Operation Totalize

On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Sergeant From Kenora Killed During The Battle Of The Scheldt Near Hoogerheide

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April 4, 2026. When Caroline Raaijmakers, Chair of Faces To Graves Bergen Op Zoom, sent a photo wish list of 15 soldiers from the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, Pieter decided this was a research project he wanted to take on.

Kenora is situated on the Lake of the Woods in Ontario, near the border with Manitoba, and is about 208 km east of Winnipeg. (Map source: Google maps)

One of the soldiers was Sergeant Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ JORGENSON, born March 22, 1921 in Kenora, Ontario, the son of Jacob and Genevieve ‘Gen’ Evelyn Jorgenson, and the husband of Marguerite Norma ‘Tiny’ nee Campbell. Both of his younger brothers, Charles Edward ‘Ted’ and James ‘Jim’ Martin, served in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) during WWII.  He also had a younger sister, Patricia ‘Patsy’ Lenore.

The Jorgenson siblings, left to right:  Ted, Vin, Patsy, Jim.  (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

Not long after Pieter’s research began, he received a reply from Terry Ellwood, explaining that the soldier was his wife Leni’s uncle who died on October 23, 1944, at the age of 23.  “… He was a tank commander. Two months before he was killed he received a citation for bravery which was recorded in the New York Times.…”  Leni is the daughter of Vin’s brother Ted.

After Vin’s parents separated in 1929, “…Gen raised the four kids on her own… living in the bush near Ignace (Osaquan) working a trapline and running a trading post until they moved to Kenora….”  Terry wrote.  “…. She was quite a gal. All the kids treated her like gold until she died….”

….Vin enlisted in 1940…

Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ Jorgenson. (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

When Vin enlisted with the Fort Garry Horse in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 22, 1940, he noted that he had served for a year in a militia unit, with the 16th Medium Battery in Kenora, Ontario, from May 1939 until the day he enlisted in the Active Army.  He’d earlier enlisted in the Kenora Light Infantry on January 30, 1936.

In an interview at the time of his enlistment, he noted that he’d worked as a tractor driver at Keewatin Lumber Company, on a seasonal basis from April 1938, and was a member of the Carpenters and Joiners Union of America.  He’d also attended a commercial course in shorthand and typing at night school in 1937. He also worked, on a seasonal basis, as a grocery store clerk for C.G. Bulmer in Kenora.

Vin listed several hobbies and interests.  He collected sports trophies and played the harmonica.  He also enjoyed boxing, skiing, skulling, and played basketball and hockey.  Terry had written that “…Vin was also a great hockey player…. played for the Kenora Thistles. ….” Vin played right wing on this junior ice hockey team. “…The year he went overseas, he was selected as the most valuable player for the elite Canadian junior hockey team the Barrie Colts. As MVP for that team he certainly would have been tracked by the NHL in that era.  Although he played forward when he played for the Kenora Thistles, it seems as though he moved to defence for the Barrie Colts…” (NHL refers to National Hockey League)

After completing his basic training in Winnipeg, Vin, now part of the Fort Garry Horse’s Canadian Active Service Force, was sent to the A3 Canadian Artillery Training Centre in Shilo, Manitoba for artillery training on June 8, 1940.

….Vin was a guard at a POW Camp in Red Rock…

At the end of July, 1940, Vin and his Regiment were sent to Camp R, an internment camp in Red Rock, Ontario to act as guards for German prisoners of war and internees. Operational from July 1940 to October 1941, the camp held 1,145 German prisoners, among them civilians, merchant seamen, and combatants. Many of the prisoners had been active Nazi sympathizers before the war, while others came from German ships interred in Canadian ports at the outbreak of the war.

One of the guard towers at Camp R (Red Rock). LAC e006611161. (https://powsincanada.ca/pows-in-canada/internment-camps/camp-r-red-rock/#jp-carousel-3314)

Located on the grounds of a plant owned by the Lake Sulphite Pulp Co. Ltd., Camp R’s enclosure was surrounded by two layers of barbed wire fences and five guard towers – initially only elevated platforms – each with a machine gun.

Vin fell ill with a bout of influenza and was hospitalized from August 27 to 29, 1940, being discharged only a few days before his next posting. 

Guard duty at Red Rock for Vin and his Regiment lasted a few months, until September 1, 1940, when the Regiment moved to the A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment Camp at Camp Borden, Ontario to begin training as an Armoured Regiment.

After the men from the Fort Garry Horse left, they were replaced by a company of the Veterans Guard of Canada. However, poor facilities and safety concerns caused Camp R to be closed in October 1941, and the prisoners transferred elsewhere.

….Vin qualified as a Driver Mechanic…

While at the A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment Camp at Camp Borden, Vin qualified for a Class III Certificate as Driver (i/c) Wheeled and Tracked (W&T) on February 5, 1941.  (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.  Receiving a Class III in both Wheeled and Tracked meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars, as well as tanks.)

On February 11, 1941, the Fort Garry Horse Regiment was re-designated as the 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment.

He had a change in his personal life when he married Marguerite Norma Campbell in Barrie, Ontario on April 12, 1941. 

In May 1941, the Regiment became part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division to form the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, along with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and the 1st Hussars.

From June 15, 1941 until August 1941, Vin took a driver mechanics course in Owen Sound, Ontario, while attached to the No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario ‘On Command’.  He qualified as a Driver (i/c) Class II on September 9, 1941, which meant he was authorized to drive heavier 4×4 or 6×6 vehicles (like the Canadian Military Pattern truck/CMP), specialized trailers, and possessed advanced maintenance skills. Class II drivers handled transport duties in armoured divisions, such as the one he was in, which required expertise in convoy driving and off-road operations.

Vin also qualified as a Driver Mechanic Class ‘C’ on September 25, 1941. This meant that, in addition to being a driver, he would also be responsible for minor vehicle repairs on vehicles in his unit.

….Vin left Canada for overseas service…

Vin with his mother Genevieve Jorgenson. (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

From September 29, 1941 until October 3, 1941, Vin was granted embarkation leave, for what turned out to be the last time he saw his family.

In October 1941, Vin and his Regiment moved to Debert, Nova Scotia, for final training and preparation before going overseas.

S. S. Oronsay. (Photo source: Wikipedia, photographer, Keating G (Capt))

On November 10, 1941, Vin was aboard the liner ‘S.S. Oronsay’ with the Regiment when they prepared to sail from Halifax, Nova Scotia to the United Kingdom. They finally left Halifax after several days in the harbour, along with a large flotilla of transports and Naval vessels, and arrived in Liverpool, England, on November 22, 1941.

….The Regiment continued training in the United Kingdom…

The Regiment moved first to Aldershot and later to the Headley, Hampshire area where the first of the Canadian designed Ram tanks were issued.

Vin was interviewed by Lt J. Gartside on January 27, 1942, in which it was noted that he was a proficient hockey player, and that he’d “…played baseball and basketball for the regiment…”  Lt Gartside also recorded that “…this man wants action more than anything else…” 

On January 31, 1942, Vin and Marguerite’s son Garry Vincent was born in Kenora, Ontario, a child that Vin would never get to meet.

Testing of the new tanks to see how they fired took place in Wales in July 1942. The Regiment moved several times within England as training continued.

Vin qualified as a Driver Mechanic Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) Group ‘C’ on November 4, 1942.  This meant he would have some knowledge of overhaul and repair of armed, armoured combat vehicles designed for mobility and protection, including tanks (such as the Ram tanks), armoured cars, and personnel carriers.

The Regiment, based in Hove in December 1942, left the 5th Armoured Division, and became part of the 3rd Canadian Army Tank Brigade, along with the 1st Hussars and the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. That lasted until July 1943, when it was broken up after the 2nd Canadian Army Tank Brigade arrived in England, and became the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade.

On May 19, 1943, Vin qualified as a Gunner Operator Group C, a specific trade qualification which meant he was qualified to operate both a tank’s weaponry and radio equipment.

….Vin also trained in American-built tanks in preparation for D-Day…

Captioned picture showing Vin Jorgenson and H. Little in an American-built tank in the United Kingdom. (Article courtesy of Terry and (nee Jorgenson) Leni Ellwood)

On October 19, 1943, Vin was promoted to Lance Corporal.  That same month, the first of the new American Sherman tanks were issued and firing practice took place on ranges in Kirkudbright, Scotland, after which the Regiment moved to the South coast at Milford-on-Sea.

Training in combined operations and amphibious landings at Inverary, Northern Scotland, as well as exercises with the 8th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division in preparation for support during the planned invasion of Normandy kept Vin and other members of the Regiment occupied. The men also took French lessons.  On February 9, 1944, Vin was promoted to Corporal.

‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons had special training – in great secrecy – in the use of ‘Duplex Drive’ or ‘DD’ swimming tanks. (DD tanks were Sherman tanks with twin propellers and collapsible canvas sides which provided floatation.)

Once in Normandy, the DD tanks were to be carried on LCT’s (Landing Craft Tanks) to about 6,401 metres (7,000 yards) from shore where they would be launched into the water. The tanks would then swim into shore and land with the charging infantry. The tanks were equipped with 75 mm guns, making them outgunned by German tanks, but their advantage was in being very fast and maneuverable.

….Vin survived D-Day…

In May 1944 the Regiment’s squadrons moved to concentration areas prior to loading on landing craft for the upcoming Operation Overlord (the Normandy invasion) – what we refer to as D-Day on June 6, 1944. ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons moved with their DD tanks to a hiding area near Fawley on the south coast of England.

On June 2, 1944, Vin, who was in ‘C’ Squadron, boarded the ship that would take him and his Squadron to France.  They disembarked on June 6, 1944 at the eastern end of Juno Beach, an area codenamed ‘Nan Red’, near Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in support of the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment.

D-Day Normandy invasion map. The Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (Map source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

An excerpt from the Juno Beach website noted that “..at 8:05 am the LCT’s came inshore and the order was given to launch. On their way into shore 4 tanks were knocked out in the water. One LCT was hit with the tanks still onboard and one sank in deep water. When the tanks landed they gave supporting fire in all directions from their beach positions, waiting for the AVRE’s to clear an exit through a minefield…..”  (See http://www.junobeach.info/juno-04-07.htm) AVRE refers to Armoured Vehicle, Royal Engineers.

The DD tanks were supposed to land ahead of the Infantry Regiments, but heavy seas meant that they were launched close to the shore landing later than planned.

When ‘C’ Squadron landed at St. Aubin, they had lost a few tanks due to enemy fire.  Then, because there was no breach in the sea wall, they had to make their way through a minefield, losing three tanks doing so. Due to a request for support from the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, ‘C’ Squadron didn’t rejoin the 10th Armoured Regiment until June 7. Vin had survived D-Day!  He was promoted to Acting Sergeant a few days later, on June 11.

….Vin’s heroism during Operation Totalize was noted in a New York Times article…

D-Day was only the beginning of battles in Normandy that summer. Vin’s Regiment was 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, with the objective of closing the Falaise gap and cutting off the retreating Germany 7th Army.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

On the night of August 10, 1944, Vin had an experience that was documented by journalist James MacDonald in the August 11, 1944 edition of The New York Times. It began with a description of Vin.  “….On a hilltop that he helped to capture, Sgt Vincent Jorgenson, a brawny 23 year old athlete of Kenora, Ontario, was busily getting his tank ready for action today just after having rested up from as grueling an experience as one can have and live to tell about it…..he is what his superior officers call a magnificent crew commander….

Last night his and other tanks set out from the village of Les Ifs with orders to take Hill 122. Sergeant Jorgenson’s was the second tank in line, the first being one commanded by his troop officer. Enemy mortars and 88 mm shells exploded all around them as they rattled into Rocquancourt, but they did not dare to open up with their machine guns or six-pounders lest gun flashes give their positions away.

The Germans’ artillery scored a direct hit on the leading tank commanded by a lieutenant from Winnipeg. That tank went up in flames….”  All the men in the tank survived.

“…Sergeant Jorgenson was so near he had to order his tank to back up and circle around the blazing wreck. He pushed on and sent out wireless signals to tanks that had been behind him but received no answer.  He could not see them or anything else ….. because on top of the darkness and dust the Germans began laying a smokescreen around him.

Suddenly he heard German voices around him and he thought he might be isolated and surrounded. He asked his crew if they wanted to continue or attempt to retire. They wanted to go on.

The Germans tried to blind the tank’s driver by flashing torchlights into his eyes and make him halt and give anti-tank gunners direct aim.  The tank’s co-driver drove them off with his machine gun.  Then something happened to one of the tank threads that cut the machine’s speed to two miles an hour.

On and on the tank lurched, German infantrymen doggedly surrounding it. One German even climbed on the machine.  Through his slightly opened hatch cover, Sergeant Jorgenson saw him and shot him with his pistol.

Presently the tank halted in a field…..” while they worked to transform “…the machine into a little fortress, using sandbags they had carried along as an extra protection….” 

Meanwhile, “…Trooper George Johnson, of Dauphin, Manitoba, hearing German voices near by, hurled a hand grenade in their direction.  After the grenade exploded all was quiet…”  At daylight, they saw that the grenade had destroyed “… an anti-tank gun that had been trying to kill them…” 

The article concluded by saying “…the night had been won and the objective attained…”

 ….From France the Regiment moved into Belgium…

Over the next week, there was no respite from fierce opposition and heavy losses that resulted in 3 Squadrons being consolidated into 2 Squadrons as they left France and moved into Belgium in September, as they prepared for the Battle of the Scheldt, which began officially on October 2 and lasted until November 8, 1944. 

The Battle of the Scheldt’s objective was to free up the way to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for supply purposes. From Antwerp, they went into The Netherlands, fighting along flooded fields and dikes leading toward Woensdrecht in a battle that lasted until October 21, 1944. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt)

Vin was promoted to Sergeant on September 11, 1944. 

The 10th Armoured Regiment fought their way towards Woensdrecht in October 1944. Vin was killed near Hoogerheide and was temporarily buried in Berendrecht. (Map source: Google Maps)

On October 17, 1944, an exhausted Vin wrote to his mother and sister from The Netherlands, letting them know he was alive after surviving an attack on the tank he was in.  “…Forgive me for not writing sooner but have been so muddled lately….” 

He went on to say that he had been “…knocked out of another tank some twelve days back and since then much has happened and I’m still here with the regiment with a brand new tank ‘Canora III’….. No one in my old tank was killed and we were hit twice by an 88 mm gun which pierces roughly 10 inches of steel….”

Vin was referring to what happened on the morning of October 2, 1944 as they were in a battle above the Turnhout Canal in Belgium, as reported in the Regiment’s war diary for that day.  “… ‘C’ Squadron moved out at 0630 hours in support of the Cameron Highlanders to clear the road running West of STERNHOVEN parallel to the ANTWERP-TURNHOUT CANAL, a distance of approximately 5 1/2 kilometres…First Troop, under Sgt Jorgenson, moved forward to lead. Three 88 mm guns and a considerable number of Jerries were encountered. Two of the guns were knocked out by well-placed shots by the forward troop and two large ammunition trucks were set on fire…”

The war diary entry for October 12, 1944 recorded that “… ‘C’ Squadron, relieved of operational commitments, proceeded to make merry.  First a shower, then a trip to Antwerp, and a movie in harbour upon return back at 2030 hrs….” 

It was a badly needed break after 4 months of fighting, as described in Vin’s letter. “…While myself and my crew were at Tank Delivery Regiment we buggered off to Antwerp for one night, our first since D-Day….” where they enjoyed an expensive steak dinner. 

Responsible as ever, Vin let his mother know that he planned to assign more of his pay to her and his wife Tiny.  “….Mom, since getting my confirmation as a Sgt, I signed over another $12 to Tiny and $3 to you, be sure and let me know if you get it on your next cheque…”

Vin was hoping to receive a new assignment.  “…Major Bray, our old Squadron leader, is in charge of a tank school in Belgium and has sent for another Sgt and myself for head instructors.  He said he wanted us badly, and besides, we deserve a rest, being two of the only D-Day Sgts left.  Don’t know how long it will take the Regiment to make up their minds about sending us….I’m dying for a chance to get away from all this for a while….”   Vin referred to Major William Roy BRAY.

….Vin was killed a few days after he wrote his letter…

None of Vin’s plans for a new assignment as instructor at the tank school or for sending more of his pay to his family happened, as he was killed on October 23, 1944, aged 23, near Hoogerheide, The Netherlands, less than a week after he wrote his last letter.

An entry in ‘Vanguard – The Fort Garry Horse In The Second World War’ by Eric Mackay Wilson simply stated that “… ‘C’ Squadron sweated it out in Hoogerheide, and also suffered casualties.  Major Fletcher and Sgt Jorgenson were killed, to the sorrow of the whole regiment...”  Major Charles Wesley FLETCHER was from McCreary, Manitoba.

….Vin is buried in Bergen Op Zoom…

Vin was temporarily buried on October 24, 1944 in the Belgium Churchyard in Berendrecht, Belgium, with the service conducted by Honorary Captain W. E. HARRISON, one of the chaplains attached to the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom on June 4, 1945.

Grave of Gerald Vincent ‘Vin’ Jorgenson in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Terry and Leni Ellwood for sharing photos and information about Leni’s uncle.  “….Checked out Daria’s blog … wonderful stuff….” Terry wrote, and explained that “…my dad, Keith Ellwood, was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber… his last few missions were food drops to Holland.  He always felt a close connection to the Dutch people because of this….” 

Leni and Terry Ellwood with their grandchildren.  (Photo courtesy of Terry and Leni (nee Jorgenson) Ellwood)

….The research and search for photos continues…

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue, doing his part to ensure that each individual soldier is remembered. He’s still looking for photos of two soldiers from the Fort Garry Horse – 10th Armoured Regiment from the original photo wish list: 

  • Lance Corporal Harry Leith HOWE, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, son of Harry John and Minnie Christina (nee Clay) Howe, died October 1, 1944.
  • Trooper Russell John KITCHEMONIA of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, son of John and Louise Kitchemonia, died October 12, 1944.

If you have photos or information to share about either of these two soldiers, 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 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 Bulger Brothers – Part 1: The WWII Soldier From Foxley River Killed During The Battle of Moerbrugge

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August 5, 2024.  Can you imagine how difficult it was for parents to send their children off to conflict zones during WWII, and having to live with the uncertainty of whether they would return safely? For the Bulger family of Foxley River, Prince Edward Island, they suffered a double tragedy, losing two sons:  Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel BULGER, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium, and Lawrence William BULGER, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

We were aware of Lawrence Bulger from last year’s series on soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders who lost their lives during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945. As his name was not on a photo wish list, we didn’t research his story at that time. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/) 

This year we decided to tell the story of one more soldier killed during the Battle of Bienen, and asked Edison Smith for help in contacting a family member for Lawrence Bulger.  Edison’s grandfather, Edison Alexander SMITH, and great-uncle Ralph Schurman BOULTER, both lost their lives in the Battle of Bienen.  As they were from the same area of the Island, the families would have known each other.  Sometimes, it’s as simple as that to make contact with the family of a soldier!

We then learned that Lawrence’s brother, Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel, also served in WWII and was killed in action on September 10, 1944 near the town of Oostkamp in Belgium during the early stages of the Battle of the Scheldt. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/scheldt and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt)

We decided to tell the story of both brothers, and began with Hal, the first of the brothers to lose his life.

….Hal’s family was soon found….

Shortly after the request was made, Edison wrote to say “…I was up to O’Leary this past week and spoke with my father and did some digging around for a relative of the Bulgers you had asked me about.  I was able to speak with Bev and Bernard Jeffery….. I briefly explained the work you … do and she was kind enough to email me some info and pictures which I have forwarded to you…”

Bev also contacted us, explaining that her “…mother was Harold and Lawrence’s sister Agatha….”  The family historian in the family, Bev was the keeper of the family photos and information.  Edison had found the right person!

It wasn’t long before we had a chance to meet Bev, and to learn more about the Bulger brothers.

CIMG6836 May 27 2024 Bev Jeffery & Pieter Mill River Resort

Pieter with Bev Jeffery at Mill River Resort in Mill River, Prince Edward Island.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Born September 9, 1918 in Portage, Prince Edward Island, Hal was the son of Gabriel and Anne ‘Annie’ Marion (nee Milligan) Bulger of Foxley River, Prince Edward Island.  One of 16 children, Hal had two brothers and thirteen sisters. 

…..Hal enlisted in 1940….

Harold Bulger colourized and restored by Pieter

Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel Bulger. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

After leaving school at the age of 13, Hal worked on the family farm until he enlisted with the PEI Highlanders in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on July 31, 1940. After completing his basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Charlottetown, Hal was sent to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for additional training.

Leo Lynch, Leo Moran, Harold Bulger, Cecil MacKinnon

Left to right: Leo Lynch, Leo Moran, Harold ‘Hal’ Bulger, Cecil MacKinnon. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery)

During a furlough in March 1941, a notice in the March 22, 1941 edition of the Summerside Journal noted that “…Pte. Leo Moran, Freeland, Pte. John McFayden, Freeland, Pte. Leo Lynch, Portage, Pte. Harold Bulger, Freeland, all of the P.E.I. Highlanders, returned to their unit in Nova Scotia. They were the guests of the Veterans’ Guard, Summerside….”

HAROLD BULGER AND mother ANNIE BULGER 001

Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel Bulger with his mother, Annie Bulger. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery)

On June 4, 1941, Hal was transferred to A13 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Camp Valcartier, Quebec, as preparation for guard duty in Newfoundland. 

… Hal was sent to Newfoundland….

NFLD Map shows Botwood

Location of Botwood Military Base in Newfoundland. (Map source: http://postalhistorycorner.blogspot.com/2012/12/wwii-canadian-forces-in-newfoundland.html)

After France was occupied by the Germans in 1940, Newfoundland’s defensive position became more precarious. A British dominion at the time, Newfoundland did not join Canada until March 31, 1949. 

In 1940, Canada assumed responsibility for the defence of Newfoundland with the establishment of ‘W Force’, a Canadian garrison force responsible for defending Newfoundland against enemy incursions and providing security for existing and proposed defence facilities during WWII. It included infantry, artillery, and anti-aircraft units. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Newfoundland_during_World_War_II)

On July 23, 1941, as part of ‘W Force’, Hal was sent to Botwood, Newfoundland.  In addition to the PEI Highlanders, troops from the Black Watch of Canada, Royal Rifles of Canada, The Algonguin Regiment, Queens Own Rifles, also served at various times. While an RCAF base in Botwood had aircraft patrolling the east coast of the Atlantic, Canadian Army personnel based at Botwood were charged with protection of military facilities that had been installed there, as well as in Gander. (See https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/botwood-base.php)

…..Four other soldiers were in Botwood…..

Hal was in Botwood at the same time as four other soldiers whose stories have been told on this blog:

… Hal briefly returned to Canada….

Harold Bulger aboard a ship likely in 1943 from NFLD

Harold ‘Hal’ Bulger aboard a ship returning to Canada from Newfoundland. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery)

Hal remained in Newfoundland until February 12, 1943, when he was briefly sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia and then on to Camp Sussex, New Brunswick. 

On February 23, 1943, he sent his mother a brief letter, thanking her for “…the $5.00 you sent me…” as he was getting low “…on tobacco and money….”  He explained that he didn’t know “…just when I will get home, but I will be home the first chance I get.  I might have to stay here a month before I get home…”  Based on Hal’s service record, he never did get leave to go home.

On March 8, 1943, Hal was no longer attached to ‘W’ Force, and remained at Camp Sussex until March 27, 1943, when he was transferred to the No. 1 Transit Camp in Debert, Nova Scotia, for final preparation and training before being sent overseas. 

In a March 16, 1943 interview for his Personnel Selection Record, it was noted that Hal was a “…pleasant, smiling, sturdy, well-behaved stable lad…”

….Hal left Canada for overseas service….

On April 10, 1943, Hal left for Great Britain with the PEI Highlanders.  Upon arrival on April 17, 1943, he was assigned to No. 7 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On June 25, 1943, he was briefly assigned to the Princess Louise Fusiliers, before being transferred to the Algonquin Regiment on August 21, 1943.  On May 28, 1944, Hal was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal. 

Harold Bulger in Algonquin Regiment Harold Bulger photo restored & colourized by Pieter

Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel Bulger in his Algonquin Regiment uniform. (Photo courtesy of Bev Jeffery. Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

An excerpt from a research paper entitled ‘Rebuilding Trust: The Algonquin Regiment at War, July-September 1944’ by Ty Backer, noted that “…In the summer of 1944, the Algonquins received word from divisional commander, General Kitching that the 4CAD would be used after the secret invasion of Normandy….” 4CAD refers to 4th Canadian Armoured Division. 

There was a delay in moving into France as although D-Day was a success, “…the failure to capture Caen on D-Day set back the division’s schedule for deployment… Formations were not able to move as far into Normandy as planners hoped, leaving 4CAD with no room to land at the beachheads until Caen and its surrounding area were captured. Consequently, they were delayed nearly a month and a half…”

….Hal survived Operation Tractable and Operation Totalize….

Hal remained in the United Kingdom until July 20, 1944, when he and his Regiment left for France, arriving in Normandy on July 25, 1944, as part of the 21st Army Group, along with “…the rest of the 10th Infantry Brigade landed in Normandy. Initially tasked with breaking through and driving south behind enemy lines, the battalion had to ensure getting armoured vehicles and infantry past the heavily entrenched areas surrounding the greater Caen area…” 

This was the lead-up to Operation Totalize, an offensive to break through German defences south of Caen and then capture the high ground north of the city of Falaise.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

On August 2, 1944, Hal wrote to his father from France.  “…Well, Pop, I suppose you are going to kill me for not writing sooner, but really it is hard to get time to write over here….This is quite the place…but I can’t talk French….”  The letter ended with “…All my love. Your ever loving son. Hal…”

By the end of August 1944, the Regiment was on the move towards the liberation of Belgium. Liberating the port of Antwerp, Belgium was key.  “…As the Allies progressed deeper into Europe, their supply lines needed to be augmented and strengthened…” 

The Allied High Command “…tasked 4CAD with fighting preliminary skirmishes of the Scheldt battle along the northern sector of the coast. The Algonquins and the rest of the 4CAD were tasked with clearing the areas west of the Leopold Canal on the Dutch-Belgian border….”

….Hal lost his life during the Battle of Moerbrugge….

Screenshot 2024-08-05 at 10-44-28 Moerbrugge · 8020 Oostkamp Belgium

Map shows location of Oostkamp and Moerbrugge, near Bruges in Belgium.  (Map source: Google maps)

The Algonquin Regiment arrived in Belgium from France on September 8, 1944.  The next day, the Regiment attempted to cross a bridgehead at Moerbrugge near Oostkamp, not far from Bruges, during the Battle of Moerbrugge. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/moerbrugge.htm)

In ‘Warpath The Story of the Algonquin Regiment 1939-1945’, author Major G. L. Cassidy wrote that “…On the evening of the 9th, ‘D’ Company was detailed to cover the bridging operations in Oostkamp, and moved up to do the job. The remainder of the battalion moved south to the chateau area behind the bridgehead. Enemy resistance was still heavy across the canal….”

Hal was in ‘C’ Company, which was to cross the bridgehead at Moerbrugge across the Ghent-Bruges Canal the next day.  The War Diary for September 10, 1944 for the Algonquin Regiment recorded that “…at 21:00 hours ‘C’ Company was ordered to cross the canal and consolidate at Eekhoute farm by passing through the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.  The position was taken and held against continuous enemy fire. Casualties were reported to be 4 killed and 4 wounded...”

Hal was one of the fatal casualties.  The other 3 soldiers who lost their lives that day were:

  • Pte Gerald Bertram MCEACHERN of Galt, Ontario
  • Sgt Marquis De MYERS of Wawota, Saskatchewan
  • Cpl John Walter PARYSEK of Timmins, Ontario

….Hal is buried in Adegem….

Hal was initially buried in Moerbrugge, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium, along with the other 3 Algonquin Regiment soldiers killed on September 10, 1944.

Grave of Harold Gabriel Bulger from CVWM

Grave of Harold Gabriel Bulger in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem, Belgium. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

P1450929 May 11 2024 Patrick Michaels at grave of Harold Bulger in Adegem

Patrick Michiels visited the grave of Harold ‘Hal’ Gabriel Bulger in Adegem in May 2024, bringing with him the Red Ensign and a photo of Hal.  (Photo courtesy of Patrick Michiels)

Belgian citizen Patrick Michiels, Moderator of the Facebook group Canadian Scottish Regiment Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, visited Hal’s grave on May 11, 2024 at our request.  He brought with him a photo of Hal and the Red Ensign flag that was the precursor of the Maple Leaf flag we are familiar with. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Red_Ensign)

Coming up in Part 2, the Bulger Brothers series continues, with Lawrence William BULGER, who lost his life six months after Hal’s death.

Thank you to Bev Jeffery for submitting photos and information on her Uncle Harold, to Edison Smith for contacting the Jeffery family, and to Patrick Michiels for visiting the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem and taking a photo of Hal’s grave.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

…..Missed the stories on Smith and Boulter?….

To read about Edison Smith’s grandfather and great-uncle, please see:

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier From Central Blissville Killed Along The Goch-Calcar Road

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June 9, 2024. Most of the time, Pieter has good success in finding photos of soldiers named on photo wish lists from the three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands.  This past winter, however, he ran into one frustration after another.  In most cases, while family of soldiers were found, no one had photos. A few times, family members were found, but did not respond to inquiries. 

..…An old TV program inspired one photo search …..

Pieter was getting a bit discouraged.  It didn’t help that I was not well for much of the winter and spent most of the time reading and watching comedies on TV.  Since we’d been doing research on airmen who had been POWs I began watching Hogan’s Heroes, a comedy about POWs assigned to form a special operations unit in a POW camp run by the Luftwaffe to help prisoners escape and to perform acts of sabotage against the German war effort. A very funny satire and I’m sure that laughing over the antics these men got up to helped me recover more quickly. 

So, when Pieter began looking at his photo wish lists again, he asked if I had any thoughts on which soldier to research.  I didn’t until I noticed a soldier named Carter, who came from a place named Central Blissville.  That’s the guy, I told Pieter.  When he asked why, I told him there was a character on the show named Sgt Carter and who could resist a place named Blissville? Pieter shook his head, but went with my suggestion and within a day had a photo!

Before telling the story of the Canadian soldier named Carter, take a look at this excerpt from Hogan’s Heroes, featuring the fictional American soldier named Carter, portrayed by Larry Hovis, impersonating the German commandant of the POW camp… 

..…The non-fictional Private Carter enlisted in 1941…..

Donald Roy Carter from facebook page Jeremy Carter

Donald Roy Carter.  (Source: Jeremy Carter)

The non-fictional Donald Roy CARTER was born August 4, 1923 in Central Blissville, Sunbury County, New Brunswick, son of Roy William and Josephine ‘Ina’ Helen Carter.  However, when he enlisted at the No. 7 District Depot in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on May 3, 1941, he stated that his birthdate was May 27, 1922.  Since a soldier in active service needed to be 19 years old, Donald fudged his date of birth.

On May 22, 1941, Donald was sent to No. 70 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Camp (CABTC) in Fredericton, New Brunswick for basic training. After completing his basic training, he was transferred to the A22 Canadian Army Medical Corps Training Centre at Camp Borden in Ontario.  Here Donald received advanced training to prepare him as a stretcher bearer, with three key responsibilities when dealing with the wounded in a war zone: stop the bleeding, treat for shock, and evacuate. 

….Donald left Canada for overseas service….

On September 6, 1941, Donald was given embarkation leave of just over a week, and then he found himself on his way to the United Kingdom on October 9, 1941. Upon arrival in Greenock, Scotland on October 19, 1941, he was assigned to No. 1 General Holding Unit.

A Holding Unit was a reinforcement pool where soldiers brought over from Canada received additional training.

On December 13, 1941, Donald was transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC). A field ambulance was a mobile medical unit which was usually found serving with an infantry division during WWII.

….Donald survived Operation Jubilee – the Dieppe Raid….

Allied Forces had plans for an amphibious attack on the German-controlled port of Dieppe in Normandy, France in 1942, in what would become known as Operation Jubilee, also called the Dieppe Raid.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieppe_Raid)

Loading-wounded-on-landing-craft.-Source-Global-News-768x447

Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps personnel treating casualties during rehearsal in England for raid on Dieppe. (Photo Source: Global News)

As part of the preparations, the 11th Field Ambulance underwent training on the Isle of Wight. An exercise on June 4, 1942 included practice in moving casualties from an assault landing craft to an advanced dressing station. They also practiced opposed and unopposed beach landings. Two final, large, exercises took place along the Dorset Coast on June 11-12, 1942 and June 22-24, 1942.

On August 18, 1942, Donald was among the members of the 11th Field Ambulance that assembled at Newhaven, with one bearer section (1 Medical Officer and 18 other ranks) detached to the Royal Regiment of Canada at Portsmouth. They all sailed toward Dieppe at about 9:30 pm. 

Unfortunately, Operation Jubilee was a disaster, particularly for the Canadian soldiers, and the medical unit attached to the Royal Regiment of Canada. 3,623 of the 6,086 Allied forces who landed were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner of war. This included 5,000 Canadians, who suffered a 68 percent casualty rate, with 3,367 killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.

Donald, however, survived and safely returned to the United Kingdom on August 19, 1942, where he remained until shortly after D-Day.

….Donald returned to Normandy in July 1944….

On July 3, 1944, Donald and the 11th Field Ambulance, now part of the 21st Army Group, returned to Normandy, France as the Battle of Normandy continued following the advances made on D-Day on June 6, 1944. 

As the 2nd Canadian Corps advanced in July, the 11th Field Ambulance moved along with them, as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division (along with other medical units).  11th Field Ambulance was tasked with providing support to the 4th Canadian Brigade. During battle on July 18-19, 1944 they treated casualties, before making preparations to move forward on July 20, 1944 for Operation Spring at Verrieres Ridge on July 25, 1944.

normandymapspring

Map shows troop locations for Operation Spring.  (Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

Donald survived the fight along the Verrieres Ridge, most likely because the 11th Field Ambulance was not at the front, but was held in reserve in Caen for the 2nd Canadian Motor Ambulance Convoy. (See https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/verrieresridge.htm)

Then, during Operation Totalize on August 7-11, 1944, an offensive designed to break through the German defences south of Caen and toward Falaise, the 11th Field Ambulance was under command of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize)

….Donald had limited participation in the Battle of the Scheldt….

scheldt2

Map shows location of South Beveland, The Netherlands.  (Map source: http://www.canadiansoldiers.com)

As the Allied forces moved from Normandy into Belgium, and then into The Netherlands for the Battle of the Scheldt,  three Field Ambulances of the 2nd Canadian Division were used in Operation Vitality, the battles for South Beveland for a month from October 2, 1944. 

Each Field Ambulance unit operated an advanced dressing station and a casualty collection post. 11th Field Ambulance evacuated casualties directly to No. 6 Canadian General Hospital in Antwerp, Belgium. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Scheldt and https://www.oorlogzeeland.nl/index.php/slag-om-de-schelde/scheldeslag-information-in-english)

However, Donald missed much of the action as he was not on active service between October 16 and November 12, 1944.  This effectively ended his time with the 11th Field Ambulance.

….Donald was transferred into the Infantry….

On November 24, 1944 Donald was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Corps, as part of the X4 Reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.  Then, on December 4, 1944 he was assigned to the Essex Scottish Regiment, joining them in Mook, The Netherlands.

On February 16, 1945, the Essex Scottish Regiment left The Netherlands and crossed the border into Germany, at Kleve.  The following day, the war diary reported that the battalion “…moved off to an assembly area between Kleve and Calcar….” in preparation for an attack on the Goch-Calcar Road, which was subsequently delayed until February 19, 1945.

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

Victory-37 Map Moyland Wood and the Goch Calcar Rd

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

The war diary for February 19, 1945 noted that the attack on the Goch-Calcar Road resulted in the Regiment fighting “….under a heavy hail of shrapnel and small arms fire. Casualties were fairly heavy….Communications were difficult. Vehicles became bogged in the soft mud, casualties were difficult to evacuate, and guns and ammunition could not get up where they were required….”

The battle raged on into the night and then after midnight communications were lost.  The war diary entry for February 20, 1945 continued with an account of the battle.  “… The early hours of the morning were grim ones. Isolated company groups fought on, short of ammunition, burdened with casualties which could not be easily evacuated, and lacking the support of the anti-tank weapons with which to deal with the Mark IV tanks the enemy had marshalled for his counter-attack….”

The casualties for the battle numbered “…13 officers and 235 other ranks…” of which about 50 were fatalities.  Among those killed on February 20, 1945 was Private Donald Roy Carter, who lost his life at the age of 21.

 ..…Donald is buried in Groesbeek …..

Donald was temporarily buried near Calcar, Germany, before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

grave stone donald carter from find a grave

Grave of Donald Roy Carter in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

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. 

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

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

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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.

a145725-v6 Karelchuk LAC photo

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…

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.

2227462_2 Grave Andrew Kerelchuk

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

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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.

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