On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Piusville Who Was Seriously Wounded Twice But Survived The War

September 26, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

September 26, 2026. We love it when a story about one soldier leads to a story about a family member! A few months ago, Brenda Graves of North Tryon, Prince Edward Island, had told us about her grandfather, Cyrus Joseph GALLANT, of Piusville, Prince Edward Island, who served in both WWI and WWII before his death from pancreatic cancer on October 31, 1942. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/06/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-soldier-from-piusville-who-enlisted-in-the-veterans-guard-of-canada-in-wwii/)

While researching Cyrus’s story, Brenda explained that his son, Everett John GALLANT, had served in WWII and survived the war, in spite of being wounded twice. Would we be willing to research her uncle’s service? Of course, we said, and that led to Brenda and me subsequently meeting with Everett’s daughter Elaine Gallant, who provided photos and information on her father’s post-WWII life.

Born August 19, 1923 in Piusville, Prince Edward Island, Everett was the son of Cyrus Joseph and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Marie (nee Gallant) Gallant.

….Everett enlisted in 1943….

Everett John Gallant. (Photo courtesy of the Gallant Family)

When he enlisted on March 11, 1943 at No. 6 District Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Everett had several years already of work experience, as he’d left school after completing Grade 8. He’d been employed as a stevedore in Halifax, Nova Scotia for Cunard Steamships, Ltd since 1942. Before that, he’d worked as a farm labourer, with seasonal work in woods as a chopper. It was noted that he was fluent in English, and could speak French.

After successfully completing his basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Charlottetown, Everett was transferred to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) at Camp Aldershot in Nova Scotia on April 2, 1943. Here he would have been given for more intensive combat training in tactical firearm use and field exercises.

On July 17, 1943, he was given 6 days of special leave, the last chance he had to see his family before being posted overseas.

….Everett left Canada for overseas service ……

On August 27, 1943, Everett left Canada aboard a troopship in Halifax, and arrived in the United Kingdom on September 1, 1943. Upon arrival, he was placed with No. 7 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU), a training and holding base for infantry reinforcements located in Airedale, Castleford in West Yorkshire.

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders were based in Fort Brockhurst in December 1943. (Map source: Google Maps)

On December 10, 1943, Everett was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them at their winter base in Fort Brockhurst in Gosport, near Portsmouth. The Regiment was carrying out combined operations and tactical exercises in preparation for Operation Overlord – the landing on Juno Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944 – in what we know today at D-Day.

He would have trained with John ‘Weston’ CAMPBELL from Clermont, Prince Edward Island. In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’, author Will Bird recorded that among “…the officers selected to land in France on D Day with the North Novas….” was Lt. J.W. Campbell who would be leading an anti-tank platoon. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/09/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-clermont-killed-during-operation-veritable/)

…Everett survived D-Day….

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

In April 1943, the Regiment moved to a marshalling area south of Southampton and continued training….and waiting….

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, as part of the 21st Army Group’s Allied Expeditionary Force, left England for Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, after waiting in place in the English Channel on landing craft earlier. The war diary for Sunday, June 4, 1944 noted that “…we are tied up with two other landing craft tank. The Padre is on one, so he had a church service at 10:30 hours on the quarter deck of the middle craft…”

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

After landing on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, 21^st Army Group, the war diary noted that the Regiment had 10 casualties that day– 4 killed, 6 wounded. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/06/01/on-the-war-memorial-trail-commemorating-the-80th-anniversary-of-d-day/)

Everett had survived D-Day but his luck ran out a month later, as the Regiment moved through France towards Caen.

…Everett was wounded during Operation Charnwood….

On July 8, 1944, the war diary recorded that “….at 0600 hours this morning, operation ‘Charnwood’ commenced with a heavy aerial bombardment…” prior to the participation a few hours later by the Regiment. Operation Charnwood was an Anglo-Canadian offensive that took place from July 8-9, 1944, during the Battle for Caen, part of the larger Operation Overlord. The objective of Operation Charnwood was to clear Caen up to the Orne river and, if possible, to secure bridgeheads in southern Caen. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Charnwood)

The Regiment’s task, once two towns were captured by other troops, was to “…capture Authie, exploiting forward to Franqueville….This phase of the battle began at 0900 hours…. At approximately 1045 hours, when the two villages were considered held, we pushed forward to the forming up point which was just south of Buron…Very heavy casualties were inflicted on us by mortar and 88 mm shell fire…”

Everett was one of the casualties, with a gunshot wound in his right leg. He was evacuated to England, and then taken by train to No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Aldershot on July 10, 1944. He was moved to No. 13 Canadian General Hospital on July 16, 1944, remaining there until September 5, 1944, when he was sent for a few days to No. 1 Canadian Special Hospital in Hellingly, East Sussex.

The Canadian Red Cross Overseas Headquarters received a request for a welfare check on Everett by his family on September 18, 1944, and the Matron in Charge at No. 1 Canadian Special Hospital was duly notified and requested for information.

By this point, however, Everett had been transferred to the 4th Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD) in Farnborough, Hampshire on September 8, 1944. This was a military facility where recovering Canadian soldiers stayed to regain strength and physical fitness before returning to active duty or reinforcement units. This was Everett’s home until he was discharged on December 22, 1944, and placed with No. 3 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR) for additional physical conditioning before being sent back to active duty.

….Everett returned to his Regiment in March 1945….

Everett returned to active duty, rejoining the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on March 5, 1945. By this time, the Regiment was in Germany, part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, preparing to capture Xanten, near the end of Operation Blockbuster, in a battle that took place between March 8 and 11, 1945. (See https://legionmagazine.com/the-taking-of-xanten/)

By March 20, 1945, Allied troops were on the banks of the Rhine River for Operation Plunder, a military operation to cross the Rhine on the night of March 23, 1945. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

On March 25, 1945, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders were in Bienen, Germany for the climax of 9 Canadian Infantry Brigade’s role in Operation Plunder.

A few years ago, Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, had sent Pieter a list of 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. Although there were more casualties from this battle, the list was of North Nova Scotia Highlanders buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

The date of the battle was very meaningful. “…They died on my birthday! I was just one year old!…” Pieter had exclaimed. This resulted in a series of stories about several of the fatalities, and a visit to Bienen during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour.

….Everett was wounded a second time during the Battle of Bienen….

Map shows position of North Novies on March 25, 1945, near Bienen. (Map source: Project ’44)

Stolpi on WW2Talk provided background on the leadup to the battle. “… As night fell on D-Day, 24 March, only on the extreme left of the forces involved in the 21st Army Group’s Rhine Crossing was the situation sketchy indeed. There, in the 30 Corps’ sector at Rees, twelve British and Canadian battalions, supported by 44 DD tanks had crossed the river and formed a small bridgehead. The 51st Highland Division had reached the edge of Bienen, penetrated into Speldrop and were in, though not yet master of, Rees.

A further expansion of the bridgehead was canalized by the old river beds. Only two openings were available through which led the main roads to the north and northwest. One was on the left at Bienen, a narrow land bridge formed by the old river arm of the Alter Rhein and the Millinger Meer, through which passed the main road to Emmerich; the other was at Empel formed by the Millinger and Empeler Meer, here ran the main road to Isselburg. Both offered great advantages to the enemy defense: they were easy to block and he only could be dislodged by frontal assault.

Early on March 25th, it was decided to step up the 30 Corps’ operation to enlarge the bridgehead, by inserting the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade,commanded by Brigadier J.M. Rockingham, on the left. The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade was to relieve the 154 Brigade and continue the attack on Bienen.

All through the 25th the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade made strenuous efforts to seize Bienen and open up a passage towards the north and northwest, in the direction of Millingen and Emmerich. The assignment went to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, which was the last of the battalions of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade to arrive in the bridgehead….”

March 25, 1945 was Palm Sunday – one week before Easter. The battle began in the morning and didn’t end until late that evening. Right from the start, troops were pinned down, “…suffering heavy casualties…” per the Regiment’s war diary for that day. Worse, in terms of communications, “….contact between platoons was next to impossible because of the murderous fire and heavy mortaring….”

The one day battle proved devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, as they fought in a deadly battle on open ground. Less than 3 weeks after returning to active duty, Everett was in the midst of his second battle. Around 3 pm, he received serious wounds that ended his active war service: gunshot wound with shrapnel in his chest and shrapnel wounds in his right upper arm. A bazooka bomb that had exploded near him during the battle resulted in permanent hearing loss. He was one of 68 men wounded, but unlike so many of the soldiers, he survived.

He was initially taken to the nearby No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. On March 30, 1945, he was transferred to No. 6 Canadian General Hospital in Sint-Michielsgestel, The Netherlands, before being evacuated to No. 19 Canadian General Hospital in Basingstoke, England on April 17, 1945.

Everett was still in hospital recovering from wounds received during the Battle of Bienen when WWII ended in Europe. On May 22, 1945, Everett was sent to Roman Way Convalescent Hospital in Colchester, Essex, for physical rehabilitation and recovery, remaining there until June 25, 1945.

NOTE: For an idea of some of the places that the Regiment travelled through in Germany, and our visit to Bienen during our 2025 European War Memorial Tour, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/02/06/on-the-war-memorial-trail-we-follow-the-route-taken-into-germany-by-canadian-troops-in-1945/

….Everett returned to Prince Edward Island after being demobilized….

After leaving hospital, Everett remained on light duty in England until January 27, 1946, when he was repatriated back to Canada, and posted to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, until he was demobilized from the Canadian Army on April 17, 1946.

Edna and Everett Gallant on their wedding day. (Photo courtesy of the Gallant Family. Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg)

Everett married Edna Mary Gallant at St. Anthony’s Church in Bloomfield, Prince Edward Island, on August 6, 1947, and they raised 9 children. “…My parents both grew up in Piusville and were neighbours….” Elaine said.

Gallant’s Scrap Iron & Metal in Summerside is run by the Gallant family. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Everett worked for 14 years for the Department of Defence at the Canadian Forces Base in Summerside, before starting a scrap metal business in 1966. Gallant’s Scrap Iron & Metal is still run by the Gallant family.

A few years before his death, Everett was interviewed for a ‘Memories of D-Day’ article, published on July 27, 2001 in the Journal Pioneer newspaper. “….One of those serving was a 20 year old from Piusville, Everett J. Gallant. For Gallant, now 77 and living in Summerside, the memories of D-Day have been left behind with time.

Gallant says the more he talks about it, the more memories come back. He was a member of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders then and a young private in the army. About a month after the landing he was wounded in France when a piece of shrapnel went into his right leg. His first cousin ‘Johnny’ Gallant dressed his wound.

After spending some time in an English hospital he went out again to serve and was later wounded in Germany. He still has a piece of shrapnel in his chest, but he says it doesn’t bother him a bit.

Once back in Canada, Gallant married a former classmate, Edna, and later became involved in the Miscouche Legion, of which he is past president...”

Elaine noted that it wasn’t until just a few years before Everett died that he learned that it was his cousin ‘Johnny’ Gallant, who also survived the war, who had dressed his wound so long ago in France!

….Everett is buried in Summerside….

Everett passed away, aged 82, at Prince County Hospital in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on September 24, 2005, and is buried in Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Summerside.

Elaine Gallant by the grave of her parents. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Elaine, Brenda, and I visited Everett’s grave one sunny morning in August. Asked to describe her father as we left the cemetery, Elaine reflected that he “…was a gentle man who loved his family, was devoted to Mom, loved his animals. He was a hard working man who would give the shirt off of his back to anyone who needed it…”

Both Elaine and Brenda explained that Everett never spoke about the war, except to express his “…profound sadness at the loss of all the young men who died, including his friends...”

Elaine Gallant with photos of her parents. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Elaine Gallant and Brenda Graves for providing photos and information, and Stolpi on WW2Talk for background on the leadup to the Battle of Bienen. Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous stories about North Novies killed during the Battle of Bienen and buried in Groesbeek….

Clifford BATEMAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-4-the-wwii-soldier-from-a-small-fishing-village-in-newfoundland-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
John Joseph BOHON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-5-the-wwii-soldier-whose-parents-immigrated-to-save-their-family-from-war/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/
Lawrence William BULGER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/08/19/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-bulger-brothers-part-2-the-wwii-stretcher-bearer-from-foxley-river-killed-during-the-battle-of-bienen/
Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-3-the-wwii-soldier-from-cape-tormentine-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Harry William DOUCETTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/02/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-6/
Marven Glenroy HARVEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/26/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-8-the-wwii-soldier-with-7-brothers-who-also-served/
Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-6-the-wwii-soldier-from-new-glasgow-nicknamed-kitty/
Marvin William MCGREGOR:https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-9-the-wwii-soldier-from-west-jeddore-killed-in-germany/

Austin Havelock MUNROE, plus a list of the 39 soldiers: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/11/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-austin-havelock-munroe-is-on-youtube/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-12-the-wwii-soldier-from-little-dover-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
Wilfred ‘Willy’ Joseph POWER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/04/10/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-10-the-wwii-soldier-who-wanted-to-be-a-paratrooper/
Louis Allan SEXTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-7-the-wwii-soldier-from-quebec-who-has-never-been-forgotten-by-his-family/
Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/
John Lewis WALLACE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/05/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-11-the-wwii-soldier-from-canning-who-lost-his-life-in-germany/
YouTube Video: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-honouring-the-memories-of-the-north-novies-who-lost-their-lives-during-the-battle-of-bienen/

….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 Flight Engineer From Urbainville Aboard The Last Flight Of Lancaster KB914

August 9, 2026August 11, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

August 9, 2026. Several months ago, an article sent by Don Coutts, nephew of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, about Flying Officer Bernard Delbert FORBES, an airman from North Bay, Ontario, who died in a February 1, 1953 plane crash in Newfoundland, led to the discovery that one crew member was Corporal Joseph ‘Donat’ GALLANT of Urbainville, Prince Edward Island. (See Shared from BayToday.ca: Tragic 1953 crash that killed North Bay airman still remembered: https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/tragic-1953-crash-that-killed-north-bay-airman-still-remembered-11879654?utm_source=Email_Share&utm_medium=Email_Share&utm_campaign=Email_Share)

Wedding photo of Donat Gallant and Émilie Gaudet. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant. Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg)

Born March 17, 1918 in Urbainville, Prince Edward Island, Donat was the son of Cyrus and Edna Gallant. A WWII veteran, he was living in Wellingon, Prince Edward Island, with his wife Mary Émilie (nee Gaudet) Gallant, who he’d married on October 4, 1943. They were the parents of three children – Ronald, Sandra, and Gerald.

We were interested in finding a family member, if possible, and thanks to several Gallants who lived in the area where the airman came from, Pieter was soon put in contact with Evelyn Gallant, wife of Donat’s son Ron.

….The leadup to the crash…

Joseph ‘Donat’ Gallant. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant)

Donat had re-enlisted in the RCAF on January 8, 1948 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. According to an article in the February 20, 1953 edition of the Telegraph-Journal of St. John, New Brunswick, Donat had been “…stationed at the Chatham RCAF base before transfer to Greenwood, where he completed a flight engineer’s course in November…”

Based in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, he was a member of No. 405 ‘Eagle’ (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron, a long-range patrol unit involved in maritime surveillance and Arctic sovereignty. Originally formed on April 3, 1941 in England as the first RCAF bomber squadron overseas, and serving as an elite Pathfinder force unit. Disbanded on September 5, 1945, it was reformed on April 1, 1947 as No. 405 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron at RCAF Station Greenwood, and was later re-designated No. 405 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron in 1950, and today is known as No. 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/405_Long_Range_Patrol_Squadron)

A Lancaster of the type used by No. 405 Squadron. (Source: Wikipedia)

In January 1953, two Lancaster KB868 and Lancaster KB914 crews, from No. 405 ‘Eagle’ (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron, were sent to Keflavik, Iceland, to take part in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise.

However, on Saturday, January 31, 1953, both crews received orders to proceed to Goose Bay, Labrador, to participate in the search for a missing civilian twin-engine Beechcraft 18 Expeditor. The plan was to fly to the vicinity of Bluie West One (now Narsarsuaq Airport) located near the southern tip of Greenland, and then do a track crawl to Goose Bay, while looking for any signs of the missing aircraft. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narsarsuaq_Air_Base)

Both Lancasters left Keflavik on Sunday, February 1, 1953. Lancaster KB914 left Keflavik at 7:31 am (1031 Zulu). Lancaster KB868 arrived safely around 3:30 pm (1826 Zulu) at RCAF Station Goose Bay, landing with the plane coated with heavy snow. Goose Bay was getting dumped on by heavy snow and the base was ‘socked in’. (NOTE: Zulu Time is the world standard time used in aviation. Also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), it remains constant, unaffected by Daylight Saving Time changes.)

…. Lancaster KB914 didn’t have a safe arrival….

Map shows the plane’s path from Keflavik to where it crashed near Goose Bay. (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

By the time that Lancaster KB914, which had been directed to the search area, began approaching Goose Bay at 4:26 pm (1926 Zulu), not only was the base ‘socked in’, but the Ground Control Approach (GCA) system was unserviceable, and the aircrew had no visibility.

With the situation preventing the plane from landing at Goose Bay, the pilot, Thomas Claude WAGAR, was ordered to divert to the RCAF Station in Torbay, Newfoundland (now St. John’s International Airport). The plane was at a height of 2,135 metres (7,000 feet) and had five hours of fuel left. The order was acknowledged, a course was plotted to their new destination, and the plane headed in an easterly direction. The estimated time of arrival at Torbay was 7:09 pm (2209 Zulu), well within safe fuel limits.

At 5:30 pm (2030 Zulu), however, an urgent message was sent to Goose Bay notifying them that the pilot had just feathered two of the four Rolls Royce Merlin engines and they were returning to Goose Bay. Feathering refers to turning the propeller blades so their thin edges point directly into the oncoming air. This stops the blades from spinning in the wind and cuts down heavy drag, helping to keep the plane steady.

Arrival at Goose Bay was estimated at 6:00 pm (2100 Zulu). 16 minutes later the pilot requested a weather update for Goose Bay. This was sent but not acknowledged. Radio contact between ground personnel and the plane suddenly ended. Lancaster KB914 was declared missing.

…. Lancaster KB914 wasn’t found until June….

When a massive air search, hampered by more bad weather and two other missing aircraft that also required attention, was unsuccessful, the search was called off on February 16. In addition to the missing Lancaster and Beechcraft, a British York transport, carrying troops to Jamaica via Gander, vanished over the Atlantic on February 2, with cold, blowing snow still sweeping the area.

A February 3, 1953 article in the Globe and Mail noted that “…an extensive search from Greenland and Labrador bases found no trace of a Philadelphia-owned Beechcraft which disappeared Friday on a flight between Goose Bay, Labrador, and Greenland. The Lancaster went down Sunday while searching for the civilian plane, which carried two men…”

Months went by, until, on June 15, 1953, the wreckage of the Lancaster KB914 was spotted from the air by D.P. Saunders, a civilian pilot with the Ottawa-based Laurentian Air Services. An RCAF ground search party flew out to the wreckage site to recover the human remains and to investigate the scene.

Preliminary study of the ground showed that the aircraft had gone in almost vertically. Forest damage was limited due to the impact, although debris had struck trees up to 91 metres (100 yards) distant when the Lancaster exploded. The human remains were recovered on June 21.

….Why did the plane crash?…

According to the crash report, the plane crashed 153 km (95 miles) southeast of Goose Bay at around 5:46 pm (2046 Zulu). The plane’s engines had been covered with ice, and the plane’s de-icer did not work properly.

A summary of the evidence in the crash report indicated that “…from the position of the crash….” the plane was “….62 miles off track….” (62 miles is about 100 km)

“….The pilot had reported that he was returning to Goose Bay with two engines feathered….” No 1 and No 4 engines showed no issues, while the “…propellers of Nos. 2 and 3 engines indicated that they were in the feathered position…” suggesting that the plane “….was flying on the two outboard engines….”

With the inboard engines feathered, this meant that “…as some of the pilot’s instruments are operated by vacuum pumps (one on each inboard engine) he would be denied the use of his artificial horizon, turn and bank and directional gyro…”

As well, “….the hydraulic system would be inoperative….” as these were also on the inboard engines. “….As the carburetor air intake shutters are hydraulically operated, the pilot would be unable to change the position of the shutters…” from where they were positioned before the engines had been feathered.

Why were the two engines feathered? About one hour after the ordered diversion from Goose Bay to Torbay, “…the pilot was compelled to feather Engine No. 2 due to severe icing…” but the port de-icer didn’t work. “….A short time later, the pilot found it necessary to feather No. 3 engine due to overheating…”

The pilot couldn’t see where he was flying, his artificial horizon and directional aids were inoperable, as was the hydraulic system. Then, “…shortly before the accident, No. 1 engine failed or partially failed due to icing, resulting in complete loss of control by the pilot…”

Evidence showed that “…as two of the crew members had their parachutes on, it is more than likely that the pilot was attempting to have the crew bail out after he experienced loss of control…”

….The crew of Lancaster KB914…

Donat was one of two Flight Engineers aboard the last flight of Lancaster KB914. The rest of the crew members were:

Pilot – Flying Officer (F/O) Thomas Claude WAGAR DFC, from Kingston, Ontario but born in Parham, Ontario, aged 32. (DFC refers to Distinguished Flying Cross)
Co-Pilot – Flying Officer (F/O) Charles Bruce SCOTT, from Saint John, New Brunswick, aged 27.
Navigator – Flying Officer (F/O) Stephen James DECKER, born in Cooks Harbour, Newfoundland, aged 24.
Navigator – Flying Officer (F/O) Douglas David Richard WOOD, from Peterborough, Ontario, aged age 21.
Radio Officer – Flying Officer (F/O) Bernard Delbert FORBES, from North Bay, Ontario, aged 23.
Radio Officer – Flying Officer (F/O) Frances ‘Frankie’ Steward FOWLOW, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, aged 24.
Radio Officer – Flying Officer (F/O) Thurland Mabury TATE, from Grand Manan, New Brunswick, aged 22.
Flight Engineer – Corporal Roger David Joseph LALONDE, from Kirkland Lake, Ontario but born in Cobalt, Ontario, aged 30.

….A mass funeral was held for all 9 men in Greenwood…

A mass funeral was held in Greenwood for all 9 airmen. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant)

A mass funeral was held on June 26, 1953 in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, for the nine airmen. The ceremonies took place in the Catholic Chapel and in the Station Drill Hall after which the body of each airman was transported to his Canadian hometown for final burial.

A mass funeral was held in Greenwood for all 9 airmen. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant)

A procession on the day that the mass funeral was held in Greenwood for all 9 airmen. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant)

….Donat is buried at Baie Egmont (St. Jacques) Cemetery…

Map shows location of the church in Egmont Bay, as well as Urbainville and Wellington. (Map source: Google Maps)

Evelyn Gallant noted that after the mass funeral service in Greenwood, there was another service held “….in Egmont Bay church….” (St. Philippe et St. Jacques Roman Catholic Church)

Ron Gallant, the oldest of Donat’s children, was 7 when his father died. He said he “…remembered the soldiers at the church and the guns at the funeral. After the funeral, Father Burke brought us home. My mother never remarried, and is buried next to my father….”

Pieter by the grave of Joseph ‘Donat’ Gallant after placing Canadian, Prince Edward Island, and Acadian flags. A stone marker in front is that of his wife. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Donat was buried in Baie Egmont (St. Jacques) Cemetery in Prince Edward Island. We visited the cemetery one beautiful, sunny day in June, and Pieter placed Canadian, Prince Edward Island, and Acadian flags by his grave.

….A memorial in Greenwood honours the crew of Lancaster KB914…

On May 27, 2022, a ceremony to honour the crew of Lancaster KB914 was held, with a memorial placed in the Commemorative Garden at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum at 14 Wing Greenwood. (The family of Frances ‘Frankie’ Steward FOWLOW did attend the ceremony: https://auroranewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Archive/2022/4322news.pdf)

Ron Gallant at the memorial in Greenwood honouring the crew of Lancaster KB914. (Photo courtesy of Ron and Evelyn Gallant)

Ron said he never met the families of the other crew members, and was unable to attend the 2022 ceremony as he was recovering from an operation. However, he and Evelyn subsequently visited Greenwood to see the memorial.

Ron Gallant at his home in Richmond, Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Ron and Evelyn Gallant for providing photos and information, to Shawn Rainville for newspaper research, and to Don Coutts for letting us know about the last flight of Lancaster KB914. Thank you to Wendy Nattress, who prepared the map showing the flight path for Lancaster KB914.

The flags placed at Donat’s grave during our visit were donated. Our thanks go to:

Alan Waddell, Constituent Assistant, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, for the Canadian flag.
Matt MacFarlane, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, for the Prince Edward Island flag.
La Société acadienne de Clare at the request of Simone Comeau, for the Acadian flag.

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? 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/

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 Canadian National Vimy Memorial Is 90!

July 28, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

Canadian National Vimy Memorial from a distance. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

July 28, 2026. On July 26, 1936 the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, designed by Walter Allward, was officially unveiled – 90 years ago. In September 2017, we visited Vimy Ridge during our 6 week, 7,000 km (4,350 miles) war memorial journey in Europe that took us through 4 countries. Pieter placed flags at the known graves of men listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, and we stopped at many memorials during our visit.

I was reminded of the 90th anniversary as the most anticipated stop in 2017 was Vimy Ridge in France, where two WWI soldiers listed on the Cenotaph are also named on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial: John ‘Lymon’ WOOD and Patrick Raymond ARSENAULT. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/07/28/learning-about-the-two-names-on-the-vimy-memorial/)

Pieter at the entrance to Vimy Ridge in France. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The turn-off to the Vimy Ridge memorial and visitors centre is a tree-lined public road, with jogging and walking paths, that leads to the nearby villages of Givenchy and Vimy.

….The Canadian National Vimy Memorial took 11 years to build….

Although we were familiar with the memorial from seeing it on TV, it’s much larger and beautiful when seen in person. While we knew that the land around Vimy Ridge was gifted to Canada by the French government in December 1922 as a mark of gratitude for Canada’s involvement in the defence of France during WWI, it wasn’t until we were there in 2017 that we understood why it took so many years to build.

The memorial sits on the highest point of Vimy Ridge, known during WWI as Hill 145. The ground was littered with unexploded shells and grenades, rusted weapons and wire, and 91,440 metres (100,000 yards) of earth had to be removed by hand to prepare for the monument’s base.

Nearby dugouts and tunnels had to be emptied of explosives that were still stored there, and filled with wet chalk or concrete. Finding underground caverns hidden beneath the monument’s base was crucial, as the memorial weighs more than 50,000 tons.

Work on the monument itself finally began in 1925, took 11 years to build and cost 1.5 million dollars. The white limestone used for the memorial came from an ancient Roman quarry in Seget, Croatia, and didn’t arrive on site until 1927.

The familiar two tall columns represent Canada and France. The pillars together and the horizontal base also form the top half of a cross. The monument includes 20 figures representing honour, justice and peace.

‘Canada Bereft’. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

One female figure, known as ‘Canada Bereft’, stands alone looking out over the slopes of the ridge. The base of the monument is engraved with the 11,285 names of Canadians who have no known grave in France.

….Previous stories about WWI soldiers listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial….

In 2017, we were aware of only the two names previously mentioned: John ‘Lymon’ WOOD of North Tryon, Prince Edward Island, and Patrick Raymond ARSENAULT of Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. Since then, we’ve also told the stories of two more soldiers whose names are engraved on the monument: Merrill Augustus MARSHALL of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, and Lloyd Clifton SHORTLIFF of Barton, Nova Scotia. Here below are links to their stories:

Patrick Raymond ARSENAULT: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/08/07/ww1-soldier-private-patrick-raymond-arsenault-uncovered/
Merrill Augustus MARSHALL: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-signaller-from-covehead-killed-during-the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/
Lloyd Clifton SHORTLIFF: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/07/31/the-ww1-soldier-from-barton-whose-body-was-never-recovered/
John ‘Lymon’ WOOD: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/09/16/the-parallel-ww1-experiences-of-john-lymon-wood-clifford-almon-wells/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2018/06/02/wwi-soldier-john-lyman-woods-connection-with-acadia-university/

….Stories about our 2017 visit to Vimy Ridge….

Missed our stories about our 2017 visit? You can read them here:

Our visit to Vimy Ridge will never be forgotten. Meanwhile, Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? 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/

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Soldier From Bedeque Who Served In Both WWI And WWII

July 26, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

Pieter Valkenburg (left) and Mario Henry at Bedeque Cemetery. (Photo credit: Laurie Henry)

July 26, 2026. Every November, just before Remembrance Day, members of Borden-Carleton Legion Branch #10, in Prince Edward Island, place Canadian flags at the graves of veterans buried in 9 cemeteries, and at 4 cenotaphs. While flags are placed to honour the veterans, their stories and details of service are often unknown.

One of the cemeteries is Bedeque Cemetery (also known as Lower Bedeque Cemetery) in Lower Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. One of the veterans buried here, George ‘Stanley’ Clarence JACK, came to Pieter’s attention from Phillip MacDonald. “…My maternal grandfather, Stanley C Jack, was a veteran of WWI and WWII….” he wrote. “… He was the youngest boy of John S Jack and Elizabeth MacKinstry of Bedeque, and is buried at the Lower Bedeque Cemetery, just down the road from where I live…”

Born July 17, 1897 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Stanley was the youngest son of John Slifton and Elizabeth (nee MacKinstry) Jack. Phillip explained that his great-grandparents raised “…6 boys who all served in WWI & WWII. They were all born on PEI but my grandfather was the only one to remain on the Island to raise his family….”

Stanley worked as a mail driver until he was conscripted, aged 20, under the Military Service Act and sent for a medical exam in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on December 5, 1917. However, he wasn’t drafted until months later.

After relying exclusively on volunteers for the first few years of WWI, the Canadian government passed the Military Service Act in August 1917 to make military service compulsory for male citizens aged 20 to 45. (See https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-home-during-the-war/recruitment-and-conscription/conscription-1917/)

…..Stanley enlisted in the 1st Depot Battalion…..

George ‘Stanley’ Clarence Jack in WWI. (Photo courtesy of the Jack Family. Photo restoration by Pieter Valkenburg)

In 1917-1918, when it was difficult to recruit enough men for infantry battalions, depot battalions were organized in Canada to obtain personnel who would then be sent to various Canadian Reserve Battalions in England.

Stanley wasn’t drafted until March 11, 1918, when he enlisted with ‘H’ Company, 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and began his basic training.

Per Nova Scotia’s Part In The Great War, compiled and edited by M. S. Hunt, the 1st Depot Battalion had been organized “….on September 25, 1917, for the purpose of looking after the draftees under the Military Service Act…”

However, due to “…destruction of property caused by the Halifax Explosion in December 1917….” quarters for military personnel were in short supply, which is likely the reason why Stanley didn’t have to enlist until months after passing his medical exam. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion)

…..Stanley left Canada for England…..

On August 2, 1918, Stanley was transferred to the 102nd Draft Battalion Nova Scotia, one of 1,700 men to be sent overseas.

An account in Nova Scotia’s Part In The Great War noted that the men “…paraded at 8 PM on August 3, 1918; the roll was called, documents checked, etc. The men were then dismissed and ordered to parade and entrain at 4:30 AM on August 4th…”

SS Ixion. (Photo source: http://www.shipspotting.com)

After leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard SS Ixion, the ship arrived safely in Liverpool, England on August 15, 1918, with the men disembarking the following day. Among the men aboard the ship was Cyrus Joseph GALLANT of Piusville, Prince Edward Island, whose story has previously been told. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2026/06/20/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-soldier-from-piusville-who-enlisted-in-the-veterans-guard-of-canada-in-wwii/)

Map showing routing from Liverpool to Bramshott. (Map source: Google Maps)

From Liverpool, the men travelled 396 km (246 miles) towards Bramshott, where they were transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on August 22, 1918. Bramshott Camp was a massive training facility for the Canadian Army, with thousands of soldiers living there. The camp included hospitals, an open-air theatre, and an extensive network of corrugated iron and wooden huts.

The 17th Reserve Battalion was a training and reinforcement depot based in England. Its primary role was to train newly arriving soldiers, and dispatch them to combat battalions.

By the time Stanley arrived in England, just a few months before WWI ended on November 11, 1918, his time with the 17th Reserve Battalion never went beyond training. Instead of being sent to a frontline unit he stayed in England until returning home.

Map showing routing from Bramshott to South Ripon. (Map source: Google Maps)

The Battalion remained in Bramshott until January 12, 1919, when it moved to South Ripon, a distance of 413 km (257 miles), from where soldiers would be demobilized and started returning back home to Canada.

…..Stanley returned back to Canada in 1919…..

HMT Mauretania with geometric dazzle camouflage scheme designed by Norman Wilkinson (Photo source: New-York Tribune December 8, 1918, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84709365)

On June 28, 1919, Stanley was on his way back to Canada aboard HMT (Hired Military Transport) Mauretania. He was officially discharged on July 13, 1919 in Charlottetown.

…..Stanley enlisted in the Veterans Guard of Canada in WWII…..

George ‘Stanley’ Clarence Jack in WWII. (Photo courtesy of the Jack Family)

During the inter-war years, Stanley married Stella Beryl Craig, and they had three daughters. During WWII, Stanley enlisted as a volunteer with the Veterans Guard of Canada.

Volunteers for the Veterans Guard were WWI veterans that had served in Canadian or British forces, were fit, and had been honourably discharged. They received the same pay ($1.30 a day) and allowances as other soldiers. As a local defence force to guard against enemy attacks, and guard duties at internment and prisoner-of-war camps in Canada, Stanley would not have been sent overseas into a war zone. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Guard_of_Canada)

Stanley’s brother-in-law, Harrison William CRAIG, the younger brother of his wife Stella, also served in Canada during WWII, but died of an allergic reaction in 1942. Harrison is listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, and his story was told several years ago. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/09/22/the-ww2-soldier-who-had-an-allergic-reaction/)

Phillip was unsure where his grandfather served during WWII, but wrote that he believed “…he was stationed in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia….” because his mother “…lived there with her mother and sisters in the early 1940s when he was in the war….” Glace Bay, located in Cape Breton, was part of the Homeland Defence duties for the Veterans Guards of Canada. Stanley may have been posted to other locations during WWII as well.

….Stanley is buried in Bedeque Cemetery…

Following the end of WWII, Stanley returned to his life in Bedeque, and worked as a farm labourer and mail courier. Following Stella’s death on December 30, 1969, Stanley remained a widower until his own death on April 6, 1985 in Charlottetown. He was buried in Bedeque Cemetery (also known as Lower Bedeque Cemetery) in Lower Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, where we visited his grave one hot sunny day in July.

Pieter by the grave of George ‘Stanley’ Clarence Jack. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Phillip MacDonald for providing photos and information on his grandfather. “… Please keep up the great work…” he wrote.

This November, when a Canadian flag is placed at Stanley’s grave, he’ll be more than just a name on a list. Pieter noted that “…it means so much more when I’m standing at a grave if I know what the soldier looked like and a bit about him…..“

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? 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/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.

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On The War Memorial Trail….The WWII Signalman From Charlottetown Buried In Tryon People’s Cemetery

July 1, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 1, 2026. In 2025, Pieter became a volunteer under the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)’s National Volunteer Program, and was assigned 4 cemeteries in the South Shore area on Prince Edward Island. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/08/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-cwgc-volunteer-at-cape-traverse-community-cemetery/)

The 4 cemeteries are:

Cape Traverse Community Cemetery (3 CWGC graves)
Tryon People’s Cemetery (2 CWGC graves)
Kelly’s Cross (St Joseph) Parish Cemetery (1 CWGC grave)
Seven Mile Bay (St Peter’s) Cemetery (4 CWGC graves)

….There are 2 CWGC graves at Tryon People’s Cemetery…

Pieter at the entrance to Tryon People’s Cemetery with Jack Sorensen, President of Tryon People’s Cemetery Board of Directors. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

There are 2 CWGC graves in Tryon People’s Cemetery, with the story of one soldier previously told on this blog:

WWI soldier Harry ROBINSON, of Augustine Cove, Prince Edward Island, contracted blood poisoning from a cellulitis infection while in Valcartier, Quebec for training, and died on June 27, 1916, aged 34. You can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/03/30/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-photo-for-wwi-soldier-harry-robinson/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/04/29/the-ww1-soldiers-who-never-left-canada/

The other grave is of WWII soldier William Thomas HENNESSEY, son of WWI veteran George Stanley HENNESSEY, whose story was told several years ago on this blog. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/02/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww1-soldier-who-served-in-the-1st-canadian-engineers-battalion/)

As part of his duties as a CWGC volunteer, Pieter snaps a photo of the grave of William Thomas Hennessey. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….William enlisted with the No. 6 District Signals…

Born September 28, 1921 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, William was the son of George Stanley and Eleza May (nee Thomas) Hennessey. When he enlisted with the No. 6 District Signals of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in Charlottetown on October 27, 1939, he was only 18 years old and stated that he’d served as a member of the militia of that unit since May 1937. No. 6 District Signals was the regional home-defense and administrative unit for Military District 6, which had its headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and covered the Maritimes, including Prince Edward Island.

Prior to enlistment, William had worked for a short period for Chief Justice John Alexander Mathieson of the Court of Appeal of Prince Edward Island, a former Premier of the province. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Alexander_Mathieson)

William Thomas Hennessey. (Photo courtesy of Pam Ing)

When we were first in contact with Pam Ing about her grandfather, we asked if she had a photo of her Uncle William. “….I found the picture of William Hennessey – son of George Hennessey and brother of Harry Raymond ‘Ray’ Hennessey (my father)….” she wrote. “… He was quite the handsome guy for sure!...” Ray had also joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1939, and served until 1945.

After completing his basic training, William was sent to the A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) at Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia on January 13, 1940 for more intensive combat training in tactical firearm use and field exercises.

….William never fully recovered following surgery…

William’s time at Camp Aldershot was very short, as on January 24, 1940 he was admitted to Halifax Military Hospital with acute appendicitis. He was on sick leave until February 20, 1940, but a month later, on March 27, 1940, he was admitted to hospital with nephritis (a kidney infection). He remained in hospital until May 6, only to be readmitted a few weeks later, on May 29, with the same diagnosis. When he was discharged on July 22, 1940, his condition was assessed as ‘unimproved’.

On September 5, 1940, William was discharged from the army for reasons of being ‘physically unfit’ due to asthenia (a general weakness of the body). At the time of his discharge, he declared in writing that “…I was never sick until I joined the C.A.S.F. I was operated on for appendicitis in January. I have never been well since…” (C.A.S.F. refers to Canadian Active Service Force)

It could be that William’s appendix had burst prior to or during his operation, resulting in peritonitis, an inflammation in the peritoneum —the thin membrane that lines the inner abdominal wall and covers the organs. It most commonly occurs due to bacterial infections caused by a ruptured organ (like a burst appendix). If the infection never fully cleared up, it may be why he never completely recovered, but developed nephritis.

After his discharge, William worked on a temporary basis at a freight shed, but contracted pulmonary tuberculosis, and was admitted to the Provincial Sanatorium in Charlottetown. He died on June 7, 1944, aged 22, with the cause of death listed as pulmonary tuberculosis due to asthenia.

….William is buried next to his parents…

Pieter stands behind the grave of William Thomas Hennessey at Tryon People’s Cemetery. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

William was buried in Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon, Prince Edward Island, with his parents later buried next to him. In addition to his own separate gravestone, he is commemorated on his parents’ gravestone, a testament to a young life cut short, and who was never forgotten by his family.

Pam Ing, centre, with husband David on left, and Pieter on the right. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Pam Ing for providing a photo of her uncle. Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? 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/

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 WWI Soldier From Piusville Who Enlisted In The Veterans Guard Of Canada in WWII

June 20, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

June 20, 2026. Since Pieter began the On The War Memorial Trail research project in 2014, we’ve met many families of those who served in one or more wars. Brenda Graves of North Tryon, Prince Edward Island, explained that her paternal grandfather served in WWI and then served in the Veterans Guard of Canada until his death during WWII.

Cyrus Joseph GALLANT was born in Piusville, Prince Edward Island on March 21, 1897, the son of Joseph ‘Joe Smoke’ and Marie Marguerite (nee Bernard) Gallant. He worked on the family farm until he was conscripted under the Military Service Act and sent for a medical exam in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on November 29, 1917. However, he wasn’t drafted until months later.

…..Cyrus enlisted in the 1st Depot Battalion…..

Cyrus Joseph Gallant. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Graves)

Cyrus wasn’t drafted until July 4, 1918, when he enlisted with ‘H’ Company, 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, in Charlottetown, and began his basic training.

However, due to “…destruction of property caused by the Halifax Explosion in December 1917….” quarters for military personnel were in short supply, which is likely the reason why Cyrus didn’t have to enlist until months after passing his medical exam. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion)

…..Cyrus left Canada for England…..

On August 2, 1918, Cyrus was transferred to the 102nd Draft Battalion Nova Scotia, one of 1,700 men to be sent overseas. An account in Nova Scotia’s Part In The Great War noted that the men “…paraded at 8 PM on August 3, 1918; the roll was called, documents checked, etc. The men were then dismissed and ordered to parade and entrain at 4:30 AM on August 4th….”

After leaving Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard SS Ixion, the ship arrived safely in Liverpool, England on August 15, 1918, with the men disembarking the following day.

Map showing routing from Liverpool to Bramshott. (Map source: Google Maps)

The 17th Reserve Battalion was a training and reinforcement depot based in England. Its primary role was to train newly arriving soldiers, and dispatch them to combat battalions.

By the time Cyrus arrived in England, just a few months before WWI ended on November 11, 1918, his time with the 17th Reserve Battalion never went beyond training. Instead of being sent to a frontline unit he stayed in England until returning home.

Map showing routing from Bramshott to South Ripon. (Map source: Google Maps)

…..Cyrus returned back to Canada in 1919…..

On June 28, 1919, Cyrus was on his way back to Canada aboard HMT (Hired Military Transport) Mauretania. He was officially discharged on July 3, 1919 in Charlottetown.

…..Cyrus raised a family in the inter-war years…..

After his return back to Prince Edward Island, Cyrus married Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Marie Gallant on November 22 1922 in Bloomfield, and they became the parents of 9 children. Cyrus ran a barber shop in Bloomfield and worked as a labourer.

…..Cyrus enlisted in the Veterans Guard of Canada in WWII…..

Cyrus Gallant in his Veterans Guard of Canada uniform, with his wife Lizzie, in 1941. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Graves. Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

On February 1, 1941, when Cyrus enlisted with 6A Company of the Veterans Guard of Canada in Charlottetown, his two youngest children were still toddlers. Mary Delma had been born in June 1938, and Joseph Walter in August 1939.

With a growing family, the pay that Cyrus received as a member of the Veterans Guard would have been very helpful. Volunteers for the Veterans Guard were WWI veterans that had served in Canadian or British forces, were fit, and had been honourably discharged. They received the same pay ($1.30 a day) and allowances as other soldiers. As a local defence force to guard against enemy attacks, and guard duties at internment and prisoner-of-war camps in Canada, Cyrus wouldn’t have been sent overseas. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Guard_of_Canada)

He was posted to Valcartier, Quebec, but in July he ended up in hospital with stomach pains, and spent a month in Saint-Sacrament Hospital in Quebec City.

After his discharge from hospital, he was working at Camp B/70, an internment camp in Fredericton, New Brunswick, when he was hospitalized, again with stomach pains, in January 1942. (See https://powsincanada.ca/pows-in-canada/internment-camps/camp-70-fredericton/)

On February 21, 1942, he was sent to Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer.

Cyrus was discharged from the Veterans Guard on March 2, 1942 for being medically unfit due to carcinoma. He remained at Camp Hill Hospital for post-discharged treatment before returning home, where he died on October 31, 1942, aged 45, at Prince County Hospital in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

….Cyrus is buried in St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bloomfield…

Cyrus was buried on November 2, 1942 in St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bloomfield, Prince Edward Island.

Brenda Graves by the grave of her grandfather, Cyrus Joseph Gallant. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

One cloudy and wet Thursday in May of this year, Brenda and I travelled to St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, located just outside the church, to find her grandfather’s grave. Brenda’s father, Edmund Joseph, was one of the children born to Cyrus and Lizzie.

Lizzie remarried in 1954, to Fred Louie Arsenault. They are both buried in the same cemetery as Cyrus.

NOTE: Various records provide differing birth years for Cyrus. When he enlisted in the Veterans Guard in 1941, he stated that he was born on March 21, 1894. However, the regimental number and information he provided about his WWI service matched his WWI attestation where he stated he was born in 1897. His medical record lists him as aged 44 in 1941, confirming he was born in 1897, not 1894. Finally, his headstone incorrectly lists him as being born in 1898.

….Another soldier from Prince Edward Island in the 17th Reserve Battalion died of illness…

Also in the 17th Reserve Battalion was Bruce Sutherland MCKAY (MACKAY), who contracted scarlet fever during the voyage to England and died a short while later. Your can read his story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/04/22/the-ww1-soldier-who-never-made-it-to-the-front/

Thank you to Brenda Graves for providing photos and information on her grandfather. Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? 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/

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 Spitfire Pilot Killed In A Training Accident During The Last Flight Of Spitfire L1083

April 13, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

April 13, 2026. We are always grateful to hear about those who served, so when Annie Lee MacDonald told us about a distant relative who served in the RCAF during WWII, and lost his life, we took a look at what happened. “…Boyce McKie is a relative of mine that Helen MacEwen found in her research….” she explained. It was determined that he was related to Annie Lee on her father’s maternal side. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/07/03/the-ww1-era-course-of-the-rhine-map-of-germany/ for a story about a WWI era Course of the Rhine map that Helen’s father-in-law had saved.)

Southport is now part of Stratford, Prince Edward Island. (Map source: Google maps)

Born November 3, 1922 in Southport (now part of Stratford), Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Allison ‘Boyce’ (Buddy) MCKIE was the son of Boyce and Emma (nee McLeod) McKie. When he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on August 1, 1940, aged 18, he stated that he was interested in pilot training, had been in high school at Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, and noted that his father was deceased. One of the questions asked if he played sports – a question designed to see if he could be a team player – and he answered yes and listed hockey, baseball, softball, and soccer.

Allison ‘Boyce’ McKie. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

On November 10, 1940, Boyce was sent to No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto, Ontario for his basic training. This facility was located in the Coliseum Building on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in Canada. The BCATP was a major program for training Allied air crews during World War II that was administered by the Government of Canada, and commanded by the Royal Canadian Air Force with the assistance of a board of representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Manning Depots were reception and training centres for new RCAF recruits, serving as the initial entry point for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). Recruits received uniforms, 4–5 weeks of basic military training, drills, and aptitude testing. Upon completion, trainees were designated as ‘aircraftsmen 2’ and moved on to further specialized training schools.

On November 28, 1940, an interviewer for the RCAF described Boyce as quick, accurate, pleasant, and confident, and recorded that he had completed Grade 11. In a question about any experience or training that would be useful in the RCAF, the interviewer noted that Boyce “…was very keen…” and “…had done a considerable amount of target shooting and was a member of Dominship team for Keppoch Club. Has done a great deal of duck and partridge shooting…”

….Boyce trained as a pilot …

On January 8, 1941, Boyce was sent to No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) in Oshawa, Ontario for 50 hours of basic flying instruction, over 8 weeks, on the De Havilland Tiger Moth and Fairchild Cornell, two simple training planes.

Having successfully passed his training to date, and now a candidate for pilot training, on March 24, 1941, Boyce was sent to No. 3 Initial Training School (ITS), at Sacred Heart College in Victoriaville, Quebec, for a 4 week course of studies and a variety of tests. His course would include studies in navigation, flight theory, meteorology, duties of an officer, air force administration, algebra, and trigonometry. Tests included a psychiatric interview, a physical examination, a session in a decompression chamber, and a simulated ‘test flight’.

On April 21, 1941, now deemed a Leading Aircraft Man (LAC), Boyce was sent to No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) in Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec for additional basic flying instruction, on the Fleet Finch and Fairchild Cornell.

The next step in Boyce’s training was at No. 6 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Dunnville, Ontario on June 10, 1941, where he would have been placed first in an intermediate training squadron, then in an advanced training squadron, and training at a Bombing & Gunnery School. He earned his pilot flying badge on August 20, 1941, and a promotion to Flight Sgt.

….Boyce left Canada for overseas service …

Aerial view of Halifax showing the location of the Canadian National Railroad Station (red # 1) , Pier 21 Ocean Terminals (red # 2) and No. 1 “Y” Embarkation Depot (red # 3). Halifax Harbour is foreground and right with the Bedford Basin in background. (Source: Library and Archives Canada Collections website)

A few days later, on August 22, 1941, he was transferred to No. 1 ‘Y’ Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, an embarkation depot for Air Force personnel soon heading overseas. (See https://rcaf.info/rcaf-stations/nova-scotia-rcaf-stations/rcaf-station-halifax/)

Before reporting to No. 1 ‘Y’ Depot, Boyce had been granted embarkation leave from August 21, 1941 until September 1, 1941, in what turned out to be the last time he would see his family again.

A few weeks later, on September 14, 1941, Boyce was placed in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Trainee Pool and arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre (PRC) in Bournemouth, England on October 15, 1941. This was the arrival point for thousands of Commonwealth aircrew after training in Canada. (See https://www.birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/No._3_Personnel_Reception_Centre_RAF)

….Boyce was assigned to No. 58 OTU …

On October 27, 1941, Boyce was assigned to No. 58 Operational Training Unit (OTU) in Grangemouth, Scotland, for training on Spitfire Mk.1s.

Spitfire Mk.1 (Photo source: Wikipedia)

An OTU was the last stage of training for aircrew before being assigned to an operational unit for active operations. Loss rates in training were high due to inexperience, crowded airspace, often poor weather, and even enemy aircraft operating over the United Kingdom.

Map shows the plane’s path from Grangemouth to where it crashed near Kenmore by Loch Tay. (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

On November 11, 1941, just a week after his 19th birthday, Boyce was one of the training casualties when Spitfire L1083, in which he was the pilot and sole occupant in the plane, was lost in low clouds during a formation exercise flight and went missing around 12:30 pm.

It wasn’t until December 12, 1941 that the crash site was found. The Spitfire had crashed into high ground near Kenmore by Loch Tay in Scotland, and Boyce had died of “…multiple severe injuries….”

….Boyce is buried in Grangemouth (Grandsable) Cemetery …

Boyce was buried on December 19, 1941 in Grangemouth (Grandsable) Cemetery, located south of the town of Grangemouth in Stirlingshire, Scotland. He’s one of 92 casualties from WWI and WWII buried there.

Grave of Allison ‘Boyce’ McKie in Grangemouth (Grandsable) Cemetery in Scotland. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

….Boyce is commemorated on a memorial wall at the former RAF Grangemouth…

In 2008, a memorial wall was placed at the former RAF Grangemouth site to “…commemorate the trainee Spitfire pilots who had come to RAF Grangemouth from not only Great Britain but also Poland, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and India, to learn to fly the Spitfire fighter aircraft during the Second World War, and who died at the airfield while serving with 58 Operational Training Unit….”

RAF Grangemouth and 58 Operational Training Unit Memorial. (Photo source: https://vintageaviationnews.com image by Urban Ghosts)

RAF Grangemouth and 58 Operational Training Unit Memorial. Boyce identified by yellow arrow. (Photo source: J. M. Briscoe found on Flickr)

Pieter and Annie Lee MacDonald on their way to a memorial service in The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Thank you to Annie Lee MacDonald for letting us know about Allison ‘Boyce’ McKie. Thank you to Wendy Nattress, who prepared the map showing the flight path for Spitfire L1083.

Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWI Voyage To Europe Of The 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion

March 31, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

March 31, 2026. 111 years ago, on June 13, 1915, 1,148 soldiers – 42 officers and 1,106 other ranks – from the 26th New Brunswick Battalion boarded the Anchor Line Steamship ‘Caledonia’ and left the Saint John, New Brunswick harbour, enroute to the United Kingdom, for military service in the WWI battlefields in Europe.

Scene at embarkation of 26th Battalion and ammunition column CEF, St. John, New Brunswick, June 13, 1915. No. 9. (Photo source: D. Smith Reid, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

When the battalion returned home at the end of the war, only 4 of the original 42 officers and 113 of the original 1,106 other ranks were still with the battalion. The others had been killed, wounded, or transferred to other battalions.

One of the soldiers who never returned home was Private Arthur Clinton ROBINSON of Tryon, Prince Edward Island, who was born July 20, 1896, the son of Albert James Robinson and Flora P. Scruton. 110 years ago, on March 27, 1916, he was killed during the Actions of St Eloi Craters when shell fire hit the trenches southeast of Kemmel, which is only 10 km (6 miles) south west of Ypres. He was buried at La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium.

One of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island, we have not yet found of a photo of him, and neither has his family.

….The ‘Caledonia’ arrived in Canada from Egypt …

But, in 1915, most of the soldiers preparing to go overseas didn’t know what horrors of war lay ahead of them. When the S. S. ‘Caledonia’ arrived in Saint John, an article in the June 12, 1915 edition of the St. John Standard newspaper reported that it had arrived the day before from Sydney, Nova Scotia. It had travelled from Alexandria, Egypt after delivering wounded Australian soldiers from Turkey. “…The Caledonia has been transporting troops since early in December and spent some time in the Dardanelles…” and was in the midst of heavy fighting. The Dardanelles is a narrow strait of northwestern Turkey that divides Europe from Asia. (See https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-short-history-of-the-dardanelles-campaign)

After the ‘Caledonia’ left Saint John at 11:30 am on Sunday, June 13, 1915, it sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving the next day, where 250 members of the Heavy Artillery, 50 from Nova Scotia Cycle Corps, and 250 reinforcements from the 10th Nova Scotia Battalion, joined the ship for its voyage to Plymouth, England.

The ship didn’t leave Halifax until the following morning, as recorded in the Plymouth Evening Mail newspaper on June 24, 1915. “…The troops at once went aboard the transport, but there was a large quantity of ammunition to put aboard and there were the 4.7 guns and howitzers. In consequence the Caledonia remained at pier until 9:30 the next morning when she sailed down the harbour, followed by the best wishes of the thousands of loyal people…”

….The voyage of the ‘Caledonia’…

The ‘Caledonia’ travelled from Saint John, New Brunswick to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then across the Atlantic Ocean to Plymouth, England. (Map source: Google maps)

A description of the voyage in the July 20, 1915 Caledonia Telegraph Journal included excerpts from the diary of Corporal Clarence Beverley SMITH of the 26th Battalion. “…June 17. Very rough weather, many very sick. June 18. Weather smoother, but not calm. Most of the men too sick for any actual drill; most lying around decks. June 19. Weather very smooth. Expect to get to England about Wednesday evening. June 20. Weather very calm. The ocean is just like a river and the boat makes good progress. June 21. Weather very calm. Received orders of absolute quiet and silence with no lights at night. June 22. Weather very calm and very warm. June 23. We were picked up by a British destroyer which stood by us until we arrived at Devonport about 10 am. June 24. We were boarded by the doctor and other officials and tied up at the wharf. About 2 pm we were put on board a train and got into Sandling Camp 1 am on June 25. Altogether, the voyage was a very pleasant one…”

Private William John SWETKA, with the Signalling Division of the 26th Battalion, gave a similar account, published in the July 14, 1915 edition of the St. John Standard newspaper. He had a bit more to say as the ship arrived in Plymouth, England on June 24, 1915. “…About six o’clock passed Eddystone lighthouse. In about an hour entered Plymouth harbour. Several steamers with invalids from the Dardanelles were there. They cheered us. We were towed into the inner harbour. There are quite a few cruisers, destroyers, etc in dock being repaired. Harbour is full of war vessels of all kinds…”

The soldiers were in England only for a short period, as by the end of August 1915, the 26th Battalion began preparations for a move into France. On September 13, 1915 an advance party left England, followed 2 days later by the troops, who arrived in Boulogne, France in the early hours of September 16, 1915.

….More about Arthur Clinton Robinson…

Unlike Arthur Robinson, Clarence Smith and William Swetka survived WWI and returned home. To read more about Arthur, see:

Thank you to Shawn Rainville for newspaper searches about the Caledonia’s voyage in 1915. Meanwhile, Pieter’s research efforts to find photos and families of soldiers continue. Do you have a photo of Arthur Clinton Robinson to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

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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

March 15, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

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.

….Want to follow our research?…

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

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier From Newport Who Lost His Life During The Moro River Campaign In Italy

March 2, 2026August 15, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

March 2, 2026. The search for photos of soldiers who lost their lives in wartime sometimes takes Pieter on unexpected paths. Whenever possible, he tries to help other researchers. One of them was David Archer, who explained that he was “…with the 48th Highlanders army reserve in the 1970s….”

Over the past 20 plus years, David has been looking for photos of members from that Regiment, and when he wrote to Pieter, he said that “… there is one PEI soldier on my cold list. His name is Kevin Delorie KIA Dec 20th 1943. …”

Pieter decided to help find a photo, and the search for a photo of WWII soldier Kevin Joseph DELORIE began. Pieter’s initial research found that most of the family moved to Oregon (USA), but one sister, Margaret ‘Clare’, married a Murphy and remained in Canada.

….A newspaper appeal led to family and a photo of the soldier…

In the hope to find family, Charlotte MacAulay, Editor of the Eastern Graphic newspaper was contacted, and she agreed to publish a photo appeal. (See EAG-A04-102324-K Searching for photo of Kevin Delorie)

Within hours of the article being published, Pieter received a phone call from Bernice Delory in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, saying that Clare had a photo at one time. Bernice gave Pieter contact information for Clare’s daughter, Tammy Murphy, in Halifax. When he called her, Tammy said that her brother, Tim Murphy, a retired teacher in Montague, may have photos.

She called Tim and it wasn’t long before we were on our way to Montague to meet Tim, Clare, and Clare’s nephew, Norbert Murphy, who brought the photos. Charlotte MacAulay came as well, to do a follow-up story. (See EAG-A11-110624 C Remembering Kevin Delorie) “…It’s wonderful that Kevin is being honoured…” Clare said.

Left to right: Clare Murphy holding a photo of her brother Kevin, Charlotte MacAulay, Pieter, Norbert Murphy, Tim Murphy. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Born June 30, 1923 in Newport, Prince Edward Island, Kevin was the son of Eugene and Catherine ‘Katie’ (nee McDonald) Delorie.

Kevin Joseph Delorie. (Photo courtesy of the Delorie Family. Photo colourization: Pieter Valkenburg)

When he enlisted on August 15, 1940 with the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Highlanders in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Kevin stated he was born in 1921, adding 2 years to his actual age of 17. At 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 metres), he was very tall! Clare told us that she had travelled with her brother from Newport to Charlottetown on the day that he enlisted.

After completing his basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Charlottetown, he joined others from PEI Highlanders in serving at the Halifax Fortress (specifically the Halifax Citadel and surrounding areas in Nova Scotia), tasked with guard duties and receiving additional training in the Halifax/Dartmouth area as part of Canada’s home defence.

Kevin remained in Halifax until June 3, 1941, when he was sent to Valcartier, Quebec in preparation for guard duty in Newfoundland. Another Islander was with him – Daniel ‘Dan’ Peter MACKENZIE. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-victoria-cross-fatally-wounded-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk/)

Back row: Kevin Delorie with his parents Katie and Eugene. Front row: siblings Clare, Rose, and Francis. (Photo courtesy of the Delorie Family. Photo restoration and colourization: Pieter Valkenburg)

… Kevin was sent to Newfoundland as part of ‘W’ Force….

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. That same year, Canada assumed responsibility for the defence of Newfoundland with the establishment of ‘W Force’, a Canadian garrison force responsible for defending Newfoundland against enemy invasion and attacks, 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’, Kevin 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…..

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

Albert Joseph COTE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/07/27/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-stretcher-bearer-whose-compassion-cost-him-his-life/
Carman Edward GILLCASH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/22/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-glenwood-killed-during-the-battle-of-the-delfzijl-pocket/
Daniel ‘Dan’ Peter MACKENZIE: (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-victoria-cross-fatally-wounded-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk/)
James ‘Frank’ MOSSEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-souris-killed-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk/

On March 1, 1943, Kevin was temporarily promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Then, on March 20, 1943, he left Newfoundland, and was sent to Sussex, New Brunswick. On June 2, 1943, Kevin was transferred to the No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia, for final preparation and training before being sent overseas.

…..Kevin was in North Africa before going on to Italy….

Kevin boarded a ship on June 10, 1943, which left Canada on June 11, 1943. Upon arriving in the United Kingdom on June 18, 1943, he was posted to No. 7 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU), where he reverted back to the rank of private. Training continued to prepare troops who would be part of the Central Mediterranean Force (CMF).

On September 12, 1943, Kevin was transferred to the West Nova Scotia Regiment’s X-4 Reinforcement List, and boarded a ship that left the United Kingdom. He arrived in North Africa on September 23, 1943, and was attached to ‘B’ Company of the 3rd Battalion of the British North Africa Force (BNAF), prior to being sent on to Italy.

On October 7, 1943 he wrote a note to his mother, confirming that he was “…now down in North Africa….” He went on to write that “…I haven’t had any mail for 6 weeks…” and commented that “….the weather is fairly warm. We buy lots of fruit such as grapes and melons. The oranges will soon be ripe…”

Mail arrived for Kevin, as he noted in an October 23, 1943 letter to his father. He was still in North Africa, but had been reassigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, No. 1 Canadian Base Reinforcement Depot (CBRD), Canadian Army, BNAF.

On November 12, 1943, Kevin was part of the 4th Battalion and on his way to Italy with the CMF and the Allied Army in Italy (AAI) for the Italian Campaign, joining the West Nova Scotia Regiment, as it prepared to move towards Agnone, on November 29, 1943, one of 42 reinforcements. (See https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/military-history/second-world-war/italian-campaign)

On December 6, 1943, Canadian forces, along with British, Indian, and New Zealand infantry divisions, began the Moro River Campaign, a series of large-scale assaults on major crossing points along the Moro River in Eastern Italy, with the objective of securing a large bridgehead along the defensive line. The intention was to breach the German Army’s Winter Line defensive system and advance to Pescara—and eventually Rome. (For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_River_Campaign)

…..Kevin was transferred to the 48th Highlanders Regiment….

Position of 48th Highlanders on December 11, 1943 (see yellow circle). WNSR to the left shows the position of the West Nova Scotia Regiment that Kevin had been with. (Map source: Project 44)

On December 11, 1943, he was transferred to ‘B’ Company of the 48th Highlanders Regiment, joining them after they had moved from the Ortona area towards Villa Torre. In what would be his last letter home, he wrote to his mother on December 14, 1943. “….Just a few lines to say I’m OK and to give you another address. I am now with the 48th Highlanders. Aeneas Johnston and I came to the same company. I don’t know where Charlie MacDonald is, he went to some other company…”

Kevin was referring to Aeneas Daniel JOHNSTON, born in Primrose, Prince Edward Island, was the son of Joseph and Gertrude Johnston, and husband of Mary Johnston. Aeneas had been killed on December 8, 1943 and is buried in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy.

It’s possible that Kevin was referring to Charles James MACDONALD, who was born in New Annan, Prince Edward Island, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph MacDonald. He died July 8, 1944 while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and is buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France.

…..Kevin was listed as MIA on December 20, 1943….

Position of 48th Highlanders on December 20, 1943 (see yellow circle) as they attempted an attack on Villa Grande (see blue square). (Map source: Project 44)

The war diary for December 20, 1943 indicated that an attack on Villa Grande was not as successful as hoped. “….Essex Regiment ….attempted to take Villa Grande and failed….Ordered by Brigade to send one Company…. ‘B’ Company attacked 1500 hours, but tanks bogged down, and Company pinned down….Tanks encountered minefield and was mined….Under cover of dark, ‘B’ Company withdrew to position around tanks…” Kevin was never seen again, and he was listed as Missing In Action (MIA) and presumed dead.

Kevin’s family was notified that he was missing, and of course hoped that he was not killed, but had been taken prisoner of war.

Clare had gone to church, and through a miscommunication, didn’t know what happened to her brother until the moment the priest asked the congregation to pray for the fallen… and Kevin’s name was mentioned. “…I was 13 at the time…” she said. “…Helen Farrell had a phone in her store and was supposed to tell me, but didn’t get the message to me in time…”

…..The 48th Highlanders Chaplain wrote what happened on December 20, 1943….

A January 12, 1944 letter written to Kevin’s mother by Padre Stewart Bland EAST, Chaplain for the 48th Highlanders Regiment, provided an account of what happened. “….I write to assure you that everything in our power has been done to locate his body and that we have failed. The full story is as follows.

On the afternoon of 20 December, one Company of the Highlanders were given instruction to capture an enemy position. The attack was not a success because the tanks were unable to proceed because of mines.

When the Company returned to their position, five men were missing. The bodies of only three of these have been found, in spite of a thorough search. All I can suggest is that your son was buried by the Germans or was not killed as reported, but was wounded and taken prisoner…”

Although the letter was dated January 12, 1944, it was not mailed until much later, as a March 27, 1944 postscript explained that he had only received the day before a mailing address, and asked if she had received any further word about Kevin’s fate.

The 3 soldiers that Padre East mentioned as being found were:

Cpl Alexander John MACKINNON, born in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, aged 26
Cpl Eric Morris NETTLETON of Hamilton, Ontario, aged 21
Pte Jack STEWART of Hastings, Ontario, aged 34

All 3 are now buried in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.

…..Kevin is buried in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery….

Moro River Canadian War Cemetery. To the far left is Villa Grande, near where Kevin Delorie lost his life. (Map source: Google maps)

Kevin’s distraught family kept in contact with the Department of National Defence, and asked the Canadian Red Cross for help in locating him. In June 1945, his body was found, and he was buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, located near the Adriatic Sea, 5 km (3 miles) from San Donato-Moro, near Ortona in Italy.

Grave of Kevin Joseph Delorie in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy. (Photo source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Thank you to Charlotte MacAulay of the Eastern Graphic for publicizing the search for a photo of Kevin Delorie. A huge thank you goes to Clare Murphy, Tim Murphy, and Norbert Murphy for sharing photos and information.

Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

….Previous postings on soldiers killed in Italy….

Kevin Delorie is not the only soldier from Prince Edward Island killed in Italy, and whose story has previously been told on this blog. See:

Albert Eugene ARSENAULT: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/10/09/the-ww2-soldier-killed-in-action-while-crossing-the-foglia-river-in-italy/
George Alfred DUNN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/03/10/the-ww2-soldier-from-emerald-junction-who-lost-his-life-in-italy/ and who is also buried in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.
Ernest Murray NORTON: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/02/13/the-last-valentine-from-a-wwii-soldier/ and https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/05/12/commemorative-coins-from-west-nova-scotia-regimental-association/
Arnold Dudley TAYLOR: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-ww2-soldier-killed-in-action-while-trying-to-break-the-gothic-line-in-italy/

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….Everett enlisted in 1943….

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…..Stanley enlisted in the 1st Depot Battalion…..

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….Stanley is buried in Bedeque Cemetery…

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….There are 2 CWGC graves at Tryon People’s Cemetery…

….William enlisted with the No. 6 District Signals…

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…..Cyrus enlisted in the 1st Depot Battalion…..

…..Cyrus left Canada for England…..

…..Cyrus returned back to Canada in 1919…..

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….Alfred worked as a waiter and butler…

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

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….Alfred left Canada for overseas service….

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

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….A newspaper appeal led to family and a photo of the soldier…

… Kevin was sent to Newfoundland as part of ‘W’ Force….

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

…..Kevin was in North Africa before going on to Italy….

…..Kevin was transferred to the 48th Highlanders Regiment….

…..Kevin was listed as MIA on December 20, 1943….

…..The 48th Highlanders Chaplain wrote what happened on December 20, 1943….

…..Kevin is buried in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery….

….Previous postings on soldiers killed in Italy….

….Want to follow our research?…

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**… Kevin was sent to Newfoundland as part of ‘W’ Force….**

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