On The War Memorial Trail….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 5: The Soldiers From Nova Scotia

July 4, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 4, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible.

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

This was the third Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, with the first in 2021 and the second in 2023. Many of the graves with photos of soldiers, whose stories have been told in time for those Exhibitions, have been previously featured.

…Placing flags at graves was a labour of love and respect…

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. Yes, Pieter was on his hands and knees 383 times, placing flags at these graves, as you can see below….

Pieter placing flags at the grave of Marven Glenroy Harvey of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Marven Glenroy HARVEY, of North Noel Road, Nova Scotia, was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed on March 25, 1945, during the Battle of Bienen in Germany, at the age of 19. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/

Grave of Marven Glenroy Harvey after Pieter had placed Nova Scotia and Canadian flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 34 soldiers from Nova Scotia.

…4 Soldiers From Nova Scotia Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

In Part 2, five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-2-the-soldiers-from-prince-edward-island/)

In Part 3, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers, from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-3-the-soldiers-from-alberta-manitoba-and-quebec/)

In Part 4, the graves and photos of 3 soldiers from New Brunswick, whose stories have previously been told, were featured. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-4-the-soldiers-from-new-brunswick/)

Now, in Part 5, the graves and photos of 4 soldiers from Nova Scotia, whose stories have previously been told, are featured. Like Marven Harvey, two of them lost their lives on the same day, during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945.

Pieter at the grave of Austin Havelock Munroe. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Austin Havelock MUNROE from Little Dover, Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Grave of Lawrence Arthur Rudolph. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lawrence Arthur RUDOLPH from Liscomb, Nova Scotia, was killed in action during Operation Blockbuster in Germany on February 27, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/01/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-liscomb-who-lost-his-life-due-to-sniper-fire-in-germany/

Pieter at the grave of John Lewis ‘Ducky Wallace. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John Lewis ‘Ducky’ WALLACE from Canning, Nova Scotia, who was killed in action during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/

Grave of Harry Elwood Wright. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Harry Elwood WRIGHT, from Clementsvale, Nova Scotia, was killed in action in The Netherlands on April 17, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/08/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-trooper-from-clementsvale-who-lost-his-life-during-the-liberation-of-the-netherlands/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated. For the flags placed at the graves of soldiers from New Brunswick, our thanks go to:

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

May we never forget the sacrifices made by these soldiers. Perhaps all of the known graves of Canadians buried in Groesbeek will have a photo displayed by their grave at the next Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition in 2027.

More highlights of our adventures on the 2025 European War Memorial Trail will be featured in upcoming postings.

If you have a photo of a soldier buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek or one of the other cemeteries in The Netherlands, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….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….2025 Faces of Groesbeek Exhibition Part 2: The Soldiers From Prince Edward Island

June 26, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 26, 2025. The 2025 Faces Of Groesbeek Exhibition, which ran from April 26 to May 18, 2025 at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, featured photos of soldiers that were placed by their graves. Photos are printed onto an aluminum backing, making them impervious to rain, and reusable. This year, 80% of the graves had a photo of the soldier.

The many volunteers from Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, of which Alice van Bekkum is the Chair, worked tirelessly to make this exhibition possible. They also organized the Liberation Day commemoration events.

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

We were in The Netherlands and Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration events, and placed flags at the graves of 383 soldiers in 14 cemeteries. 120 of the graves visited were in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek alone, including the graves of 17 soldiers from Prince Edward Island. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/06/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-2025-faces-of-groesbeek-exhibition-part-1-flags-placed-at-120-graves/)

…5 Soldiers From Prince Edward Island Commemorated…

In Part 1, an overview of our day of flag placing at 120 graves was provided. Now, in Part 2, the graves and photos of five soldiers from Prince Edward Island, whose stories have previously been told, are featured.

Pieter by the grave of Lawrence William Bulger. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lawrence William BULGER from Portage was serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders when he was killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. He was one of several stretcher bearers who lost their lives that day, killed by machine gun fire while attending to the wounded on the battlefield. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/08/19/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-bulger-brothers-part-2-the-wwii-stretcher-bearer-from-foxley-river-killed-during-the-battle-of-bienen/

Grave of John ‘Weston’ Campbell. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

John ‘Weston’ CAMPBELL from Clermont was killed while in command of ‘B’ Company of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders during Operation Veritable in Germany on February 14, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/09/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-clermont-killed-during-operation-veritable/

Pieter by the grave of Arthur Gaudet. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Arthur GAUDET from 5 Pointe, near Mount Carmel, was wounded during Operation Blockbuster in Germany on February 26, 1945, while serving with Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, and died later that day. He was two days short of his 21st birthday! You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/02/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-prince-edward-island-who-lost-his-life-in-germany-two-days-before-his-21st-birthday/

Grave of Edward Gabriel Perry. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edward Gabriel PERRY from St Nicholas lost his life after being fatally wounded during the Battle of Hochwald Gap in Germany on March 1, 1945, while serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s). He was rushed to hospital but died in the early morning of March 2, 1945. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/07/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-st-nicholas-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-of-hochwald-gap/

Pieter by the grave of Ralph Kenneth Silliker. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER from O’Leary was killed in action during Operation Churchill in Germany on March 2, 1945, while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor). He was killed as his Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier) tried to lunge across an enemy trench. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-oleary-who-lost-his-life-during-operation-churchill/

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

All of the flags placed at graves were donated. For the flags placed at the graves of Islanders, our thanks go to: Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flags. PEI flags were provided by Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora. La Société acadienne de Clare in Nova Scotia donated Acadian flags.

In Part 3, the graves and photos of soldiers from Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, whose stories have previously been told, will be featured.

….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/

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 From Prince Edward Island Who Lost His Life In Germany Two Days Before His 21st Birthday

February 12, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

February 12, 2025. Once you visit a Canadian War Cemetery and place down a flag by the grave of a soldier from the province where you live, it stays with you, and makes you wonder about the young man who is buried there.

In 2017, when we visited the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, with our friends Ad and Noor Scheepers, we had a list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island buried there, but only knew the story of one, George Preston SMITH, whose name is listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion. (See On the War Memorial Trail ….. At The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and On the War Memorial Trail ….. PEI Soldiers Buried In The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2018/03/21/another-photo-for-wwii-soldier-george-preston-smith/)

Ad and Noor Scheepers with Pieter (right) by the grave of Arthur Gaudet at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Since then, Pieter has researched and we’ve told the stories of 12 more Islanders buried in that Dutch cemetery. Our 14th story is about Arthur GAUDET of Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island. While Arthur had been on the list of Islanders buried in Groesbeek, he was not on the cemetery’s photo wish list as they had a photo of him.

15 Pointe is a cape not far from Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island. (Map source: https://www.geodata.us/canada_names_maps)

Born February 28, 1924 in 15 Pointe, near Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island, Arthur was the son of Joseph Stanley and Mary Jacqueline Gaudet. He was one of 10 children, 8 of them still alive at the time that he enlisted at the No. 5 District Depot in Quebec City, Quebec on July 24, 1942. His three older brothers were also in the Canadian Army.

Arthur Gaudet. (Photo courtesy of Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek)

According to his Personnel Selection Record, Arthur spoke English, not French, and had completed Grade 9. He was working as a labourer for the PEI Bag Company. (See https://atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca/web-exclusives/89-years-in-the-bag-and-counting-for-p-e-i-bag-company/)

After completing his basic training, Arthur was sent to No. 22 Canadian Army Educational (Basic) Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario on September 19, 1942.

He remained there until December 2, 1942, when he was transferred to A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Camp Petawawa, Ontario, for training as a gunner. While still at A1 CATC, he qualified as a Driver i/c Class III wheeled vehicles on January 29, 1943. (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’. Class III meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, but not tanks.)

On February 8, 1943, he was granted embarkation leave until February 21, 1943, the last chance he would have to see his family before going overseas.

….Arthur left Canada for overseas service….

On March 24, 1943, Arthur left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on March 31, 1943 he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (CARU).

On June 18, 1943, Arthur was transferred to No. 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery for Light Machine-Gun and Rifle training, and undertook various Tests of Elementary Training (TOET).

Arthur was allocated to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC), part of the 10th Battalion, 21st Army Group, on June 21, 1944, in preparation for going to North West Europe.

….Arthur was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal….

Arthur Gaudet joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal near Etavaux, France, indicated by the large red marker. (Map source: Google maps)

On July 22, 1944 he left the United Kingdom for France, arriving a day later. On July 25, 1944, he was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, joining them in an area behind Etavaux in Normandy, France.

The Regiment remained in France until September 9, 1944 when it moved into Belgium. Arthur received a promotion to Acting Corporal a few days later, on September 12, 1944.

.….Arthur was badly wounded during the Battle of the Scheldt ….

Map shows location of Kapellen and Brasschaat, not far from Antwerp in Belgium. (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On October 2, 1944, the Battle of the Scheldt began and involved Canadian forces advancing through northern Belgium, including areas like Kapellen, to clear German defenses and secure access to the port of Antwerp.

The municipality of Kapellen, in Belgium, was liberated on October 4, 1944 by Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. The war diary entry for October 4, 1944 for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal confirmed this. “…Advance up to Brasschaat. In the afternoon, advance towards Cappellan, which we taken, then sweep towards north-east of town. Positions at night, anti-tank ditch 2 miles from Cappellan…” Cappellan is the old spelling of Kapellen.

Arthur, who was in ‘A’ Company, was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder on October 5, 1944 and was evacuated to No. 9 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) in Horsham, England. After a recuperation period of three months, Arthur left the United Kingdom on January 10, 1945, returning to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal 2 days later. He joined them in Mook, The Netherlands, which is near Nijmegen.

.….Arthur lost his life during Operation Blockbuster ….

By February 17, 1945, the Regiment was in Germany, in place for Operation Blockbuster, as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, along with several other Canadian Regiments. The Operation was to begin at dawn on February 26, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

Arthur Gaudet lost his life during a battle near Kalkar, Germany. (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On February 25, 1945, the war diary for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal recorded that during a briefing of troops for Operation Blockbuster, the brigade’s task was “…to capture high ground west of Kalkar. The attack is to be made at night with troops mounted on tanks….” Kalkar is a municipality in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is located near the Rhine River.

The war diary for February 26, 1945 described what happened. “….The attack commenced at 0400 hrs under cover of an artillery barrage. Camerons of Canada regiment on our right encountered mines a few hundred yards from the FDL’s which caused the Commander’s tank to be knocked out resulting in considerable confusion. South Saskatchewan regiment on our left and our Battalion reached the objective…” FDL refers to the French acronym for Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.

During the February 26, 1945 attack, Arthur was wounded and died later that day. He was two days short of his 21st birthday!

Arthur lost his life about a week before another soldier in the same Regiment, Joseph ‘Albert Noel’ LAMONTAGNE, whose story was previously told, lost his on March 3, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/02/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-saint-basile-who-lost-his-life-during-the-advance-towards-xanten/

.….11 other soldiers died on February 26, 1945….

Arthur was one of 12 members of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal who lost their lives on February 26, 1945. The other 11 were:

Private Rosaire BELLERIVE of Ste Flore, Quebec, aged 19
Private Romeo BENOIT of Montreal, Quebec, aged 41
Private Joseph Wilfrid Rheal GUERTIN of Moose Creek, Ontario, aged 19
Private Marcel LAVIGNE of Henri, Montreal, Quebec, aged 19
Private Maurice PAQUETTE of Sherbrooke, Quebec, aged 22
Lieutenant Ovide Joseph PAQUETTE of North Bay, Ontario, aged 24
Private Paul Eugene PARENT of St. Honore, Beauce County, Quebec, aged 24
Private Alphie Raymond PELTIER, born in Chatham, Ontario, aged 30
Private Jean Marie ST ONGE of Amqui, Quebec, aged 23
Lieutenant Robert TALBOT of Quebec City, Quebec, aged 25
Private Vincent THIBODEAU of Maria, Bonaventure County, Quebec, aged 24

.….Arthur is buried in Groesbeek….

Arthur was initially buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of Arthur Gaudet in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, for sending Pieter that initial list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. If you have a story or photo to share, 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…..The WWII Acadian Soldier Serving With Le Régiment de Maisonneuve Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice In The Hochwald Forest

November 27, 2024March 22, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

We travelled to Balmoral, New Brunswick, to meet the sister of a WWII soldier. (Map source: Google Maps)

November 27, 2024. After completing our tour along the Acadian Coastal Drive, visiting Acadian Memorials, we went to Balmoral, New Brunswick, to meet with Léa LeClair, the youngest sister of WWII soldier Ange Aimé LECLAIR. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/11/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2024-visiting-acadian-memorials-in-new-brunswick/)

CIMG7020 Aug 27 2024 Visit to Balmoral Romeo Le Page & Lea Le Clair

Pieter (centre) with Léa LeClair and her brother-in-law, Romeo LePage. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

When Pieter had begun his research to find family of Ange Aimé, he found an obituary for the soldier’s sister Viola, who was married to Romeo LePage. Then he found a phone number for Mr. LePage and, with great trepidation given that he isn’t fluent in French, he dialed the number. After a few minutes, Mr. LePage’s sister-in-law, retired teacher Léa LeClair, came on the line, and listened patiently. “…Oui…” she had a photo of Ange Aimé, and then, happily, switched to English. She explained that she was the youngest sister of the soldier, only 10 years old when he died on March 2, 1945.

Pieter let her know that we were planning a trip to New Brunswick, and asked if she would like to meet in person. This was agreeable, and so, when we went to Balmoral, we were only expecting to get a photo of the soldier. Boy, were we wrong! The family’s historian, Léa had several photos and letters written by her brother, and more. Ange Aimé was clearly loved and remembered by his family!

Born in Shannonvale (now part of Eel River Crossing), Restigouche County, New Brunswick on March 14, 1925, Ange Aimé was the son of Thomas and Marguerite Anne (nee Basque) LeClair. He came from a large family, and had 5 sisters, 3 brothers, 4 half-brothers, and 2 half-sisters.

…..Ange Aimé enlisted under the NRMA in 1944….

Léa recalled that “…My brother Albénie was called up in the Spring. He did not pass the physical as he was sick. Ange-Aimé asked Papa if he should stay and wait for a call to join. They chose for him to go to work in the Kedgwick area. Later in the summer, the Army came looking for him in Dundee. Papa did not know exactly where he was cutting wood and said so to the Army. After a while, the Army did find him, in the Kedgwick area…. He was registered and then was sent for training…“

Ange Aimé originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) at the No. 7 District Depot in Fredericton, New Brunswick on May 31, 1944 and underwent basic training at No. 71 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Edmundston, New Brunswick. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

ange aime le clair as a student colourized

Ange Aimé LeClair as a student. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

At the time of his enlistment, Ange Aimé had been working for 2 years as a woodsman for Raymond LeBlanc of Darlington, New Brunswick. Léa recalled that he had studied at a seminary, with his family expecting him to be a priest, but he preferred working outdoors. While his Occupational History Form does not mention studying at a seminary, he most likely had his post-elementary education at a seminary. The form stated that Ange Aimé was fluent in both French and English, which was unusual for a young man who grew up in a rural area and in a French speaking household.

AA Leclair photo from memorial card colourized

Ange Aimé LeClair in uniform. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

On July 25, 1944, Ange Aimé enlisted for active duty while in Edmundston, and remained there until September 1, 1944, when he was transferred to the A-30 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) at Camp Utopia in Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick. On September 14, 1944, he received a promotion to Lance Corporal.

….Ange Aimé received embarkation leave….

After completing his training at Camp Utopia, Ange Aimé received embarkation leave, prior to being sent overseas, from November 21 to December 7, 1944. He returned home to the family farm in Dundee, New Brunswick, where a photo was taken of him playing hockey.

20240827_140114 AA Le Clair playing hockey in Dundee during embarkation leave

Ange Aimé LeClair on skates with a hockey stick during his embarkation leave. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

While on leave, Ange Aimé helped out at home, and spent time in the woods. Time went by very quickly, and unfortunately he didn’t immediately return to Camp Utopia when his leave was up. Military police came to look for him, thinking he had deserted. Léa recalled that her “…father was in the garden and told them that Ange Aimé was in the woods. After he returned, he was arrested and taken back to Camp Utopia, where he spent a night in the stockade...”

The repercussions were harsh, given that he was only late returning by a few days. On December 10, 1944, he was transferred to the No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia for final preparations and training before being posted overseas. But, on December 17, 1944, he was demoted in rank and reverted to Private.

….We had help in translating letters from French into English….

CIMG7053 Sep 10 2024 Daria & Etienne Gaudet translating AA LeClair letters in Moncton NB

Daria and Etienne Gaudet worked diligently to translate all the letters from French into English. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Because Léa had saved letters written by her brother, we were able to hear his thoughts during this period. We were grateful for the help of Etienne Gaudet, who kindly translated all of the letters written by Ange Aimé from the original French into English.

In a December 20, 1944 letter to his sister Delphine, written from Debert, it’s clear that there was illness in the family. “…. Are you better after your flu? … Please give my regards to the others and please tell me if mother is better, and tell her not to worry about me. It’s not worth it. Nothing has happened to me yet. There’s a higher power above us and his wishes must be respected.

I wouldn’t be worse off there (ie heaven) than here. Besides that, I’m lucky that I’m the only one in the army instead of all of us. I’m not scared and I’m taking things as they come….”

On the same day, he also wrote to his brother Ovila, mentioning his demotion. “…I thought I’d be able to have a pass for Christmas or New Year’s, but I won’t now. I no longer have my stripe and I don’t know if I’ll have one later, or if I’m here for a long time.…”

….Ange Aimé left Canada for overseas service….

Ange Aimé didn’t have long to wonder how long he’d be in Debert. On December 24, 1944 he left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on December 31, 1944, where he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).

He shared his impressions with his brother Ovila in a January 3, 1945 letter. “.…I am now in England and it’s pretty good and a funny country. Their language is nearly impossible to understand. They do not pronounce their words like we do.

I’m anxious to get to the front and see what it’s like. If it can be warm, I’ll be happy as here it’s humid and we’re freezing. The humidity is going through us and we have to ration the coal. I have had a cold since I arrived here, as have the others….”

In a January 4, 1945 letter to his sister Delphine, he wrote about the climate, and shared that he saw his cousin, René LEBLANC. “…I have a cold. It’s humid as hell here. My nose is always running. It takes time to get used to the climate….. René is here....”

Then, in a January 29, 1945 letter to Delphine, he again mentions the weather, and spending Christmas while on his overseas voyage. “…The climate here is humid and a bit cold. There are 4 inches of snow…. It’s not as beautiful as I had thought and holidays on the water are not fun...”

Ange Aimé was aware that he would soon be sent to Northwest Europe. In a February 8, 1945 letter to his brother Ovila, he wrote that “…I am preparing for the draft. I have to face the front, see what it looks like, but I would not want to take a bullet or shrapnel….”

….Ange Aimé was flown to Northwest Europe from the United Kingdom….

The day after he wrote to his brother Ovila, Ange Aimé was transferred to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the 10th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps, and flown to Northwest Europe on February 10, 1945.

By February 12, 1945 he was at No. 2 Canadian Base Reinforcement Group (CBRG) and wrote to his sister Delphine that he was “…now in Belgium. It’s really beautiful here.

I am not yet at the front. Those that go come back, at least most of them. I have as good a chance as them. I might never go since it looks really bad for the Germans.

People are really nice to us ‘Canadians’ here. Yesterday I went to supper with a man who brought us to his home. He has three small children. They were really nice to us. I was with two of my friends. Like he said, it reminded us of home to have a family supper and it took away some of the longing for home….”

On the same day, he wrote to his parents about the dinner. “….Yesterday I went to town with two others, and an older man invited us to his place for supper with him. We were served like princes. They are really nice. There were three little boys and they all shook our hands....” This was the last letter the family received from Ange Aimé.

…. Ange Aimé’s transfer to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve was his last….

On February 15, 1945, Ange Aimé was transferred to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, joining them near Nijmegen, The Netherlands, as the Regiment prepared to move into Germany.

The February 18, 1945 war diary entry for the Regiment stated that “…the whole Battalion left Nijmegen at 19:30 hours to proceed via Cleve, Germany and had penetrated in Germany by 20:40 hours...”

By the end of February, the Regiment was involved in the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, the final push towards the Rhine River, along with several other Canadian Regiments. This offensive began on February 28, 1945 to clear the Germans from the Reichswald, a heavily forested area between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers, driving them back over the Rhine, taking the fight well into German territory. (For more information, see https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-blockbuster/ and https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

Each day the war diary reported heavy shelling of the troops, with several casualties. On March 1, 1945, the war diary reflected that because shelling was heavy “…the morale of the troops was quite low as nothing could be done but wait…”

On March 2, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…Captain Provost is back with us. The rifle companies are in position in the Hochwald Gap at 03:40. ‘C’ Company sent out patrols to feel enemy’s disposition. ….Heavy shelling all day…” Sadly, one of the casualties on March 2 was Ange Aimé.

….Letter from Captain Provost described how Ange Aimé lost his life….

On March 3, 1945, Captain Paul-Marcel Provost wrote a letter of condolence to Ange Aimé’s mother. “….I have the terrible duty to inform you of the death of your son, Pte LeClair. He was killed in action on March 2, 1945….. He was an excellent soldier and brave, who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In the name of the commander and all his officers, I ask you, Madame, to accept our deepest condolences for the loss that has struck you. May the legitimate pride you feel for the departed ease your pain. This pride is shared by all in Le Régiment de Maisonneuve…..”

This was followed by an April 6, 1945 letter, explaining how Ange Aimé lost his life. “….Please know that you have all my sincere sympathies in the sorrow with which you have been struck. I also have a bit of sorrow, as your son was one of ours and I was his commander…..

Your son died a few days after we finished the offensive that brought us to the side of the Rhine and decided the German defeat – two days after an attack that had been especially challenging for our company. The Regiment was called to take up defensive positions along the Hochwald Forest – a forest situated a few miles from Kleve and Xanten.

Our first hours in these positions were quiet. Near 6 pm, supper was brought, and Ange Aimé was designated, with a few others, to transport it from our Command Post to his platoon. It’s when he was on his way back that the German artillery began to fire at us, and your son fell, along with a few other unlucky men.

He was killed instantly and buried the next day in one of our Canadian cemeteries. I include here memorial cards, printed in memory of our friends killed during this period of the offensive in Germany….”

Ange Aimé’s cousin, Rene LeBlanc, was injured in this attack, but survived the war to return home.

As with Ange Aimé’s letters, Etienne Gaudet kindly translated the letters written by Captain Provost from the original French into English. I was especially grateful for Etienne’s help with the letters from Captain Provost as it was extremely difficult to read his handwriting.

The memorial card that Captain Provost referred to had been prepared for a March 16, 1945 prayer service at Sint-Bartholomaeuskerk, a Roman Catholic Church in Beek (now Berg en Dal), The Netherlands. The memorial card lists 37 names of those who died between February 8 and March 13, 1945. (See https://rijksmonumenten.nl/monument/35784/grote-stbartholomeus/beek/ and https://nl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sint-Bartholomaeuskerk_(Beek_(Berg_en_Dal))

20240827_143311 Mar 16 1945 Memorial service in Holland for Regt de Maisonneuve KIA in Germany

Memorial card sent to Ange Aimé LeClair’s mother. (Photo of card courtesy of the LeClair family)

….Ange Aimé is buried in Groesbeek….

20240827_144251 Aug 27 2024 Groesbeek postcard sent by Ton in 1950

A 1950 postcard, sent by Ton Bersen to the LeClair family, shows how the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek looked in that time period. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Ange Aimé was temporarily buried on land owned by a Catholic farmer named Augenendt, 3.2 km (two miles) west of Udem in Germany, before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

20240827_144334 Aug 27 2024 Original Groesbeek grave AA Le Clair

The original gravestone for Ange Aimé LeClair in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Grave of Ange Aimé LeClair in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of FindAGrave)

….Ange Aimé’s grave was adopted by Ton Bersen ….

After his reburial in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Ange Aimé’s grave was adopted by a young scout, Ton Bersen, and his family. Ton remained in contact with the LeClair family until his death in 2020!

20240827_140515 Ton Bersen & mother by grave of AA Le Clair

Ange Aimé LeClair’s grave was adopted by Ton Bersen, seen in this photo with his mother. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

….Ange Aimé is remembered on his parents’ gravestone ….

Ange Aimé’s sister Léa told us that after her parents’ original gravestone in Dundee, New Brunswick crumbled, she replaced it with a new headstone and commemorated her brother as well.

20240827_144026 Aug 27 2024 Le Clair gravestone in Dundee

Gravestone of the LeClair family in Dundee, New Brunswick. (Photo courtesy of the LeClair family)

Thank you to Léa LeClair for providing photos and information on her brother, and to Etienne Gaudet for help in translating letters from French into English. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

Gerald COOLEN, who served with the Black Watch, lost his life on February 26, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-11/
Edward Gabriel PERRY, who served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s), lost his life on March 2, 1945 from wounds suffered the day before. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/07/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-st-nicholas-who-lost-his-life-during-the-battle-of-hochwald-gap/

Anthony PETTA, who served with the Algonquin Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-in-north-bay-the-ww2-soldier-who-was-appointed-company-sergeant-major/
Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER, who served with the Lake Superior Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-oleary-who-lost-his-life-during-operation-churchill/

Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/

….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/

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…… The WWII Soldier From St. Nicholas Who Lost His Life During The Battle of Hochwald Gap

July 6, 2024December 19, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 6, 2024. Back in 2015, Pieter received a photo of WWII soldier Edward Gabriel PERRY, whose name was on a photo wish list from the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Edward was born in St. Nicholas, a small community west of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on October 6, 1924, the son of John F. and Zelia Perry. He was one of 11 children, with 5 brothers, three of whom also served overseas during WWII, and 5 sisters.

….Edward enlisted at age 18….

Edward Gabriel Perry.

When he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on February 25, 1943, he was only 18 years old, too young to be sent into an active combat zone. At the time, he stated that he grew up on a farm, but had spent the past two months working as a carpenter for Fred Cameron of Saint John, New Brunswick, who had a lumber business.

Edward’s Personnel Selection Record noted that he “…plays hockey…” and that his “…chief diversion is reading….” It went on to describe him as “…reserved, determined…” and concluded that he would “…make an efficient soldier…”

From Charlottetown, Edward was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and from there to No. 61 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on March 13, 1943.

After completing his basic training, Edward was sent to the A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre in Petawawa, Ontario on May 12, 1943 to be trained as a gunner.

On June 14, 1943, he was assigned to the 23^rd Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the 50^th Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Edward’s new assignment was coastal defence in Sydney, Nova Scotia. During WWII, Sydney was the second-most-important port for convoy formation after Halifax.

He remained in Sydney until March 23, 1944 when he was transferred to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service. Then, on May 15, 1944, he was reallocated to the Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia for further training.

….Edward left Canada for overseas service….

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

A month later, on August 29, 1944, he was sent to France, and then transferred to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s), part of the 21st Army Group, on September 2, 1944. On December 10, 1944, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

….The Battle of Hochward Gap was deadly….

Map shows plan for the Battle of Hochwald Gap. Note: Kanten on map should read Xanten. (Map source: ‘The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) 1928-1953, edited by Lt-Col H. M. Jackson)

The end of February 1945 saw the Regiment in Germany for the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, the final push towards the Rhine River, along with several other Canadian Regiments. This offensive began on February 28, 1945 to clear the Germans from the Reichswald, a heavily forested area between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers, driving them back over the Rhine, taking the fight well into German territory for a full-scale invasion of Berlin. (For more information, see https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-blockbuster/ and https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

Troops faced a battlefield that was cold, wet, and muddy, and a ferocious fight by desperate Germans who recognized that they were about to lose the war. On March 1, 1945, Edward was badly wounded during the battle, and brought to a field hospital just after 6 pm “…in very poor condition…” and given “…1 pint of plasma….”

He was sent on an urgent basis to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Centre, arriving at 9 pm. The medical report noted that he had “…shell fragment wounds with compound fracture of the right femur, injury of the femoral vessels, and multiple lacerations of both legs, and a penetrating wound to the abdomen…” Edward was rushed into surgery, but died at 5:15 am on March 2, 1945.

….Edward is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

CIMG3330 Oct 5 2019 grave Groesbeek Edward Perry from daria

Grave of Edward Gabriel Perry in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edward was initially buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

Gerald COOLEN, who served with the Black Watch, lost his life on February 26, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-11/

Anthony PETTA, who served with the Algonquin Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-in-north-bay-the-ww2-soldier-who-was-appointed-company-sergeant-major/
Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER, who served with the Lake Superior Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-oleary-who-lost-his-life-during-operation-churchill/

Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/

….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/

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…..The WWII Soldier From O’Leary Who Lost His Life During Operation Churchill

April 18, 2024August 26, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

April 18, 2024. In August 2019, Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Faces To Graves Foundation Groesbeek, sent Pieter a list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

One of the names for which a photo was missing was that of Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER, born October 16, 1917 in O’Leary, Prince Edward Island, the son of Watson and Ruth Silliker.

Pieter began his research and within a few weeks received a photo from Watson Silliker, Ralph’s nephew.

Ralph Kenneth Silliker. (Photo courtesy of Watson Silliker. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

….Ralph’s working life began in childhood….

It soon became clear that Ralph’s working life began in childhood. His father Watson had began the first oil delivery business in 1922, according to ‘Threads of the past: a history of O’Leary, Prince Edward Island, 1837-1922’, published by the O’Leary Women’s Institute.

“…The Silliker family – Watson, Ruth, and their children Ralph, Iva, Lloyd, and Lorne – manually pumped the kerosene and gasoline from the railway tank cars, which held over 8,000 gallons each, into the storage tanks….”

This was not an easy business to be in! “….By truck in summer and sleigh in winter, sparse quantities of gasoline and liberal quantities of kerosene in 45 gallon drums were delivered to stores and homes around the countryside….”

The entry in the O’Leary history went on to note that “….when Ralph was eight years old, he drove a team of horses to places such as Portage, Glenwood, Campbelltown, and Bloomfield...”

….Ralph enlisted in 1943….

When he enlisted with the No. 6 District Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on May 13, 1943, Ralph was working as a truck driver in O’Leary, and was married. He and his wife Ada Blanche were the parents of two daughters, Sylvia Ruth and Opal Irene.

Ralph was sent for basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. On August 14, 1943, he was seconded to the A27 Canadian Reconnaissance Training Centre – Camp Dundurn, in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. This was a major training centre and transit point for personnel going overseas.

However, not long after arriving at Camp Dundurn, he returned to Prince Edward Island after being granted ‘compassionate family leave’ on September 7, 1943 – without pay and allowance – until December 14, 1943. In October 1943 he had been transferred to ‘P’ Wing at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but due to the compassionate family leave being extended twice he was not on duty in Halifax until his leave ended.

Ralph returned to A27 Canadian Reconnaissance Training Centre in Camp Dundurn on January 11, 1944, where his training resumed. On March 31, 1944 he qualified as a Driver Wheeled Class III. This meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars.

….Ralph left Canada for overseas service….

In May 1944 Ralph was given embarkation leave, the last time he would see his family, as on June 27, 1944 he was on his way to the United Kingdom. Upon arrival on July 3, 1944, he was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit (CACRU).

On August 12, 1944, Ralph was assigned to the Canadian Infantry Corps (CIC) as part of the Canadian Fusiliers and his position changed from trooper to fusilier. On September 17, 1944, Ralph embarked for France as part of X-4 Reinforcement list of the Canadian Infantry Corps.

….Ralph was assigned to the Lake Superior Regiment….

On October 7, 1944 he was transferred to the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), part of the 21^st Army Group, joining them as the Regiment advanced through France, Belgium and the south of the Netherlands.

Ralph was in the Regiment at the same time as Harry DAVIS of Yukon Territory, whose story has previously been told. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-only-yukon-territory-soldier-buried-in-holten/

Henk Vincent, one of the research volunteers at the Cemetery Information Centre in Holten, The Netherlands, explained that during the “… the winter of 44/45, the Lake Superior Regiment, together with other Canadian regiments, was tasked with guarding the northern front line, in this case the Maas River. ….”

Most of February saw the Regiment based in the ‘s-Hertogenbosch area as they continued their patrols in the surrounding area.

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was a fierce tank battle….

Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 11-06-16 Google Maps

Map shows location of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Kleve, Hochwald, Xanten, and Groesbeek. (Map source: https://www.google.ca)

On February 21, 1945, the Regiment began moving towards Germany for the upcoming Operation Blockbuster, which would begin at dawn on February 26, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

The February 21, 1945 war diary entry noted that “…in the afternoon the men were told of our future role and intentions in Ops Blockbuster….”

On February 22, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…the companies spent the day making final preparations for the move into Germany tonight…” By 2:00 am in the early morning of February 23, 1945 the Regiment had arrived at their initial position in the Reichswald Forest, just over the border from The Netherlands. The next afternoon the Regiment moved to Kleve.

On March 1, 1945, the war diary for the Lake Superior Regiment recorded that instructions had been received for “…the assault on the Hochwald Forest Gap….” This attack was codenamed Operation Churchill.

Clearing the very narrow Hochwald Gap was a difficult task, given that the weather was anything but cooperative. An early thaw meant that the tanks got bogged down in mud, making them ‘sitting ducks’ for German troops who were positioned to pick them off, one by one. Troops had no choice but to press on, as the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, was the final push towards the Rhine River. (See https://the-hochwald-gap.project44.ca/)

….A video shows how the Battle of Hochwald Gap was fought….

A 46 minute YouTube video on the Battle of Hochwald Gap explained the fierce battle that took place. Watching it made it clear to us that it was a miracle that anyone survived at all, a testament to the determination and courage of those who were in the midst of it.

….Ralph lost his life during Operation Churchill….

March 2, 1945 was a “…cold, blustery day with several snow flurries…” according to the war diary. The after-action report on Operation Churchill noted that the Regiment “…had been fighting already since the 26^th of February. Little sleep was had and the Motor Companies had been holding the general line for 24 hours without food….”

They’d last eaten on February 28 due to the ground being “…impassable to all vehicles…” and “…incessant shelling by the enemy….”

The men may have been tired, cold, and hungry, but there was still a battle to be fought. By the end of the day, “…the south of the Gap bore the signs of intense shellfire – the ground pitted, scarred, and torn by fire of all kinds. The trees in the gully were cut to ribbons. The houses were heaps of rubble….”

A burial party the following day went out onto the battlefield to look for casualties, and recorded how they were found. “…Further back where two Kangaroos had been knocked out as they lunged across an enemy trench, two more Lake Superior men lay dead. Pte Carriere, F. had been shot through the head as he was de-bussing. Another, Pte Silliker, R. K. was killed as he raced to take up the first position…..” Dutiful and responsible to the end, Ralph lost his life at the age of 27 during the March 2, 1945 battle.

Private Frank CARRIERE was the son of Emma Carriere of Elm Creek, Manitoba, and the brother of Rifleman William Joseph CARRIERE, who had lost his life on June 8, 1944 while serving with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

NOTE: Kangaroo is the nickname given to a Canadian armoured personnel carrier (APC) during the WWII, which was created by converting a tank chassis. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_(armoured_personnel_carrier))

….Ralph is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

Ralph was temporarily buried on March 6, 1945 in Xanten, Germany before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

CIMG9016 Sep 16 2017 Groesbeek Cemetery grave of RK Silliker by Daria

Grave of Ralph Kenneth Silliker in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Watson Silliker for sharing a photo. Thank you also to Henk Vincent for additional information on the patrols made along the Maas River. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© 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/

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…..The WWII Soldier From Liscomb Who Lost His Life Due To Sniper Fire In Germany

January 6, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

January 6, 2024. In going through the photo wish lists for soldiers buried in The Netherlands, Pieter often picks a name based on location – especially if we are planning to visit that area – or by name. Lawrence Arthur RUDOLPH, listed as being from Guysborough, got his attention for both reasons. We’d had very good luck with soldiers from Guysborough, and the surname Rudolph was one he thought might be easier to trace.

Pieter was in luck as he was soon in contact with Elsie Hartling, whose mother, Lillian M. Rudolph, was Lawrence’s sister, and she had a photo, which was kindly sent to us by her nephew Andrew Hartling.

Born December 31, 1923 in Liscomb, Guysborough County in Nova Scotia, Lawrence was the son of Basil Melbourn and Elsie Rudolph. Before enlisting with the No. 6 District Depot on April 21, 1943 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was employed as a pipe fitter.

Lawrence Arthur Rudolph. (Photo courtesy of Elsie Hartling)

On April 30, 1943, Lawrence was sent to No. 60 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for initial training. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to A2 Canadian Artillery Training Centre (CATC) in Petawawa, Ontario for training as a gunner.

On November 1, 1943, Lawrence was transferred to No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service.

… Lawrence left Canada for overseas service in December 1943…

On December 15, 1943 Lawrence left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on December 21, 1943 he was assigned to 2^nd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (CARU).

Then, on January 14, 1944, Lawrence was transferred to the 5^th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and underwent further training, qualifying as a Driver i/c (Wheeled) on May 9, 1944. (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’. Wheeled refers to wheeled vehicles.)

Preparations for going to the front were ongoing, but, as noted in ‘The History of the 5^th Anti-Tank Regiment’, a compilation edited by John P. Claxton, “….at first light on 18^th July 1944, the Regiment moved off in convoy, destination was Tilbury Docks, and the trip to the Marshalling Area was made without incident….”

It took time to load vehicles and equipment onto the ships, but “…in due course and with numerous pauses for tea, civilian longshoremen completed the task of loading vehicles into the holds of ships….”

… Lawrence left for France in July 1944 with his Regiment…

“…After a couple of days at anchor at South End…” Lawrence left for France with his Regiment on July 21, 1944 when “…the convoy moved out of the Thames Estuary and through the channel under cover of darkness and a light mist…”

Screenshot 2024-01-05 at 09-00-49 courcelles sur mer at DuckDuckGo

The 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment arrived at Courceulles-Sur-Mer and then travelled down towards Caen and Falaise. (Map source: Wikipedia)

They arrived “…off the beaches at Courceulles-sur-Mer, Normandy in a blaze of anti-aircraft fire…Further delay was caused by rough weather and scarcity of landing craft…..”

Finally, after several days, all personnel and equipment reached land, and “…the Regiment proceeded through pulverized villages and over the remains of country roads to our concentration area near Graye-sur-Mer….”

The Regiment fought its way across France, going past Caen to the Falaise Gap, into the Somme. By September 1944 they reached Belgium, and began the push towards Antwerp, and then, in mid-October, into The Netherlands.

… Lawrence lost his life during Operation Blockbuster…

Screenshot 2024-01-05 at 09-09-05 kleve germany at DuckDuckGo

The 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment left The Netherlands for Germany. On February 27, 1945 Lawrence Rudolph lost his life near present day Bedburg-Hau, Germany, during Operation Blockbuster. (Map source: Wikipedia)

The Regiment’s time in The Netherlands ended on February 22, 1945, “… when the Regiment moved to concentration areas south of Cleve in Germany….” to participate in Operation Blockbuster. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

“…..Operation Blockbuster began at dawn on the 26^th February, in abominable weather. The state of the ground precluded use of towed 17-pounder guns, but our Crusader Towers did outstanding work. Loaned with drivers to the assaulting formation, they were used as armoured troop carriers to get the infantry through heavy fire on their objectives, and then were employed to move casualties and supplies….”

A Crusader Tower was a tracked vehicle with room for a gun crew. (Photo source: YouTube WW2TV Crusader Gun Tractor)

Casualties were heavy, due to “…high velocity gun, artillery, and extensive minefields…” The weather deteriorated. By February 27, 1945, “…continuous deluges of rain with occasional wet snow, combined with the volume and weight of traffic, were rapidly converting roads into impassable masses of mud and dislodged cobblestones…”

Lawrence was in the midst of this, as the Crusader Towers were needed “….to move ammunition to the field guns…” followed by moving “….the guns themselves which were up to their muzzles in bog…”

At some point on the morning of February 27, 1945, Lawrence lost his life due to sniper fire. The War Diary entry for February 27, 1945 for the 14^th Battery of the 5^th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment recorded that at 9 am the battery was “…. ordered to proceed further ….” towards Keppeln. “…Half-track, while being towed, struck a carrier. Captain Gerla, Sergeant Carmicheal take Lt Sheid’s carrier to lead convoy. Lt Sheid proceeded back to Ech at Hau with carrier. On route to battery area, convoy fired on by snipers. Gunner Rudolph was killed and died instantly….” Hau is present-day Bedburg-Hau, just a few km from Kleve.

… Lawrence is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek…

Lawrence was initially buried in a temporary cemetery 4.8 km (3 miles) south of Kleve, Germany. In 1946, he was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of Lawrence Arthur Rudolph Find a grave

Grave of Lawrence Arthur Rudolph at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Elsie and Andrew Hartling for sharing a photo of Lawrence Arthur Rudolph, and to the contributors at WW2Talk for information on the Crusader Tower. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

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The WWII Soldier Born In Zbaraz Who Lost His Life During The Battle Of The Küsten Canal

August 24, 2022September 23, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

where-to-blog-header-code-on-a-wordpress-theme- August 24, 2022. When researchers at the Information Centre at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands honoured 27 soldiers of Ukrainian heritage that are buried in the cemetery, they didn’t have photos of 4 soldiers. Could Pieter help?

All four had a connection to the Canadian prairies. Families of all four soldiers came forward within a few weeks.

….The 4 soldiers of Ukrainian heritage without photos ….

Elie ANTONYSZYN, born in Rorketon, Manitoba, died July 15, 1945, aged 22
Andrew KERELCHUK, born in Zbaraz, Manitoba, died April 19, 1945, aged 21
Sam MATVICHUK, born in Broadacres, Saskatchewan, died April 14, 1945, aged 19
John RUSNAK, born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, died November 22, 1945, aged 21

The first posting was about Sam Matvichuk. This posting is about Andrew KERELCHUK, who was born September 17, 1923 in Zbaraz, Manitoba, the son of Michael (Mike) and Tina (nee Stonoga) Kerelchuk.

…Family of Andrew Kerelchuk contribute a photo…

The only son in the family, Andrew had five sisters: Linda, Olga, Helen, Steffie, and Rosie. It was Olga’s daughter, Barbara (Barb) Dobbie, who contributed a photo of her uncle. When Pieter spoke with Barbara, she told him that her husband Ted served in the army and had been posted to the United Nation in New York at the same time as Pieter was posted to the Dutch consulate there. Small world!

IMG_6657 Andrew Kerelchuk from Barb Dobbie

Andrew Kerelchuk. (Photo courtesy of the Kerelchuk Family)

Andrew grew up speaking English and Ukrainian. At the time of his enlistment with the #2 District Depot in Hamilton, Ontario on April 6, 1943, he was a factory worker at Electric Motors Company in Welland, Ontario.

On April 29, 1943 he was transferred to #26 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC) in Orillia, Ontario. After completing his basic training, Andrew was transferred to Camp Borden in Ontario. Camp Borden was a Service Flying Training School, as well as the home of the Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle School. As Andrew was not in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was there for tank training.

On August 23, 1943 he was transferred to #4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU) and a few days later, on August 25, he was on his way overseas, arriving in the United Kingdom on September 1, 1943.

… Andrew was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders…

On October 1, 1943 Andrew was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s), which had become part of the 10th Brigade of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Argyll_and_Sutherland_Highlanders_of_Canada_(Princess_Louise%27s))

On 26 July 1944, the Regiment landed in France and fought in Operation Totalize, a battle to capture Caen and clear the way to Falaise. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize). This was followed by Operation Tractable, to capture Falaise and smaller towns in the area. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Tractable)

… Andrew was wounded in France…

On August 17, 1944, during Operation Tractable, Andrew received a gunshot wound in his right hand.

According to the War Diary of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada for August 17, 1944, “…In the morning, the Battalion attacked and cleared Domblainville…. All the time that we were here, we were subjected to very heavy mortaring and shelling from enemy mortars on a hill to the south of Domblainville…”

He didn’t rejoin the unit again until November 1944, where he was attached to Company ‘B’. By then the Regiment had moved through Belgium and was in The Netherlands. Andrew joined them when they were in the vicinity of Heusden.

… After several months in The Netherlands, the Regiment entered Germany…

In the early hours of February 22, 1945 the Regiment left The Netherlands for the upcoming battles in Germany, all part of Operation Blockbuster. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

The War Diary of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada for February 22, 1945 noted that “…shortly after turning onto Ruby Route near Nijmegen we began to encounter signs that we were ‘approaching enemy territory’, and at 0243 hours the C.O. led the Battalion into Germany….By 0615 the Battalion was concentrated around Hau….”

On March 13, 1945 the Regiment returned to The Netherlands for training and a much needed rest. However, on Good Friday, March 30, 1945, the Regiment returned to Germany, arriving in Cleve, just on the other side of the Dutch border.

On April 2, 1945, they re-entered The Netherlands. According to that day’s War Diary of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, they “…began their push towards Lochem and the Twenthe Canal.…” With Lochem liberated and a bridgehead established over the Twenthe Canal, the Regiment was ordered back into Germany, “…into the plains of Northern Germany…”

They arrived in Meppen, Germany on April 6, 1945.

…Andrew was photographed in Meppen…

On April 7, 1945, the War Diary of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada noted that “…the task of establishing a bridgehead over the Ems and capturing Meppen fell to the Argylls…” This was accomplished the next day.

Lance-Corporal A. Kerelchuk and Private H.M. Sigurdson, both of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, guarding the northern approach to a bridge across the Hase River, Meppen, Germany, 8 April 1945. Photographer: Alexander Mackenzie Stirton. (Source: Library and Archives Canada/Department of National Defence fonds/a145725)

According to the War Diary for April 11, 1945, “… The entire Battalion left Meppen at 1145 hours, travelling on kangaroos…” Kangaroos are turret-less tanks with a platform for carrying troops. “…We travelled fairly slowly, passed Sögel in the early afternoon, and headed east towards Werlte…”

On April 14, 1945 the Regiment moved to Friesoythe and after clearing the town, the War Diary of April 15, 1945 noted that “… ‘C’ Company and the carrier platoons left Friesoythe… Their task was to go as far as possible towards the Küsten Canal bridge, which was known to have been blown by the retreating enemy… ‘A’ Company left Friesoythe shortly after ‘C’ had reached its position. This Company was to advance on the road west of ‘C’ Company…”

…The Battle of the Küsten Canal was fatal…

(Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

On April 17, 1945, the fight to capture the Küsten Canal began, with several Regiments involved. The role of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada was to reinforce the bridgehead and help drive off counterattacks. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/kustencanal.htm)

The War Diary of April 19, 1945 reported that “…it was planned that during the night ‘B’ Company, supported by tanks, would recce north…. The tanks found it very difficult to maneuver on the soft roads, which had been torn and cratered by three days of continuous shelling. The engineers were called in to work on the road…Several times during the night, fanatical enemy infantry counter-attacked our well dug-in forces…. with some losses among our own troops…”

Among those who lost their lives that night of April 19, 1945 was Andrew Kerelchuk. He was initially buried in Friesoythe, Germany.

…Andrew was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten…

In 1946, Andrew was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Grave of Andrew Kerelchuk in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

sunflower header

Thank you to Barbara Dobbie for providing a photo of her uncle, and to Judie Klassen for helping to find family members and newspaper articles. Watch for another story about a soldier of Ukrainian descent who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten in the next posting.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Missed the previous postings about the soldiers of Ukrainian heritage?…

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If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. The WWII Soldier Who Was Appointed Company Sergeant Major

June 29, 2022July 1, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 29, 2022. When we knew we would be travelling to North Bay, Ontario in May for an Author Talk at the North Bay Public Library, Pieter also wanted to help the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands fulfill their photo wish lists of six soldiers from the North Bay area.

Little did we know that a chance meeting with retired history teacher John Hetherington, organized by Don Coutts, to bring together like minded individuals interested in military research, would be the key to receiving one of these photos.

…A meeting that led to a photo of a WWII soldier….

IMG_20220518_195343443_BURST000_COVER May 18 2022 With John Hetherington photo by Don

John Hetherington with Daria and Pieter at the North Bay Public Library. (Photo credit: Don Coutts)

John Hetherington takes groups to visit war memorials and cemeteries in Europe, and we were delighted to meet him one evening during our visit to North Bay. After he and Pieter discussed the soldiers on the photo wish lists from the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands, John recalled that two nephews of Anthony PETTA, one of the soldiers on the list, had been on one of his tours, and had visited their uncle’s grave.

Leave it with me, he said. He’d look up the contact information and call them. He did, and within a few days, a photo was sent to Pieter by Anthony Repa, which was in turn sent to The Netherlands.

Anthony Petta. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Petta Family. Photo submitted by Anthony Repa. Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Antonio ‘Anthony’ PETTA was born November 8, 1915 in North Bay, Ontario, the son of Michael and Raffaela (nee Rota) Petta. Before enlisting with the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay on May 12, 1941, he was employed as a freight handler with the Temeskaming and Northern Ontario Railroad.

Anthony’s Occupational History Form indicated that he spoke English and Italian fluently, not surprising as both his parents had been born in Italy. He also indicated that after the war he hoped to take a Commercial Agriculture Course and become a chicken farmer.

On July 12, 1941, he was sent for training at Camp Shilo in Manitoba, followed by a promotion to Acting Corporal and a transfer to Newfoundland on August 8, 1942.

On February 16, 1943, he requested a demotion to Private and was sent to Debert, Nova Scotia, a camp that prepared soldiers for overseas service. The demotion lasted one day, and he was reappointed Acting Corporal. On April 6, he was confirmed as Corporal, and the following day, received another promotion, to Lance Sergeant.

By July 2, 1943 he was in the United Kingdom. While in the United Kingdom, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant on February 28, 1944, and then promoted again, this time to Sergeant, on May 28, 1944.

His stay in the United Kingdom ended when he left for Normandy, France with the Algonquin Regiment on July 20, 1944. On July 25, 1944, all four companies of the Algonquin Regiment landed on Juno Beach where, in the following days, they supported the 4th Canadian Armoured Division in closing the Falaise Gap. From there they fought to secure many bridgeheads over canals in The Netherlands and into Germany.

From November 5 to 8, 1944 the Algonquin Regiment had a rest period in the area around Steenbergen, in preparation for Operation Blockbuster, which began in February 1945, part of the final push towards the Rhine. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster)

According to his service record, while in Europe Anthony was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major (CSM) with the rank of Acting Warrant Officer 2. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_sergeant_major)

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was fierce and under wet and muddy conditions….

On February 26, 1945, Anthony’s regiment advanced towards the Hochwald Gap, the scene of what became a fierce battle. (See https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

The war diary for the Algonquin Regiment for February 27, 1945 noted that they were huddled beside the tanks which had brought them forward. Unfortunately, one company and part of another were missing, as the tanks carrying them had bogged down.

The objective for the Algonquin Regiment was a rounded hill which filled the western end of the gap between the Hochwald and the Balberger Wald.

The war diary for the Algonquin Regiment for March 2, 1945 explained that “… ‘D’ Company managed to mount two platoons on the available tanks, and with one platoon on foot, started for their objective. The two platoons on tanks managed to get as far forward as the Lake Superior Regiment position, but by this time 5 of the 8 tanks had been knocked out. The infantry therefore debussed and the tanks returned to the protective cover of the hill….

The third platoon of ‘D’ Company joined the small force of Lake Superior Regiment holding the furthest position forward. ‘A’ Company then tried to get forward to join ‘D’ Company, but they were pinned down by murderous fire from both flanks and were being shelled at every moment. It was decided to abandon this effort as casualties had been very heavy. A/CSM Petta was killed in this action….

Lt Hamilton, taking part in his first action, was also killed. Captain T. P. Richardson, Acting Commander ‘A’ Company, who was with CSM Petta, was missing, believed killed….”

It was later confirmed that Captain Richardson had died. Although the official records state that Anthony Petta died on March 3, 1945, the war diary indicates that he had died a day earlier. His brother Alexander ‘Leslie’ was also in the Algonquin Regiment and survived the war.

…Tanks helped protect infantry regiments…

A 46 minute YouTube video on the Battle of Hochwald Gap explained the fierce battle that took place. While this video depicts the tank battle, it shows the horrifying conditions troops were up against. Infantry units like the Algonquin Regiment depended on the tank regiments for protection.

…The photo at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek that triggered John’s memory…

n346 Maurice Petta and Anthony Repa by John Hetherington

Anthony Repa, left, and Maurice Petta, right, by the grave of Anthony Petta at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek in April 2010. (Photo courtesy of John Hetherington)

After meeting us, John did look for the photo of the two nephews, and sent it to us. When Anthony Repa sent us the photo of his uncle, he also gave permission to include the 2010 photo taken of himself and his cousin in Groesbeek.

Anthony went on to share that he has visited the cemetery in Groesbeek “…three times. The first, I was 23, in 1968 and backpacked around England, Belgium and Holland for 2 weeks. The second trip, I was with my wife and young son in 1987. The third was on John’s tour in 2010.

On the second trip, my wife and son and I were taking a Rhine River cruise which originated in Nijmegen. We booked into a hotel in Nijmegen and after I asked the desk clerk if there was a bus to Groesbeek, he directed us to a bus stop. As we waited at the stop, a bus came from the direction of the cemetery and stopped.

The female driver said something to us in Dutch. I told her we were Canadian and she then said in English that this was the last bus and that she was finished her shift. She then asked where we wanted to go. I said the Groesbeek Cemetery as my uncle was buried there. She told us to get on the bus, turned the bus around and drove us to the cemetery. I offered to pay the fare but she declined.

When we arrived she told us to take as long as we wanted to, that she would wait. After we paid our respects she drove us back to the hotel.

I have told countless people about this experience. I have many wonderful memories of my travels, one of my fondest, is the kindness she showed us on that day….”

…The Memorial Plaque from St. Rita Roman Catholic Church…

Part of the memorial plaque originally placed by St. Rita Roman Catholic Church. (Photo courtesy of Karen Steel)

We thought we had reached the end of the research for Anthony Petta when we were contacted by 92 year old Don Unger, who said he grew up in the neighbourhood around St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church and remembered seeing a memorial in the church yard. The memorial “….mentions Anthony Petta and other Italian boys who served…” he told Pieter.

The church was closed in 2010, but we asked Don Coutts, who lives in North Bay, if he could see if the memorial was still in the yard. It wasn’t.

Don then went to the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption and asked Karen Steel if she had any information. Karen explained that “…the plaques were donated to the North Bay Museum…” but she sent us “…a copy of the plaque information that I took for historical purposes before the plaques were taken to the museum. I always knew someday someone would be looking for this information!…”

The July 23, 1946 edition of the North Bay Nugget newspaper had a picture of the war memorial when it was dedicated. The text under the picture said “…His Excellency R. H. Dignan, assisted by Rev R. F. Venti, officiated at the unveiling of a splendid war memorial at St. Rita’s Park on Sunday. Dedicated to the memory of four members of the parish who gave their lives in the Second World War, the memorial is also in honour of those who served during the war.

The four corners are dedicated to Sgt Joe Demarco of the RCAF, Sgt A. Petta, Pte Gordon Hogan, and Cpl William Lafontaine, all of whom gave their lives during the recent conflict. The honour roll is also inscribed on the memorial. The dedication ceremony was an impressive one…” img church memorial for petta North Bay Nugget Jul 23 1946

Thank you to Don Coutts, John Hetherington, and Anthony Repa. Thank you also to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville for researching the newspaper and genealogy archives. Thank you to Karen Steel and Don Unger for the information on the memorial from St. Rita’s Church. Thanks also go to the North Bay Nugget newspaper as it had extensive coverage of WWII soldiers from the time period and the newspaper archive is digitized.

Our North Bay adventures continue in upcoming postings. If you know of any soldiers from the North Bay area that are buried in The Netherlands please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Previous stories told about soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Hochwald Gap ….

Two previous stories were told about soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Hochwald Gap. Clarence Wilfred Wakegijig was in a tank regiment that supported the infantry. Gerald Coolen, like Anthony Petta, was in an infantry regiment. To read the stories about Clarence and Gerald, see:

Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, lost his life on March 2, 1945. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/)
Gerald COOLEN, who served with the Black Watch, lost his life on February 26, 1945. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-11/)

…Missed the previous postings about our North Bay Memorial Trail visit?…

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail In North Bay….. Remembering WWII Soldier Cecil Edward Goodreau

June 17, 2022July 1, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 17, 2022. Some families span generations of military service, as we discovered when researching the life of WWII soldier Cecil Edward GOODREAU of North Bay, Ontario. Not only did Cecil serve during WWII, but two of his brothers did as well:

Murrel Robert, who worked at National Grocers in North Bay before enlisting in 1942
William (Bill) Joseph, who worked at Rankin’s Grocery in North Bay before enlisting

Both Murrel and Bill returned home from the war. Cecil didn’t.

The three brothers followed in the footsteps of their father Henry (Harry) Goodreau, who enlisted in WWI and served in France. While in England he met and married Margaret Daisy. They had 2 boys born there before returning to Canada in March 1919 on a ship full of troops and their wives and children.

Cecil Edward Goodreau. (Photo courtesy of the Goudreau family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Cecil was born July 9, 1924 in Cache Bay, Ontario, the son of Harry Joseph and Margaret Daisy Goodreau. He attended St Joseph’s Separate School in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, and after the family moved to North Bay when he was 12, he was a student at St Mary’s School in North Bay.

Before enlisting in Sudbury, Ontario on March 15, 1943, Cecil worked at the International Nickel Company (Inco) in Copper Cliff, Ontario. He was sent for training as a gunner at Camp Borden, Ontario before going overseas. He left Canada on November 25, 1943 and arrived in the United Kingdom on December 1, where he became part of the Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit (CACRU).

While in the United Kingdom, he attended Gunnery and Wireless courses in preparation for the D-Day landings on June 4, 1944 in Normandy. Remarkably, he survived D-Day and on June 9, 1944 was transferred to the 27^th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers).

… Cecil lost his life during Operation Blockbuster in Germany….

On November 1, 1944, while still in France, he was wounded when he sustained shell fragment wounds to his head and face, as well as his knee and shin, in an infantry accident. At the time of his death he was still carrying scars of the face and head shell wounds received in November.

Unfortunately, a few months later, Cecil was killed in action in Germany in the Battle of Keppeln on February 26, 1945 during Operation Blockbuster, the last part of Operation Veritable. He had been transferred to the 25^th Armoured Delivery Regiment (Elgin Regiment) just the day before.

Cecil was initially buried near Kalkar, Germany. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable)

… Cecil’s great-niece contacted us….

Nancy Gribbons, daughter of Cecil’s niece Marie, wrote that “…My grandfather, Harry Goudreau, and Uncle Cecil were brothers. My mother talked of Uncle Cecil staying with them all the time and that they all loved him.

When he was 18, Uncle Cecil moved from North Bay to stay with Harry and Grandma Helene at their home in Copper Cliff, Ontario. Uncle Cecil worked at Inco mines before signing up in Sudbury to join the war.

My grandparents helped many persons by letting them stay at their home while working at the Inco mines. Inco was a large employer and people could make money to save.

In 1940 there was not a lot of work, especially in Northern Ontario, and men flocked to Sudbury to work in the mines. It was a mining town, and still is.

Grandpa Harry never got over losing his brother Cecil. He and Grandma Helen named their next child, a girl, Cecilla after him, and then the next and last was a boy and his name is Cecil Goudreau too.

Uncle Cecil was so loved and was saving to buy a farm in Verner, a farming community between North Bay and Sudbury, near Sturgeon Falls and Cache Bay, where he was born….”

…Memorial Plaque at Pro-Cathedral Of The Assumption Church in North Bay….

20220518_165029 May 18 2022 Procathedral

Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church in North Bay, Ontario.

After Nancy told us that Cecil’s name was listed on a memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church in North Bay, we asked Don Coutts if he could arrange a visit there to see it.

Don contacted Karen Steel, Parish Administrator, who was present when we came to view the plaque.

20220518_154353 May 18 2022 Pieter Karen Steel Don Coutts by memorial plaque in Procathedral

Pieter with Karen Steel and Don Coutts beside the memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church. Pieter is pointing to Cecil’s name. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

20220518_154254 May 18 2022 Memorial plaque for Goodreau in Procathedral

Memorial plaque at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church. Cecil’s name is second from the bottom in the far left column. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Cecil’s nephew had a photo….

Nancy Gribbons contacted her uncle Johnny Goudreau, a retired veteran, who wrote “…Thank you for your work on this project….” Johnny and his wife Beverley contributed the photo of Cecil, noting that there was a “…difference in the spelling for our last name. Goudreau is how this branch of the family spells the last name….”

Cecil was initially buried near Kalkar, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

12903776_137245225378 Goodreau from Find A Grave

Cecil Edward Goodreau is buried at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Johnny and Beverley Goudreau and Nancy Gribbons for sharing anecdotes about Cecil Goodreau and his photo. Heartfelt thanks to Don Coutts and Karen Steel for arranging the visit to the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Catholic Church to view the memorial plaque. Thank you also to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville for researching the newspaper and genealogy archives.

… Stories about other soldiers who lost their lives on February 26, 1945 during Operation Blockbuster…

Frank Edward MCGOVERN: https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/the-search-for-a-photo-of-frank-edward-mcgovern-moves-to-youtube/
Bernard ‘Barney’ Reuben MCGUIGAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/12/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-photo-search-for-barney-mcguigan-is-successful/ and https://bordencarletonresearchproject.wordpress.com/2020/08/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-barney-reuben-mcguigan/
Elbridge Wellington MILLER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/04/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-9/

…Missed the previous postings about our North Bay Memorial Trail visit?…

…Want to follow our research?….

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	Nancy Reddin on On The War Memorial Trail….A V…
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…Placing flags at graves was a labour of love and respect…

…4 Soldiers From Nova Scotia Commemorated…

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

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…5 Soldiers From Prince Edward Island Commemorated…

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

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….Arthur left Canada for overseas service….

….Arthur was transferred to Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal….

.….Arthur was badly wounded during the Battle of the Scheldt ….

.….Arthur lost his life during Operation Blockbuster ….

.….11 other soldiers died on February 26, 1945….

.….Arthur is buried in Groesbeek….

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…..Ange Aimé enlisted under the NRMA in 1944….

….Ange Aimé received embarkation leave….

….We had help in translating letters from French into English….

….Ange Aimé left Canada for overseas service….

….Ange Aimé was flown to Northwest Europe from the United Kingdom….

…. Ange Aimé’s transfer to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve was his last….

….Letter from Captain Provost described how Ange Aimé lost his life….

….Ange Aimé is buried in Groesbeek….

….Ange Aimé’s grave was adopted by Ton Bersen ….

….Ange Aimé is remembered on his parents’ gravestone ….

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

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….Edward enlisted at age 18….

….Edward left Canada for overseas service….

….The Battle of Hochward Gap was deadly….

….Edward is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

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….Ralph’s working life began in childhood….

….Ralph enlisted in 1943….

….Ralph left Canada for overseas service….

….Ralph was assigned to the Lake Superior Regiment….

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was a fierce tank battle….

….A video shows how the Battle of Hochwald Gap was fought….

….Ralph lost his life during Operation Churchill….

….Ralph is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek….

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… Lawrence left Canada for overseas service in December 1943…

… Lawrence left for France in July 1944 with his Regiment…

… Lawrence lost his life during Operation Blockbuster…

… Lawrence is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek…

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….The 4 soldiers of Ukrainian heritage without photos ….

…Family of Andrew Kerelchuk contribute a photo…

… Andrew was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders…

… Andrew was wounded in France…

… After several months in The Netherlands, the Regiment entered Germany…

…Andrew was photographed in Meppen…

…The Battle of the Küsten Canal was fatal…

…Andrew was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten…

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…A meeting that led to a photo of a WWII soldier….

….The Battle of Hochwald Gap was fierce and under wet and muddy conditions….

…Tanks helped protect infantry regiments…

…The photo at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek that triggered John’s memory…

…The Memorial Plaque from St. Rita Roman Catholic Church…

….Previous stories told about soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Hochwald Gap ….

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… Cecil lost his life during Operation Blockbuster in Germany….

… Cecil’s great-niece contacted us….

…Memorial Plaque at Pro-Cathedral Of The Assumption Church in North Bay….

…Cecil’s nephew had a photo….

… Stories about other soldiers who lost their lives on February 26, 1945 during Operation Blockbuster…

…Missed the previous postings about our North Bay Memorial Trail visit?…

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…. Ange Aimé’s transfer to Le Régiment de Maisonneuve *was his last….***