THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
The Netherlands
Horace was born on July 16 1913 in Sydney Nova Scotia, the son of Thomas and Alice Mullins of Vancouver. He was married with Doris Monica Mullins of Vancouver.
He was a steward and member of the Church of England.
He enlisted on September 13 1939 in Vancouver and he went on May 26 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on November 16 1944 to NW Europe.
Horace was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 31 in the C Coy at the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland. He was temporarily buried then in Bedburg Hau Germany before being reburied on September 19 1945 in Groesbeek.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp. He was awarded on January 12 1944 too the Canadian Efficiency Medal.
Michael was born on April 6 1918 in North Vancouver as the son of James ( deceased in 1941) and Amy Clark MacKenzie of North Vancouver. They were married on June 6 1912 in Vancouver. His brother was Peter Scott and his sister Margarita Agnes Clark MacKenzie.
He was a clerk and member of the Presbyterian Church. He spoke English and French.
He enlisted on July 1 1940 in North Vancouver and he went on June 22 1941 overseas to the UK and he returned on May 1 1943 to Canada for his officer’s education and he disembarked as a lieutenant the UK on February 24 1944 again. And he went thereafter on July 3 to France and he was wounded in action on September 7 1944 and he was evacuated then to an English hospital and he went on November 10 to NW Europe.
Michael was killed in action on Saturday November 25 1944 age 26 in the C Coy near Groesbeek. And he was temporarily buried in Nijmegen and he was then on August 8 1945 reburied in Groesbeek. His grave was on July 1 1946 adopted by a man of Nijmegen.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Arnold was born on April 27 1921 in Dundurn Saskatchewan as the son of James and Etta Mabel Martindale. He was married on December 2 1939 with Penuel Grant Martindale, of Vancouver. Their daughters were Joyce Geraldine Anne and Florence Janet Therese Martindale. Penuel remarried after the war as Mrs. Rosso.
He was a salesman and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on February 28 1944 in Vancouver and he went on August 11 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on November 4 to NW Europe.
Arnold was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 23 in the C 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 13 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Arthur was born on October 14 1920 in Dalhousie New Brunswick as the son of John Cook Black and Jessie Ward Black, of Black Point, Restigouche Co, New Brunswick. His brother was Willard A. and sister Ethel W. Black.
He was a clerk/bookkeeper and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on September 3 1940 in Moncton New Brunswick and he went on August 19 1941 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on June 6 1944 to France for the D-day landing.
Arthur was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 23 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 13 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: BELOVED SON OF JOHN AND JESSIE BLACK, BLACK POINT, N.B. HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
John was born on January 12 1925 in Cranbrook British Columbia as the son of Mr. (name unknown and American) and Dorothy Ellen (England) Fraser. He was the stepson of Gustav Edwardson, of Fraser Mills, British Columbia. His sister was Ann May Fraser.
He was a mill hand and member of the Church of England.
He enlisted on September 8 1943 in Vancouver and he went on May 7 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter as reinforcement on June 9 to France. He went on July 7 for an appendicitis to an English hospital and disembarked on November 11 again NW Europe.
John was killed in action on Monday February 19 1945 age 20 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: IN OUR HOME HE IS FONDLY REMEMBERED, SWEET MEMORIES CLING TO HIS NAME. His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
An athletic farmers son, killed between Wehl and Didam
Alexander James (Jim for short) Miller was an athletic type. When he had a physical in March1943 when he was 19 years old, Lieutenant W. M. Pecover, who performed the physical, noted that Miller’s fitness level was optimal in all categories. He was in prime health, excellent build, perfect length and weight. “This combination was”, according to Pecover “the most important trump card of this man as a soldier.”
But Pecover also noted a minus. “He has a modicum of muscle but a lack of mental prowess.” Miller had enough intellect to be trained as a soldier. Though his peak would be reached in executing “general manual routine tasks.”
Miller was the eldest of three children. He was born January 8 1924 in High River, Alberta. His parents (Alexander and Mary Miller) had a farm, where he as the eldest son worked his fair share. Eight years younger sister (Jean) and three years younger brother (Robert) also worked at the farm of their parents, a 320 acres large mixed agrarian business. Like most farms in Alberta: a large portion was reserved for the growing of grain, which partly were consumed by the cattle (raised for meat). The Millers farm was of average size in Alberta. The farm had a tractor, some horses and several sheep. Two of the horses were Jims. His father bought the farm after he had returned from the Great War (WW I) unscathed.
Nineteen-year-old Jim was eager to follow in this father’s footsteps on the farm. When he nevertheless enlisted in the Canadian army in 1943 he explained it thus: I expect to be drafted anyway.
In May 1943, a few months after his enlistment, his health seemed not as spectacular as established at his physical. Miller developed lung problems and contracted the measels. Reason for the attending army doctor to send him home for two weeks on sick leave
Jim returned in the ranks and got a clean bill of health. He completed the basic training and in November 1943 he heard he was to be shipped to Europe. Early December he arrived in het United Kingdom.
Jim Miller was placed with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, with which he arrived on July 22 1944 at the battlefield in France. The first months he survived unscathed. But in November 1944 his parent received a disturbing message. Their eldest was wounded, the telegram said. What and the severity of the wound(s) was left to their imagination (classified).
Jim was shot in his foot, but not during combat. It was an accident. Jim was billeted in Ghent (Belgium) together with others whom he did not know personally (yet). He was recently placed in another company within the regiment. Another soldier, from C-company, was cleaning his rifle, when he placed the magazine in the weapon, it went off. The bullit wounded Jims right foot. Luckily the wound wasn’t severe. Four weeks later he was healed and he could rejoin his regiment.
Nevertheless the second of April 1945 his number was up, when he with the Canadian Scottish Regiment advanced through the Achterhoek East Holland.
The C-company of the Canadian Scottish Regiment was in the lead when they around midday received order to go westward from Wehl to Didam. The war diary of the regiment notes that C-company encountered the first German resistance in the woods halfway to Didam. D-company was also engaged in the firefight. “After a short but severe battle in which the enemy claimed four lives”, according to the war diary, the CanScots captured 20 German prisoners of war. One of those four mentioned was probably Jim Miller. Two days later he was interred in the cemetery of Kilder. His parents received the most dreaded telegram on 9 April in which they were informed of the death of their son.
The farm of the Millers was continued by Jims brother Robert. Jims father died in 1971, his mother in 1988. Robert Miller and his wife Isobel Mae Hardonk raised six children on the farm. Until shortly before his death in November 2021 Robert tinkered with an old-timer John Deere tractor. Jim and Roberts sister Jean died in June 2006.
In 1946 Jim Millers remains were finally laid to rest on the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Alexander James Miller is buried in plot 19, row C, grave 8.
Written by Jan Braakman © 2022
Translated by E.J.-W. Dul 2022
Alfred was born on January 17 1922 in Granger NY USA as the son of Alfred Henry and Frances Phoebe Kingsley, of Dalton, New York, U.S.A. They were married on April 24 1912 in Fillmore NY USA. His fiancé was Miss J.B. Moss of Kilburn London England.
His brother was Charles Kingsley and his sisters were Mrs. Ella May Evans, Mrs. Evelyn Godwin and Frances M., Grace M. and Caroline V. Kingsley.
He was a labourer and member of the Evangelical Church.
He enlisted on December 22 1941 in Hamilton Ontario and he went on March 23 1942 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on September 7 1944 to France.
Alfred was killed in action on Wednesday March 28 age 23 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.
At his headstone: GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE ME”
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Andrew was born on April 18 1916 in Kelowna British Columbia as the son of Charles Emile J. and Odila Marty, of Kelowna.
He was a logger and member of the Roman Catholic Church.
He enlisted on April 7 1943 in Boundary British Columbia and he went on October 20 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on December 29 to NW Europe.
Andrew was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 28 in the C 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 12 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: SACRED TO HIS MEMORY. A FAITHFUL SON AND BROTHER. MAY HE REST IN PEACE
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Angelo was born on July 11 1924 in Oshawa Ontario geboren als zoon van E. James Colucci en Florence R. Colucci, uit Cornwall, Ontario. Zijn vader Kwan uit Italië en zijn moeder was Canadese.
He had three sisters Marion (17), Kathaleen (13) and the youngest one was Genevieve Colucci (10 jr.).
He was a musician (guitar) and he worked too as assistant foreman of producing cloths at the Cornwall Pants & Prince Clothing. He was single and member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Angelo enlisted on September 15 1943 in Kingston Ontario and he went on June 24 1944 overseas to the UK. He went thereafter on October 17 to Belgium and he was taken on strength on October 24 to the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
He was missed first and was killed in action on Sunday February 18 1945 age 20 in the C Coy at the Moyland Wood during the battle of the Rhineland. The family received the confirmation of this on March 19 1945. He was temporarily buried in in Bedburg Hau Germany and he was on September 212 1945 reburied in Groesbeek.
At his headstone: IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR SON ANGELO LOST IN BATTLE. MAY HE REST IN PEACE
George was born on September 21 1916 in Yorkton Saskatchewan as the son of Mr. and Mrs. Collins (both deceased). He was the youngest of 6 siblings and he was after the death of his mother at the age of four placed in an orphanage and thereafter raised up by his father till his death at the age of 9 of George . And he was after that further raised up till fourteen by his sister and then again placed in an orphanage for three years.
His sister Helen Collins of Toronto was his next of kin and his friend and buddy in the army was Robert Reisig of Chilliwack British Columbia.
He was a labourer and member of the United Church. He liked picture shows , swimming, billiards, poker and a little boxing.
He enlisted on January 8 1940 in Regina Saskatchewan and he went overseas to the UK on February 8 1940 and he went thereafter on December 31 1944 to NW Europe.
George was killed in action on Friday April 27 1945 age 28 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. His grave was thereafter adopted by Mr./Mrs. I. van Maarsen of Deventer.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Gerald was born on June 7 1922 (but the real date is May 25 1925) in Woodstock Ontario as the son of Walter and Sarah Annie Mason, of Toronto.
He was a factory hand and he was a member of the United Church.
He enlisted on May 1 1942 in Toronto and they discovered after that that he was just 17 years and he was then discharged then but he was thereafter attested on October 6 1943 again for the army.
He went on August 10 1944 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on September 8 to France.
Gerald was killed in action on Monday April 9 1945 age 19 in the D Coy during the battle of Deventer and he was temporarily buried in Oxe near Deventer and was reburied on December 17 1945 in Holten.
At his headstone: AWAY FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AWAY FROM HIS KIN BEING TOO GOOD FOR EARTH HEAVEN VOWS TO KEEP HIM
His grave was adopted then by a then 17 years old girl from Holten.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal: CVSM & Clasp.
Harry was born on April 8 1912 in Glasgow Scotland,the son of Alex Mann MacPherson and Jane Bell MacPherson. His parents were married on July 10 1907 in Leith Scotland. He was married on May 2 1942 in Vancouver with Gwendolyn Eva MacPherson nee King, of Vancouver. Their daughter was Barbara Jean Elizabeth. His brother was James Alexander MacPherson and his sister Evelyn Annie Margaret Langford.
He was a sales clerk and member of the Presbyterian Church.
He enlisted on August 14 1943 in Vancouver and he went overseas to the UK on November 29 1944 and he went thereafter on December 30 to NW Europe. He was wounded in action on February 28 1945.
Harry was serious wounded on April 28 in the D Coy near Leer Germany and he died of wounds on Sunday April 29 age 33 and he was temporarily buried in Meppen (Germany) and reburied on March 18 1946 in Holten.
On his headstone: IN FONDEST MEMORY. YOUR LOVING WIFE AND DAUGHTER, PARENTS, BROTHER AND SISTER
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.
Henry was born on 19 January 1921 in the farm community of La Jord, Saskatchewan, the son of Karl and Wilhelmina Renner, of White Rock, British Columbia.
He worked as a mill hand in Victoria British Columbia till called up for training and service under the NRMA in April 1942, He volunteered for active duty on 15 Jul 44 at Fort Mary Hill while serving in 5(BC) Cst Def Regt RCA, and transferred to infantry at the 1st Cdn Inf Training Brigade at Debert NS on 16 Jul 44.
He arrived in the UK on 21 Oct 44, and went on to NW Europe on 18 Nov, He joined 1 C SCOT R on 1 Dec 44 in the Nijmegen Salient, and was wounded by enemy action on 18 Jan 45, and was evacuated to Nos. 8 and 12 Cdn General Hospitals in Belgium, On 5 Apr 45 he rejoined the unit as a member of ‘D’ Coy, just before the fighting at Deventer.
Henry was killed in action on Saturday April 21 1945 age 24 during the first attack for the liberation of Wagenborgen. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten
On his headstone: BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD REVELATION XIV.13
His medals were: 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star; War Medal 1945CVSM & Clasp.
His name is mentioned at the monument in Wagenborgen.
James Laurence Auchterlonie, the beloved son of Rutherford Hope Auchterlonie and Florence Bryant Neunham (English) was born on December 7 1924 in Victoria, British Columbia. His father was already deceased when he enlisted and he was the oldest child and he had three younger sisters: Marguerite and Doreen Auchterlonie and half-sister Carol Neunham, where he has unfortunately to say farewell to when he went into the army. He was an active member of the United Church of England and before the war he was at the Esquimalt High School. James was an apprentice for a short time as a boat builder and he hoped after the war to do this as a business.
James enlisted on September 1 1943 at the age of 19 in Vancouver. He did not have a military training, but they thought him yet suitable for service. He served in Canada from September 1943 till November 1944, and he went thereafter tot the UK from November 1944 till February 1945, and then he went finally to NW Europe till April 1945.
James was killed in action unfortunately on Friday April 13 1945 age 20 in the A Coy either between Deventer and Olst or during the liberation of Olst. He was temporarily buried at the general cemetery in Diepenveen and on April 9 1946 reburied in Holten.
At his headstone: He lives in our hearts Beloved and unforgotten
His medals were: The 1939 – 1945 Star; The France and Germany Star; The War Medal; The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp.
He just served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment from February 25 1945.
His name is mentioned since May 4 2019 at the war monument in Olst.
James was born on 6 Nov 1923 a t Kamloops BC as the son of Samuel Avoca and Lillian Ann Power.,
He was c a l l e d up f o r t r a i n i n g and service in June 1941. He served in the home defence b a t t a l i o n of The Edmonton
F u s i l i e r s in Western Canada and in Royal Rifles of Canada i n Eastern Canada u n t i l 1 Jan 45, when he was d e t a i l e d f o r overseas duty, and a r r i v e d in the UK on 10 Jan 45. He continued to NW Europe on 18 Mar 45, and joined 1 C SCOT R on 2 Apr 45, just before the
f i g h t i n g a t Deventer.
James was killed in action on Saturday April 21 1945 age 21 as a member of ‘D’ Coy during the f i r s t a t t a c k f o r the l i b e r a t i o n of Wagenborgen. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten.
At his headstone: SADLY MISSED BY ALL. “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD”
His medals were: the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, the War Medal 1945.
His name is at the monument in Wagenborgen.
John was born on May 2 1917 in Rossland British Columbia, the son of John Duncan and Catherine Margaret Cameron of Vancouver. His parents were married on January 22 1916 in Sydney Nova Scotia. His sisters were Mrs. Mary Ann Wardley, Mrs. Margaret Jessie Combs and Mrs. Katherine Valerie Sevriene.
He was a mill worker and member of Roman Catholic Church.
He enlisted on July 14 1940 in Vancouver and he went on October 9 1942 overseas to the UK and he went thereafter on June 6 1944 to France for the D-Day landing. He was also wounded on June 9 and was evacuated to a hospital in the UK and he went after that to France again on July 30.
John was killed in action on Saturday April 28 1945 age 27 near the Leda River during the battle of Leer in Germany. And he was temporarily buried in Ihrhove Germany and was reburied on March 12 1946 in Holten.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal: CVSM & Clasp.
John was born on March 23 1913 in Vancouver as the son of Guy (deceased) and Mary Lenora Branscomb (both Americans) of North Vancouver. He had a sister who supported his mother.
He was a welder and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on April 27 1943 in Vancouver after an unknown period of time with the Ordnance Corps, and he went for the basis training to the 31 CABTC in Cornwall, Ontario. He was on August 13 1944 transferred to Camp Borden Ontario to complete his education, and he went overseas to the UK on 1st Christmas Day December 25 1944 and he went thereafter on March 18 1945 to NW-Europe and he was on April 2 attached to the the D Coy of the Canadian Scottish Regiment. He took part during the fights in Didam, Deventer and Zwolle.
John was killed in action on Monday April 23 1945 age 22 at the last day of the battle of the liberation of Wagenborgen Groningen. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten.
His medals were:1939-45 Star, France Germany Star, War Medal 1945; CVSM & Clasp.
His name is at the monument in Wagenborgen.
John was born on 30 Jan 1917 at Calgary as the son of John and Elizabeth Hughes. His brothers were Ronald en Ernest Hughes.
In 1942 he was called up under the NRMA terms and served 26 months in the RCA at various locations. On 26 Jun 44 at Prince Rupert BC he volunteered for active duty and on 16 Sep 44 proceeded to 1st Training Brigade at Debert NS.
On 10 Jan 45 he arrived in UK and was sent on to NW Europe on 17 Feb 45. He joined 1 C SCOT R in ‘A’ Coy on 25 Feb 45, and saw action in the Rhineland and, Emmerich and Deventer.
John was killed in action on Monday April 23 age 28, the last day of fighting for the liberation of Wagenborgen. He was temporarily buried in Siddeburen and on February 15 1946 reburied in Holten.
At his headstone: IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON EVER REMEMBERED BY MOM, DAD, ERNEST AND ROLAND
His medals were: 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, War Medal 1945; CVSM & Clasp.
His name is at the monument in Wagenborgen.
John was born on November 26 1925 in Kuskie Idaho USA as the son of Edward Lee and Goldia Violet Cook (both Americans), of Grand Forks, British Columbia. His brothers were Howard E. (also in the army overseas) , Martin H. and Garfield Cook. His sisters were Mrs. Audrey Neven, Mrs. B.L. Brown and Alberta, Phyllis G., Mary E., Shirley F. and Louise M. Cook. And sister Martha Lee Cook already died in 1924.
He was a farmer and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on June 29 1944 in Vancouver and he went overseas to the UK on February 9 1945 and disembarked NW Europe on April 11. His father has sent on October 1944 a written request to the army if John could come home to help with the work at home because his mother was invalid and waiting for an operation and he had to work too and to raise too his brother and sister and four young ones too. And his brother Howard was wounded in Italy and was recovering in Vancouver.
John died of wounds on Friday April 27 1945 age 19 in the C Coy near the Leda River during the battle of Leer (Germany) and he was temporarily buried in Meppen (Germany) and reburied on March 18 1946 in Holten.
At his headstone: A BELOVED SON AND BROTHER. “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD”
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.