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

August 5, 2024January 23, 2026 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

….Hal’s family was soon found….

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

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

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

CIMG6836 May 27 2024 Bev Jeffery & Pieter Mill River Resort

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

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

…..Hal enlisted in 1940….

Harold Bulger colourized and restored by Pieter

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

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

Leo Lynch, Leo Moran, Harold Bulger, Cecil MacKinnon

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

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

HAROLD BULGER AND mother ANNIE BULGER 001

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

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

… Hal was sent to Newfoundland….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

… Hal briefly returned to Canada….

Harold Bulger aboard a ship likely in 1943 from NFLD

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

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

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

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

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

….Hal left Canada for overseas service….

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

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

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

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

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

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

….Hal survived Operation Tractable and Operation Totalize….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

….Hal is buried in Adegem….

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

Grave of Harold Gabriel Bulger from CVWM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Daria Valkenburg

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

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

Edison Alexander SMITH: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/
Ralph Schurman BOULTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-2-the-wwii-battle-drill-instructor-from-oleary/

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. Two Researchers Meet WWII Veteran Lois Brown

July 28, 2024August 1, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

CIMG6889 Jul 23 2024 Pieter Lois Brown Scott Masters

Left to right: Pieter Valkenburg, Lois Brown, Scott Masters, and Bear. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

July 28, 2024. Over the past 10 years, Pieter has researched the stories behind the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island. As well, he’s researched the stories of other Island soldiers and veterans, and Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands and Belgium…and continues to do so. “…It’s important to tell each individual story…” he says.

But, with 80 years since the end of WWII and over 100 years since the end of WWI it can be difficult to find families and photos of these soldiers. Success quite often depends on help from other researchers, libraries, archivists, and genealogists who have taken an interest in the On The War Memorial Trail research project.

….A request to meet WWII veterans from the Island….

We also get requests from other researchers looking for help. Recently, we were contacted by Scott Masters, Director of the Crestwood Oral History Project at Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, Ontario. (See https://crestwood.on.ca/ohp.) Scott explained that he would be on the Island, and, as a history teacher, he was looking to interview veterans.

“…I do these interviews with and for my students, and we find it is something that creates a great legacy for the vets and their families….” Masters wrote. “…I am hoping that you might be able to connect me to a veteran. I always think it would be great for the kids to hear from another veteran – and the students would see these once I am back at school. I am especially interested in WWII vets – while the chance is still there. Our program has won both the Governor-General’s and Prime Minister’s awards….”

The Crestwood Oral History Project is compatible with the work done by Pieter in the On The War Memorial Trail research project. Scott noted that the aim of his school’s project is to “…help to illuminate the past and expose students to points of view and specific memories that they would not necessarily find in textbooks….”

After consulting with Royal Canadian Legion members Duane MacEwen and John Yeo, two WWII veterans were suggested for Scott to interview: Lois Brown of Kensington and Jean MacLean of Meadowbank. Both women agreed to be interviewed.

….We met WWII veteran Lois Brown…

Lois Brown in uniform. (Photo courtesy of Lois Brown)

We had a chance to meet Scott Masters at the home of Lois Maud (nee Wall) BROWN and her Pomeranian-pug Bear. Born August 26, 1924 in Princetown, Prince Edward Island, the daughter of Everett and Ella (Morrison) Wall, Lois is approaching her 100^th birthday. “…I enlisted with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and worked as a telephone operator for 1 ½ years in the Gunnery Operations Room at Barrack Green in St. John, New Brunswick…” she told us. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Women%27s_Army_Corps)

Lois received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2012 and is still on the Executive of Branch 9 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Kensington, Prince Edward Island.

We enjoyed meeting Scott Masters and Lois Brown and thank them for helping to ensure that our Canadian military history is not forgotten. You can watch Scott’s interview with Lois Brown at https://crestwood.on.ca/ohp/brown-lois/.

Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Soldier From Hallowel Grant Who Lost His Life During The Battle For The North Shore Of The Scheldt

July 24, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 24, 2024. On November 7, 2022, Pieter was interviewed by Ceilidh Millar of CTV Atlantic News At 5 about the search for 4 soldiers of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who died during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945. (You can read the article and watch the video. See P.E.I. man identifying Canadian soldiers in the Netherlands | CTV News https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/maritime-man-appealing-to-public-for-help-identifying-lost-canadian-soldiers-1.6143236)

Following the broadcast, several people got in contact to help with the photo search request, and to let him know about other soldiers buried in The Netherlands or Belgium. Among these was Martin Sullivan, who emailed Pieter, saying “…My uncle Edward died October 20, 1944 near Brasschaet. Buried in Bergen Op Zoom. He was in the Algonquin Regiment, C Company. Thank you to the Dutch people for taking care of Pte E. D. Chisholm’s grave and doing this research….”

It took a while, but we eventually had a chance to meet Martin and look at the treasure trove of information and photos he had about his uncle, Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton CHISHOLM.

20230918_150701 Sep 18 2023 Pieter with Martin Sullivan in Cap Pele

Pieter with Martin Sullivan. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Born November 5, 1924 in Hallowell Grant, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Ed was the son of Willliam John and Annie Jane Chisholm. He had 7 brothers and 5 sisters. Martin explained that his mother Josephine was one of Ed’s older sisters.

A young Edward Chisholm and his older brother John William Chisholm identified in ‘Limbs’ by Lewis B. Chisholm. (Photo courtesy of Martin Sullivan)

… Ed first enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve…

After leaving school at age 15, Ed worked on his parents’ farm, and then on a dairy farm, before going on to work as a stevedore for Scotia Stevedore Company in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (A stevedore works at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships.)

On March 22, 1943, at the age of 17, Ed left his employer and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve as an ordinary seaman. However, he was discharged as ‘medically unfit’ on May 12, 1943 due to being colour-blind.

… Ed enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1944…

Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton Chisholm. (Photo courtesy of Martin Sullivan)

Ed returned to work as a stevedore in Halifax, this time with Cunard White Star Ltd, until January 4, 1944, when he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot of the Canadian Army in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His Personnel Selection Record noted that red-haired Ed had “…considerable experience in hockey and other sports. Attends dances ….” and reads “….popular fiction magazines and follows the news…” His height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) was remarked upon, and he was described as having “…a fine physique and a steady, calm, well balanced spirit…General characteristics point to suitability for vigorous activity along general combatant lines….”

On January 14, 1944, Ed was sent to No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre (CIBTC) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. After completing his basic training, Ed was transferred to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) in Aldershot, Nova Scotia on March 12, 1944.

Next, Ed was attached to S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School (CD & M School) in Woodstock, Ontario on May 5, 1944, for a Driver Course. He successfully completed this on June 29, 1944 and was qualified as a Driver i/c Class III (W). (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’. Class III meant he was qualified to drive heavy trucks and armoured cars. ‘W’ refers to ‘Wheeled’.)

He was reassigned back to A14 CITC in Aldershot in preparation for overseas service, and granted two weeks embarkation leave, from July 7 to 20, 1944, the last chance he had to see his family.

… Ed left Canada for overseas service in August 1944…

On August 4, 1944, Ed left Canada for the United Kingdom. Upon arriving on August 10, 1944 he was assigned to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

On September 2, 1944 he was sent to France with the X-L infantry reinforcement troops of the 21^st Army Group.

… Ed joined the Algonquin Regiment in Belgium…

Screenshot 2024-07-20 at 12-30-12 Sijsele · 8340 Damme Belgium

Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton Chisholm joined the Algonquin Regiment in Sijsele, Belgium, as they travelled eastward. (Map source: Google maps)

On September 15, 1944 he was assigned to the Algonquin Regiment, joining them in Sijsele, Belgium, located not far from the Dutch border. The Regiment had suffered heavy losses during the battles to capture the canals around Moerkerke and needed reinforcements as they slowly advanced towards the Scheldt and the need to liberate the port of Antwerp.

By October 18, 1944, the Regiment was near Westmaele, north-east of Antwerp. In ‘Warpath The Story of the Algonquin Regiment 1939-1945’, author Major G. L. Cassidy wrote that “… on October 19th, a battalion reconnaissance party went north to Camp de Brasschaet for a look at the terrain where the next day’s battle was to be fought…..” This was the Battle for the North Shore of the Scheldt.

The Algonquin Regiment war diary for October 19, 1944 stated that “…at 13:15 hours, the battalion left on its journey north, arriving at our destination, a badly bombed sanitarium, about 16:30 hours. Here the men were briefed on the forthcoming operation and after digging in, settled down to spend another quiet night…”

The ‘Warpath’ entry for that day stated that when the orders were issued on the evening of October 19, the “…divisional plan was to advance and capture the town of Esschen, moving along two centre lines in two brigade groups…”

….The Battle for the North Shore Of The Scheldt was fatal for Ed….

The Battle for the North Shore of the Scheldt began on October 20, 1944 at 7:30 am, with “… ‘B’ Company leading, ‘A’ Company on the right, and ‘D’ Company on the left...” according to the Algonquin Regiment’s war diary for that day.

Ed Chisholm was in ‘C’ Company, which didn’t go into position until later in the morning, as noted in the war diary. “…At 11:30 hours, ‘C’ Company was placed under command of 28 Canadian Armoured Regiment, and with ‘C’ Squadron of that unit, made a flanking attack and captured the cross roads. During this operation, one ‘C’ Company man was killed, and one tank was knocked out with one man killed and one officer wounded. Twenty one prisoners of war were captured….”

The ‘C’ Company man killed was Ed, as was confirmed in ‘Warpath’. “… ‘C’ Company suffered only one fatal casualty, Pte E.D. Chisholm….” He was 19 years old, only two weeks away from his 20th birthday.

Martin Sullivan had been given an eyewitness account by Stanley Cameron with a bit more information on what happened to his Uncle Edward. Stanley, from Grande Prairie, Alberta, was with the Royal Canadian Engineers 2nd Division. “…When a German 30 mm cannon took out the tank, Edward was hit by tank shrapnel and was pushed into a ditch until taken to hospital. He died in a field hospital, with a priest who gave him his last confession…”

Map page 169 Warpath - Algonquin Regt Oct 20 1944 Chisholm_Page_3

Notes made by Martin Sullivan about Ed Chisholm’s last battle. (Map source: ‘Warpath The Story of the Algonquin Regiment 1939-1945’)

….Ed is buried in Bergen Op Zoom….

Screenshot 2023-09-17 at 21-00-01 kalmthout belgie at DuckDuckGo

Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton Chisholm was temporarily buried in Kalmthout, Belgium. (Map source: DuckDuckGo)

On October 21, 1944, Ed was temporarily buried “…in a field opposite the house of Joseph Goosenaerts…” in the village of Kalmthout, Belgium, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands.

Grave of Edward ‘Ed’ Dalton Chisholm in the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of Find A Grave)

….A family was left to grieve their son….

Martin wrote in his copy of ‘Warpath’ that when his grandmother (Momma) learned about her son’s death, she “…went to church and Edward appeared in her hands to tell her he was in heaven…” When asked if this anecdote could be shared, Martin agreed.

Martin explained that upon hearing such devastating news about their son “….our grandfather Billy John Chisholm (PaPa) went to the woods to cry, and then hitched up the team of horses to take Momma to church in town….”

His grandmother’s faith helped her to cope with the loss of a beloved son. “…After several days of living in town and going to church all day, PaPa and the children were worried that their Momma would never be coming home. Momma prayed for her son to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Then one day they smiled down on her. Her prayers were answered. There in her open hands was Edward’s face saying ‘Thank you Momma, I’m in heaven and you don’t have to worry about me anymore’. Her boy’s soul had been received into heaven and Momma went home to take care of the remaining twelve children. Thanks be to God….”

Thank you to Martin Sullivan for sharing photos and information. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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On The War Memorial Trail……75th NATO Anniversary Commemoration At Seacow Head Lighthouse

July 15, 2024July 16, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

NATO flag flying at Seacow Head Lighthouse this past spring. (Photo courtesy of Liz Hubert)

July 15, 2024. On July 10, 2024, a 75^th NATO Anniversary Commemoration was held at Seacow Head Lighthouse in Fernwood, Prince Edward Island, as part of the official opening ceremonies for the Lighthouse as a museum. The lighthouse itself has been in existence since 1864, standing beside Fernwood’s red cliffs.

Postcard of Seacow Head Lighthouse.

It has been featured in the Road To Avonlea TV series, based on the Anne of Green Gables books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, which I grew up reading. When Pieter was asked to be one of the guest speakers at the 75^th NATO Anniversary Commemoration at this beautiful location, I was really hoping he’d say ‘yes’.

Seacow Head Lighthouse was featured in the Road To Avonlea TV series. (Photo source: YouTube)

….Pieter shared his experience at a NATO base in Germany….

Rheine tile. (Photo courtesy of Pieter Valkenburg)

Pieter did agree to speak briefly about his deployment at a NATO base in Rheine, Germany, as a NIKE Missile Tracking Operator, while he was serving with the Royal Netherlands Air Force during the Cold War. He reminded us of how alert the base had to be in case of an attack – when the NIKE guided nuclear missiles would be used as an anti-aircraft surface to air system.

May 25, 2006. Rheine. Pieter at a street map. Where did I live?

Pieter in Rheine in 2006, looking at the map to see where the NATO base had been located. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Pieter was surprised to see an old Soviet early warning system in Ukraine ….

IMG_0075 May 21 2007 Daria and Pieter in Bolechiw

Daria and Pieter at the outskirts of Bolekhiv, Ukraine in 2007. (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg Family)

He explained that “…luckily, during my deployment, the missiles were never activated. It didn’t really hit home for me the dangerous position we were in until decades later when my wife and I were in Ukraine in 2007. Near the town of Zolichev in Western Ukraine, we saw the remnants of an early warning system aimed at Western Europe. Yes…. it was an anti-aircraft defence station similar to where I had worked in Rheine, but operated by the Soviets….”

Of course we stopped to take another look, as Pieter recounted in his presentation. “…It was no longer in use and locals had stripped all the usable materials from the inside, like electrical wiring and valuable metals. All that was left was the shell and the round radars….”

IMG_0134 May 22 2007 Anti aircraft defence station near Zolichev

The anti-aircraft defence station near Zolichev had not been dismantled in 2007. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter’s anecdote was a reminder that geopolitics can bring long-forgotten conflicts into today’s world. “…The station in Rheine had been completely dismantled, and was a meadow when we last visited there in 2006. So I asked Slav, our Ukrainian driver, why the Russians didn’t dismantle their station when they left. The answer? Slav believed that the Russians were hoping to use it again in the future – once Ukraine got over ‘this silly notion of independence’ – as he put it. A chilling comment that now seems prophetic….”

…. ‘May we never forget those who have been affected by war’ ….

Pieter’s presentation ended with him saying that “….I was proud to serve in Rheine as a member of NATO so many years ago, doing my small part in keeping peace during the Cold War. May we never forget those who have been affected by war. Thank you….”

Among the NATO representatives present on July 10, 2024 were John Yeo, Atlantic Regional Director for NATO Veterans of Canada; guest speaker Pieter Valkenburg, Public Relations Officer for Borden-Carleton Legion; and keynote speaker Clare Hutchinson, former NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security.

CIMG6887 Jul 10 2024 John Pieter Clare Seacow Head Lighthouse Ceremony

Left to right: John Yeo, Pieter Valkenburg, Clare Hutchinson. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

It was fitting that NATO, seen as a beacon of hope and peace to many, had its 75^th anniversary commemorated beside a lighthouse in a beautiful and peaceful landscape. Thank you to The Friends of Seacow Head Lighthouse organizing committee – Dr. Elisabeth Hubert, PhD, Tom Sherry, and Jim MacFarlane – for inviting Pieter to speak.

Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…… The WWII Soldier From Donaldston Who Died In A Vehicle Accident In The Netherlands

July 13, 2024August 26, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 13, 2024. In the 11 part Atlantic Canada Remembers series that ran in 2021, photos submitted about Atlantic Canadian soldiers buried overseas were featured. Pieter ensured that photos of soldiers who are buried in The Netherlands were forwarded to the appropriate cemetery for their digital archives.

In Part 2 of the Atlantic Canada Remembers series, Helen O’Connell submitted a photo of her uncle, Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan DOUGAN. She wrote that he “….was born in November 12, 1919 to Florence and John Dougan from Donaldston, Prince Edward Island. He was the 2nd of 12 boys born in that family – no girls. Frank left school at age of 15 and went to work to help his family. He worked in Debert, Nova Scotia as a labourer and mechanic. In 1941, he and 3 of his brothers enlisted….” (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-2/)

Screenshot 2024-07-03 at 11-24-35 Donaldston · Prince Edward Island C0A 1T0

Donaldston is located in central Prince Edward Island. (Map source: Google maps)

…..Frank enlisted under the NRMA in 1941….

Frank originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on October 2, 1941 and underwent basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC). (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

After completing his basic training, Frank was sent for 62 days of advanced training at No. A19 Canadian Army Service Corps Training Centre (CASCTC) at Camp Borden in Borden, Ontario.

From there, he was transferred to the 6^th Division Ammunition Company of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) in Valcartier, Quebec on April 7, 1942.

Frank would remain with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army. Their role was to provide support to Canadian soldiers wherever they went, moving supplies from the rear areas to the front-lines. They delivered all rations, ammunition, petroleum products, and all other essentials, using vehicles ranging from three- to ten-ton trucks, and forty-ton tank transporters. (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Army_Service_Corps)

….Frank enlisted for active service…..

Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan Dougan. (Photo courtesy of Helen O’Connell)

On June 1, 1942, Frank transferred from the non-active militia to active service in the Canadian Army, remaining with the 6^th Division Ammunition Company in Valcartier.

On July 7, 1942, Frank was sent to the Canadian Army Trades School in Hamilton, Ontario for a Motor Mechanics Course, which lasted 6 months. On January 20, 1943, Frank was attached to the Headquarters of the 6^th Division Ammunition Company at Hastings Military Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.

On March 9, 1943, he was sent to the Headquarters of the 6^th Division Company in Victoria, British Columbia. Then, on September 2, 1943, he was transferred to the 28th Transport Company in Duncan, British Columbia, but sent on assignment with the Royal Rifles of Canada to Wainwright, Alberta, where he remained until October 19, 1943, when he returned to Duncan.

Frank next was transferred to No. XI District Depot in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 4, 1944 for a short period before being sent, on February 16, 1944, to No. 1 Training Brigade in Debert, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service.

….Frank left Canada for overseas service….

On April 11, 1944, Frank left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on April 19, 1944, where he was assigned to the Canadian Army Service Corps Reinforcement Unit (CASCRU).

Frank was transferred to the 12th Battalion of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), part of the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB) on May 1, 1944, qualifying as a Driver i/c on May 8, 1944. (The term ‘Driver i/c’ refers to ‘Driver, internal combustion’.)

Helen had written that while overseas Frank “… worked as a driver in the war, mainly in the UK….” This turned out to be incorrect, as Frank was in the United Kingdom for only a few short months – until July 25, 1944, when he, and the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB), arrived in France as part of the 21^st Army Group. He was with the Brigade until after WWII officially ended.

….Frank remained in Europe after the war ended….

On July 6, 1945, as a driver, Frank was assigned to the 4th Armoured Division Transport Company of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), joining them in Almelo, The Netherlands. He remained with the 4th Armoured Division until November 10, 1945, when he was reassigned to the 2/9 Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB).

On April 7, 1946, Frank was transferred to the 48th Canadian General Transport Company of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC), part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) in Germany.

….Frank lost his life in a vehicle accident….

Helen wrote that “….after the war Frank decided to work in peacekeeping as a Canadian soldier in Oldenburg, Germany. On May 16, 1946, he was involved in road accident and was killed. He was buried in Holland and was awarded the France and Germany Star 1939-1945….”

According to his service file, Frank died in a hospital in Nijmegen following a road accident during very bad weather in Nijmegen, while he was on his way from Grave, The Netherlands to Oldenburg, Germany. Mechanical failure in the steering mechanism led to the accident. Frank was a passenger in the rear of the vehicle along with 2 others, plus the driver.

There were two fatalities: Frank Dougan and another soldier who was also in the rear, Charles Ernest Edwin CRIDLAND, who had been born in England, but was from Vancouver, British Columbia.

….Frank is buried in Holten….

2227155_1 Grave of Frank Ivan Dougan CVWM

Grave of Francis ‘Frank’ Ivan Dougan in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Virtual War Memorial)

Frank was initially buried in the Canadian Cemetery in Groesbeek, near Nijmegen, before being reburied, on July 16 1946, in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.

Helen was able to visit The Netherlands and the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. “…My husband and I were very fortunate to visit his grave in 2016. I was so proud and honoured to be there. I will not forget. This graveyard seemed almost like a sacred place for these solders who gave their life for us and since my visit I really appreciate that….”

In 1948, Frank’s grave was adopted by a family from Delden – jeweller Jan A. Zengerink and his wife Ria. An English translation of the letter that they wrote to Frank’s family informing them of the grave adoption was forwarded to Frank’s mother by the Department of Defence.

Thank you to Helen O’Connell for submitting a photo and information on her uncle. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

…..The Atlantic Canada Remembers series….

Missed the Atlantic Canada Remembers series? See:

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…… The WWII Soldier From St. Nicholas Who Lost His Life During The Battle of Hochwald Gap

July 6, 2024December 19, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

July 6, 2024. Back in 2015, Pieter received a photo of WWII soldier Edward Gabriel PERRY, whose name was on a photo wish list from the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

Edward was born in St. Nicholas, a small community west of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on October 6, 1924, the son of John F. and Zelia Perry. He was one of 11 children, with 5 brothers, three of whom also served overseas during WWII, and 5 sisters.

….Edward enlisted at age 18….

Edward Gabriel Perry.

When he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on February 25, 1943, he was only 18 years old, too young to be sent into an active combat zone. At the time, he stated that he grew up on a farm, but had spent the past two months working as a carpenter for Fred Cameron of Saint John, New Brunswick, who had a lumber business.

Edward’s Personnel Selection Record noted that he “…plays hockey…” and that his “…chief diversion is reading….” It went on to describe him as “…reserved, determined…” and concluded that he would “…make an efficient soldier…”

From Charlottetown, Edward was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and from there to No. 61 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (CABTC) in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on March 13, 1943.

After completing his basic training, Edward was sent to the A1 Canadian Artillery Training Centre in Petawawa, Ontario on May 12, 1943 to be trained as a gunner.

On June 14, 1943, he was assigned to the 23^rd Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the 50^th Anti-Aircraft Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Edward’s new assignment was coastal defence in Sydney, Nova Scotia. During WWII, Sydney was the second-most-important port for convoy formation after Halifax.

He remained in Sydney until March 23, 1944 when he was transferred to No. 1 Transit Camp in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in preparation for overseas service. Then, on May 15, 1944, he was reallocated to the Training Brigade Group in Debert, Nova Scotia for further training.

….Edward left Canada for overseas service….

On July 19, 1944 Edward left Canada, arriving in the United Kingdom on July 27, 1944, where he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU).

A month later, on August 29, 1944, he was sent to France, and then transferred to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s), part of the 21st Army Group, on September 2, 1944. On December 10, 1944, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

….The Battle of Hochward Gap was deadly….

Map shows plan for the Battle of Hochwald Gap. Note: Kanten on map should read Xanten. (Map source: ‘The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) 1928-1953, edited by Lt-Col H. M. Jackson)

The end of February 1945 saw the Regiment in Germany for the Battle of Hochwald Gap, part of Operation Blockbuster, the final push towards the Rhine River, along with several other Canadian Regiments. This offensive began on February 28, 1945 to clear the Germans from the Reichswald, a heavily forested area between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers, driving them back over the Rhine, taking the fight well into German territory for a full-scale invasion of Berlin. (For more information, see https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/operation-blockbuster/ and https://civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com/10742/the-battle-of-hochwald-gap-one-of-the-largest-armor-engagements-you-probably-have-never-heard-of)

Troops faced a battlefield that was cold, wet, and muddy, and a ferocious fight by desperate Germans who recognized that they were about to lose the war. On March 1, 1945, Edward was badly wounded during the battle, and brought to a field hospital just after 6 pm “…in very poor condition…” and given “…1 pint of plasma….”

He was sent on an urgent basis to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Centre, arriving at 9 pm. The medical report noted that he had “…shell fragment wounds with compound fracture of the right femur, injury of the femoral vessels, and multiple lacerations of both legs, and a penetrating wound to the abdomen…” Edward was rushed into surgery, but died at 5:15 am on March 2, 1945.

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

CIMG3330 Oct 5 2019 grave Groesbeek Edward Perry from daria

Grave of Edward Gabriel Perry in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Edward was initially buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery in Bedburg, Germany, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands.

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

© Daria Valkenburg

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

Gerald COOLEN, who served with the Black Watch, lost his life on February 26, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-11/

Anthony PETTA, who served with the Algonquin Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-in-north-bay-the-ww2-soldier-who-was-appointed-company-sergeant-major/
Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER, who served with the Lake Superior Regiment, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/04/18/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-oleary-who-lost-his-life-during-operation-churchill/

Clarence Wilfred WAKEGIJIG, who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, lost his life on March 2, 1945. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembering-ww2-soldier-clarence-wilfred-wakegijig/

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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On The War Memorial Trail…..The WWII Soldier From Mount Carmel Killed During The Liberation Of Posterenk

June 30, 2024November 27, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

June 30, 2024. In 2017, Pieter and I visited the village of Posterenk in The Netherlands with Edwin van der Wolf, one of the research volunteers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

Windmill in Posterenk, which has a memorial stone inscribed on the wall. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG9300 Sep 25 2017 Sign Posterenk freed by CYR Apr 13 1945

Translation of memorial stone on the windmill: Posterenk freed by the Carleton & York Regiment of Canada on April 13, 1945. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….The Island connection to Posterenk…..

Edwin wanted us to visit the village because it had an Island connection. François ‘Frank’ GALLANT, son of Antoine and Eleanor (nee Poirier) Gallant of Mount Carmel, Prince Edward Island, died there on April 13, 1945, while serving with the Carleton & York Regiment.

CIMG9296 Sep 25 2017 Edwin and Pieter by Posterenk windmill

Edwin van der Wolf (left) and Pieter in Posterenk. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The village had a list of 6 soldiers to commemorate from the Carleton & York Regiment, who had all been buried in the area. Unfortunately, not all soldiers who died are included on this list, but Edwin worked towards including two more, who were not buried near Posterenk, but “…were temporarily buried in Lochem because they had previously died in a Canadian hospital there…”

In total, out of the 8 soldiers, three were from Prince Edward Island! The stories of Daniel Peter MACKENZIE and James ‘Frank’ MOSSEY were previously told. In this posting, we feature the story of Frank GALLANT, the reason we were in Posterenk back in 2017!

François ‘Frank’ Gallant. (Photo courtesy of the Information Centre Canadian Cemetery Holten)

….Three Gallant brothers served…..

Born November 24, 1914, Frank originally enlisted under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on August 13, 1942 and underwent basic training at No. 62 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre (CABTC), which he completed on October 12, 1942. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Resources_Mobilization_Act)

His Personnel Information Record noted that he could speak both French and English, and came from a rural farming background, which likely accounted for him having only a Grade 4 education. In addition to farming, Frank had experience in carpentry work, and had worked in a lumber mill. He could drive a vehicle, and played baseball and hockey. Two of his brothers, Georges and Simon, were also in the army.

With his basic training successfully completed, Frank was transferred to A5 Canadian Engineer Training Camp (CETC) in Petawawa, Ontario for advanced training on October 13, 1942. Upon completion of that training, he remained in Petawawa for an additional two months, doing general repair work.

On January 28, 1943, Frank was transferred to No. 2 Engineer Services and Works Company (ES&W Company) of the Royal Canadian Engineers, where his task was to fire and repair boilers at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario. He was with ‘D’ Wing, a ‘supernumerary to establishment’ reserve unit, while a decision about the direction his army career was to take was made.

Frank had expressed interest in being considered in the Tradesman category as a fireman or maintenance man, but it was determined that since his occupation background was “… erratic….” with no “…special training…” and he was considered very fit, in the “…A-1 category…”, he should be reallocated to “…Infantry (Non-Tradesman)…” and receive infantry training.

Frank received special leave to return home to Prince Edward Island to help with the family’s farm operation on August 29, 1943, after which he returned to Toronto on November 1, 1943.

….Frank transferred to the Infantry…..

As a result of the assessment that he be assigned to an Infantry Unit, Frank was transferred to the 1st Battalion Victoria Rifles of Canada on November 10, 1943 and sent the following day to Stratford, Ontario to be re-mustered as a rifleman.

Frank remained in Stratford for training until February 18, 1944, when he was sent to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

On August 24, 1944, Frank transferred from the non-active militia to active service in the Canadian Army, remaining with the 1st Battalion Victoria Rifles of Canada in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

….Frank left Canada for overseas service…..

On November 21, 1944, Frank left for Great Britain with the 1st Battalion, to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Army in the field. Upon arrival on November 28, 1944, he was assigned to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment (CITR).

He continued receiving further training until January 23, 1945, when he left the United Kingdom for Italy, as part of the X-4 Reinforcements, arriving on February 7, 1945. On February 13, 1945 he was transferred to the Carleton & York Regiment, joining them north of Rossi (Russi), part of a group of reinforcements, at the tail end of the Italian Campaign. (See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_campaign_(World_War_II))

He joined the Carleton & York Regiment at the same time as Archibald Phillip ‘Archie’ MCLEAN of Edmundston, New Brunswick. Archie’s story was previously told on this blog. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/13/on-the-war-memorial-trail-archie-was-a-good-guy/)

Screenshot 2023-09-04 at 16-28-14 Map of Russi Italy

The Carleton & York Regiment was north of Russi on February 13, 1945. (Map source: http://www.gosur.com)

On March 17, 1945, he left Italy as part of Operation Goldflake, arriving in Marseilles, France three days later. Operation Goldflake was the codename for moving troops from Italy to North-West Europe. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Goldflake)

The Carleton & York Regiment was now part of the 21^st Army Group. From France, troops were moved up to the Belgian front, into The Netherlands, through the Reichswald Forest in Germany, and then back into The Netherlands.

…The Liberation of Posterenk…

On April 12, 1945 the Regiment was part of Operation Cannonshot, which led to the crossing of the IJssel River between the villages of Gorssel and Wilp in the eastern part of The Netherlands. (See https://www.liberationroute.com/stories/190/operation-cannonshot)

Map western holland showing Posterenk

According to the April 12, 1945 war diary entry of the Carleton & York Regiment, they “…moved across the Ijssel River at 14:30 hours….” to relieve the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

On April 13, 1945, the war diary entry noted that “…‘D’ Company’s objective is Posterenk…” The Regiment didn’t expect much opposition, but they “… met with stiff resistance just after starting at 11:25 hrs…”

In ‘Invicta – The Carleton and York Regiment in the Second World War’ author Robert Tooley explained that “…on the CYR front D Company was to lead off towards its first objective, the village of Posterenk: the opposition was expected to be light, and the company was instructed to continue to move forward until strong opposition was encountered. The battalion now had in support a troop of M10 SP anti-tank guns, a troop of tanks, a platoon of medium machine guns, and a platoon of 4.2 inch mortars. D Company pushed off at 10:50 am….. Contrary to expectations, D Company met stiff resistance and suffered several casualties from small arms fire….”

At some point during that day, Frank lost his life.

…Frank is buried in Holten…

Frank was one of 6 soldiers initially buried along the main road to Posterenk, a village near Zutphen, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.

The 6 soldiers buried near Posterenk.

CIMG3198 Oct 3 2019 Holten Frank Gallant

Grave of François ‘Frank’ Gallant at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Frank is remembered on the war memorial in Wellington…

In May 2024, we visited the war memorial in Wellington, Prince Edward Island, where Frank’s name is listed.

CIMG6840 May 27 2024 Wellington Monument - Francis Gallant - photo by Pieter

François ‘Frank’ Gallant is remembered on the war memorial in Wellington, Prince Edward Island. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

…Previous stories about soldiers commemorated in Posterenk….

Daniel Peter MACKENZIE: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/29/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-victoria-cross-fatally-wounded-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk/
James ‘Frank’ MOSSEY: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/08/09/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-souris-killed-during-the-liberation-of-posterenk /
Goldwin Marven POLLICK: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/01/07/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-1/
Samuel Glazier PORTER: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/11/28/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-11/
Harold Gordon SABEAN: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwii-soldier-from-port-lorne-who-lost-his-life-during-the-advance-to-the-apeldoorn-canal/
Frederick Joseph TAIT: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-atlantic-canada-remembers-part-8/
8 soldiers were commemorated in Posterenk in April 2022: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/04/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-posterenk-commemorates-its-liberation-by-the-carleton-and-york-regiment/

Do you have photos or information to share? Email 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 our research, you are welcome to do so. Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

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

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWII Lumberjack From Belledune Killed By Stray Mortar Fire In The Nijmegen Salient

June 24, 2024November 27, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 4 Comments

June 24, 2024. It’s surprising how often a chance meeting will lead to a photo. In September 2023, while staying at a hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, we were approached by a fellow guest, Victor Richard, who had seen us coming out of our car the day before and had noticed the Prince Edward Island licence plate. The following day, when he saw us in the lobby, he explained that he was from New Brunswick, the province next to ours.

….The road to a soldier’s photo can be circuitous….

Victor showed an interest in the On The War Memorial Trail research project. Pieter asked for his help in finding a photo of a particular soldier, and after we all returned back home, Victor put us in contact with Jean Gaudet. In the meantime, Pieter had found a photo of the soldier online, as it had recently been posted on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial by Captain (Retired) Etienne L.L. Gaudet.

Jean knew Captain Gaudet well and very quickly Pieter was put in contact with Etienne, who works diligently in ‘…promoting the memory of soldiers in New Brunswick…’ – as Jean put it. During the Covid period, Etienne had visited 244 cemeteries, documenting the graves of soldiers across New Brunswick. (See https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-veteran-journey-cemeteries-1.6237590)

After learning about the On The War Memorial Trail research project, Etienne emailed Pieter. “…God bless you for the work you are doing. I certainly share your passion in ensuring none of these heroes are ever forgotten. I have worked very hard to build the Canadian Virtual War Memorial especially for those soldiers buried in New Brunswick who lacked pictures on the site.

I am now the person responsible for Veterans in Memramcook, which involves organizing our Remembrance Day ceremony and all other things related to honouring those that have served from …Memramcook….”

Etienne ended by making an offer to help. “…Please don’t hesitate to write if I can assist you in any way…”

Pieter with Etienne Gaudet. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….An offer to help led to a photo….

Pieter soon asked for Etienne’s assistance with a photo search, asking if he would be willing to contact the family of an Acadian soldier, Edgar M. GUITARD. “….He lost his life in The Netherlands on the 15th of January 1945. He had 6 brothers and 4 sisters. This morning I called the daughter of his youngest sister Emelia, Nicole Lagace, but she said that she had never heard of Nicole Lagace or Emelia Guitard. I have a feeling that she thought that I was a scammer and did not trust me….. Would you be able to help?….”

Pieter hoped that a French-speaking voice on the phone might reassure Nicole Lagace, but Etienne decided to pay a visit in person the following morning. That evening he reported back. “…I was able to speak with Nicole in person. She has a photo of Edgar in her albums, but didn’t have time today to go through them. She apologized for her reaction to your phone call and stated that she has been scammed before and is incredibly careful now….”

A few days later…success! Etienne reported that he’d “…received the photo from Nicole Guitard Lagace, who confirms that the gentleman in the photo is her uncle, Edgar M. Guitard.…I do hope his memory can live forever although he died way too young. It was an honour to assist you and help preserve his memory in perpetuity. We will remember them….”

Nicole also contacted Pieter, explaining that “…the photo donated by me belonged to my mom. Thank you very much….”

….Edgar was born in Belledune….

Screenshot 2024-06-21 at 12-03-44 belledune new brunswick - Google Search

Map shows location of Belledune, New Brunswick, located on Chaleur Bay. (Map source: Google maps)

Edgar was born on September 17, 1917 in Belledune, New Brunswick, a port village on Chaleur Bay, the son of Jean ‘Mickey’ and Bridgitte Guitard. One of 11 children, Edgar grew up on his parents’ farm.

When he enlisted at District Depot No. 5 in Rimouski, Quebec on April 8, 1941, he stated that he had served in the Active Militia since January 1941 – with No. 71 Centre Militaire out of Edmundston, New Brunswick. He also stated that he was a fisherman during the spring and summer, and had worked as a lumberjack since 1930 for Fraser Brothers, out of Causapscal, Quebec. Edgar enjoyed snowshoeing and fishing.

His Soldiers Qualification Card noted that he was illiterate, due to not having attended school, and was French speaking.

Edgar M. Guitard. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Lagace. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Based on his extensive experience as a lumberjack with Fraser Brothers, Edgar was transferred to No. 12 Company of the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) in Valcartier, Quebec on April 12, 1941.

Unlike other members of the Canadian Army, members of the Canadian Forestry Corps were not expected to be in combat. Their role was to help the British with their need for timber. As stated in an article on http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/corpsbranches/forestrycorps.htm “…wood was needed for living quarters, messes, and recreation facilities, as well as crates for vital supplies such as food, ammunition and even vehicles, and for the creation of explosives, stocks for weapons, the construction of ships, aircraft and factory facilities….”

Canada agreed to send workers and equipment to Great Britain, with the Corps Headquarters based in Scotland. The British designated the areas of work, and the final disposal of the lumber created, but all military operations were under the control of Canadian Military Headquarters in London, England.

Although the men serving in the Canadian Forestry Corps were not in a combat role, they were provided with very rudimentary basic training in using firearms, only because of the impending threat of German invasion.

….Edgar left Canada for overseas service….

After about 6 weeks of basic training, Edgar left Halifax, Nova Scotia for the United Kingdom on June 18, 1941, arriving in Gourock, Scotland on July 2, 1941. He remained with No. 12 Company until September 29, 1943, when he was transferred to No. 11 Company, and then on March 19, 1944 to No. 5 Company.

The work done by the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) included building barracks, roads, bridges, and setting up power plants. They also helped with snow clearance on the highland roads in Scotland. Each company of the CFC had two sections, one cutting in the bush and bringing out the timber, and the other sawing it into lumber at the company mill.

For an idea of the hard work done by the Corps, take a look at this very short British Pathé video Canadian Forestry Corps In Britain (1941)….

It was work that Edgar thrived at, but things were about to change. By the spring of 1943, a desperate need for more soldiers in the Canadian Army caused several hundred soldiers to be redeployed. Edgar was able to remain in the United Kingdom until after D-Day on June 6, 1944.

….Edgar was sent to France….

The above referenced Canadian Soldiers article explained that “…..after the landings in Normandy in June 1944, ten companies eventually moved to the Continent to continue operations there; 77 square timber rafts and 54 round timber rafts had been created in Southampton to move timber across the English Channel with them. By the end of August 1944, operations had commenced on the continent….”

No. 5 Company was one of these ten companies, now part of the 21st Army Group. On July 26, 1944, Edgar left for France with No. 5 Company, arriving a day later.

Edgar remained with the No. 5 Company until November 25, 1944, when he was transferred to the X-4 Reinforcement List of the 10th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps. The lumberjack was now a soldier, even though his training had not prepared him for combat.

….Edgar’s transfer to Le Régiment de la Chaudière was his last….

On January 13, 1945, Edgar was transferred to Le Régiment de la Chaudière and allotted to ‘A’ Company. The Regiment had wintered in the Nijmegen Salient, while preparing for the upcoming fight in the Rhineland in February 1945. They were based on the Holthurnsche estate in The Netherlands, near the German border, between the cities of Berg en Dal and Nijmegen.

While on the estate, Edgar was one of two casualties hit by stray mortar fire. The Regiment’s War diary entry for January 14, 1945, written at 10:30 am…. “…La cie A: 2 casualties par l’action des mortiers allemands….” (English translation: ‘A’ Company: 2 casualties by the action of German mortars.) He died the following day, aged 27.

Location of Le Régiment de la Chaudière on January 14, 1945, near the Dutch/German border. (Map source: Project ’44)

Today the area where the Regiment overwintered is the Hotel Holthurnsche Hof.

Hotel Holthurnsche Hof is now where Le Régiment de la Chaudière was located in mid-January 1945. (Photo source: http://realhealth.nl/hotel-holthurnsche-hof/)

..…Edgar is buried in Groesbeek …..

Edgar was initially buried in a temporary Canadian cemetery in Nijmegen on January 16, 1945, before being reburied in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands on August 7, 1945.

grave stone Edward Guitard from Find A Grave

Grave of Edgar M. Guitard in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands. (Photo source: Find A Grave)

Thank you to Etienne Gaudet for going above and beyond to meet a family member of Edgar Guitard, and to Nicole Lagace for submitting a photo of her uncle. Many thanks also to Victor Richard and Jean Gaudet for connecting the dots that led to us meeting Etienne! Do you have photos or information to share? Email 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 our research, you are welcome to do so. Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

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

June 19, 2024 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CIMG6856 Jun 6 2024 Parade lineup Borden Carleton Legion

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

CIMG6861 Jun 6 2024 Wreath at Cenotaph Borden Carleton Legion

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

….More information about D-Day….

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

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

Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

June 9, 2024October 26, 2025 / On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 6 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donald Roy Carter from facebook page Jeremy Carter

Donald Roy Carter. (Source: Jeremy Carter)

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

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

….Donald left Canada for overseas service….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

….Donald returned to Normandy in July 1944….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

….Donald was transferred into the Infantry….

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

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

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

Victory-37 Map Moyland Wood and the Goch Calcar Rd

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

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

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

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

..…Donald is buried in Groesbeek …..

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

grave stone donald carter from find a grave

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

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

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

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….Hal’s family was soon found….

…..Hal enlisted in 1940….

… Hal was sent to Newfoundland….

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

… Hal briefly returned to Canada….

….Hal left Canada for overseas service….

….Hal survived Operation Tractable and Operation Totalize….

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

….Hal is buried in Adegem….

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

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….A request to meet WWII veterans from the Island….

….We met WWII veteran Lois Brown…

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… Ed first enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve…

… Ed enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1944…

… Ed left Canada for overseas service in August 1944…

… Ed joined the Algonquin Regiment in Belgium…

….The Battle for the North Shore Of The Scheldt was fatal for Ed….

….Ed is buried in Bergen Op Zoom….

….A family was left to grieve their son….

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….Pieter shared his experience at a NATO base in Germany….

….Pieter was surprised to see an old Soviet early warning system in Ukraine ….

…. ‘May we never forget those who have been affected by war’ ….

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…..Frank enlisted under the NRMA in 1941….

….Frank enlisted for active service…..

….Frank left Canada for overseas service….

….Frank remained in Europe after the war ended….

….Frank lost his life in a vehicle accident….

….Frank is buried in Holten….

…..The Atlantic Canada Remembers series….

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….Edward enlisted at age 18….

….Edward left Canada for overseas service….

….The Battle of Hochward Gap was deadly….

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

….Previous postings about soldiers who died during the Battle of Hochwald Gap….

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….The Island connection to Posterenk…..

….Three Gallant brothers served…..

….Frank transferred to the Infantry…..

….Frank left Canada for overseas service…..

…The Liberation of Posterenk…

…Frank is buried in Holten…

…Frank is remembered on the war memorial in Wellington…

…Previous stories about soldiers commemorated in Posterenk….

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….The road to a soldier’s photo can be circuitous….

….An offer to help led to a photo….

….Edgar was born in Belledune….

….Edgar left Canada for overseas service….

….Edgar was sent to France….

….Edgar’s transfer to Le Régiment de la Chaudière was his last….

..…Edgar is buried in Groesbeek …..

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

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

….More information about D-Day….

….Want to follow our research?….

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

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

….Donald left Canada for overseas service….

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

….Donald returned to Normandy in July 1944….

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

….Donald was transferred into the Infantry….

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

..…Donald is buried in Groesbeek …..

….Want to follow our research?….

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