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On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 6: The WWII Soldier From New Glasgow Nicknamed Kitty

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March 21, 2023. On 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 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, photos were missing for 12 names.  Kitchener LANGILLE was one of these soldiers.

….We hoped a film would provide a clue to family….

Just as Pieter was looking into the file for Kitchener Langille, Matt Rainnie of CBC’s Mainstreet PEI interviewed Jackie Torrens, who’d made a film ‘Bernie Langille Wants To Know What Happened To Bernie Langille‘.  Was this another moment of serendipity?  Was Bernie Langille related to Kitchener  Langille? (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Langille_Wants_to_Know_What_Happened_to_Bernie_Langille)

An inquiry to Matt soon resulted in an email from Jackie Torrens.  “…Matt Rainnie forwarded your email onto me about Kitty Langille – I can’t say I came across the name when working with Bernie Langille and his family about their grandfather Corporal Bernard L. Langille but I am forwarding your email onto Bernie, his grandson. It might ring a bell with him…”  

Unfortunately, we never heard from Bernie Langille so we have no idea if he is related.  Not every line of inquiry proves successful.

….Kitchener’s nickname was Kitty ….

Langille with kitty

Kitchener Langille.  (Photo courtesy of Ivy Warner)

Luckily, another lead led Pieter to Ivy Warner of New Brunswick, who explained that “… My Mother’s first husband was Kitchener Langille…”  Among the photos she included was one of him with a kitten.  “…He was nicknamed ‘Kitty’. I’m assuming this is why his pic was taken with a kitten…”

Born April 10, 1916 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Kitchener Langille was the son of Daniel and Lydia (Dewyer) Langille. He was one of 11 children, with 4 brothers and 6 sisters.  One of those brothers, Clarence, would be killed in Italy on May 31, 1944.

Before enlisting with the No. 6 District Depot on January 31, 1942 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, he was a labourer at Maritime Steel and Foundries Ltd., mixing sand for core markers. 

“Kitty” Kitchener found on ancestry2

Kitchener Langille with his wife Queenie, who was pregnant with their son Junior. (Photo courtesy of Ivy Warner)

Kitty had married Queenie Eloise Harper in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on January 23, 1939.  At the time of his enlistment, Queenie was pregnant with their first child, William ‘Junior’ Robert, who was born on June 4, 1942.  But that date was still several months away.

…. Kitty was part of ‘W’ Force in Newfoundland ….

After enlisting, Kitty was sent to No. 60 Canadian Army Basic Training Camp (CA (B) TC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on February 6, 1942.

On April 8, 1942 he was transferred to the A-1 Canadian Artillery Training Camp in Petawawa, Ontario to train as a gunner.  Then, on May 4, 1942, he was assigned to the 16th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery.

A month later, on June 5, 1942, he was transferred to the 14th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery in Debert, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service in Newfoundland, with ‘W’ Force.

‘W’ Force was a Canadian garrison force responsible for defending Newfoundland against enemy incursions and providing security for existing and proposed defence facilities during WWII. Established in 1940 to defend Newfoundland during World War II, it included infantry, artillery, and anti-aircraft units.

In February 1943, while still stationed in Newfoundland, Kitty was given leave upon the birth of his daughter, Doris Eloise, on January 22, 1943.

In an interview in St. John’s, Newfoundland for his Personnel Selection Record on June 30, 1943, it was noted that Kitty “….left school at age 12…., lived on a farm and too much to do at home…”  He was “…fond of hunting and fishing and likes the movies…”  It was also recommended that he continue in the army as a gunner as he “…was satisfied with his duties as a machine gunner…”

His Newfoundland tour of duty ended on December 18, 1943 when he was transferred to No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

…. Kitty was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Corps ….

Kitty spent a month in Halifax Military Hospital from January 27 to February 29, 1944. On March 28, 1944, Kitty was re-interviewed for his Personnel Selection Record.  Because “…his particular liking is for machine guns…” he was recommended for a transfer to the Canadian Infantry Corps and more training.

On April 9, 1944, he was transferred to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia for ordnance training for a few weeks before being transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CI (B) TC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on April 14, 1944. 

Kitty was interviewed again on July 28, 1944.  After stating he “…had a good attitude towards overseas service…” he returned to Aldershot a few days later for further training, this time for a 6 pounder course.  A 6 pounder was an anti-tank gun.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordnance_QF_6-pounder )

After completing the course on September 29, 1944, he was transferred to No. 1 Training Brigade Group and sent to Debert, Nova Scotia in preparation for going overseas. 

…. Kitty was sent overseas ….

On November 21, 1944 he left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on November 28, 1944, most likely on the same transport as John Joseph BOHON.  Upon arrival in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944, like Bohon, he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CITR).

On January 25, 1945 he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of 21 Army Group, and then on February 28, 1945, was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining the Regiment in Udem, Germany.

He was a needed addition to the Regiment, as the day before the war diary had reported “…2 other ranks killed, Major F. A. Sparks and Lieutenant J. D. Campbell and 12 other ranks wounded, and 3 other ranks missing, believed to have been taken prisoner by the enemy…”

…Kitty lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

Plunder 015 Aerial of Bienen from 23 March 45, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Courtesy Becker) ww2talk

Aerial view of Bienen taken on March 23, 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Map source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

On March 25, 1945, the Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen.  The problem with Bienen was that the road through it was the only access point.  In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ author Will Bird explained that it was “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

Sketch Bienen WD NNSH

Trace map for the attack phases.  The initials S. L. refer to ‘start line’.  (Map source:  North Nova Scotia Highlanders war diary for March 1945)

It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. The war diary for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders for March 25, 1945 explained that “…The actual ground attack was split into two phases. Phase I – ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were to attack CLAW and BEAK respectively… along a very narrow two-company front. In support ‘A’ Company was to have a troop of D.D. tanks from the Essex Yoemanry. A section of engineers was to go with each of the forward companies and also two of our six-pounder guns, with a Forward Observation Officer each. They were to exploit road to take CLAW and BEAK as quickly as possible….”

Then, in “…Phase II – ‘C’ Company on the right was to pass through ‘A’ Company onto its objective WING and “D” Company on the left was to pass through ‘B’ Company onto its objective HEAD, reference Appendix 8. Each company was to pick up the section of sappers and the two Forward Observation Officers. Two six pounders were to go in with ‘C’ Company and ‘D’ Company was to pick up the two six-pounders from ‘B’ Company…”

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded.  Among those who lost their lives was Kitchener ‘Kitty’ Langille, who would have been in the group with the six-pounder guns.

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, John Joseph BOHON, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Kitty was temporarily buried on March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Grave of Kitchener Langille

Grave of Kitchener Langille in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. (Photo source: https://www.findagrave.com)

Kitty’s obituary noted that his wife Queenie was notified of his death on April 4, 1945, but “…it was only a few days before that she received a letter from her husband, written on March 22nd.  It was a cheerful letter and he was optimistic about seeing her and the children before long…”

Poignantly, the obituary went on to mention Kitty’s two children, “…Billy, who will be four in June, and Doris, two years old…”

In his obituary he was described as a “…quiet, industrious man, highly thought of by his associates and all who knew him…”

Thank you to Ivy Warner for providing photos and information.  Pieter has been successfully finding family members of other North Novies killed in this battle. Coming up in Part 7: Louis A. Sexton.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

 

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 5: The WWII Soldier Whose Parents Immigrated To Save Their Family From War

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March 18, 2023. Last fall, after Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, 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 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, Pieter saw that photos were missing for 12.  One of these was John Joseph BOHON.

“…Bohon?  Isn’t that a Ukrainian name?…” Pieter asked.  “…Maybe, in a shortened form…” I replied.

That short conversation ultimately led to successfully unlocking a search for family. After finding no family named Bohon who could be related, Pieter finally discovered that when he enlisted, this soldier shortened his surname from BOHONKO to BOHON!

Searching for Bohonko led to obituaries of John’s brother and sister-in-law, which finally led Pieter to Debbie Mierau of Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

….John was born in present-day Ukraine….

Map Velykyi Bereznyi

Debbie confirmed that the family was of Ukrainian heritage, with roots in the Zakarpattia (Sub-Carpathian) region in Czechoslovakia, but now part of Ukraine. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakarpattia_Oblast)

 “…My grandparents, John Bohonko and Nanca Kohut (who I called Dido and Baba) were from the village of Velykyi Bereznyi in Ukraine where they were born, raised and married….” Debbie explained. A literal translation of the village name is Big Birch. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velykyi_Bereznyi)

Debbie wrote that after the birth of their son Johnny “…Dido made a decision to go to Canada so his son would know a life without wars and rumours of wars….”  John was born February 12, 1925 in Velykyi Berznyi.

“….He left in 1927 and spent … long, hard years away from his family trying to make a life for them. He rode the rails from one side of the country to the other looking for a good job (almost freezing to death in Weyburn, Saskatchewan) to make a home for them in Canada. Finally … he sent for Nanca and Johnny. Baba, who had never been out of her village, made the trek with young Johnny in tow … to catch a ship to Canada….”  

PC-NI04 SS Nieuw Amsterdam

S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam.  (Photo source: https://greatships.net/nieuwamsterdam)

John and his mother Nanca sailed from Rotterdam, The Netherlands aboard the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam, and arrived as landed immigrants in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 29, 1929.

Baba_UncleJohn

John with his mother Nanca in 1929.  (Photo courtesy of Debbie Mierau)

John’s mother, who became known as Ann in Canada, “… did not speak English but managed to make her way by train to Toronto where Dido was waiting for her at the station. He proudly took them to the house he had constructed and where they lived until the 1970s. Baba grew much of her own food and Dido worked hard for CN Rail, supporting his family throughout the Depression.  Five more children joined the brood. Dido never looked back. He loved Canada so much and insisted his children be raised as Canadians. Baba always missed her family and country very much but understood her family was much safer in Canada….”

After finishing Grade 9 and a year in high school, John studied art for a year at the Ontario College of Art.   “…He … painted murals on his bedroom walls…” but art was not his career at this point.

….John enlisted in Halifax….

He did bush, forestry, and carpentry work for 2 years before enlisting with No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 13, 1943.  At the time, he had been employed for two years by Foundation Maritime in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia as a carpenter’s helper. (See https://hazegray.org/navhist/canada/fm/)

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Record, John was described as having “…a neat, pleasing appearance…”  An adventurous soul, he “….left home and has done considerable wandering, taking whatever jobs he could find….”

His enthusiasm and artistic talent were noted.  “…Enthusiastic and aggressive… Having a natural talent for Art he has made this his hobby…”

John made a good impression.  “…As this recruit is keen and willing, has a good physique, and is anxious to see action, he should be suitable for Infantry training….”  However, as John was under 19 years of age – and therefore ineligible to be sent overseas – he was recommended for “…enriched training during basic training…”

John Bohonko

Portrait of John Joseph Bohon.  (Image courtesy of Debbie Mierau)

Just as John turned 19 in February 1944, he was transferred to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CI (B) TC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

On July 2, 1944, he was sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia for further ordnance training in 3 inch mortars. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ML_3-inch_mortar)  As he was there at the same time as Clifford BATEMAN, perhaps they trained together.

After passing the mortar course he was attached to S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School (CD & M School) in Woodstock, Ontario on September 8, 1944, for a 3 week carrier driving course for 3 inch mortarmen.

After successfully completing the course, John was rated suitable “…for overseas operational duty in Canadian Infantry Corps as specialist to armoury…”

He was reassigned back to A14 CITC in Aldershot in preparation for overseas service, but first allowed special leave of 96 hours before leaving Ontario to travel back to Nova Scotia.  Per Debbie, John “…went home to visit his family before being sent to Europe. My mother remembers him walking down the road with his gear and rifle on his back. He turned and waved to his little sister, who adored him, and she watched him walk away….”

….John was sent overseas….

John returned to Aldershot, but was not there long.  On November 7, 1944 he was sent to No. 2 Training Camp in Debert, Nova Scotia in preparation for going overseas.  He left Canada for the United Kingdom on November 21, 1944 – from Halifax, the same city in which he arrived in Canada at the end of 1929.

Upon arrival in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944 he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CITR).

On January 8, 1945 he was sent to Northwest Europe as part of 21 Army Group, and then on January 26, 1945, was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining them in Holthurnsche, The Netherlands, located near Berg en Dal, and very close to the German border.

The Regiment reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945.  On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster).

…John lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he noted that the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had made “… three attempts …. to capture the village, but they were turned back by very heavy machine gun fire from the front of the village, supported by heavy mortar fire…”

On March 25, 1945 the North Nova Scotia Highlanders were tasked with passing through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen during the night.

Mar 24 1945 Position showing Rosau farm

Map shows position of North Novies on March 24, 1945, as they made their way towards Bienen, with the Battalion HQ set up at Rosau Farm just outside the village.  (Map source: Project ’44)

In the article ‘Too Close To The Guns!’ in Canadian Military History, Volume 12, Numbers 1& 2, Winter/Spring 2003, pp.5-28, author Lee Windsor recorded that “…At 7:45 am, Lt Colonel Forbes established his tactical headquarters near a great windmill at Rosau Farm…” on the outskirts of Bienen.

“…The battalion’s 3 inch mortar platoon and attached Cameron heavy mortars set up behind the farm while the rifle companies formed up to advance….” A and B Companies moved up to their start line at what became known as Argyll Farm.  Cameron referred to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regiment.

Rees-Bienen_Zur_Rosau_PM19-01

Former windmill at Rosau farm. (Photo source: Pieter Delicaat, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

The war diary for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders for March 25, 1945, explained the plan of attack.  “…The Plan adopted was to use a fire plan of a series of concs and stonks, with one gun per troop firing smoke. Thus the whole open approach was hoped to be shielded from the enemy. As the troops reached initial objectives, the guns were to lift onto further stonks in the rear covering the approaches along the EMMERICH road and MILLINGEN road. The platoon of medium machine guns of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa was to take on targets …. of the medium machine gun attack…”  ‘Concs and stonks’ referred to concentrated artillery.

What Debbie wrote mirrored the war diary information. “….Johnny’s platoon was assigned to relieve an exhausted Scottish platoon trapped and under fire in a farmhouse near Bienen, Germany. On the way to the farm, the North Novies came under German machine gun fire. Johnny was killed on March 25th, 1945 – one month away from liberation….” The Scottish platoon she refers to would be the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a Canadian Regiment.

A war casualty never ends with the death of a soldier.  “…My mother remembers when the telegram came to the house to tell Baba and Dido of the loss of their first born child.…” Their pain was felt by so many families in similar circumstances.

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

Like Clifford BATEMAN, Ralph Schurman BOULTER, and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, John was temporarily buried on March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Bohon Gravestone

Grave of John Joseph Bohon (Bohonko) at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

…Reflections by John’s niece ….

John’s niece Debbie shared her reflections.  “…It has always been a wonder to me how much my grandparents had been through to save my Uncle Johnny from wars only to have a war reach across the ocean to take him anyway. Although I never met him and he died nine years before I was born, I have always felt a connection to him and wish I had met him. I grew up in a family dedicated to sports. I was an artist and creative. War had taken away a mentor to myself and my children, who inherited his talents.

This is only one story of the 104,685 Canadians who died in the 20th century wars. One of them may have cured cancer. One of them might have found a cure for Covid. All of them would probably tell you that war is cruel and destructive. That being said, I am proud that my Uncle John died fighting Nazis, but he is missed by all who knew him and some that didn’t….”

Thank you to Debbie Mierau for providing photos and information on her uncle, plus her thoughtful reflections. Thank you to Shawn Rainville for researching the newspaper archives that provided the lead to find living family members.

Pieter has been successfully working his way through the list of soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders killed in Bienen whose photos were missing. Coming up in Part 6: Kitchener Langille.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

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

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March 16, 2023. Last fall, Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, 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 and are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  Pieter noted that photos were missing for 12.  One of these was Clifford BATEMAN.

th-399703060 Map Rose Blanche to La Poile

Map showing location of La Poile, Newfoundland. (Map source: https://www.gov.nl.ca)

Born June 4, 1924 in La Poile, Newfoundland, Clifford BATEMAN, was the foster son of Thomas and Julia Bateman.  Located on La Poile Bay, La Poile, a small fishing village on the south coast, is inaccessible by road and is served by a ferry via a port in Rose Blanche.

….Serendipity led to a photo of Clifford….

Pieter thought he might have difficulty with finding a photo of Clifford, given that the community he came from was small, and he was a foster son.  A search of Batemans led to Glenn Bateman, an engineer from Rose Blanche.

Sometimes, research leads to a moment of serendipity.  Pieter called him. Glenn answered the phone call from a number unknown to him. After Pieter explained why he was calling, Glenn said “…I’m not related….” Pieter’s heart sank.  Then Glenn went on to say “…but I have a picture of him…” Ten minutes later, the photo was emailed to us.

Clifford Bateman

Clifford Bateman.  (Photo courtesy of Glenn Bateman)

After leaving school at age 14, Clifford worked as a fish cutter in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for several years before enlisting with the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on January 25, 1944.  Prior to enlistment, he had worked at Leonard Brothers in North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

An interviewer for his Personnel Selection Record in Halifax noted that Clifford was “…a friendly Newfoundlander of good build and fair appearance…”   and that he “…likes to read, play games, etc…”

While Clifford’s lack of education was noted, the interviewer found that “…he is a surprising man in some ways.  He is very quick at some simple problems and is poor at doing others…”

Clifford made a good impression as a “…steady, dependable youth, used to hard work, and capable of sustained determined effort. He states that he will make good if given a chance in the army. In view of his good motivation, ambition, and determination….” it was recommended that Clifford be sent to the Canadian Army Engineer Basic Training Centre (CAE (B)TC) in North Bay, Ontario.

…. Clifford was sent to North Bay for basic training ….

On February 9, 1944, Clifford was transferred to North Bay for training, where he thrived.  After 16 weeks of training, he was re-interviewed for an update to his Personnel Selection Record.  The Army Examiner noted that in Clifford’s “…home community in a sparsely settled part of Newfoundland, educational advantages were very meagre, and he did not attend school regularly…”

The report went on to say that Clifford “…entered into all training with enthusiasm and showed stamina in physical activities.  His platoon officer qualified him in all subjects…”

However, “…he seemed nervous with the Bren gun…” Clifford felt this was due to “…weak eyes, especially when fixed on any object for any length of time….”

In spite of the challenge he faced with weaponry, Clifford was considered “…suitable for general overseas duty in the Canadian Infantry Corps….”

On July 1, 1944, Clifford was transferred to A-14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia for ordnance training.

On October 4, 1944, he was on his way to the United Kingdom, arriving on October 12, 1944, where he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On November 10, 1944, Clifford left the United Kingdom for Northwest Europe, where he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining the Regiment in Graves, The Netherlands as some battalions prepared to enter Germany for the upcoming battles there.

The Regiment reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945.  On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster).

…Clifford lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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) They got as far as Bienen, when troop movement stopped due to blown bridges across the Rhine in that area.

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he noted that the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had made “… three attempts …. to capture the village, but they were turned back by very heavy machine gun fire from the front of the village, supported by heavy mortar fire…”

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

Aerial Bienen post-war

Post-war aerial of Bienen (view to the southeast towards Rees). The aerial clearly demonstrates the tactical importance of Bienen, laying astride the narrow neck of land. The main road from Rees to Emmerich (nowadays Emmericher Strasse) runs straight through Bienen. (Photo source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

The Regiment’s task was to pass through the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who had been stopped in front of Bienen during the night.  The problem with Bienen was that the road through it was the only access point, “… an isthmus of solid land about half a mile wide with one road, the main Rees-Emmerich highway, which passed through Bienen exactly at the narrowest point…”

There was a dyke which led to the left side of the village.  However, “…inside the dyke there was a series of farms from 400 to 800 yards apart, and between these farms and the highway there was no cover of any sort…”  For this reason, capturing Bienen was vital, the task now assigned to the North Novies.

The one day battle was devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded.  Among those who lost their lives was Clifford Bateman.

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

Like Ralph Schurman BOULTER and Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, Clifford was temporarily buried on March 26, 1945 in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Clifford Bateman find a grave

Grave of Clifford Bateman at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo source: https://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Glen Bateman for providing a photo of Clifford Bateman. Pieter has been successfully working his way through this list and we hope to tell the stories of a few more in upcoming postings. Coming up in Part 5: John Joseph Bohon.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 3: The WWII Soldier From Cape Tormentine Who Lost His Life In Germany

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 7 Comments

March 12, 2023. Sometimes uncovering a photo of a soldier leads to a much larger investigation. That’s what happened when Pieter looked into the service file of Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON, one of the names on the photo wish list from the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. He was from Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick, which is just across the Northumberland Strait from where we live on Prince Edward Island.

Screenshot 2023-03-05 at 10-18-15 cape tormentine map

Red marker identifies Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island is across the Strait. (Map source: Wikipedia)

“…He died on my birthday! I was just one year old!…” Pieter exclaimed after reading that Carson died during the Battle of Bienen in Germany on March 25, 1945. He soon learned that 39 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who were killed during the battle are buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. 

Pieter was determined to find a photo and contacted the Cape Tormentine Legion.  Perhaps they had a photo or knew of family members?  Sonny McCarron wrote back that there was a photo in a memorial book in the Legion but it would take him a few days to get there and digitize it.  We just happened to be in Nova Scotia and on our way home would be driving right past the exit to Cape Tormentine.  Perhaps we could stop by?

The answer was yes.  Sonny was unable to be there, but Joe Simpson would let us into the Legion and show us the memorial book.   That’s exactly what happened! 

…The Cape Tormentine Legion had a photo of Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson…

Charles Marshall Carson

Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson. (Photo courtesy of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 81 in Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick)

We got a photo of Pte Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson, and learned that his brother Vance, who died in 2005, served in the Canadian Infantry Corps during the war, but survived and returned home.

Born in Cape Tormentine on October 29, 1921, Marshall was the son of Charles J. and Clara Frances (nee McGlashing) Carson.  His father, who came from Newfoundland, unfortunately died in 1930, leaving Clara to bring up three children – Marshall, his younger brother Ira Vance, and a sister Beverly.

…Marshall wanted to be a paratrooper….

Marshall enlisted with the 1st Anti-Aircraft Battery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on June 19, 1940 at the age of 18.  After leaving school at the age of 16, he’d worked at Fundy Construction Company in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a year, until just before his enlistment date.

After basic training, Marshall was sent on an anti-aircraft course and was a gunner on an anti-aircraft crew in various anti-aircraft units.  In a December 14, 1942 interview his interest in paratrooper training was mentioned, but he was not selected for this specialized training.

It was noted that his spare time was spent studying and he liked to read detective stories.  He enjoyed sports, especially hockey.    He had a pleasant, friendly manner, and was soft spoken. 

…Marshall spent a year in Goose Bay as a gunner with an anti-aircraft battery….

SixYears-1 Atlantic Coast Defences

Atlantic Coast Defences.  Carson was in Goose Bay, Labrador. (Source: https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/Canada/CA/SixYears/maps/SixYears-1.jpg)

Marshall remained with an anti-aircraft battery.  On July 2, 1943 he was transferred back to the 1st Anti-Aircraft Battery and sent to Goose Bay, Labrador for a year, returning to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on July 6, 1944. (NOTE: Newfoundland and Labrador became part of Canada on March 31, 1949.)

Canada had built a massive air base at Goose Bay, Labrador as an alternative to Gander for transatlantic operations. This base became operational in late 1941. (See https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/goose-bay-base.php) The bases at Gander and Goose Bay were vital links in the ferrying of military aircraft to Britain.  Anti-aircraft crews were part of coastal defence. 

On August 19, 1944, Marshall was sent to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia in preparation for going overseas.  Then, on August 30, 1944, he was transferred to the No. 1 Infantry Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia.

…Marshall left Canada for overseas service in November 1944….

He left Canada on November 21, 1944, arriving in the United Kingdom on November 28, 1944 and posted to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).

On January 8, 1945 he left the United Kingdom for Northwest Europe, and was transferred to the 10th Battalion for a few weeks, before receiving his final transfer – to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders – on January 25, 1945.

The Regiment had reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands, on February 12, 1945.  On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster). 

In March, the Regiment prepared for Operation Plunder, which began March 21, and involved crossing the Rhine River to the north of the Ruhr industrial region in western Germany. With aerial and military support, this took place on the night of March 23, 1945 near Rees, a town situated on the right bank of the Rhine River, approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Kleve. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

…Marshall lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

On the next afternoon, March 24, 1945, they encountered fierce German resistance near the village of Bienen. 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. The one day battle proved devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, as they fought in a deadly battle on open ground.  

Aerial Bienen post-war

Post-war aerial of Bienen (view to the southeast towards Rees). The aerial clearly demonstrates the tactical importance of Bienen, laying astride the narrow neck of land. The main road from Rees to Emmerich (nowadays Emmericher Strasse) runs straight through Bienen. (Photo source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

March 25, 1945 was Palm Sunday – one week before Easter.  The war diary for March 25, 1945 noted the fierce challenges faced by the North Novies.  “….The first hint of trouble came when ‘A’ Company reported at 0825 hours to be pinned down along dyke, under machine gun fire, snipers and moderate mortaring. Shortly after, ‘B’ Company reported to be under fire but close to Start Line. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were suffering casualties. However, the fire plan was to start at 0845 hours with smoke and ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were ordered to proceed quickly to Start Line under its protection and form up and attack. At 0905 hours ‘B’ Company reported being pinned down in front of Start Line, with two platoons out of contact and suffering fairly heavy casualties. ‘A’ Company also reported being pinned down with a platoon out of contact and suffering severe losses….”

During the heavy fighting, Marshall lost his life.  Like Ralph Schurman BOULTER, Marshall was temporarily buried the next day in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

carson, charles m. - 17 g 12_img_8404(1)

Grave of Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.  (Photo courtesy of Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, taken by Frans van Cappellen)

Thank you to Sonny McCarron and Joe Simpson of the Royal Canadian Legion in Cape Tormentine for providing a photo.  When Pieter thanked Sonny for arranging the visit, he was told “…thanks for taking an interest in our veterans…”  Pieter’s reply? “…We sure do.  Their sacrifice will never be forgotten!…”

Out of the 39 North Nova Scotia Highlanders killed on March 25, 1945 during the Battle of Bienen that are buried in Groesbeek, 12 were on a photo wish list. Pieter has been successfully working his way through this list and we hope to tell the stories of those he’s found in upcoming postings. Coming up in Part 4: Clifford Bateman.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 2: The WWII Battle Drill Instructor From O’Leary

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

March 7, 2023. After Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, 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, we realized that we had attended a graveside commemoration at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands in 2017 for two soldiers from this list:  Ralph Schurman BOULTER and Edison Alexander SMITH, both from Prince Edward Island.

CIMG9004 Sep 15 2017 sign giving directions to Groesbeek Cemetery

Directional sign to the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….The 2017 Commemoration at Groesbeek…..

On September 15, 2017, we were invited by Alice van Bekkum to be present when Nova Scotia resident Harriet Jenereux, the daughter of Smith, came to visit her father’s grave plus the grave of Boulter, her mother’s brother.   We accepted the invitation and made sure we placed flags at the graves of both men, as well as on the graves of several men who were on our list. (See the original posting at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/12/25/on-the-war-memorial-trail-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

CIMG8944 Sep 15 2017 Groesbeek cemetery grave of Ralph Schurman Boulter

Grave of Ralph Schurman Boulter at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Ralph enlisted with the PEI Highlanders in 1940…..

A Christmas baby, Ralph Schurman BOULTER was born December 25, 1917 in O’Leary, Prince Edward Island, the son of Mcneil ‘Neil’ Amos and Ella May (nee Schurman) Boulter.  When he enlisted with the PEI Highlanders in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on July 10, 1940, he stated he was born in 1917. 

However, upon his death, his mother stated he was born in 1918 in the Estate Form.  This would be incorrect, as when Ralph married Mary Catherine MacEachern in Armdale, Nova Scotia on February 7, 1942, he was 24 years old – consistent with a birth year of 1917.

Boulter from CVMM

Ralph Schurman Boulter.  (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

After enlisting, Ralph remained with the PEI Highlanders for basic training, before being transferred to No. 6 Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 15, 1941. 

He applied for permission to marry, which was granted.  Unfortunately, the couple didn’t have a long time together, as Ralph was sent overseas two months later, leaving Halifax on April 9, 1942 and arriving in the United Kingdom on April 19, 1942.

….Ralph was a Battle Drill instructor in the UK…..

Upon arrival in the United Kingdom he was allocated to the Cape Breton Highlanders for a week, before transferring to No. 5 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU) Armoured Division. 

Boulter from Van Virt war mem

Ralph at No. 5 (Battle) Wing Canadian Training School in the UK.  ((Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

On May 1, 1942 he was seconded as a Battle Drill instructor to No. 5 (Battle) Wing Canadian Training School at Rowland’s Castle, Hampshire, England, which trained Canadian soldiers in Battle Drill, a course which taught men how to react when coming under enemy fire.

The course tried to mimic combat conditions, using obstacle courses and simulated battlefields, live rounds fired over the heads of students, controlled explosions, target practice, and dummies to bayonet.

a132776-v6 Battle WIng drill

Unidentified infantrymen taking part in a training exercise, No.5 (Battle) Wing, Canadian Training School (Canadian Army Training Centres and Schools), Rowland’s Castle, England, 8 June 1943. (Photo source:  Library and Archives Canada/Department of National Defence fonds/a132776)

Ralph remained there until November 9, 1944, when he was transferred to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR). 

….Ralph went from Battle Drill instructor to actual combat…..

He left the United Kingdom for Northwest Europe on December 31, 1944, arriving the following day.  On February 13, 1945 he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, joining the Regiment in Germany, where he would have been reunited with his brother-in-law, Edison Alexander Smith.

On February 12, the Regiment had reached Kellen, Germany near Kleve, just on the other side of the border with The Netherlands.  On February 14, using amphibious vehicles, the North Novies evacuated Warbergen as they made their way to Emmerich.

Next, the Regiment participated in Operation Blockbuster.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blockbuster). 

On March 6, 1945, Ralph received a promotion to Lance Corporal.  Meanwhile, the Regiment prepared for Operation Plunder, which began March 21, 1945 and ended April 1, 1945, and involved the crossing of the Rhine River to the north of the Ruhr industrial region in western Germany. With aerial and military support, this took place on the night of March 23, 1945 near Rees, a town situated on the right bank of the Rhine River, approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Kleve. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Plunder)

…Ralph lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

On the next afternoon, March 24, 1945, they encountered fierce German resistance near the village of Bienen. 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. The one day battle proved devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded, as they fought in a deadly battle on open ground.  

Plunder 015 Aerial of Bienen from 23 March 45, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Courtesy Becker) ww2talk

Aerial view of Bienen taken on March 23, 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossing (Map source: http://www.WW2Talk.com and identified as ‘Courtesy Becker’)

It was Palm Sunday, one week before Easter.  The war diary for March 25, 1945 noted the challenges the North Novies faced.  “….The weather – sunny and clear.  The day of the battle, 25 March 1945. …. The battalion objective was to be the town of BIENEN… code name ASTOR, which was formerly the objective of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They had penetrated as far as farm buildings … but had had two attacks on BIENEN beaten off with heavy casualties.

BIENEN was of tremendous importance to the Germans because it was the focal point of a narrow bottleneck controlling two main roads, the one to EMMERICH… and the other to MILLINGEN.  Secondly, it was of extreme importance that the narrow bridgehead was expanded quickly North and North-East to protect it from enemy mortaring and shelling and allow bridging to be put up.

The enemy were strongly dug in around and in BIENEN itself. They were fresh troops of the 115 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, and fighting fanatically to hold this vital objective. The approach was over 300 yards of flat open country with only a dyke running from the Start Line up the left hand edge of the town….”

Right from the start, troops were pinned down, “…suffering heavy casualties…”  Worse, in terms of communications, “….contact between platoons was next to impossible because of the murderous fire and heavy mortaring….”

During the heavy fighting, Ralph lost his life.  He was temporarily buried the next day in the military cemetery in Rees, Germany before being reburied the following year in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Out of the 39 North Nova Scotia Highlanders killed on March 25, 1945 during the Battle of Bienen that are buried in Groesbeek, 12 were on a photo wish list. Pieter has been successfully working his way through this list and we hope to tell each of their stories in upcoming postings. Coming up in Part 3: Charles ‘Marshall’ Carson.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The Battle of Bienen – Part 1: The WWII Soldier Whose Body Shielded A Wounded Major

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 7 Comments

March 4, 2023. Last fall, Alice van Bekkum, Chair of the Groesbeek Cemetery Faces To Graves Foundation, 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 Novies buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Not only were we were astonished at the number of casualties, but the date of the battle was very meaningful.  “…They died on my birthday! I was just one year old!…” Pieter exclaimed. 

In looking over the list, we realized that we had already briefly told the story of one – Harry William DOUCETTE of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – and we had attended a graveside commemoration at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands in 2017 for two other soldiers:  Ralph Schurman BOULTER and Edison Alexander SMITH, both from Prince Edward Island.

….The 2017 Commemoration at Groesbeek…..

On September 15, 2017, we were invited by Alice van Bekkum to be present at the commemoration for two soldiers from the Island.  The reason?  Nova Scotia resident Harriet Jenereux, the daughter of Smith, was coming to visit her father’s grave for the first time.  She would also visit the grave of Boulter, who was her mother’s brother.  

Harriet’s trip had been sponsored by Wish Of A Lifetime Canada (see https://wishofalifetime.ca/), an organization that fulfills seniors’ dreams and shares their stories to inspire those of all ages. Phillips was the sponsor for this program in The Netherlands. (See the original posting at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/12/25/on-the-war-memorial-trail-at-the-canadian-war-cemetery-in-groesbeek/)

CIMG8961 Sep 15 2017 Groesbeek Cemetery grave of Edison Alexander Smith

Grave of Edison Alexander Smith in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We had come earlier that day to place flags at graves, and of course included Smith and Boulter on the list.  Alice brought a photo of Edison Alexander Smith to place by his grave for the commemoration, as well as a candle for Harriet.

CIMG8950 Sep 15 2017 Groesbeek cemetery Harriet Jenereux at her fathers grave

Harriet Jenereaux kneels at her father’s grave. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)


CIMG8953 Sep 15 2017 Groesbeek cemetery Harriet Jenereux and Pieter

Pieter chats with Harriet Jenereux after the commemoration. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In 2017, we only knew that Smith, aged 32, and Boulter, aged 28, were in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and were both killed in battle in Germany on March 25, 1945. With the Battle of Bienen firmly on Pieter’s radar, he began his research.

…Edison Alexander Smith enlisted in 1940….

Born October 7, 1912 in West Point, Prince Edward Island to Samuel Dumville and Bertha Burrows (nee MacDonald) Smith, Edison Alexander SMITH was a fisherman before enlisting with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on July 2, 1940 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. 

In his Occupational History Form, he stated that he had worked as a lobster buyer for W. A. Broidy in Pictou, Nova Scotia for the past 13 years.  He also helped his father, a lobster fisherman, during the summer, and worked as a lumberman in the winter.

He had married Helen Angeline, nee Boulter, on April 10, 1940, a few months before his enlistment.  A few weeks after his enlistment, on July 20, 1940, their son Douglas Scott was born.

Edison A Smith from CVWM

Edison Alexander Smith.  (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

After completing basic training in Amherst, Nova Scotia, he was sent to Debert, Nova Scotia in preparation for overseas service.

On July 20, 1941 he left Halifax, Nova Scotia for the United Kingdom, arriving in Avonmouth on July 31, 1941.   A few months later, on December 21, 1941, his daughter Harriet Elaine was born.

Edison was temporarily transferred to the Signals Relief Unit on August 28, 1942, before rejoining the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on December 18, 1942.

On June 6, 1944, he was with his Regiment for D-Day in France.  He was wounded on July 25, 1944 with a fractured right femur, and sent to 21 Canadian General Hospital in Bramshott, England.  He returned to duty in France a month later, on August 25, 1944.

While the Regiment was engaged in the Battle of the Scheldt, Edison ended up in hospital again on October 8, 1944, this time due to cellulitis on his leg, but was discharged on October 19, 1944.

He was again hospitalized on December 14, 1944, and discharged on January 7, 1945. 

On February 19, 1945 Edison was promoted to Acting Sergeant.  This was changed to Sergeant upon his death.

…Edison lost his life in the Battle of Bienen ….

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 that Operation. The one day battle proved devastating in terms of casualties, both dead and wounded.

Map Bienen Mar 25 1945 Project '44

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

In ‘No Retreating Footsteps’ by Will Bird, he reported that during the battle, Major Dave DICKSON and his platoon commanders, including Lt Lorne MONKLEY, “…arranged that the company would advance eastward beside the dyke which ran past the north side of the nearer buildings of the town…” During the action, Major Dickson “…was struck down by a bullet at the climax of the dyke crossing….”

In the article ‘Too Close To The Guns!’ in Canadian Military History, Volume 12, Numbers 1& 2, Winter/Spring 2003, pp.5-28, author Lee Windsor recorded that “…One of Monkley’s section commanders, Sergeant Edison Smith, ran back over the dyke to contact the tanks and Wasps back at the … firebase. A mortar bomb exploded as he reached the top of the dyke, heaving his broken body on top of Dickson and then down the slope….” Edison lost his life, but his body shielded Major Dickson, who survived. 

He was temporarily buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands in 1947.

…What happened to Edison’s photos?….

This would normally be the end of Edison’s story, except for a November 1, 1945 letter written to the Estates Branch of the Canadian Army by Edison’s widow.  She inquired about the photos she had sent over the years to her husband, which had not been returned with his effects.

In her letter she explained that her husband “…had a very close friend …. Sgt Johnson, also of ‘D’ Company. When my husband died, Lt Lorne Monkley of Summerside, PEI, wrote me, saying Sgt Johnson would write me as when my husband was wounded he had given Sgt Johnson mine and the childrens’ photos and snapshots and other articles to keep for him until he was back in the Unit again…”  She was aware that Sgt Johnson died shortly after her husband, and wondered if her husband’s effects had been sent to Sgt Johnson’s family.

Edison was wounded in July 1944, and his last hospitalization was in December 1944.  There is no record of any other hospitalizations or injuries recorded in his service file.  It seems unlikely that Sgt Johnson would still have Edison’s photos in March 1945.

In a remarkable coincidence, Pieter knew who Sgt Johnson was, as his story had been told in this blog in 2021. Sgt Gordon Frederick ‘Geordie’ JOHNSON, of Truro, Nova Scotia lost his life on April 8, 1945, two weeks after Edison died, and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/07/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-search-for-a-photo-of-gordon-frederick-johnson-is-over/)

An inquiry has been made to the family of Geordie Johnson, inquiring if by some chance they knew of any ‘mystery’ photos that had been received with his effects.

Out of the 39 North Nova Scotia Highlanders killed on March 25, 1945 during the Battle of Bienen that are buried in Groesbeek, 12 were on a photo wish list. Pieter has been successfully working his way through this list and we hope to tell each of their stories in upcoming postings. Coming up in Part 2: Ralph Schurman Boulter.

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

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

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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. 

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering Sanford Steven Saulis

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

February 27, 2023.  After an interview about the photo quest for soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands ran on APTN in 2021, Pieter was contacted by Patricia Saulis about Sanford Steven SAULIS of Maliseet, New Brunswick, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.  (To read the APTN article, see https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dutch-born-p-e-i-man-on-a-mission-to-find-photos-of-first-nations-soldiers-killed-overseas-in-wwii/)

“…My Uncle Sanford Saulis died on August 10, 1945 and is buried in Holten Cemetery….   Thank you for doing your work on this Project….” Patricia wrote.

…Sanford Saulis was on the photo wish list for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

Sanford was on the photo wish list for the cemetery.  Unfortunately, Patricia did not have a photo of her uncle.   Then, a few months ago, Conrad Saulis wrote us.  “…I was recently forwarded an email you sent to my sister Patty last year regarding our Uncle Sanford S Saulis, who is buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands….

Rest assured that we have not forgotten him or the sacrifice he made to protect our Wolastoqey Nation traditional Ancestral lands from fascism. ….I too am on a quest to find a picture of him…”

Conrad explained that “….Sanford was my dad’s half-brother – he was born of a different mother before my dad was born…” After Sanford’s mother Suzan died in 1918, his father remarried.

Luckily, Conrad photo quest was successful.  “….Woliwon. I am attaching a pic my niece got from a co-worker in Fredericton of Sanford …”

Uncle Sanford 2

Sanford Steven Saulis.  (Photo courtesy of the Saulis Family)

…Sanford was a member of the Maliseet First Nation….

20221108_070012 poppy with indigenous pinBorn September 19, 1914, Sanford Steven SAULIS was the son of William and Suzan (nee Paul) Saulis, members of the Maliseet First Nation.   Maliseet is the Mi’kmaq word for the Wolastoqey, members of the Wabanaki Confederacy, a group of Algonquian-speaking nations (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/maliseet and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madawaska_Maliseet_First_Nation)

Before enlisting with the No. 7 District Depot of the Canadian Army in Perth, New Brunswick on May 22, 1941, Sanford worked as a hand stitcher at the Philco Shoe Company in Bangor, Maine, USA, and as a general construction labourer for various companies in New Brunswick and Maine.  He also could drive a motorcycle.

In an interview for his Personnel Selection Card, he stated that he enjoyed swimming, skating, hunting, and canoeing.  He also played team sports such as baseball and hockey.

On June 6, 1941, Sanford transferred to the 3rd Battalion (later converted to 4th Battalion) of the Royal Canadian Engineers and sent to Petawawa, Ontario for basic and advanced training.

9 Firth of Clyde

Map shows location of Gourock, Scotland in the Firth of Clyde.  (Map source: scotslanguage.com)

Sanford was soon on his way overseas with the 4th Battalion.  They left Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 18, 1941, arriving in Gourock, Scotland on September 27, 1941.  The Regiment was based at Guillemont Barracks in Hampshire, England. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillemont_Barracks)

Sanford undertook general engineering duties in the Regiment, and attended a heavy bridge course in 1942. Likely this concerned learning about armoured vehicle-launched bridge vehicles, designed to lay down a bridge in combat.

On May 7, 1943 he was transferred to the 29th Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers. In March 1944 he was sent for a series of courses in driving Class ‘B’ vehicles, such as heavy armoured trucks, motorcycles, light reconnaissance vehicles, and tractors.

…Sanford went overseas with his Regiment after D-Day….

On July 5, 1944 he left the United Kingdom for France.  By July 1945 he was in northwest Europe. On August 8, 1945, following a short hospital stay for treatment of dermatitis, Sanford was transferred to the 16th Field Company of the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Screenshot 2023-02-26 at 12-04-24 MICHELIN Breukelen map - ViaMichelin

Map shows Breukelen and Hilversum. (Map source: https://www.viamichelin.com)

The 16th Field Company was based at a camp near Breukelen, The Netherlands.  The war diary for August 9, 1945 reported “…Heavy rain and 21oC…..” and that they were working towards getting the moat at Nyenrode Castle cleared of weeds.  “…Some wood blocks linked together as a chain and towed by a row-boat does a fair job…” This was an example of the variety of tasks undertaken by the Royal Canadian Engineers in the aftermath of war.  (See https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/3618/nyenrode-castle/)

nijenrode_castle

Nyenrode Castle, with the moat surrounding it.   (Photo source: https://www.castlesworld.com)

…Sanford lost his life due to a brain hemorrhage….

Unfortunately, that night, after Sanford went to sleep, a tragedy occurred.   The war diary for August 10, 1945 recorded that there was “…a fatal accident in the camp; this morning the body of Lance Corporal SS SAULIS was discovered lying on the ground under the window of his room. He was dead but there were no signs of how he met his death; only a small abrasion on his face, and no broken bones….The window was only 15 feet above the ground…”

On August 12, 1945 the war diary noted the results of a post-mortem.  Sanford “…died of a hemorrhage of the brain.  This probably caused, and was not caused by, the fall, which explains the lack of signs of any effort …. to save himself…”

The post-mortem report concluded that Sanford had died 3-4 hours before his body was found at 8:00 am on August 10, 1945.  Most likely he had gotten up in the night, suffered a brain hemorrhage, and tumbled out the open window.

Sanford was initially buried in the Canadian Section at Hilversum Civil Cemetery.  According to the war diary, his funeral was held on August 13, 1945 at 10:00 am, “…with Honorary Captain BUTLER officiating.  Major MAIN and CARSON (former OC of the deceased) also attended. Lt E. BRACCI was also on hand to pay last respects…”

…Sanford was reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten….

saulis, sanford s. gravestone

Grave of Sanford Steven Saulis in Holten, The Netherlands.  (Photo courtesy of the Information Centre Canadian Cemetery Holten)

Sanford was later reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. Conrad Saulis wrote that “…My dad (Herman) – also a veteran of WWII -once was able to visit his brother’s grave in Holland and on his return from a Canadian celebration over there was very glad that he had found the grave. My dad is deceased and like many other vets told very few stories of his war experiences….”

It’s important to recognize that Indigenous soldiers were all volunteers, a point that Conrad noted.  “…As First Nation (Indian) people they did not have to enlist and could not be conscripted to join the army – it was all on a voluntary basis. When my dad and his brother volunteered they did not lose their ‘status’ and neither did my Grandfather William for WWI…”

Thank you to Patricia Saulis for initially contacting us about her uncle, and to Conrad Saulis for sharing his photo.  Conrad wrote “…I am encouraged by your work to remember all of the veterans buried overseas….” It is an honour for us to research and tell the stories you read on this blog.

No soldier buried overseas should be forgotten

Conrad went on to say that “… I have a ‘bucket list’ task of visiting my Uncle’s grave in the Holten cemetery and to honour his spirit, grave site and headstone with a traditional prayer and blessing (smudge) of our sacred First Nation herbs gathered from Mother Earth. It is never too late for this to happen as he continues his Spirit Life and Walk the traditional blessing is to support his ongoing safety in the Spirit World…” We hope that Conrad is able to make this visit and will share it with us.

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

…Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog….

To read about other Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog:

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Pilot Killed At The Controls Of His Halifax Bomber

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

February 19, 2023. Whenever Pieter is interviewed, we are delighted when we hear from viewers or readers.  After an interview with Kevin Rollason ran in the Winnipeg Free Press, Craig MacKenzie contacted us about his uncle.

“…On reading the Saturday Free Press article on your quest to learn about Canadian soldiers who gave their lives during WW II and who were laid to rest in The Netherlands I thought that you might be interested in a story I put together about my uncle, P/O Douglas Mackenzie….”  Of course we were interested.  Pieter set to work to learn more.

Jack ‘Douglas’ MACKENZIE was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 27, 1921, the son of Charles Bellamy and Annie Elizabeth (nee Acheson) MacKenzie.  After graduating from high school in 1937, and attending Success Business College, Douglas worked as a clerk in Winnipeg at the T. Eaton Company Department Store, then at the Canadian Wheat Board, and lastly at the #7 Equipment Department of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

He left his last position on May 9, 1941 when he enlisted in the RCAF in Winnipeg, stressing his interest in flying duties and in becoming a pilot.

Douglas listed a number of sports he played – hockey, swimming, basketball, rugby, baseball, skiing, and handball.

….Douglas trained as an RCAF pilot….

POJDMACKENZIESilverCross from Craig MacKenzie

Jack ‘Douglas’ MacKenzie. (Photo courtesy of Craig MacKenzie)

After a few weeks basic training at No. 2 Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba, Douglas was sent to the No. 1 Service Flying Training School in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  He was then sent to No. 4 Initial Flying School (ITS) in Edmonton, Alberta for 4 weeks of training in navigation, theory of flight, meteorology, duties of an officer, air force administration, algebra, and trigonometry, plus tests that included physical and psychological exams, a session in a decompression chamber, and a simulated flight.

After passing the initial training, on July 27, 1941 he was sent to No. 18 Elementary Flying Training School in Boundary Bay, British Columbia, where he was given 50 hours of basic flying instruction over the next two months.

On September 12, 1941 Douglas was placed as a trainee in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream and sent to No. 15 Service Flying Training School in Claresholm, Alberta, for training on an Avro Anson.    (For more information on flight training schools, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Commonwealth_Air_Training_Plan_facilities_in_Canada)

….Douglas was posted overseas in 1942….

On December 5, 1941 Douglas received his Pilots Flying Badge.  A few days later he was posted to No. 1 ‘Y’ Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia, an embarkation depot for Air Force personnel soon heading overseas.

Douglas left Canada on February 9, 1942 and posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre in Bournemouth, England.   (See https://www.birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/No._3_Personnel_Reception_Centre_RAF)

On April 27, 1942 he was transferred to 14 Advanced Flying Unit for training in different aircraft such as Wellingtons.  The next stage came on June 7, 1942, when Douglas was sent to No. 22 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford. This was part of No. 6 Group RAF Bomber Command to train night bomber crews with the Vickers Wellington.

On September 9, 1942 he joined No. 419 (Moose) Squadron RCAF, which was based at Leeming until the end of September, and then at Croft until November 9, 1942, followed by its final move during the war to Middleton St. George.

Formed in December 1941, No. 419 Squadron was the third RCAF overseas bomber squadron.  It was originally in No. 3 Group of Bomber Command, but became part of No. 6 (RCAF) Group when it was formed on January 1, 1943.

….The last flight of Halifax DT630….

Halifax-mk3(1)

Halifax Mark 3 bomber.  Photo source: http://www.raf.mod.uk Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=751869)

On February 3, 1943, Douglas was the pilot of Halifax DT630 (call sign VR-T), one of 8 heavy Halifax bombers sent on a night raid to Hamburg, Germany.  They took off at 6:34 pm from the airbase at Middleton St. George, England. (See https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/52181)

LeedstoHamburgviaNoordSleen

Map shows the plane’s path from England towards Hamburg.  It was shot down over The Netherlands before reaching its target.  (Map prepared by Wendy Nattress)

Craig MacKenzie documented what happened that night in ‘A Jump In The Night’, the title and story adapted from a March 28, 1970 Dutch article ‘Een sprong in de nacht’ by A. Jansen, originally published in the newspaper Drentsche en Asser Courant.

“…Flying conditions were less than ideal. There was a strong wind from the southwest and, in spite of the protection of the low clouds, they encountered severe icing as they crossed the North Sea.  This made the Halifax difficult to keep airborne. Ice accumulated on the wings and fuselage, adding to weight and reducing the lift of the wings.

The crew had discussed turning back, but as they had aborted their previous mission, they decided against it.  They arrived at the Dutch coast ten minutes behind the main bomber stream and as a result had lost the protection of the surrounding bombers….”

An account on the website http://www.419squadron.com/DT630.html states that “…Being late and behind the main force was not the only problem that was facing the pilot.  He had lost contact with the rear gunner. The whole intercom system had stopped working. MacKenzie had to make a decision to turn back or keep going a little further to see if the intercom would return to normal.

Now some twenty-five minutes from the target area the Halifax was attacked … from astern and slightly below.  The turns to escape the attacking fighter did not help.  The whole length of the aircraft’s fuselage was racked by cannon fire, killing MacKenzie, and most likely Sgt. Gonnett in the Middle Upper turret. The heavy cannon shells also set off the incendiaries in the bomb-bay, severing lines to engines and other vital controls.

Sgt. Duthie worked at putting the fire out but was unable to because of the nature of the incendiary devices. The Navigator would later report he gave the bail out command via a pre-arranged call light series of flashes.….”

….Guests at a Dutch birthday party were eyewitnesses….

Craig MacKenzie’s article included what was observed on the ground on the Cremers farm near Nord Sleen, The Netherlands.  “…It was the third year of the war, yet some rare spirits had been hoarded for special occasions…”  The Netherlands had been under Nazi occupation since May 1940.

On the evening of February 3, 1943, the Cremers family had planned a birthday celebration. “…The first drinks were about to be shared when the family and their guests heard the sound of an airplane, an airplane that was in trouble. A few peeked out the darkened windows. Others went to the doorway.  Several lightning like flashes appeared in the distance. These were soon followed by a ball of fire that plummeted from the heavens.  A deafening explosion accompanied another blinding flash.  It was 7:30 pm…” This was the end for Halifax DT630.

According to the Aviation Safety Network Wikibase report on Occurrence # 52181, the Halifax bomber was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Karl-Heinz Scherfling of the 10./NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 F-4 from Leeuwarden airfield.  Leeuwarden is in the province of Friesland in The Netherlands.

….Four died, three survived….

“…Sgt. Marquand was first out, followed by Garnett, who took time to check what was happening to the others in the crew in the front section. He noted that Sgt. Hill was still at his Wireless position and Sgt. Duthie still at the F/E position, but both were preparing to leave the out of control aircraft. At this point the enemy fighter returned and attacked the falling Halifax.

It is unknown for sure what happened to WOII Hill and Sgt. Duthie and why they did not escape. The second pass of the fighter may have caught them both before they had time to leave the aircraft….”

In the end “…only Sgt. Marquand, Sgt. Garnett, and F/S Milton managed to bail out. All were captured and became PoWs…”  The other 4 crew members were buried in Sleen General Cemetery.

Dec 24 2022 J.D Mackenzie Begraafplaats Sleen (Drenthe) Hans Buis

Candle placed at the grave of Jack ‘Douglas’ MacKenzie. (Photo credit: Hans Buis)

On December 24, 2022, during the Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Ceremony, candles were placed at the graves of these 4 airmen, with photos sent to us by Hans Buls.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/12/26/2022-christmas-eve-candle-lighting-in-the-netherlands/)

In a February 14, 1943 letter to Douglas’ mother, No. 419 Squadron’s Wing Commander, Mervyn Matthew FLEMING, wrote that her son “…was a pilot of such qualities that the Service as a whole and this Squadron in particular can ill-afford to lose him.  He was exceptionally keen and capable at all times, and his loss is a blow to his comrades, with whom he was at all times popular…”

….The crew of Halifax DT630….

  • Pilot P/O Jack Douglas MACKENZIE of Winnipeg, Manitoba, RCAF, killed
  • Flight Engineer Sgt. William Peter DUTHIE of Winnipeg, Manitoba, RCAF, killed
  • Navigator Sgt. William Nelson GARNETT, RCAF, survived
  • Bomb Aimer Sgt. Eric Raymond MARQUAND, RCAF, survived
  • Air Gunner W/O II Raymond Hepton HILL of Montreal, Quebec, RCAF, killed
  • Rear Air Gunner F/Sgt. Alexander Henry MILTON, RAF, survived
  • Air Gunner W/O II Lennox Alwin GONNETT of Westmount, Quebec, RCAF, killed

Thank you to Craig MacKenzie for sharing information about his uncle. Craig’s father was a navigator with Bomber Command and survived the war.  “…‘Dumb Luck’ was a term that my Dad had used for why he had survived. Congratulate your husband on his valuable work…”  Craig has posted a short musical tribute to Bomber Command, which you can watch:

Thank you also to Wendy Nattress for preparing the map showing the flight path for Halifax DT630. If you have a story to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information on the book, please see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

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

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier Remembered By His Daughter’s Friend

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

February 11, 2023.  Burnie Reynaert’s uncle, Lewis Wilkieson MARSH, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, was one of 5 soldiers from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who drowned in a tragic accident on the Leda River during the Battle of Leer in Germany on April 28, 1945. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/05/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-a-tragic-drowning-on-the-leda-river-in-germany-part-4/)

Recently, Burnie wrote to let us know that “…my best friend’s father, Pte. Harold Edward Martin, served in the army with the Essex Scottish Regiment, and is buried in The Netherlands…”

Burnie explained further, saying “…I have known June Anne Martin most of my life – in public school, high school. I was her maid of honour when she married Jack Andrews. She was my confidant and best friend. June Anne died November 25, 2002. She was so young….”

June Anne and Jack had three sons.  “….Harold’s grandchildren do not have any information on his service…” Burnie said.  Would Pieter add Harold to his research list?

Pieter’s initial investigation determined that Harold died on October 14, 1944 and is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands.  The search was on!

The son of Herbert Edward and Harriet Jane (nee Leavesley) Martin, Harold Edward Roy MARTIN was born November 13, 1912 in Caradoc, Ontario, a rural area about 35 kms (21.75 miles) west of London, Ontario.

On April 15, 1939 he married Tilly Frances Dolney in Leamington, Ontario.  Tilly had been born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

…Harold enlisted in 1940….

When he enlisted on July 28, 1940 with the No. 1 District Depot in London, Ontario, he stated in his Soldiers Qualification Card that he had been employed as a truck driver with Longfield Lumber Company in Mount Bridges, Ontario, and that his family owned the Martin’s Fruit Company in Leamington, Ontario.  He expected to have his own fruit business after his military service.  He also noted that he played hockey, in the position of goalie.

On August 21, 1940 he was transferred from No. 1 District Depot to join his unit of the Royal Canadian Engineers at the Thames Valley Camp in London, Ontario.  At the beginning of 1941 he was assigned to the 9th Field Company.

On April 30, 1941 he was entitled to draw additional Trades Pay as a Carpenter Class ‘B’, and then on May 2, 1941 was transferred to #1 Canadian Base Units Construction Company (CBUCC) of the Royal Canadian Engineers in Petawawa, Ontario.

…Harold and Tilly welcome the birth of their daughter in 1941….

Tilly and Harold’s daughter June Anne was born July 3, 1941.  Burnie submitted a photo of the new family unit, explaining that June Anne’s “…son Brad and his brother Jack found this amazing picture of her and her parents….”

IMG-0945 Harold and Tillie with baby

Harold and Tilly Martin with new born daughter June Anne.  (Photo courtesy of the Andrews family)

 …Harold was sent overseas shortly after his daughter’s birth….

Harold didn’t have much time with his daughter, as he was on his way overseas with the No. 1 Canadian Base Units Construction Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, arriving in the United Kingdom on July 19, 1941.  He was stationed in Bramshott, as a Carpenter and Joiner Class ‘B’.

On May 1, 1942 the name of his unit was changed to 5 CCC (Canadian Construction Company), Royal Canadian Engineers.  Important work was done by units such as 5 CCC, such as building defences that included beach obstacles, pill-boxes, anti-tank ditches, and minefields. They also improved British roadways to improve the movement of military traffic, constructed military and air bases, and even built the Canadian wing of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in East Grinstead.

On July 28, 1942, Harold was awarded a Good Conduct Badge, and then on August 21, 1942, he received a permanent grade of Sapper.

On May 1, 1944, Harold was transferred to #1 Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit (CERU).  Then on August 25, 1944 he was assigned to the Winnipeg Grenadiers for a few weeks, before leaving for France on September 28, 1944, and being reassigned to the Canadian Infantry Corps the next day.

…Harold’s Regiment fought in the Battle of the Scheldt….

On October 10, 1944 Harold was transferred to the Essex Scottish Regiment, which had moved steadily from Antwerp, Belgium at the beginning of October into The Netherlands.  The Regiment had positions on both sides of the border for the Battle of the Scheldt. (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-and-the-battle-of-the-scheldt and https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/liberation-route/the-battle-of-the-scheldt.htm)

To have an idea of what was faced by Canadian troops, you can watch a short, but excellent, YouTube video explaining about the Battle of the Scheldt (just under 13 minutes):

According to the war diary for the Essex Scottish Regiment for October 14, 1944, the Battalion was in position at Hoogerheide. “…The enemy continued to be fairly aggressive and some of the positions reported heavy mortaring…”  At some point during the day, Harold Martin lost his life.

Harold Martin Scheldt Estuary

…Harold is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom….

Harold was initially buried at the Ossendrecht Roman Catholic Civil Cemetery in Ossendrecht, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom in March 1946.

12724585_137285083670 Grave of Harold Martin

Grave of Harold Edward Martin at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands. (Photo source http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Burnie Reynaert for telling us about Harold Edward Martin and to the sons of June Anne Andrews for sharing a family photo.  If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembering WWII Sapper John Culbertson

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

February 4, 2023.  After reading ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ by Fred Gaffen, Pieter came across the name John CULBERTSON, listed as a Sapper with the Royal Canadian Engineers, who lost his life on April 30, 1945.

The date of death triggered Pieter’s interest and he wondered if he had been killed in or near The Netherlands. When he learned that John Culbertson was buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands, he decided to research the service file and see if a family member could be found.

He was soon directed to John’s granddaughter, Diane McQueston (Culbertson).  “…My grandmother kept his memory alive…” Diane explained.  We were delighted to have the chance to meet Diane and her husband Rob.

CIMG5792 Sep 11 2022 Diane and Rob McQueston with Pieter

Pieter with Diane and Rob McQueston in Dartmouth. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…John was raised on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory …..

20221108_070012 poppy with indigenous pinBorn on November 21, 1911 in Oshawa, Ontario, John was the son of George Albert and Mary Ann (nee Smoke) Culbertson.  His parents were from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ontario, and this is where John lived as a child.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyendinaga_Mohawk_Territory)

“…Mary Ann Smoke passed away at age 26 when John was 5 years old and his brother Gilbert was 3….” Diane noted.  John’s father remarried.  “…Mary Ann Pelling was George’s second wife and they had 4 children… John looked at Mary Ann Pelling as his Mom….”

CIMG5786 Wedding photo John and Mabel Culbertson

June 14, 1930 wedding photo of John and Mabel Culbertson, married in Belleville, Ontario.  (Photo courtesy of the Culbertson Family)

After leaving school, John worked as a brass moulder at Corbin Lock in Belleville, Ontario for 10 years before enlisting.

Diane told us that “…my grandparents met at a dance in Belleville and married in 1930, when my grandfather was 19, and my grandmother was 18.  My grandmother, Mabel Florence Brown, was from Middlesex, England.  She never remarried.  My father was their only child….”  Diane’s father, John Harry, was born January 29, 1932.

…John enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers…

improved_photo co;ourized4

John Culbertson. (Photo courtesy of the Culbertson Family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

John enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers at No. 3-A District Depot in Kingston, Ontario on June 14, 1944, and was sent to the Canadian Engineer Training Centre (CETC) in Petawawa, Ontario. He qualified as a Moulder Group B on October 27, 1944 and was entitled to draw an additional Trades Pay.

CIMG5783 4 generations Culbertsons

John with his son, grandmother, and father in 1944. Left to right:  John Harry Culbertson, Margaret Culbertson, John Culbertson, George Albert Culbertson.  (Photo courtesy of the Culbertson Family.)

On November 29, 1944, John left Canada for the United Kingdom, arriving on December 9, 1944, where he was assigned to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit (CERU).  After undertaking further training, he qualified as a Driver Class III on March 24, 1945. This meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars.

On April 11, 1945, John was sent to North West Europe, and then transferred to the 8th Canadian Field Squadron on April 18, 1845.

…John lost his life during the Battle of Edewecht…

Map showing Edewecht, Germany where John Culbertson

On April 30, 1945, the 8th Canadian Field Squadron was in Edewecht, Germany, the scene of severe fighting during the last weeks of the Second World War. During the Battle of Edewecht, Canadian troops experienced fierce house-by-house fighting against fanatic German paratroopers and other soldiers.

In A Souvenir War History – 8th Canadian Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers 1941-1945 by Cpl John Kerr, the author noted that “…While maintaining a diversion, Spr Culbertson was killed….”  Ironically, April 30, 1945 was the same day that Hitler committed suicide in Berlin.

…John was buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten…

grave of John Culbertson

Grave of John Culbertson at the Canadian War Cemetery, Holten.  (Photo courtesy Information Centre, Canadian Cemetery Holten)

John was temporarily buried in Ostercheps, Germany before being reburied on March 7, 1946 in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

In March 1948, Tini Veldman of Ommen, The Netherlands sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs, asking that it be forwarded to the next of kin.  She wanted the family to know that she had adopted the grave, a volunteer program that was organized by the Netherlands War Graves Committee. A note in the file advised that her letter was forwarded to John’s widow on March 31, 1948.

This was not an unusual occurrence. Many family members of soldiers that we have met over the years have been in contact with Dutch citizens whose families adopted a grave in the early post-war years.

John’s son, John Harry, followed in his father’s footsteps in serving his country, enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1954, retiring as an aviation technician 25 years later.

Thank you to Diane McQueston (Culbertson) for sharing photos and information about her grandfather, and to Shawn Rainville for searching through newspapers to help Pieter find family members.  If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog….

To read about other Indigenous soldiers featured on this blog:

…Want to follow our research?….

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

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  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.

© Daria Valkenburg