VoiceMap of the cemetery by Jan Braakman
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Thank you greatly for your assistance proferred to Jan Braakman and his team in Holten Netherlands in regards to the Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery ICB in their quest to honour World War II soldiers.
Attached is a reply received from Jan about their in person interview trip across Canada starting on September 20, 2019.
If you have any follow up questions or information please contact Jan directly.
September 20, 2019
Hi all,
Just a couple of hours before our departure to Canada I want to express my gratitude to all of you who assisted in any way in our interview project for the Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, Netherlands.
There are too many people who contacted us in the last months to thank them personally. Your efforts resulted in a tour to from Montreal to Medicine Hat. We will conduct ten interviews with dear friends, brothers, sisters and children of men buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery.
We realize that some were disappointed unfortunately, but there were simply far too many people who we could interview. We had to make a selection.
Our selection was based on a set of criteria of which the main points were: Is the interviewee closely related to the soldier buried in Holten? Is he or she still able to tell a coherent story? Is it logistically feasible to visit the candidate interviewee within the limited time we have? Are there more than one candidates at approximately the same spot?
If all the answers to these questions were ‘yes’, then we decided to try to make an appointment.
We thank different media, genealogical organizations and several individuals who gave us a lot of attention.
Now we, Margriet Dekkers, Sander Jongsma and I, have the honour to interview these men and women, who can tell their personal stories about their brothers, friends or fathers who gave their lives for our liberty, 75 years ago.
Thanks again.
Lest we forget!
Jan Braakman
Coordinator and interviewer Interview Project
http://www.qc.legion.ca/PDF/command/ICB_in_Holten_Netherlands_e.pdf
Canadese Begraafplaats Holten
Jan Braakman
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-dutch-liberation-anniversary-to-be-marked-with-new-documentary/
https://saskgenweb.site123.me/articles/information-centre-canadian-war-cemetery-icb-in-holten-netherlands-honours-world-war-ii-soldiers
PS Please forward this webpage to anyone who have assisted you to help us!
The Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery (ICB) in Holten, Netherlands is planning to interview relatives (siblings, spouses, children, other relatives, friends) of deceased soldiers who are buried in Holten. We plan to visit the interviewees at their homes in Canada Autumn 2019. How to get in touch with the ICB interview project
Our intention is to get more Information about the soldiers who are buried in Holten, as well as get an impression of what the loss of a brother, father, son, friend meant for those who left behind. We would like to have your cooperation in finding people, and maybe you yourself might be a good informant to interview.
Please share your thoughts and possible candidates. If you, yourself personally, are not aware of contact information for any of these soldiers, can you kindly or send a communication in this regards to social media such as a facebook page, the historical society or museum, a library or archives, the military detachment, the local Royal Canadian Legion branch, and or the local media for your area, please?
Where did they live? https://nl.batchgeo.com/map/whereditheylive
Places of birth or places of residence of soldiers buried at Canadian War Cemetery Holten, Netherlands
Thanks for your help, Jan Braakman jan.braakman AT gmail.com
Volunteer/researcher at ICB [Jan Braakman's website and contact form]
Its coming up to the 75 Liberation Anniversary remembering May 5, 1945, which is celebrated in the Netherlands. The Canadians fought the Germans who had occupied the Netherlands for five years, and following a nine-month campaign with many lives lost on the battlefield, the Germans capitulated.
Holten Canadian War Cemetery aerial photo Archangel12
The darkness of those years is related by Brian Stewart, CBC News, "Under German occupation from 1940 to '45, the Dutch suffered more deaths per capita than any other Western European ally. The vast majority of its Jews, 106,000, were deported and murdered; thousands of other Dutch were dragged into slave labour, while all suffered as Nazis looted the land and even blew the dikes in the terrible winter of 1944-45 to try and block the Allied advance. The ensuing flooding contributed to a famine that killed 18,000.... After forcing the German surrender, Canadian soldiers joined in the celebrations, then quietly began delivering food and volunteered to work restoring the devastated farms and towns."
As David Common, CBC News, states, "Around 14,000 Canadians came ashore at Normandy in 1944 ” those who survived those battles and the many decades since are few in number." "The 'Canadian War Cemetery Holten' on the Holterberg is one of the most impressive reminders of the Second World War. In the spring of 1945, after five years of oppression, Canadian troops were principally responsible for the liberation of northern and eastern Netherlands. During the liberation operations, many Canadian liberators paid the ultimate price. In an historic setting, 1,394 military have found their final resting place at the Canadian Military Cemetery," states Liberation Route Europe.
There are three Netherlands Canadian war cemeteries. Along with the Holten, Groesbeek Canadian Military Cemetery, and Bergen-Op-Zoom, and the ICB is the Information Centre for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, Netherlands.
Can you help the volunteers at the Information Centre Canadian War Cemetery (ICB) in Holten, Netherlands commemorate and honour the fallen soldiers who gave the supreme sacrifice, and are buried at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery?
For Saskatchewan, there were about 75 fallen soldiers, here are the names of those who fell and are buried at the Canadian War Cemetery (ICB) in Holten, Netherlands.
This list of soldiers with Saskatchewan roots is from an excellent interactive map from ICB Where did they live? https://nl.batchgeo.com/map/whereditheylive. Where did they live also has information on the other Canadian soldiers who gave the supreme sacrifice as well.
Surname | Given name | Rank | Registration Number | Regiment | Date of death | Plotnumber | address | longitude | latitude |
Allen | Kenneth G. | Pte | L/64643 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 03-5-45 | 06 E 15 | Indian Head Saskatchewan | -103.6699014 | 50.5333571 |
Bailey | John | Cpl | K/50018 | The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada | 12-4-45 | 01 D 03 | Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Batyski | John J. | Pte | L/106585 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 28-4-45 | 05 E 15 | Ituna Saskatchewan | -103.495758 | 51.17057 |
Bells | Robert W. | Lt | The South Saskatchewan Regiment | 11-4-45 | 03 B 14 | Quill Lake Saskatchewan | -104.256388 | 52.0698056 | |
Belton | Francis E. | Cpl | L/64364 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 09-4-45 | 02 B 12 | Star City Saskatchewan | -104.3298037 | 52.8636173 |
Binkley | Robert E. | Pte | L/608756 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 28-4-45 | 06 E 05 | Etomami Saskatchewan | -102.3175 | 52.732894 |
Birkett | Thomas P. | Trp | L/102635 | The British Columbia Regt | 25-4-45 | 08 B 10 | Blaine Lake Saskatchewan | -106.8801788 | 52.8297257 |
Bisschop | Joseph C. | Rfn | L/106420 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 12-5-45 | 08 E 08 | Sheho Saskatchewan | -103.2111635 | 51.5879975 |
Boucher | Arthur A. | Pte | B/139519 | The Lincoln and Welland Regiment | 21-4-45 | 10 A 02 | Biggar Saskatchewan | -107.983556 | 52.057145 |
Bouvier | Maurice A. | Gdsmn | L/107130 | The Canadian Grenadier Guards | 15-4-45 | 08 F 04 | Gravelbourg Saskatchewan | -106.5573172 | 49.8756758 |
Brown | James A. | Pte | A/115699 | The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada | 17-4-45 | 11 A 15 | Moose Jaw Saskatchewan | -105.5348562 | 50.3915811 |
Chudyk | Steve | Rfn | L/153547 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 25-4-45 | 11 G 11 | Oakshela Saskatchewan | -102.7597229 | 50.396869 |
Couture | Gaston J. | Pte | H/14575 | The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada | 27-4-45 | 10 B 15 | Meyronne Saskatchewan | -106.8397421 | 49.6691108 |
Craig | Lyle L. | Tpr | L/107016 | The South Alberta Regt | 19-4-45 | 12 C 05 | Paddockwood Saskatchewan | -105.5618136 | 53.5078919 |
Craik | Robert J. | Pte | K/3266 | The Canadian Scottish Regt | 09-4-45 | 01 A 16 | Saskatoon Saskatchewan | -106.6700458 | 52.1332144 |
Dautremont | Louis S. | Pte | L/65148 | The Canadian Scottish Regt | 21-4-45 | 06 D 06 | Alida Saskatchewan | -101.872511 | 49.3886408 |
Davies | Leonard G. | Cpl | L/53545 | 14th Canadian Hussars | 09-4-45 | 03 D 11 | Bredenbury Saskatchewan | -102.0525648 | 50.9380585 |
Ell | Canisius J. | Rfn | L/107958 | The Royal Winnipeg Rifles | 10-4-45 | 02 A 15 | Sedley Saskatchewan | -104.0133311 | 50.1700381 |
Ellis | Stanley | Pte | L/22851 | The Algonquin Regt | 27-4-45 | 11 A 10 | Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Flatt | John M. | Rfn | L/610682 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 30-4-45 | 12 A 16 | Fenwood Saskatchewan | -103.050702 | 51.0116847 |
Forde | H.R. | Cpl | L/53890 | Lord Strathcona's Horse | 15-4-45 | 02 B 06 | Swift Current Saskatchewan | -107.7971722 | 50.285069 |
Glavin | John A. | L Sgt | L/102546 | The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada | 20-4-45 | 08 C 06 | Lakenheath Saskatchewan | -106.275148 | 49.546852 |
Graham | John J. | Pte | L/107406 | Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry | 15-7-45 | 10 F 11 | Leroy Saskatchewan | -104.7385969 | 52.0002117 |
Guest | Robert C. L. | Cpl | L/51501 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 25-4-45 | 11 G 13 | Swift Current Saskatchewan | -107.7971722 | 50.285069 |
Hilbach | Herbert H.H. | Rfn | L/65122 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 22-4-45 | 06 D 05 | Kerrobert Saskatchewan | -109.136794 | 51.9185447 |
Huber | Walter L. | Tpr | L/84635 | 17th Duke of York's Royal Can Hussars | 12-5-45 | 07 F 03 | Serath Saskatchewan | -104.519458 | 51.183043 |
Hughes | Albert | Pte | L/108212 | The Essex Scottish Regiment | 13-4-45 | 01 E 15 | Tompkins Saskatchewan | -108.7933104 | 50.0623636 |
Johannsen | Quintin M. | Pte | L/610743 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 30-4-45 | 05 E 14 | Serath Saskatchewan | -104.519458 | 51.183043 |
Kalln | Roy L. | Pte | L/108540 | The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada | 17-4-45 | 10 A 03 | Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Kibzey | John | Pte | L/107668 | The South Saskatchewan Regiment | 12-4-45 | 09 H 13 | Bienfait Saskatchewan | -102.8086736 | 49.1426788 |
Knight | Cecil D. | Gdsm | L/101345 | The Canadian Grenadier Guards | 26-4-45 | 07 C 10 | Aulesbury Saskatchewan | -105.6935861 | 50.9396455 |
Knutson | Palmer | Pte | M/36689 | RCASC | 17-8-45 | 11 F 01 | Naicam Saskatchewan | -104.49847 | 52.4201117 |
Krauchi | George E. | Gdsm | L/107193 | The Canadian Grenadier Guards | 10-4-45 | 03 D 01 | Loon Lake Saskatchewan | -109.1585151 | 54.0261584 |
Lemke | Frits M. | Pte | L/102756 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 10-4-45 | 03 D 02 | Bruno Saskatchewan | -105.5253008 | 52.2639843 |
Linnell | Howard J. | Pte | K/40129 | The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada | 06-4-45 | 01 A 13 | Saskatoon Saskatchewan | -106.6700458 | 52.1332144 |
Markoskie | L. | Gnr | H/616901 | Royal Canadian Artillery | 10-1-46 | 08 A 08 | Hyas Saskatchewan | -102.2598355 | 51.8940795 |
Martel | Wilfred A. | Cpl | H/93520 | Royal Canadian Engineers | 29-4-45 | 09 H 08 | Fillmore Saskatchewan | -103.4336262 | 49.8812612 |
Mathison | Roy C. | Lt | 14th Canadian Hussars | 04-5-45 | 12 B 07 | Bounty Saskatchewan | -107.363046 | 51.523689 | |
McCombie | Jon S. | L Sgt | L/13349 | The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry | 09-4-45 | 03 D 07 | Runciman Saskatchewan | -104.059842 | 52.987349 |
Nelson | Jack A. | CSM | L/27110 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 08-4-45 | 02 A 01 | Prince Albert Saskatchewan | -105.7530705 | 53.2033494 |
Norwood | Harold F. | Pte | L/105767 | The Toronto Scottish Regiment | 16-4-45 | 03 H 03 | North Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Olson | Carl G. | Gnr | L/74647 | Royal Canadian Artillery | 29-4-45 | 10 A 16 | Amiens Saskatchewan | -107.244876 | 53.322367 |
Olson | Ole L. | Spr | L/19754 | Royal Canadian Engineers | 26-4-45 | 11 C 07 | Invermany Saskatchewan | -103.1552106 | 51.8069735 |
Peirson | Robert S. | Crftsm | L/9907 | RCEME | 03-4-45 | 11 C 12 | Invermay Saskatchewan | -103.1552106 | 51.8069735 |
Perron | Gaetan M. | Pte | L/107059 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 10-4-45 | 09 C 08 | Montmatre Saskatchewan | -103.4483066 | 50.2193608 |
Preston | David P. | Sgt | L/27591 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 30-4-45 | 08 E 09 | Maple Creek Saskatchewan | -109.480174 | 49.906595 |
Ray | Clarence D. | Lt | The Saskatoon Light Infantry | 20-4-45 | 02 F 10 | Prince Albert Saskatchewan | -105.7530705 | 53.2033494 | |
Robinson | Wesley C. | Sgt | L/51222 | 14th Canadian Hussars | 25-4-45 | 04 H 05 | Weyburn Saskatchewan | -103.8532906 | 49.6632836 |
Sawatzky | John | Cpl | B/116108 | The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders | 28-4-45 | 11 D 14 | Petaigan Saskatchewan | -103.566667 | 53.433333 |
Selmes | Albert J. | Pte | L/107120 | The South Saskatchewan Regiment | 24-6-45 | 12 A 03 | Saskatoon Saskatchewan | -106.6700458 | 52.1332144 |
Shea | Walter A. | Sgt | L/101486 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 09-4-45 | 09 C 07 | Moose Jaw Saskatchewan | -105.5348562 | 50.3915811 |
Shier | Russell R. M. | Tpr | L/101563 | The British Columbia Regt | 02-5-45 | 11 A 14 | Weldon Saskatchewan | -105.1436904 | 53.0081548 |
Smith | David J. | Pte | L/11271 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 04-5-45 | 12 A 09 | Deer Ridge Saskatchewan | -106.1022909 | 53.452551 |
Steele | George W. | Gnr | L/26515 | Royal Canadian Artillery | 10-5-45 | 07 F 07 | Whitewood Saskatchewan | -102.2666277 | 50.329875 |
Temple | Leslie P.C. | Gnr | L/18488 | Royal Canadian Artillery | 13-4-45 | 11 F 16 | Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Tenklei | Edward S. | CSM | L/27835 | The Regina Rifle Regiment | 05-4-45 | 01 G 04 | Regina Saskatchewan | -104.6188944 | 50.4452112 |
Tyerman | Norman R. | Cpl | L/102506 | The Lake Superior Regiment | 11-2-45 | 12 H 07 | Valparaiso Saskatchewan | -104.181495 | 52.849886 |
Walker | Ralph | Spr | M/54275 | Royal Canadian Engineers | 02-5-45 | 05 D 08 | Meadow Lake Saskatchewan | -108.4280261 | 54.1316746 |
Wiegand | Gottlieb | Pte | L/107268 | The Toronto Scottish Regiment | 22-4-45 | 11 H 15 | Young Saskatchewan | -105.7471872 | 51.7671337 |
Wilson | George S. | Rfn | L/108421 | The Royal Winnipeg Rifles | 10-4-45 | 02 A 09 | Yorkton Saskatchewan | -102.4739331 | 51.2174482 |
If you are wondering about more family relations to these fallen soldiers do a search on Commonwealth War Graves Commission which may provide the names of parents. For example:
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2227476/knutson,-palmer-c./
Son of Edna Knutson, of Naicam, Saskatchewan.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2227475/knight,-cecil-david/
Son of Ebenezer Buchanan Knight and Margaret Ann Knight, of Aylesbury, Saskatchewan.
Le centre d’information du cimetière de guerre canadien (ICB) à Holten, aux Pays-Bas, envisage d’interviewer des proches (frères et sœurs, conjoints, enfants, autres membres de la famille, amis) de soldats décédés et enterrés à Holten. Nous prévoyons rendre visite aux personnes interrogées chez elles au Canada.
Notre intention est d’obtenir davantage d’informations sur les soldats qui sont enterrés à Holten et d’avoir une idée de ce que la perte d’un frère, d’un père, d’un fils et d’un ami signifiait pour ceux qui sont partis.
Nous aimerions avoir votre coopération pour trouver des personnes, et peut-être que vous pourriez être vous-même un bon informateur à interviewer.
S'il vous plaît partager vos pensées et les candidats possibles.
Merci de votre aide,
Jan Braakman
Bénévole / chercheur à l'ICB
Bibliography:
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2061700/Bergen-op-Zoom%20Canadian%20War%20Cemetery CWGC. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/second-world-war/the-netherlands/bergen Veterans' Affairs Canada.
Canadian Infantry of the Regiment de Maisonneuve, moving through Holten to Rijssen, Netherlands. Lt. D. Guravitch, April 9, 1945. 306-NT-1334B-11. National Archives Identifier: 541912 https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2/photos
National Library and Archives. Military Records. World War II Records. Photos.
Canadese begraafplaats holten. Lest we forget. opdat wij niet vergeten. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.canadesebegraafplaatsholten.nl/&prev=search
Canadian War Cemetery Holten. Liberation Route Europe. https://liberationroute.com/the-netherlands/spots/c/canadian-war-cemetery-holten The Netherlands.
*** Canadians and the Liberation of the Netherlands April - May 1945.*** http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/sites/default/files/2017-11/Holten%20Candles.pdf The Canadian Battlefields Foundation.
Common, David. VE-Day: Canadian WWII vets feted in Netherlands on liberation anniversary https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ve-day-canadian-wwii-vets-feted-in-netherlands-on-liberation-anniversary-1.3060700May 5, 2015 CBC News
Deachman, Bruce. 'Too dearly loved to be forgotten': Dutch volunteers keep Canadian soldiers' stories from being forgotten. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/too-dearly-loved-to-be-forgotten-dutch-volunteers-keeping-canadian-soldiers-stories-alive Ottawa Citizen.
Dutch, Canadian leaders lead off week of WWII remembrance https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3067341/Dutch-Canadian-leaders-lead-week-WWII-remembrance.html Associated Press 4 May 2015
Holten Canadian War Cemetery. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/second-world-war/the-netherlands/holten-cem Veteran's Affairs Canada. 2019-02-14
Holten Canadian War Cemetery. https://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/node/73 Dutch-Canadians Remember as One. Two countries, One Spirit. May 5, 2015
Lenson, Leo. Holten Canadian War Cemetery. Second World War (1939-1945) https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/193/Holten-Canadian-War-Cemetery.htm Traces of War.
Robertson, Ian. Canadians never forgotten in The Netherlands. https://torontosun.com/news/national/guest-column-canadians-never-forgotten-in-the-netherlands Toronto Sun. November 11, 2018
Stephen Harper joins Canadian WW2 veterans to mark liberation of Netherlands. Doing the Right Thing comes at a cost. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-joins-canadian-ww2-veterans-to-mark-liberation-of-netherlands-1.3059805 CBC News. May 4, 2015. The Canadian Press.
Stewart, Brian. Old vets, old values underline Dutch regard for Canada's WWII liberators. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/old-vets-old-values-underline-dutch-regard-for-canada-s-wwii-liberators-1.3065588 May 8, 2015 CBC News
van Bekkum, Alice Stitching Faces to Canadian War Graves Groesbeek. Newsletter. NO. 5- Spring 2018. Faces to Graves.
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War CemeteryLooking for Information. Looking for Information