Operation Overlord

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Signalman From Charlottetown Who Died In A Vehicle Accident In The Netherlands 6 Weeks After WWII Ended In Europe

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March 15, 2026.  In going through the last few names on a photo wish list for soldiers from New Brunswick who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Pieter’s initial research found that one of the names was of a soldier from Prince Edward Island.

Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, is on the east coast of Canada. (Map source: Google)

Alfred Edward Stanley FORD was born February 12, 1918 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, son of Alvin Chester and Ethel Maud (nee Roebuck) Ford.  He was one of two children in the family and Pieter at first thought it would be a challenge to find a photo.

However, an obituary for Alfred’s sister Marjorie led him to the Cummins family, and he was soon in contact with Marjorie’s son Dave, who wrote to Pieter, saying “….I greatly appreciate all the work you and your wife are doing on the memories of our fallen soldiers…” And yes, he did have a photo of his uncle.

….Alfred worked as a waiter and butler…

Alfred Edward Stanley Ford. (Photo courtesy of Cummins/Ford archives.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

When Alfred enlisted at the No. 4 District Depot in Montreal, Quebec on December 3, 1941, he stated that he had served in the Reserve Formation of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) in Prince Edward Island for 2 years, from July 1936 until July 1938. 

After leaving school at aged 16, he’d worked as a waiter at various hotels between 1933 and 1936, and then was a butler for the Polish Consul-General, Dr. Sylwester Gruszka, in New York City between 1936 and 1939. (A career diplomat, Dr. Gruszka was the Consul-General from 1935–1940. For more information, see https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylwester_Gruszka)

Alfred’s time working for the Consul-General resonated with us, as decades later Pieter worked in the Consulate in New York and later in the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, during his career in the Dutch Foreign Service.

While working for Dr. Gruszka, Alfred took a short order-barman course and received a diploma for successfully completing a course at the Fanny Farmer School of Cooking in 1937. 

From 1939 to 1941, Alfred worked as a barman and later as a waiter in New York. 

….Alfred was drafted one country and enlisted in another….

On October 16, 1940, he was required to fill out a US Draft Card Registration. At the time, he was between jobs in New York City, and living with a friend. Although the USA didn’t officially enter World War II until December 8, 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had signed into law in October 1940 the first peacetime selective service draft in US history because of rising world conflicts.

Since he was living in the USA, Alfred was required to register for the US Draft, but never joined the US Army as he subsequently moved to Montreal, Quebec and enlisted in the Canadian Army.

During his interview, Alfred expressed an interest in becoming a lineman with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and it was noted that he played hockey as a sport.  The interviewer described Alfred as “…respectful, cheerful, and neat in appearance...” and noted that 23 year old Alfred had “…done well in civilian life…”

….Alfred was trained as a Signalman….

Alfred Edward Stanley Ford during basic training. (Photo courtesy of Cummins/Ford archives.  Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg)

Alfred’s military career began when he was sent for basic training to No. 41 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in Huntingdon, Quebec on December 8, 1941. 

After completing his basic training, he was transferred to A7 Canadian Signal Corps Training Centre at Camp Barriefield, Ontario on March 12, 1942 for advanced training.  He remained there until May 5, 1942 when he was posted to the 6th Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment Signals Section, Royal Canadian Artillery, in Petawawa, Ontario as a Signalman.

As a Signalman, Alfred would have been trained to manage radio (wireless), telephone, and visual signaling, and to ensure that his Regiment received air raid warnings and to relay gun target information.

On November 2, 1942, Alfred was given embarkation leave until November 15, 1942, the last chance he had to see his family. 

….Alfred left Canada for overseas service….

Shortly after returning from his embarkation leave, Alfred was on his way overseas, leaving Canada on December 12, 1942.  Upon arriving in the United Kingdom on December 18, 1942, he was assigned to No. 1 Canadian Base Staging Camp (CBSC) in Colchester.

On March 6, 1943, Alfred was sent on an Operators Course at No. 1 Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit (CSRU), located at the Blandford Camp in Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire.

Alfred was transferred to the Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit (CSRU) on April 2, 1943.  His training continued and on July 29, 1943, he qualified as a Lineman Group ‘C’ Class 3.  A Lineman would be involved in constructing and repairing overhead telephone and telegraph lines to support military communications.

A month later, on August 26, 1943, he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Line of Communications Signals (L of C Sigs), a key unit within the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RC Sigs) during WWII.  Formed in England, this unit was responsible for maintaining communications along the supply and transport routes (lines of communication) supporting the Canadian Army’s overseas operations in Europe. 

As training and preparations began for Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy), which began on what we know as D-Day (June 6, 1944), Alfred was transferred to the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section in Womenswold in Kent on May 2, 1944, along with another linesman.  The war diary for May 2, 1944 noted that “…2 Line Detachments arrived today from L of C Signals….” 

This unit provided communication and signaling support for anti-aircraft operations, and training and exercises continued ahead of being sent to France after D-Day. They would be part of the signals composition of the Canadian Army Overseas.

….Alfred and his unit were sent to France in August 1944…

Liberty ship ‘Samarina’. (Photo source: Ships Nostalgia)

On August 1, 1944, Alfred and other members of the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section travelled to London, for the move into France as part of the 21st Army Group.  The following day they boarded the Liberty ship ‘Samarina’, along with their vehicles and equipment. They set sail for France on August 3, 1944. 

Map showing Courselles-sur-Mer on the coast of France, near Caen.  ‘La Manche’ in French is what we call the ‘English Channel’.  (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.fr)

Per the August 5, 1944 war diary, they arrived at 9:10 pm “…at the anchorage off Courcelles…” but had to wait until August 7 to disembark.  On August 8, 1944, “…the unit arrived Bény-sur-Mer….” and “…established communications with Brigade HQ…” The unit arrived in the midst of Operation Totalize, fought between August 7-11, 1944, in an offensive designed to break through the German defences south of Caen and toward Falaise.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

They had their work cut out for them once they reached Caen and took over from 51 Anti-Aircraft Operations Room (AAOR).  As recorded in the war diary for August 12, 1944, the unit “…controlled 16 AA guns in defence of Caen from 1800 hours today.  Line communications are difficult as some of the line has been badly laid and not maintained.  All broadcasts must go down to guns by line and upward intelligence must go up the same way.  This is not satisfactory….”  

On August 28, 1944, they were ordered to leave Caen and move to Lisieux. The war diary entry for August 29, 1944 recorded that at 8 am “…AAOR handed over to 152 and moved to concentration area at Lisieux….”  However, by 6 pm that same day, there was a change.  “… Unit was ordered to deploy from concentration area Lisieux for the defence of Brienne….”

Map shows location of Esquelbecq (purple circle) in France, near the Belgian border. (Map source: Google maps)

By September they had moved up through France near the Belgian border, and were based in Esquelbecq, responsible for the Gun Operations Room (GOR) in the Dunkirk area.  Linesmen like Alfred worked in difficult and dangerous conditions, as evidenced in just one line from the September 21, 1944 war diary. “…Linemen found that laying lines in the forward area became a bit tricky with snipers and machine gun fire near vicinity….”

An unidentified lineman laying a telephone line in France in September 1944 gives an idea of what Alfred Ford did as a lineman. (Photo Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-174411)

Alfred was twice admitted to hospital, first from November 17 until December 18, 1944 at No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Saint Omer, France, and then from January 6 to 18, 1945 at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Bruges, Belgium. The war diary reported that several men had been ill with colds and flu, and perhaps this is what happened to Alfred, as there was no report of an accident or being wounded by enemy action.  He returned back to his unit, which was still in France, but now in Wormhout, just a short distance from Esquelbecq, on January 28, 1945.

On February 9, 1945, the unit moved to Desselgem, Belgium, located between Ypres and Ghent.  They remained there until February 28, 1945 when they moved to Hallaar, not that far from the Dutch border, where the Operations Room for the unit would be temporarily based, during Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster). 

On March 12, 1945, the unit moved again, to Linden, The Netherlands, 10 kms (6 miles) south of Nijmegen, and near the German border. On March 13, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…as the Ops Room Section…is going to be deployed in the defence of Kleve, a Recce party went to that almost completed ruined city and found a site for the Ops Room, and billets in partially demolished houses nearby…”  The unit moved to Kleve, Germany 10 days later.

On April 14, 1945, the war diary reported that “…line party across Rhine to lay line to Units under this Unit from proposed new location of AAOR…” Two days later, they moved to Oldenzaal, The Netherlands, near the German border.

On May 7, 1945, a day before the official end of WWII hostilities in Europe, the unit moved to Oldenburg, Germany, before being redirected to Wilhelmshaven on May 10, 1945, and placed on temporary guard duty.  The war diary for May 24, 1945 noted another upcoming move. “…Guard commitments to be turned over by midnight of the 25 May 1945.  This unit will move to Arnhem area where it will come under command 2 Canadian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment…”

The move was delayed a few days.  On May 26, 1945, the war diary recorded that “…we are to move at 0700 hours tomorrow to Otterlo in Holland where we come under Command of I-Corps and are attached to 2 Canadian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment…”  In Otterlo they camped in an old Dutch barracks in the woods.

The war diary summarized May 1945 by stating that “…except for four days the entire month has been spent in Germany with the unit personnel doing guard duties for a greater portion of that period….”

On June 7, 1945, Alfred was given 11 days leave to the United Kingdom, returning on June 18, 1945, just in time to learn, on June 19, 1945, that the 16th Canadian Anti-Aircraft (CAA) Operations Room Signal Section was to be disbanded immediately. The next few days were spent packing up all the equipment and vehicles. 

On June 22, 1945, most of the unit moved to the Artillery Reallocation Centre 13 Canadian Base Reinforcement, located south of Nijmegen. However, the Signals detachment, which Alfred was part of, remained at Otterloo for the night, as they had been assigned to HQ 1st Canadian Army Signals for cross postings, and were scheduled to report there on June 23, 1945. 

….Alfred died of injuries from a vehicle accident…

Alfred and the Signals Detachment were camped in a barracks in the woods outside Otterlo (green circle). The vehicle he was in was going in the direction of Apeldoorn (purple arrow).  (Map source: Google maps)

However, Alfred never arrived at his next posting as he died in a vehicle accident on June 22, 1945. The circumstances of what happened are unclear.  According to a witness, Lance Corporal R. A. MacDonald of the Canadian Provost Corps, who was on traffic patrol duty at the Arnhem-Apeldoorn Highway, around 9:15 pm a vehicle travelling in the direction of Apeldoorn approached him “…at a fast rate of speed. The vehicle was unsteady in its course, weaving as if out of control….” 

As it neared the witness, the vehicle veered to the right, likely because the driver suddenly noticed him and lost control of the vehicle in trying to avoid an accident.  Unfortunately, it crashed into a tree beside the road. The driver was 27 year old Alfred, who died from head injuries sustained in the crash. He was alone in the vehicle, and no one knew why he was driving a vehicle from another unit, as he was not assigned to be on duty at the time. A Court of Inquiry ruled it as an accidental death. 

….Alfred is buried in Groesbeek….

Grave of Alfred Edward Stanley Ford in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Alfred was temporarily buried in Jonkerbos Cemetery in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek on August 2, 1945.

Dave Cummins provided photos of his uncle Alfred.  (Photo courtesy of Dave Cummins)

Thank you to Dave Cummins for providing photos and information on his uncle, and to Chris Cummins for notifying Dave of the photo search request. “…Thank you Pieter, my family appreciates all you have done for Alfred…” Dave wrote.  “…Keep up the good work….”

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue, doing his part to ensure that each individual soldier is remembered. If you have photos or information to share about soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium, please email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.    

© Daria Valkenburg

….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/

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier From Clermont Killed During Operation Veritable

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September 30, 2024. When you visit a Canadian War Cemetery and place down a flag by a soldier’s grave, it stays with you, and makes you wonder about the person who is buried there.  Before our first war memorial tour in 2017, Pieter asked the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands for a list of soldiers from Prince Edward Island who are buried there, and we made sure to place flags at their graves.

Screenshot 2024-09-30 at 09-15-25 Clermont - Google Maps

Clermont is located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.  (Map source: Google)

Over the years, Pieter has researched many of the soldiers from Prince Edward Island who are buried in The Netherlands, and he continues to do so. One of these WWII soldiers was John ‘Weston’ CAMPBELL, born May 29, 1916 in Clermont, Prince Edward Island, the son of Archibald Joseph and Lavinia Helen (nee Brennan) Campbell.  

brant

C.G.S. Brant in Charlottetown around 1930.  (Photo source: https://sailstrait.wordpress.com)

Weston’s father was Captain of the Canadian Government Ship ‘Brant’, a buoy and lighthouse tender that operated from the Charlottetown Marine Wharf.  The family also operated a farm, and Weston worked there after leaving school upon completing Grade 10.

On June 29, 1937, Weston joined the 1st Battalion of the Prince Edward Island Highlanders Militia, before enlisting in active service with the Regiment on October 3, 1939. His basic training was taken in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island_Highlanders)

….Weston was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders…

Weston was promoted to Corporal and then Acting Sergeant by the time he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 3rd Division, on June 20, 1940, and joined them at their headquarters in Amherst, Nova Scotia.  Training in preparation for overseas service continued.

According to his Personnel Selection Record, Weston played hockey, soccer, baseball, and softball.  His brother Vernon was a Chief Petty Officer in the Canadian Navy.  He had 4 sisters and 1 other brother.  The interviewer described Weston as “…sturdy, good-looking, well-balanced, with keen pride in regiment….”

CAMPBELL John Weston

John ‘Weston’ Campbell as a Sergeant.  (Photo courtesy of North Nova Scotia Highlanders Museum)

On July 5, 1941 he was promoted to Sergeant, just as the Regiment moved to Debert, Nova Scotia for final preparations before going overseas.  In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he noted that “…the 3rd Division units were moving to Debert….Word came that the North Novas would be included in the 9th Highland Brigade along with the Highland Light Infantry and the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders…”

….Weston left Canada for England….

On July 19, 1941, Weston and his Regiment left Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the Orion, arriving in Avonmouth, England on July 29, 1941.  Two days later, they were allowed to disembark and left by train for Aldershot, where “…the North Novas arrived at Albuhera Barracks…”

He continued to train and take courses, and then was transferred to the No. 1 Non-Effective Transit Depot (NETD) on July 7, 1942.  Tweedsmuir Camp in Surrey, near the village of Thursley, was set up as Number One Transit Depot for handling thousands of medical and psychological cases during WWII.  

It was also used as a base for returning Canadian and American troops, and that appears to be why Weston was there, as shortly after his arrival he was sent back to Canada, arriving on July 29, 1942.  The following day he was assigned to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a short period.

….Weston returned to Canada for officer training….

On August 14, 1942, Weston was sent to the No. 30 Officers Training Centre in Brockville, Ontario for training. After successfully completing his 12 week course on November 7, 1942, he was recommended for promotion and appointment to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

With his new officers’ rank, he was transferred to the A-14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia on November 13, 1942.  He was sent for additional training to the A25 Canadian Army Small Arms Training Centre (CSATC) in Long Branch, Ontario from November 14 to December 12, 1942, after which he was promoted to Lieutenant.

On January 9, 1943, Weston was transferred to No. 61 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia for additional training, before returning to A-14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Camp Aldershot on April 14, 1943.

….Weston left Canada again for overseas service….

On June 19, 1943, Weston left Canada for overseas service.  After arriving in the United Kingdom on June 24, 1943, he was assigned to No. 7 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).   He arrived there just as a fellow Islander, Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel BULGER, whose story was previously told, was transferred to the Princess Louise Fusiliers.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/08/05/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-bulger-brothers-part-i-the-wwii-soldier-from-foxley-river-killed-during-the-battle-of-moerbrugge/)

On July 29, 1943, Weston returned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, who were still in the United Kingdom. Training and exercises continued, as extensive preparations began for Operation Overlord (the larger Normandy invasion) and Operation Neptune (the English Channel-crossing portion of Operation Overlord) on June 6, 1944 – what we know today as D-Day.

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he recorded that among “…the officers selected to land in France on D Day with the North Novas….” was Lt. J.W. Campbell who would be leading an anti-tank platoon.

…Weston survived D-Day….

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders left England for Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, after waiting in place in the English Channel on landing craft earlier.   The war diary for Sunday, June 4, 1944 noted that “…we are tied up with two other landing craft tank.   The Padre is on one, so he had a church service at 10:30 hours on the quarter deck of the middle craft…”

On June 5, 1944 the war diary recorded that “…at 14:00 hours the flotilla moved out to the open sea and formed up with the other craft taking part in the invasion…”

After landing on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, 21st Army Group, the war diary noted that the Regiment had 10 casualties that day– 4 killed, 6 wounded. 

Weston had survived D-Day and received a promotion to Acting Captain on June 22, 1944. The Regiment continued to fight in North-West Europe, including the Battle of the Scheldt, which began October 2, 1944. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt)  Weston was confirmed as Captain on October 4, 1944.

On December 19, 1944, he was promoted again.  The war diary entry for that day reported that “…Captain J. W. Campbell was made Acting Major today, and is to command ‘B’ Company…”

On January 10, 1945, while on leave in the United Kingdom, he married Mary Margaret Taylor in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. 

He returned to the Regiment on January 15, 1945 and the war diary entry for that day recorded that “…the battalion officers held a party for Major J. W. Campbell who has just returned from his privilege leave to the United Kingdom.  It appears that he was married during this leave….”

….Weston lost his life during Operation Veritable…

Screenshot 2024-09-30 at 11-09-38 emmerich germany - Google Search

Map shows Emmerich, Germany located on the Rhine River. Allied troops had to cross the river in amphibious vehicles.  (Map source: Google maps)

The Regiment was informed that they were to take part in Operation Veritable. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Veritable) After leaving Nijmegen in The Netherlands, they reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945. 

On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies made their way towards Emmerich.   The war diary for that day reported that “….we have been given the job of taking out the triangle formed by the road running southwest … and the canal running south east….”

Three Companies were involved. “…The attack is to be made across the river which has overflowed its banks and now forms a barrier over 200 yards wide. Buffaloes are to be used for the attack…”

The action began at noon, with ‘C’ Company on the left, and ‘A’ Company on the right of the road.  “… ‘B’ Company, which arrived late at the rendezvous, set out at 12:10 hours with their axis along the main road…”

The war diary entry continued, explaining that “…the assault companies landed on the shore with terrific fire support from field and medium artillery, plus the machine guns of the Buffaloes…”

The attack, which ended at 6:15 pm,  was ultimately successful, but “…our total number of casualties for today’s action was 3 killed and 8 wounded, including Major J. W. Campbell, commanding ‘B’ Company, who was killed…”  Both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies had been heavily mortared during the day.

….Weston is buried in Groesbeek…

Weston was initially buried in a churchyard in Warbeyen, Germany, located halfway between Emmerich and Kleve, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  He was 28 years old and had been married just over a month.

CIMG9018 Sep 16 2017 Groesbeek Cemetery grave of JW Campbell from Daria

Grave of John ‘Weston’ Campbell in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Seven years after we placed flags at his grave, we finally know John ‘Weston’ Campbell’s story! If you have photos or information to share, please email 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. D-Day Commemoration at Borden-Carleton Legion – June 6, 2024

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Screenshot 2024-05-28 at 10-34-30 D-Day 80th Anniversary Banner Decoration - 1.2m

June 19, 2024.  June 6, 2024 marked the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord (the larger Normandy invasion) and Operation Neptune (the English Channel-crossing portion of Operation Overlord) – what we refer to as D-Day.  

….80 years ago, Canadians landed on Juno Beach….

DDay 80 Newsletter - 3

On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians and 7,000 Brits landed on Juno Beach. (Photo source: 2023 Juno Beach Centre Association (Canada))

An excerpt from the Juno Beach Centre Association (Canada) noted that “…between 7:45-8:15 am, units from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, supported by tanks of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, launched attacks along an eight-kilometre stretch of beach between Saint-Aubin and Graye-sur-Mer.

Despite the heavily entrenched enemy, the Canadians overcame the German defences and started inland. By evening, a Canadian bridgehead had been solidly established on the coast of Normandy. So started the Battle of Normandy….”

….The Borden-Carleton Legion commemorated the anniversary….

On June 6, 2024, members of the Borden-Carleton Legion gathered by the Cenotaph to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  It was duly noted that two of the Legion veterans present had been born BEFORE June 6, 1944! 

CIMG6855 Jun 6 2024 2 veterans Pieter & George Palmer Borden Carleton Legion

Two veterans from the Borden-Carleton Legion, Pieter Valkenburg (left) and George Palmer (right), were born BEFORE D-Day on June 6, 1944! (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 

CIMG6856 Jun 6 2024 Parade lineup Borden Carleton Legion

Members of the Borden-Carleton Legion lined up for the 80th Commemoration of the D-Day landings.  Front: Sgt At Arms Mario Henry.  Back, left to right: Pieter Valkenburg, George Palmer, Barry Bernard, Danny Bernard, Trish Taylor.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 

CIMG6861 Jun 6 2024 Wreath at Cenotaph Borden Carleton Legion

The Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion after the laying of the wreath to honour the servicemen who were at D-Day on June 6, 1944.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….More information about D-Day….

Missed an earlier posting on the 80th anniversary of D-Day?  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-commemorating-the-80th-anniversary-of-d-day/

Want to know more about D-Day?  Follow the photos and text  in ‘D-Day: The story of 24 hours that changed the world’ at https://news.sky.com/story/d-day-the-story-of-24-hours-that-changed-the-world-11732907

Do you have photos or information to share? Email 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Commemorating The 80th Anniversary Of D-Day

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Screenshot 2024-05-28 at 10-34-30 D-Day 80th Anniversary Banner Decoration - 1.2m

June 1, 2024.  June 6, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord (the larger Normandy invasion) and Operation Neptune (the English Channel-crossing portion of Operation Overlord) – what we refer to as D-Day.

….What does D-Day mean?….

Did you know that the ‘D’ in D-Day was a military codeword referring to ‘Departure Day’?  U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe,  noted, through his executive assistant, Brigadier General Robert Schultz: “…Be advised that any amphibious operation has a ‘departed date;’ therefore the shortened term ‘D-Day’ is used….”

While there were several other D-Days during the war, the invasion of Normandy was the biggest and most well-known. 

…..D-Day was an international effort….

Most people consider D-Day to have been solely a joint British, Canadian, and American effort.  However, it’s important to recognize that over 2 million troops from over 12 countries were in Britain in preparation for the invasion. While Allied forces consisted mainly of American, British, and Canadian troops, smaller contingents included Australian, Belgian, Czech, Dutch, French, Greek, New Zealand, Norwegian, Rhodesian, and Polish naval, air, or ground support!

Dday Invasion-map

D-Day invasion map. The Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (Map source: https://www.ddaylepe.org.uk/index.php/overlord-neptune/)

On the morning of D-Day, ground troops landed across five assault beaches –Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah, and Omaha.  Canadian soldiers landed at Juno on the outskirts of Bernières.  British forces landed at Sword and Gold, while the Americans landed at Utah and Omaha.

Want to know a bit more about D-Day?  See https://news.sky.com/story/eleven-things-you-might-not-know-about-d-day-13132330  My favourite tidbit is how Hitler slept through the D-Day landings.  Even after he woke up in the late morning he believed it was just a diversionary tactic – and so no reserve troops were immediately sent to Normandy!

….11 servicemen who survived D-Day have been featured on this blog….

Over the past years, we have featured stories of 11 servicemen who were present in Normandy on June 6, 1944. All survived D-Day, but only 1 survived WWII and returned home – Airman Lorne MACFARLANE flew a night mission that coincided with the early morning hours of D-Day and realized afterwards what a lucky escape he and his crew had.  “…Our mission was completed.   As we crossed the Channel on the way back, we could see through breaks in the cloud, the wakes of hundreds of ships…” heading towards the French coast.  You can read Lorne’s story here:  https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/10/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-pilot-from-pei-who-flew-40-missions-overseas-and-returned-home/

The other 10 are buried in a Canadian War Cemetery in France, The Netherlands, or Belgium.  These men are:

….The actions of D-Day helped shorten WWII….

For a very brief overview of the significance of D-Day, watch this 3 minute CTV video prepared for the 75th anniversary:

….Upcoming Event at the Borden-Carleton Legion….

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Borden-Carleton Legion will have a wreath laying ceremony by the Cenotaph at 3:00 pm on June 6, 2024.  Pieter and I will be there. All are welcome to attend in honour of those who fought on that day.  The wreath laying ceremony will be followed by a light lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs.

Do you have photos or information to share? Email 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Signalman From Charlottetown Whose Jeep Ran Over A Mine 6 Days Before The War Ended

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

May 29, 2024.  This is the 10th year that Pieter has been helping researchers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands to find photos of soldiers buried there.  He began with a list of soldiers who were from Prince Edward Island. It wasn’t until a year later that newspaper articles were published with stories related to Pieter’s research, and three years before this blog began in 2017.   Since then, the scope of his ‘little research project’ has expanded several times to include soldiers from across Canada and several cemeteries.

Back in 2014, Pieter was initially sent a list of 9 names, one of which was Maurice James HUGHES, who was born December 19, 1919 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the son of James M. and Nora (nee Gallant) Hughes.  

In the search for a photo of Maurice, Pieter ran into one stumbling block after another. He’d found family members, but none ever responded to inquiries.  Then, in the fall of 2019, we met with Ray Arsenault, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Charlottetown, who brought a scrapbook he’d received from a friend, Kaye Collins, which contained photos and articles about soldiers from the newspaper.  In a moment of serendipity that happens all too rarely, there was a photo of Maurice! 

CIMG3147 Sep 13 2019 Pieter with Ray Arsenault

Pieter with Ray Arsenault and the scrapbook in which a photo of Maurice James Hughes was found. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3149 Sep 13 2019 Cover of Ray Arsenault notebook

The scrapbook collated by Kaye Collins that contained a picture of Maurice James Hughes. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Maurice James Hughes newspaper article from Ray Arsenault

Picture of Maurice James Hughes found in the scrapbook collated by Kaye Collins.

…In 2023 a family member contacted us….

Four years after receiving the photo from Ray Arsenault, Pieter received an email from Lisa Hughes Bell: “… I recently read an article about you, regarding a face for every grave. My Great-Uncle was buried at the Holten Cemetery …. His name was Maurice J. Hughes from Charlottetown….” 

Lisa included a similar photo to what we’d already received.  After acknowledging her email, we received another email.  “…I really don’t know much about Maurice, but am really excited about doing research to find out as much as I can. My Grandfather (Maurice’s brother Frank) was in the Navy and really didn’t talk much about the war. We always knew that he never got over losing his big brother.…” 

As so often happens when family learns that a soldier died so close to the end of WWII, Lisa noted that “…there has always been a sadness in our family about Maurice because he died May 2, 1945, so close to coming home….”  She ended by saying that the family “….would be pleased if you did a story on Maurice…”  Since Maurice’s story had not yet been told on this blog, we decided to do so.

….Maurice was a signalman….

According to a May 10, 1945 obituary in The Guardian, he had been “…a popular member of the Maritime Electric’s staff…” as an assistant fireman before enlisting for active service as a signalman with the No. 6 District Signals, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) in Charlottetown on October 28, 1939. 

A signalman was a specialist responsible for military communications, doing works such as radio or telephone operators, laying cables for communications, and relaying messages for field commanders at the front line.

Before joining the active service, Maurice had joined the No. 6 District Signals militia on May 17, 1937 in Charlottetown. 

After completing his basic training, Maurice was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Then, on June 16, 1940, he was transferred to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Division, Signals.

On July 5, 1940, he reported for duty at Barriefield Camp in Kingston, Ontario. This was the home of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.  NOTE: As of 1966, Barriefield Camp was renamed Canadian Forces Base Kingston (CFB Kingston).

Next, Maurice was sent to Sussex Camp, New Brunswick for training as a linesman on October 15, 1940, and qualified as a Tradesman Group C Linesman on February 25, 1941.

Then, in preparation for overseas service, Maurice was assigned to No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia on July 5, 1941.

…Maurice left Canada for overseas service – including D-Day….

On July 19, 1941, Maurice and his Regiment left Canada from Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving in Avonmouth in the United Kingdom on July 31, 1941.  His training continued, as extensive preparations began for Operation Overlord (the larger Normandy invasion) and Operation Neptune (the English Channel-crossing portion of Operation Overlord) on June 6, 1944 – what we know today as D-Day.

Assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the role of the Signal Corps was to ensure smooth communications on that fateful day. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/history/second-world-war/normandy-1944)

Dday Invasion-map

D-Day invasion map. The Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (Map source: https://www.ddaylepe.org.uk/index.php/overlord-neptune/)

…Maurice was recommended for a Military Medal for an incident that happened on D-Day….

No mention was made of what Maurice encountered during the day, but just before midnight on June 6, 1944, Maurice and two other signalmen, E. W. MARTIN and J. D. MCPHEE, were near Banville, when they encountered German soldiers.  Lt. (later Captain) J. W. GROSS reported that as the 3 men were “….returning from 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters to 12 Canadian Field Regiment with a line, they were 1 ½ miles from our exchange and making a crossing at a crossroads…”

They’d encountered sniper fire all night, so Martin was in a ditch, covering the other two with a Bren gun.  Suddenly, “… a German soldier walked out from a side road….” and surrendered.  Unfortunately, a German officer also stepped out and began shooting at Maurice and McPhee, which ended when Martin opened fire.

Then, “....a German Major came up….” and told them that his whole company, part of the 11th Grenadier Regiment, wanted to surrender.   As the Germans “.…came up they handed over their arms and were searched by the three linesmen…”  Within 15 minutes they had 60 prisoners of war.

This was not the end!   “… About 20 minutes later two Canadian officers came upon the scene and joined the three linesmen…” as the contingent, except for Maurice, moved toward Banville.

Maurice “... stayed at the cross roads and 30 more surrendered to him. He moved them along the road and joined the party….” 

After the prisoners of war were taken to the POW cage on the beach, the linesmen continued their work and finished laying the line!

The three linesmen were recommended for a Military Medal for their actions, but sadly, their bravery and actions in having so many Germans surrender to them was not rewarded.  The recommendation for a Military Medal was not approved. 

….A Canadian Army Newsreel film was taken in The Netherlands….

Following upon the success of D-Day, Maurice and his Regiment were involved in the Allied advance through Northwest Europe.  In The Netherlands, a Canadian Army Newsreel briefly filmed members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS). Film Source: Library and Archives Canada.  Take a look:

….The Regiment moved into Germany on April 26, 1945….

Screenshot 2024-05-26 at 10-13-08 winschoten - Google Search

Map shows location of Winschoten, The Netherlands, as well as Weener and Leer in Germany.  (Map source: http://www.google.ca)

In the last week of April 1945, the Regiment prepared to leave The Netherlands. The after-action report on communications in the Regiment’s War Diary noted that after leaving Winschoten, The Netherlands, the “…Divisional Headquarters moved onto Germany on 26 April 1945…” and re-established “…preparatory for the operation to capture Leer….” on April 28, 1945.

In order to have communications available, a “…cable was taken across the River Ems at Weener, one circuit to connect 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade, which was on the opposite side of the river, and one circuit was extended to the bridge site on the river Leda, ready to be extended when 9 Canadian Infantry Brigade crossed into Leer. A line was laid to 16 Field Company RCE and extended on to a point on the Ems where the rafts were being assembled...”

….Maurice lost his life near Leer, Germany….

Lt. Colonel George Clarence LEECH, the Commanding Officer of Maurice’s unit, had recorded in his personal notes that Maurice, whose nickname was ‘Maw’, was very well liked and had not only participated in D-Day, but had been in the front line from then until his death on May 2, 1945 when the jeep he was riding in was hit by a mine.

On May 9, 1945, Lt. Colonel LEECH wrote a letter of condolence to Maurice’s mother, saying that “….Cpl Hughes was killed while riding in a jeep with Sgt Nixon on May 2nd when it ran into an enemy mine and blew up.  He did not suffer at all as death was instantaneous….”  Sgt E. C. ‘Nick’ NIXON was seriously wounded, but survived.

Lt. Colonel Leech went on to note that “…Maurice was one of my finest Corporals.  Since enlisting in 1939, he has given everything for the cause which we have been fighting for have at lost won…” Germany had signed an unconditional surrender, ending the war in Europe, on May 8, 1945, just a few days after Maurice lost his life.

.…Maurice is buried in Holten ….

Initial burial in Ihrhove The Coordinate Translator

Map shows location of Ihrhove, Germany, where Maurice James Hughes was initially buried.  (Map source: Google)

Maurice was originally buried in a temporary Canadian Military Cemetery in Ihrhove, Germany.  In his letter, Lt Colonel Leech wrote that the “…burial service was conducted by Father McCarney…” and that “….most of the men of his section attended his funeral…”

On March 12, 1946, Maurice was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Hughes MJ Maurice James F26373

Grave of Maurice James Hughes in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

After the war ended, many Dutch people adopted a soldier’s grave, as a way to give thanks for the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers.  Maurice’s grave was adopted by Mr. J. Schut from Deventer.  In a January 14, 1949 letter to the Department of Defence, he stated that he was 38 years old and asked that his letter be sent to Maurice’s family so they would know that Maurice would not be forgotten.  An abridged English translation of his letter was forwarded to Maurice’s father on February 28, 1949. 

Thank you to Ray Arsenault for providing a photo from the scrapbook collated by Kaye Collins, and to Lisa Hughes Bell for sharing how the family felt about the loss of Maurice. 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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

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