Operation Totalize

On The War Memorial Trail…..The Bulger Brothers – Part 1: The WWII Soldier From Foxley River Killed During The Battle of Moerbrugge

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

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, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© 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. 

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

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

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 6 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

…Family of Andrew Kerelchuk contribute a photo…

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

IMG_6657 Andrew Kerelchuk from Barb Dobbie

Andrew Kerelchuk.  (Photo courtesy of the Kerelchuk Family)

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

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

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

… Andrew was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders…

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

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

… Andrew was wounded in France…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

…Andrew was photographed in Meppen…

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

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)

sunflower header

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

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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.

© Daria Valkenburg