THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
The Netherlands
John was born on June 20 1922 in Winterburn Alberta as the son of George and Mary Gordon of Winterburn. They were married on March 3 1915 in Edmonton. His sisters were Mary and Williamina Gordon and Mrs. Florence Fraser. His uncle Mr. W.S. Walker send a request in March 1943 to the army if John could help hem because of his serious illness during a two months leave with the work at his farm (something John did more often). It is not know if this was granted.
He was a farmer and member of the Presbyterian Church.
He enlisted on December 9 1942 in Edmonton and he went on March 14 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter as reinforcement on June 9 to France. He was missing in action then on October 28 and recovered back on November 1 from the Germans.
John was killed in action on Monday February 19 1945 age 22 in the A Coy near the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland and he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on September 19 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: HE LIVES WITH US IN MEMORY AND WILL FOR EVERMORE
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal and CVSM & Clasp.
Max was born on November 4 1910 in Stirling Alberta as the son of August and Anna Bossert (both deceased). He was married on October 24 1934 in with Ardella Bossert, of Magrath, Alberta. Their son was Hugh Lavoy Bossert and their daughters were Maxine June, La Bena Ann and Roe Eta May Bossert. Ardella remarried after the war as Mrs. Sam Bennett.
He was a farmer and member of the Presbyterian Church.
He enlisted on February 25 1942 in Fort Macleod Alberta and he went on September 9 1941 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on October 6 1944 to France.
Max was missed on December 20 during a patrol at the Waal Flats in the C Coy and he was captured then and died thereafter while prisoner of war in Germany on Sunday December 31 1944 age 34. And he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on September 6 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: HE LOVED HONOUR MORE THAN HE FEARED DEAT
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Michael was born on July 29 1925 in Austin Manitoba as the son of Colonel Malcolm Donald Robertson and Ethel Margaret Robertson (both English), of Victoria, British Columbia. They were married on October 6 1917 in Winnipeg. His brothers were Arthur Donald and John Nigel Robertson (both in the army too) and his sister was Margaret Patricia Robertson.
He was a grocery clerk and member of the Church of England.
He enlisted on August 13 1943 in Vancouver and he went on September 6 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on September 25 to France. He had already written before a long motivated letter to the army command to enlist and to become experienced in the army as his brothers and father.
Michael was killed in action on Monday February 19 1945 age 19 in the A Coy near the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland and he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on September 19 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: FOR EVER WITH THE LORD
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal and CVSM & Clasp.
Percy was born on October 28 1899 in Fort Saskatchewan Alberta as the son of William Lofthouse Peacock and Mary Alice Peacock nee Barge (both English and much earlier deceased). They were married approximately in 1882 West Eden England. His brother William George Peacock was his next of kin and his sisters were Mrs. Dorothy Emily Grace Pollock, Mrs. Margaret Alice Bing and Agnes Sorrell Peacock.
He was a hunter and member of the United Church. He played baseball and read mining text books and various other subjects.
He enlisted on April 4 1942 in Vancouver and he went on July 30 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on June 6 1944 to France for the D-Day landing.
Percy was killed in action on Wednesday February 21 1945 age 45 at the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland. And he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on September 20 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Peter was born in Toronto on January 26 1921 as the son of Henry and Elisabeth Ross, of Toronto. They were married in 1919 in Belfast Ireland.He was married on May 24 1941 with Bernice Evelyn Ross, of Toronto. Their children were Sharon Patricia and Robert Peter Ross and his brothers were Robert Henry (also in the army) and Harry Patrick Ross.
He was a truck driver and member of the Church of England. His hobbies were: sports like baseball and boxing, music (songs) playing guitar, and he likes tinkering with cars.
He enlisted on May 18 1942 in Toronto and disembarked the UK on May 1 1944 and disembarked on October 17 Belgium.
He was a member of the C Coy of his regiment in the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland.
Peter was missing in action on February 18 1945 and he died of wounds on Tuesday February 20 age 24 whilst POW and he was temporarily buried in Haldern ( Germany) and reburied on November 1 1945 in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: In the garden of memories We meet every day.
His medals were: 1939-45 Medal; France Germany Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Raymond was born on July 2 1923 in Cypress River Manitoba as the son of George Albert (deceased in July 1944) and Maud Evelyn Diehl, of Cypress River. His brothers were Frederick Stewart, Arthur Irwin, Walter Menton, Wilfred John and Albert Dewarren Diehl.
He was a farm hand and member of the United Church. He enjoyed hockey, hunting and baseball. His hobby was mechanic and he liked reading any books, popular mechanics and he was an extensive reader but moderate taste. And he played pool billiards and cards.
He enlisted on January 30 1943 in Winnipeg and he went on June 10 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on July 15 to France.
Raymond was killed in action on Monday February 19 1945 age 21 in the A Coy at the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland. And he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on February 19 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: GO FORTH AND TELL THE WONDROUS STORY, HE FOUGHT AND DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Clarence was born on June 2 1920 in Waugh Alberta as the son of Hector Nels Nadeau and Elisabeth Eva Nadeau nee Letourneau (both French) , of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. They were married on September 22 1914 in Legal Alberta. His brothers were Hector and Norman Nadeau and his sisters were Mae, Florence, Lorraine, Louise and Patricia Nadeau.
He was a farm labourer, truck and tractor operator and was member of the Roman Catholic Church. He also had experience as a butcher and wanted to become that too in the army. He enjoyed baseball and hockey and he did not read much.
He enlisted on March 25 1942 in Camrose Alberta and he went on June 13 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on June 6 1944 to France for the D-Day landing.
Clarence was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 24 in the A Coy at the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland. And he was temporarily buried in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was then on September 19 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: ETERNAL REST GIVE TO HIM, O LORD; AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Vivian was born on January 20 1915 in Vernon British Columbia as the son of Arthur Golding Graham and Adelaine Graham. He was married on August 10 1939 with Daphne Violet Graham, of Saltspring Island, British Columbia and their daughters were Susan and Jennifer Jane Graham.
He was a truck driver and clerk and member of the Church of England. His hobbies were fishing hunting and sports.
He enlisted on September 16 1939 in Vancouver and he went on December 31 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on February 24 1945 to NW Europe.
Vivian was killed in action on Thursday March 29 age 30 in the D Coy near Emmerich Germany during the battle of the Rhineland. And he was temporarily buried in Vrasselt Germany and he was then on February 13 1946 reburied in Groesbeek.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Donald was born on September 20 1916 in Montreal as the son of Mr. (first name unknown) and Kathleen Eyrl, of Vancouver. His stepfather was Victor Eugene Eyrl.
He was a student (agriculture) and member of the United Church. He spoke English and could write and read French.
He enlisted on November 6 1942 in Vancouver and he went on June 18 1943 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on August 13 1944 to France.
Donald was killed in action on Friday February 9 1945 age 28 in the D Coy near the Waal flats during the battle of the Rhineland. And he was temporarily buried in Nijmegen and he was then on August 6 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: NOUGHT CAN TAKE AWAY LOVE A HEART HOLDS DEAR, MEMORIES LINGER EVER AND KEEP HIM NEAR
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Photo Left Alexander and Father
Note Translation by Google translate
Alex Serediak, forgotten liberator of Zwolle
Alex Serediak does not have a street name in Zwolle, like Leo Major. There is no park named after him, as for Welly Arsenault. Nevertheless, he contributed in no small measure to the liberation of the Overijssel capital in April 1945. He lost his life there.
Like Thomas Thomas , Serediak died in Zwolle, but his name hardly ever appears in the Zwol annals, while the story of ‘liberator’ Leo Major has grown to mythical proportions.
In 2019 Edwin van der Wolf spent a lot of time in the search for family of Alex Serediak, who died on April 14, 1945 at Ittersum. Van der Wolf is one of the hard-working volunteers of the Information Cente Canadian Cemetery in Holten.
To find Serediak, he called all people with that surname in the Edmonton area of Canada. The call round to more than 20 Canadians remained fruitless. Nobody was aware of the family member who died in Zwolle. Attempts to get in touch with family tree researchers through the Ancestry genealogy platform remained fruitless. The researchers who included Serediak in their family tree did not respond to repeated requests for information. Similar searches on Facebook were just as fruitless.
Van der Wolf then sought help from the regional department of the national Canadian broadcaster CBC. That led to results. CBC traced Patricia Farrus, Serediak’s grandniece. Alex Serediak is her mother’s uncle.
Farrus knew the story of her great-uncle and her family had already visited Alex’s grave in Holten in 2016. Nevertheless, she was deeply moved by the effort Van der Wolf had made to trace her.
Farrus knew that her great-uncle was buried in the Holten Canadian Cemetery. That is not always the case. Family members often know something, but often the data about the final resting place has been erased from the collective memory – and sometimes the stories about the way someone has died are nothing more than a colored and imaginative interpretation of a faded memory.
In 2016, the Canadian National Archives (Library and Archives Canada) made available in 2016 the ‘service files’ of the soldiers who fell in the Second World War for genealogical research. The file contains selected documents from the files that often span many hundreds of pages.
In the past, targeted requests had to be made to Libray and Archives in Ottawa to view records of soldiers. It could take weeks to months for the files to become available. Now a relatively simple search via ancestry.ca is enough to view files of up to 100 pages with surprising details about the soldiers involved.
The Serediak genealogy package contains 64 pages. The file shows the image of a boy of Ukrainian descent. Brown eyes, brown hair, 1.76 meters long and weighing 73 kilos. His file contains various dates of birth. Serediak himself reports on his registration in 1944 and in his pay slip July 25, 1920 as his birthday.
Alex had left school at age 14 to work on the farm and later in the mines. Later he got a job as an electrician at the Boeing aircraft factory in Vancouver.
He had no special interests and during his inspection he did not notice any capacities that made him suitable for special army units. Suitable as an infantryman, officer EJ Kebblewhite found during the inspection on May 3, 1942.
He had reported in August 1941 when he had been drafted on the basis of national Canadian mobilization. He was released from service in February 1943, when he was hospitalized in Nanaimo, British Columbia, to be treated for his inflamed tonsils. “Unable to meet required military physical standard,” was reported in his file on January 30, 1943.
But in May 1944, he was still found fit enough to be included in the ranks. He was shipped to the UK in December 1944 and arrived on the European mainland two months later, on February 23, 1945. He was assigned to the Canadian Scottish Regiment .
On April 14, the Canscots , as the regiment was called for brevity, moved from Den Nul in the direction of Zwolle. It seemed like a nice spring trip, judging by the confused diary description. “The trip was long and full of delightful scenery,” said the regiment’s journalist. The regiment gathered south of Zwolle, where Zuthemerweg ends at Wijheseweg. The Canscots passed through the city behind Regina’s ( Regina Rifle Regiment ) without any delay. The enemy troops had already withdrawn to the west, across the IJssel. The Canscots took positions at Frankhuis, north of the city.
The last two reports in the confused diary on April 14 are: “ Casualties Other Ranks: Killed 2 Wounded 2.”
The two fallen soldiers are Alex Serediak and Thomas Thomas. It is not clear how Serediak died.
His remains were temporarily buried in Raalte at the Protestant Cemetery. On February 5, 1946, he was given a final resting place at the Canadian military cemetery in Holten.
Patricia Farrus, Alex Serediak’s great-niece, didn’t know much about her great-uncle. She had heard her mother talk about Alex before, but they didn’t really have any information. “My mom told me there were pictures of him, but that was about it. They never heard what happened. They only heard that he died in the war, ” she told the CBC News last year , after Edwin van der Wolf found her.
Thomas Thomas has received a plaque in April 2021 near the Het Anker community center in Westenholte in Zwolle. A plaque was placed for Alex Serediak in April 2021 too near the monument for the fallen pilots on the Pilotenlaan in Zwolle-Zuid. Only 76 years after the liberation of Zwolle.
This is an edited version of an article by me in the Zwols Historisch Tijdschrift .
© 2020 Jan Braakman
The telegram to Alex Serediak’s father in which he read that his son had died. Source: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War – War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 27010
Alfred Arthur Murray was born in the small town of Fernie, BC on March 7, 1916. His widower father John James Murray (born in Scotland) had two children by his first marriage. He then married Rose Hannah Sinclair, a widow born in England, who also had two children. This blended family had three more children bringing the total to seven. Alfie, as he was known to family and friends, was the second child of the three. His half siblings were: Mary (who died in 1909), John, Margaret, George and Rosa. And full siblings Alan and Agnes. Fernie, BC is in the Rocky Mountains 938 Kms east of Vancouver, BC . At that time, the area was rich with coal deposits and untouched forests. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railroad gave a market to these resources and the town flourished. The 1921 Canadian Census finds John Murray, wife Rose with all seven children living in Vancouver, BC. The address given was 119 – W 44th Ave. Alfie was listed as being 5 years old. They may have come to Vancouver about 1918 for better work opportunities for the father John. Alfie’s early schooling was in the Vancouver area and he is recorded as completing one year at Fairview High School of Commerce on 1540 W. Broadway. As a young man, Alfie worked at the Vancouver Engineering Works as a Chipper. In April of 1940 Alfie attended the wedding of a work mate Charlie Arnold. It was at this wedding that he met his future wife Alice Johnson, who was a bridesmaid. In November of this same year, Alfie’s father John J. Murray was hit by an automobile on a street in Vancouver, BC . He died in hospital of his injuries a few weeks later.
Alfred Murray and Alice Johnson were married May 17, 1941. Alice’s sisters Emily and Mary bridesmaids. Wedding Picture: L-r: Gordon Round, Emily Johnson, Alfred Arthur Murray, Alice Johnson Murray, Tommy Day, Mary Johnson. By 1943, Gordon and Tommy became his brothers-in-law marrying Alice’s sisters.
3
The BC City Directory for Vancouver, list the newlyweds as residing at 614 – W7th. The following year they moved to 453 W. Broadway. Alfie’s only child was born in early December of 1942, and was nicknamed Teddy. On March 3, 1943 a few days before his 27 birthday, Alfie joined the local Militia in 2nd Battalion, BC Regiment D.D.C.R. Regimental number K440182. On Feb. 21, 1944 he was enrolled into the Canadian Army, regimental number K2495. Then on March 13, 1944 left for Basic Training in Orillia and then Camp Borden, Ontario. His wife Alice and baby followed him to Ontario and took a small apartment in a home at 250 W. Nottawsaga, Orillia, Ontario. Alice’s youngest sister accompanied them to Ontario, working and keeping them company. This way, Alfie got to spend any leave time with wife and child. This turned out to be the last times he would ever get to spend with his son. Following basic training, Alfie was given 15 days leave ending October 30th, 1944. Then on Nov. 24th he was shipped to England, disembarking Dec. 6, 1944. Alice, together with her sister with baby Teddy, returned to Vancouver by CP Rail. Military records note the change of address from Vancouver to Orillia and then back to Vancouver. Alfie found himself in England with the names and addresses of many of his Father-in-law’s British family. He was able to visit them all. His letters home showed just how welcome he was made by the families. He managed to have a wonderful time on any leave he was given. He wrote lots of letters home. Alice shared the news with her parents and sisters, but kept all the romantic bits to herself. These letters included plans for their future. Regular mail was extremely slow, so the family in Vancouver relished all the news they could get. The letters are still in the possession of Alfie’s son these many years later. Records obtained from Library and Archives Canada clearly show the following sequence of events: February 9, 1945 sent to NW Europe, February 10, 1945 arrived. February 23 assigned to the Regina Rifles. March 13, 1945 assigned to the Canadian Scottish. The family story is – on learning that a number of his friends from Vancouver were in the Canadian Scottish, he requested the transfer. The following information was provided to us from CFB Esquimalt Navy and Military Museum in Victoria, BC: “Transfers between units were not common, but they were not unheard of. Relationships with men in other units, or past service with the other unit were the most common reasons for this. It was rare in the period immediately after D-Day, but became a bit more common later in the war as the need for manpower became a less pressing concern. I note that your uncle was part of a group of 15 that transferred to 1 CScotR on 13 Mar, a large group for this sort of thing.”
4
On Tuesday April 9, 1945, Alfie volunteered to take the place of another soldier who was in sick bay. That evening while out on patrol, he was shot and killed by a sniper near Deventer at the age of 29. This telegram dated April 20, 1945 was sent to the family.
On June 26, 1946 a letter was received by the family advising them that “the remains of your husband have been carefully exhumed from the original place of internment and reverently reburied on December 17 1945 in Holten, Holland”. A letter dated April 7, 1948 forwarded to the widow Alice Murray, indicates that the grave had been adopted by a Miss F. J. Nijenhuis. She would ensure that the grave was cared for. I believe this job gradually passed to others and we are very grateful for this dedication. Some years later, a young man visited Mrs. Alice Murray to say that he was the soldier who was taken ill, and was whom Alfie had gone out on patrol for the evening he was killed. He told them what a wonderful person Alfie was and how sorry he was that Alfie was gone. Alice and Teddy lived with her parents in the intervening years. She kept in touch with the Murray family so that they would know Alfie’s son and see him grow. She remarried in 1950, adopted two children and fostered countless others. Alfie’s mother Rose Hannah Murray lived to the grand age of 102, dying in 1981. Alice, widowed again in 1977, died in 2005. Son Teddy married, had two children, four grandchildren and now, one just born Great Grandson.
We will remember them
Written by Marlene Dance, cousin
Calvin was born on July 8 1924 in Rocky Mountain House Alberta, the son of Theodore William Earl Brown (USA) and Ethel Vorise Creasey Brown (USA) of New Westminster BC. His brothers were Jesse and Robert Brown.
He was a farmer and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on October 8 1943 in Calgary and went overseas to the UK on June May 7 1944 and disembarked France on June 13. He was injured on February 18 1945 during the battle of the Rhineland (Germany) and he returned to his battalion on February 25.
Calvin was killed in action on Friday April 27 1945 age 20 in the D Coy near the Leda River during the battle of Leer (Germany) and he was temporarily buried in Ihrhove (Germany) and reburied on March 12 1946 in Holten.
On his headstone: A faithful soldier’s Noble end But sadly missed
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Clinton was born on April 11 1914 in Calgary as the son of Richard Copeland Hetherington and Maimie Christine Hetherington, of Calgary. He was the husband of Pauline Hetherington, of Calgary. He had four brothers: Pte Arnold, Pte Jack, both overseas, Hilliard and Wilburn Hetherington.
His profession was a fitter and he was a member of the United Church. He was well-known as a very well lacrosse player.
He enlisted on March 15 1944 in Vancouver and disembarked the UK on October 15 1944 and went thereafter to NW Europe on December 30 1944. He was taken on strength with the Canadian Scottish Regiment on January 6 1945.
Clinton was killed in action on Tuesday April 10 1945 at the age of 30 during the battle of Deventer. He was temporarily buried in Oxe near Deventer and was reburied on December 17 1945 in Holten.
At his headstone: Loved in life And not forgotten
His Medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal: CVSM & Clasp.
Edward was born on September 15 1918, the son of Bert and Ellen Underwood of Saanichton British Columbia. His brothers were Benjamin, George and Harry Underwood and his sisters: Adeline, Marjory, Bertha, Mary, Esther, Bernadette and Patricia Underwood.
He was a Tsawout First Nation because of his both parents were.
He was a fisherman and member of the Methodist Church.
He enlisted in Victoria British Columbia on September 20 1939 and went on September 2 1941 then overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on July 3 to France. He was involved then with the further advance of his regiment through NW Europe.
Edward died on Wednesday November 17 1945 age 27 during an emergency operation of tuberculosis-related complications in a Canadian hospital in Oldenburg (Germany). He was temporarily buried in Osterscheps (Germany) before being reburied on March 6 1946 in Holten.
His medals were: 1939-1945 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal and the CVSM & Clasp.
Edwin was born on May 18 1922, the son of Ernest W. and Rosa A. Emery, of Blackpool, British Columbia i n the farming community of Lake Domay, Alberta. After about ten months’ t r a i n i n g and s e r v i c e under NRMA terms, he volunteered f o r a c t i v e duty i n the a r t i l l e r y a t Victoria on 16 Aug 44. A t Debert NS on 25 Sep he t r a n s f e r r e d t o infantry and arrived i n UK on 29 Nov 44. After h i s a r r i v a l i n NW Europe on 15 Feb 45 he first served with the Royal Regina Rifle Regiment in the Rhineland, and on 14 Mar 45 t r a n s f e r r e d t o 1 C SCOT R, in ‘D’ Coy. He served in the engagements at Emmerich and Deventer.
Edwin was killed in action on Saturday April 21 45 age 22 on the first day of the battle to liberate Wagenborgen. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten.
On his headstone: HOPE FOR A RESURRECTION
His medals were:1939-45 Star, France Germany Star, War Medal 1945; CVSM & Clasp.
His name is mentioned at the monument in Wagenborgen.
Emile was born on October 31 1920 at Dauphin, Manitoba, the son of Auguste and Stephney Soens, of Brighouse, British Columbia.
He was working as a truck driver in the Kamloops area of BC when he volunteered for active duty and was assigned to 1 C SCOT R in Victoria BC. He served with the unit in Canada and arrived with it in the UK on 2 Sep 41, His training and service continued in the battalion
during 1942-44, and he landed in Normandy on 6 Jun 44 on D-Day as a member of Support Company, in the Carrier Platoon.
Emile as a member of the flame-thrower section of his platoon was killed in action on Saturday April 1945 age 24 during the first attack for the liberation of Wagenborgen. He was temporarily buried in Groningen and he was on February 13 1946 reburied in Holten.
He may also have been there because he had some fluency in the Dutch language.
On his headstone: JUST AWAY
His medals were: 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, War Medal 1945; Defence Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
His name is mentioned at the monument in Wagenborgen.
Fred was born on 31 Jul 1906 in St Gallen in Switzerland, as the son of Albrecht and Susette Wirth (deceased), of St. Gallen. His fiancee was Alice Lancaster. His brother was Hans Wirth in Switzerland and two other brothers Albrecht and Ernest Wirth died already earlier in Switzerland. His sisters of Switzerland were Mrs. Susi Shiesser-nee Wirth and Mrs. Frieda Stark nee Wirth. His friend Ernest Keller of Cranbrook British Columbia was his executor. He was member of the Presbyterian Church and spoke English, German and read well French.
It is not known when he or his family emigrated to Canada, but on 1 Sep 42 he had been working as a logger a t Cranbrook when he volunteered f o r active duty and was posted to 110 CABTC a t Vernon for basic t r a i n i n g , On 18 Nov 42 he proceeded to A.3 CATC a t Shilo where he transferred to service corps and was posted on 15 Jan 43 t o /I26 Coy RCASC a t Prince George BC, On 1 Jul 44 he was posted to 1 Cdn Inf Training Brigade a t Debert NS, and disembarked in UK on 5 Dec 44, i n 1 CASCRU, On 10 Dec 44 he transferred to the infantry and was sent on 17 Feb 45 to NW Europe, where he joined 1 C SCOT R on 25 Feb 45 in the Rhineland,
He served with ‘D’ Coy at Emmerich and Deventer, and in the f i r s t attack f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of Wagenborgen he was f i r s t a s ‘Missing’.
Fred was killed in action on Saturday April 21 1945 age 38. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten. A family of Almelo adopted his grave after the war.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, War Medal 1945; CVSM & Clasp.
His name is at the monument in Wagenborgen.
Geoffrey was born on July 20 1925 in Vancouver, the son of Henry and E. Lily Ohr (both English), of Vancouver. His parents were married on October 24 1920 in North Battleford Saskatchewan. His brothers were John Henry and Gerald George Ohr and his sisters were Gladys Joyce Forgie and Constance Lily, Helene Pearl and Marion Edith Ohr.
He was a construction helper and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on October 21 1943 in Vancouver and he went overseas to the UK on December 9 1944 and he went thereafter on February 12 1945 to NW Europe.
Geoffrey died of wounds on Saturday April 28 age 19 in the D Coy near the Leda River during the battle of Leer (Germany) and he was temporarily buried in Wettringen (Germany) and reburied on April 15 1946 in Holten.
On his headstone: LOVED AND LONGED FOR ALWAYS BY DAD AND MOM, TWO BROTHERS AND FOUR SISTERS
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Albert was born on May 26 1923 in De Bilt Holland as the son of (father unknown) and Rosa Von Lima-Bouma (German) in a Roman Catholic family in De Bilt. His mother was remarried on July 25 1945 after a divorce.
It is not known when he or his family emigrated to Canada, but he worked as an auto mechanic apprentice in Vancouver, when he enlisted on October 1942. His basic training was at the 112 CABTC Chilliwack BC, and was finished in February March 1943 at the A.16 in Calgary.
He went overseas to the UK on May 22 1943 and he was taken on strength with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, the Monk’s Common in Sussex and he became in active service on June 19 1943.
He landed on June 6 1944 during D-Day in Normandy in the D Company and survived this and the heavy losses by his regiment during the battle of Putot en Bessin (France) on June 8 and 9. He was in the last weeks of the war with the ‘A’ Company in Wagenborgen Groningen.
Albert was killed in action there on Monday April 23 age 21 and he was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and he was on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten.
His medals were: the 1939-45 Star, the France Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal; the CVSM & Clasp.
His name is at the monument in Wagenborgen.