holbrook.  His father was a pharmacist and owned a pharmacy in Kensington, and Arnold Dudley followed in his footsteps, after graduating from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick. 

He was also an avid golfer, winner of Island Golf Championship at the age of 19. His daughter, Barbara Simester, noted that “… The Taylors were very athletic. Father won a lot of trophies and played at the Belvedere Club in Charlottetown….”  In addition to sports, Barbara explained that he was a member of the church choir. “… Father was a baritone in the United Church …”

Beginning July 3, 1928 he was a member of the PEI Light Horse Militia, re-engaging every 3 years until his enlistment in Halifax with the West Nova Scotia Regiment for active duty service on July 13, 1940, with the rank of Lieutenant.  On May 3, 1941, he married Annalea MacDonald, a teacher in the North Tryon school.

In February 1942, daughter Barbara was born, and shortly afterwards Arnold Dudley was sent to the Debert Military Camp in Nova Scotia and transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.  By May 1942 he was in the United Kingdom.  In January 1943, he was transferred back to the West Nova Scotia Highlanders, while still in the United Kingdom.

Arnold Dudley was sent to Italy on October 27, 1943, part of the contingent of reinforcement troops.  The Regiment had landed in Sicily in June 1943, and had been in mainland Italy since September 3, 1943, as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 

Like Albert Eugene ARSENAULT of the Cape Breton Highlanders, he was killed in action on August 30, 1944, during the Battle of the Gothic Line. The Gothic Line was a German defence line in Northern Italy. 

An article by Mark Zuelke in the Canadian Encyclopedia explains what happened that day…. “…on 30 August, two regiments of the 1st Infantry Division — the West Nova Scotias and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) — attacked on the right, while 5th Division’s Perth Regiment and Cape Breton Highlanders struck to the left. The West Novas were caught in a minefield and suffered heavy casualties…”  (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-the-gothic-line)

Arnold Dudley was buried in the Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy, as was Arsenault.

Grave of Arnold Taylor from Barbara Simester

Grave of Arnold Dudley Taylor in Montecchio War Cemetery.  (Photo courtesy of Barbara Simester)

When we met with Arnold Dudley’s daughter Barbara a few years ago, she explained that after her father’s death, she and her mother moved from Kensington to Crapaud, and later to Hampton. Barbara attended Grade 1 in Hampton and recalled that they lived next to the school with a family named Cameron.

Barbara and her mother later moved to Kingston, Ontario, where Barbara studied to be a nurse, and where she met her husband. 

In 1956 the pharmacy in Kensington had been sold to the Champion family and Arnold Dudley’s parents moved to Calgary. 

CIMG9464 Barbara Taylor with Pieter and Photo Arnold Taylor

Pieter with Barbara Simester in Ottawa. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Barbara Simester for sharing photos and anecdotes.  If you have recollections of Lt Arnold Dudley Taylor, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous postings on Islanders killed in Italy….

To read the previous postings on George Alfred Dunn, Ernest Murray Norton, and Albert Eugene Arsenault, see:

George Alfred DUNN:

Ernest Murray NORTON:

Albert Eugene ARSENAULT:

….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.

The WW2 Soldier Killed In Action While Crossing The Foglia River In Italy

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October 9, 2020.  Four WW2 soldiers on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion lost their lives in Italy…. George Alfred DUNN of the Carleton & York Regiment, Ernest Murray NORTON of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, Arnold Dudley TAYLOR, also of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, and the subject of this posting, Albert Eugene ARSENAULT of the Cape Breton Highlanders.

Albert Eugene Arsenault

Albert Eugene Arsenault. (Photo courtesy of Borden-Carleton Legion Branch #10)

Albert was born on May 5, 1916 in Palmer Road, the son of Joseph and Philoman (Minnie) Arsenault, whose family later moved to Albany.  A farm labourer before the war, at the time of his enlistment he was working as a lumberman with the Canadian Lumber Company in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.   On April 30, 1940 he enlisted with the PEI Highlanders in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The enlistment record indicated he spoke both English and French fluently.

Like so many soldiers, he served in several units.  One of the first was the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.  On September 25, 1942 he left for England, where he served as a military guard.  He left for Italy on February 19, 1944, arriving on March 3, 1944.  In May 1944 he was transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders.

“The Allies began the day of August 30th with an air bombardment against German positions at dawn. At 5.30 p.m., the Perth Regiment attacked the end of a ridge northeast of Montecchio, while a knoll at the west end of the town and the high ground beyond were the objectives of the Cape Breton Highlanders. Both units faced incessant fire from the heights as well as minefields along the flat lands. The Perths managed to break through the line first, reaching and passing their objective. The Cape Breton troops had the support of tanks from the 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars, which helped three of their companies make it to the base of the knoll. After each attempt, however, they were driven back to the Foglia, with casualties totalling 19 members killed and 46 wounded. The Irish Regiment, which had been in reserve, was moved through the path of the Perths. Tanks and artillery guns were not yet available here and as a result the regiment lost 19 killed and 31 wounded.” (Source: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/second-world-war/italy/montecchio)

One of those killed in action while crossing the Foglia River near Montecchio, during the battle to take a knoll on the Gothic defence line on August 30, 1944 was Albert Arsenault.  He was buried in the Montecchio War Cemetery in Italy. 582 Commonwealth soldiers, including 289 Canadians, who died in late August and September 1944 in the battle to break The Gothic Line, are buried here.

MONTECCHIO-WAR-CEMETERY~838-06_06_2019-13_23 CWGC

Montecchio War Cemetery, in the locality of Montecchio in the Commune of Montelabbate (Province of Pesaro).  (Photo source: https://www.cwgc.org)

To read the previous postings on George Alfred Dunn and Ernest Murray Norton, see:

Dunn:

Norton:

Pieter has not found family members who might have more information on Albert Eugene Arsenault.  If you can help, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg