DOCSLIB.ORG

Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp Canadian Military History Volume 3 Issue 2 Article 9 1994 Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp Shelagh Whitaker Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Whitaker, Shelagh "Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp." Canadian Military History 3, 2 (1994) This Feature is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Whitaker: Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp Shelagh Whitaker n September 1944 a unique alliance of drive from the Seine, British troops of General I Canadian infantrymen with Belgian Brian Horrocks' 11th Armoured Division (30 resistance fighters joined forces to liberate British Corps) under Major-General Pip the port of Antwerp. It was the key, as many Roberts captured the city of Antwerp. see it, to victory. One fact in early September of 1944 In September 1994, the Governor General seemed more evident to the Belgian of Canada honoured this collaboration and Underground than to Field Marshal the one man responsible for the Belgian Montgomery was that at this point in the war participation in it, Colonel Eugene Colson of the full use of Antwerp's harbour installations Antwerp, with the Meritorious Service Medal. was essential for victory. In their drive for the Rarely have such medals been given to non­ Rhine, the Allied armies had outstripped their Canadians. supply lines. The resulting logistical famine left them unable to maintain momentum. This extraordinary union goes back five decades to an association-and a friendship­ Despite this shortage, Roberts had only that developed between the commanding been given the mandate to secure the docks, officer of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, but not the bridges over the Albert Canal­ Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Whitaker, DSO, and the vital access route needed to cut off the sea captain Colson, codenamed "Harry," who 15th German Army, then escaping across the was the Belgian Secret Army Commander of River Scheidt and east on the South Beveland the Underground in the Antwerp dock area. Peninsula. Colson's mission had been initiated earlier Colson's men had, meanwhile, captured in the war when the head of the Belgian the Groenendaal Laan Bridge -the last bridge Secret Army, Lieutenant Urbain Reniers, across the Albert Canal to Merxem. Without appointed him to develop a plan to prevent specific orders, General Roberts did not exploit the Germans from destroying the essential this achievement and the enemy gained installations of Antwerp harbour. control of the canal. When 11th Armoured Division was ordered to withdraw on 6 Colonel Colson organized a force of 600 September, the dock area was only partly dock workers as the nucleus of his secured. The Germans still held the area underground harbour unit. With an area of beyond the Albert Canal and had detonated some 40 square kilometres to protect, his all bridges across it. Colson and his men force was specifically trained to capture and were left to fight alone, with only small arms, hold key strategic positions of the harbour in the struggle against huge odds to hold the against German sabotage until the Allies docks. arrived. Their achievements were stunning, September 4th, 1944 saw the long-awaited particularly as they had had little support arrival of Allied liberators. After a lightning from the British. During those 13 days before 71 Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 1994 1 Canadian Military History, Vol. 3 [1994], Iss. 2, Art. 9 Second Canadian counterattacks until help Division arrived, the men of arrived in the form of the Secret Army under Canada's Second Infantry "Harry" doggedly pursued Division. their objective of preventing the Germans from Second Division com­ demolishing the port prised the 4th Brigade (Royal installations. They slept only Hamilton Light Infantry, in snatches, patrolling the Royal Regiment of Canada, docks around the clock and and Essex Scottish relying heavily on their one Regiment); 5th Brigade (The advantage: familiarity with Black Watch (Royal Highland every metre of the ground Regiment) of Canada, The they defended. Calgary Highlanders and Le Regiment de Maisonneuve); "The area was vast and and 6th Brigade (Les Fusiliers we were few," Colson recalled. Mont-Royal. The Queen's "We were continually Own Cameron Highlanders of harassed by the enemy trying Canada and The South to regain control of the port Saskatchewan Regiment). and destroy whatever equipment they could On 16 September 1944, recapture." the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry war diary noted the A group of 21 men was assignment: "RHLI took over sent to Merxem to protect the from the Royal Welch hydro station which supplied Fusiliers in Antwerp Harbour. power for the harbour Our role was to guard the facilities. Another section set docks and port facilities of up a defensive position at the Port of Antwerp. Strength Kruischans Lock, which of the battalion 35 officers controlled the flow of water and 724 other ranks. Lt-Col to the harbour. W. Denis Whitaker returned to the unit and took over Number 12 Sluiskens command after several weeks Lock, two kilometres further of convalescing in England north along the Scheidt, also from wounds received in had to be defended against Verson." German sabotage. This lock controlled the water levels in The Royal Hamilton Light the low ground encompassing Infantry, known familiarly as the port to the north and the Rileys, were alone on the east. The Germans were able docks, spread thinly on a line to reopen this gate and flood "Harry" some 12 kilometres from a large area within the Colonel Eugene Colson Groenendaal Laan Bridge harbour. through Kruischans Lock to a point just south of the village of Oorderen. They also counterattacked Colson's unit The Essex Scottish overlooked the suburbs of holding the Merxem hydro station and killed Merxem and Eekeren where the Germans the 21 defenders. Despite these setbacks, were still strongly entrenched. A few "Harry" and his troops were able to hold the kilometres to the east, the Royal Regiment of other vital positions in Antwerp Harbour. Canada was assigned the task of defending The Belgians hung on against repeated the Albert Canal. 72 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol3/iss2/9 2 Whitaker: Eugene Colson and the Liberation of the Port of Antwerp All Canadian units found that their first control the vital 40 kilometre strip of dock major problem was the extreme shortage of facilities that extended along the Scheidt. supplies; weapons and ammunition in Nevertheless, both groups carried out their particular. Montgomery had given the main various tasks with zeal and determination. priority for supplies to Operation Market There were daily reconnaissance patrols and Garden at Arnhem. The Canadian Army, fighting patrols: defensive actions to throw languishing on the left flank and lowest in back enemy attacks and offensive actions to priority of all the Allied armies, has since seize enemy positions. been described as the "Cinderella Army." Colson assigned Lieutenant Karl Six to "I set up my battalion HQ in the vacant work as liaison with the RHLI. Each night, Ford Motor factory near the docks," General Six would cross enemy lines into Merxem. Whitaker recalled. "Almost immediately, a Next morning he would return to Riley Belgian codenamed "Harry" turned up. I was headquarters with vital information extremely encouraged to meet this obviously concerning enemy defences and movements. audacious and well-informed young macquis officer who offered his services and those of The Germans were obsessed with the his men. A feeling of mutual respect and urgency of destroying the harbour. The accord was immediately established. My Canadian defenders and the Resistance briefing from Brigade about the situation had supporters hung on to repel an enemy that been extremely sketchy. Colson, who spoke was perilously close to recapturing the much better English than I did French, northern dock area. At Kruischans Lock, the explained in complete detail the many RHLI created a mini-battlegroup called "Lock complications of the harbour facilities, the Force" to prevent the enemy from seizing sluice gates and the various positions of the these vital locks either by land or by sea. This Germans. unique combination of specialized units was under the command of Major Louis Froggett, "Over a couple of shots of good Canadian DSO. It comprised 250 Rileys in addition to rum it was agreed that we would work together naval forces, searchlight batteries and ack­ to accomplish our dual goal of holding the ack units. important points and driving the Germans from the areas within the harbour that they Gradually, the Canadian/Belgian force still held." consolidated and strengthened their positions. But the villages surrounding the docks­ The short. stocky fighter with the hook­ Wilmarsdonck, Oorderen, Merxem and nose and a ready smile became a familiar Eekeren -still remained in German hands for sight at RHLI headquarters in the coming some days. weeks. From 16 September to 5 October the RHLI and the Resistance under Colson were On September 20th, the Resistance involved in daily confrontations with the requested and received artillery support from enemy in the Antwerp Harbour area. a battery of the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, which enabled them to "It was a very difficult time for us, as launch a successful attack on Wilmarsdonck. supplies of ammunition of all types were short and very restricted," Whitaker recalled. The Rileys remained on the defensive until 2 October when they finally received supplies At one point there were only enough shells sufficient to attack German marshalling yards for the artillery 25-pounders to fire three north of Oorderen.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • HTST 526 – the Canadian Military in the Second World War COURSE
    HTST 526 – The Canadian Military in the Second World War Fall 2018 – University of Calgary Seminar Hours: Thursday, 1400-1645 Room: SS623 Professor: Dr. D. J. Bercuson Email: [email protected] Office Telephone: 403-220-4038 Office Hours: Thursday 1300-1400 Office: SS 856B COURSE DESCRIPTION This seminar will explore Second World War officer leadership in the Canadian Army. To begin, students must read On the Psychology of Military Incompetence (entire book), Crerar’s Lieutenants (entire book) The Generals (Chapters 1-7, Conclusion). These required texts are located at the University of Calgary bookstore, history area. Once students have read and discussed these readings – providing a contextual foundation for what it is that makes a successful commander – the course will begin by critically analyzing the legacy left by the Canadian Corps and General Sir Arthur Currie. Next, students will focus on subjects such as officer selection, education, and training prior to and during the Second World War. By investigating Canadian organizational, tactical, and operational successes and failures, students will ultimately determine if Canada produced any actual or potential “Arthur Curries” during the Second World War. Throughout the seminar and specific to the presentations, students should consider the following questions: What is it that “makes” a successful commander? How should leadership be measured? What is the relationship between a leader and subordinates? What is the difference between management and leadership? This is a senior undergraduate/graduate seminar with graduate students also participating. It involves considerable reading and self-study as well as active class discussion. Students who feel themselves unable to engage in such seminar discussion should carefully review their grade expectations in this course.
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian Official Historians and the Writing of the World Wars Tim Cook
    Canadian Official Historians and the Writing of the World Wars Tim Cook BA Hons (Trent), War Studies (RMC) This thesis is submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Humanities and Social Sciences UNSW@ADFA 2005 Acknowledgements Sir Winston Churchill described the act of writing a book as to surviving a long and debilitating illness. As with all illnesses, the afflicted are forced to rely heavily on many to see them through their suffering. Thanks must go to my joint supervisors, Dr. Jeffrey Grey and Dr. Steve Harris. Dr. Grey agreed to supervise the thesis having only met me briefly at a conference. With the unenviable task of working with a student more than 10,000 kilometres away, he was harassed by far too many lengthy emails emanating from Canada. He allowed me to carve out the thesis topic and research with little constraints, but eventually reined me in and helped tighten and cut down the thesis to an acceptable length. Closer to home, Dr. Harris has offered significant support over several years, leading back to my first book, to which he provided careful editorial and historical advice. He has supported a host of other historians over the last two decades, and is the finest public historian working in Canada. His expertise at balancing the trials of writing official history and managing ongoing crises at the Directorate of History and Heritage are a model for other historians in public institutions, and he took this dissertation on as one more burden. I am a far better historian for having known him.
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian Infantry Combat Training During the Second World War
    SHARPENING THE SABRE: CANADIAN INFANTRY COMBAT TRAINING DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR By R. DANIEL PELLERIN BBA (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University, 2007 BA (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University, 2008 MA, University of Waterloo, 2009 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in History University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario, Canada © Raymond Daniel Ryan Pellerin, Ottawa, Canada, 2016 ii ABSTRACT “Sharpening the Sabre: Canadian Infantry Combat Training during the Second World War” Author: R. Daniel Pellerin Supervisor: Serge Marc Durflinger 2016 During the Second World War, training was the Canadian Army’s longest sustained activity. Aside from isolated engagements at Hong Kong and Dieppe, the Canadians did not fight in a protracted campaign until the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The years that Canadian infantry units spent training in the United Kingdom were formative in the history of the Canadian Army. Despite what much of the historical literature has suggested, training succeeded in making the Canadian infantry capable of succeeding in battle against German forces. Canadian infantry training showed a definite progression towards professionalism and away from a pervasive prewar mentality that the infantry was a largely unskilled arm and that training infantrymen did not require special expertise. From 1939 to 1941, Canadian infantry training suffered from problems ranging from equipment shortages to poor senior leadership. In late 1941, the Canadians were introduced to a new method of training called “battle drill,” which broke tactical manoeuvres into simple movements, encouraged initiative among junior leaders, and greatly boosted the men’s morale.
    [Show full text]
  • TRAINING to FIGHT and WIN: TRAINING in the CANADIAN ARMY (Edition 2, May 2001)
    ttrainingraining ttoo fightfight andand wwin:in: ttrainingraining inin thethe canadiancanadian aarrmymy Brigadier-General Ernest B. Beno, OMM, CD (Retired) Foreword by Brigadier-General S.V. Radley-Walters, CMM, DSO, MC, CD Copyright © Ernest B. Beno, OMM, CD Brigadier-General (Retired) Kingston, Ontario March 22, 1999 (Retired) TRAINING TO FIGHT AND WIN: TRAINING IN THE CANADIAN ARMY (Edition 2, May 2001) Brigadier-General Ernest B. Beno, OMM, CD (Retired) Foreword By Brigadier-General S.V. Radley-Walters, CMM, DSO, MC, CD (Retired) TRAINING TO FIGHT AND WIN: TRAINING IN THE CANADIAN ARMY COMMENTS AND COMMENTARY “I don’t have much to add other than to support the notion that the good officer is almost always a good teacher.” • Lieutenant-Colonel, (Retired), Dr. Doug Bland, CD Queen’s University “ Your booklet was a superb read, packed with vital lessons for our future army - Regular and Reserve!” • Brigadier-General (Retired) Peter Cameron, OMM, CD Honorary Colonel, The 48th Highlanders of Canada Co-Chair Reserves 2000 “This should be mandatory reading for anyone, anywhere before they plan and conduct training.” • Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Chupick, CD Australia “I believe that your booklet is essential to the proper conduct of training in the Army, and I applaud your initiative in producing it. As an overall comment the individual training of a soldier should ensure the ability to ‘march, dig and shoot.’ If these basics are mastered then the specialty training and collective training can be the complete focus of the commander’s/CO’s concentration.” • Colonel (Retired) Dick Cowling London, ON “I think this is the first ‘modern’ look at training in the Canadian Army that I heard of for thirty years.
    [Show full text]
  • Monday, June 4, 2001
    CANADA VOLUME 137 S NUMBER 071 S 1st SESSION S 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, June 4, 2001 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire'' at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 4557 HOUSE OF COMMONS Monday, June 4, 2001 The House met at 11 a.m. change the name from the Mennonite Conference of Canada to the Mennonite Church of Canada. As well, there are some other _______________ organizational and operational changes contained within the bill. The bill was introduced in the Senate at the request of the Prayers church, and I am now introducing it on the floor. _______________ I appreciate the support and assistance that has been offered by all parties. As everyone here knows, the Mennonites have contrib- uted enormously to the quality of life in Canada. They do tremen- PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS dous work not just in Canada but around the world. It is a great honour for me to be part of the process of assisting them in this renewal. D (1105) Mr. Vic Toews (Provencher, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, [English] I appreciate the bill coming forward and I appreciate the opportuni- ty to speak very briefly to it. THE ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE CONFERENCE OF MENNONITES IN CANADA The Mennonite community in Manitoba, of which I am a part, has a long history and a proud and distinguished place in the Mr. Reg Alcock (Winnipeg South, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I think religious, educational, cultural and business life of my province.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter from the Chair in This Issue 2020
    THE WARM-UP RING The Official News of the Jumping Committee May 2020, Volume 16, Issue 5 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR IN THIS ISSUE 2020. Will we even be able to compete at The Royal this year? How will we qualify? These are all questions that cannot be answered at this time. Eric Lamaze and Hickstead to be Michelle C. Dunn If shows do take place this year, strict protocols Inducted into Canada’s Sports will dictate how we will be able to compete Hall of Fame while still maintaining physical distancing. There will likely be parking restrictions for exhibitors, Young Guns! spectators may not be allowed at the venues, Profiling Stephanie Valdes and stabling will have to allow for spacing between horses and competitors for the safety A Look Back at the Inaugural Jump of all. Canada Hall of Fame Inductees Additionally, there will be sanitary stations and disinfecting, lots of signage to explain what Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala can and cannot be done, and little offered in the way of amenities. Imagine your horse show Cancelled for 2020 These are indeed strange times all over the experience with no food facilities, no mobile tack world. We have felt the global impact of the shop units, and no bathrooms! Passionate Equestrians Sought to COVID-19 virus, and our competition sport We all love to go to horse shows. It’s the place continues to be at a standstill. At the time of Join the Jumping Committee where we test ourselves and our horses against writing this letter, some areas of the United others, and it’s where we socialize and hang out States are planning to start showing again on Stay Up to Date on COVID-19 with our riding friends.
    [Show full text]
  • How Veterans Like Major-General Dan Spry
    WARTIME LESSONS, PEACETIME ACTIONS: HOW VETERANS LIKE MAJOR-GENERAL DAN SPRY INFLUENCED CANADIAN SOCIETY AFTER 1945 By Gordon Christopher Case Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the PhD degree in History Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa © Gordon Christopher Case, Ottawa, Canada, 2017 ABSTRACT WARTIME LESSONS, PEACETIME ACTIONS: HOW VETERANS LIKE MAJOR-GENERAL DAN SPRY INFLUENCED CANADIAN SOCIETY AFTER 1945 Gordon Christopher Case Supervisor: University of Ottawa, 2017 Professor Serge Durflinger This study examines some of the ways in which Second World War veterans helped shape Canadian society in the years after 1945 by using the life experience of one of their number, Major-General Daniel Charles Spry, as an interpretive model. Just over one million Canadian men and women re-entered civil life after their wartime military service. Representing approximately 35 per cent of Canada’s adult male population aged 25 to 49 in 1951, and found in nearly every facet of Canadian life, Second World War veterans possessed social importance that extended far beyond their experience of the Veterans Charter. Using Dan Spry’s documented thoughts and actions in war and peace, this study argues that a number of these individuals learned lessons regarding leadership, character, citizenship, and internationalism during their wartime military service and – finding them useful – applied such lessons to various aspects of their lives after the war’s end. In so doing, Second World War veterans helped to influence the character of postwar Canada’s institutions, workplaces, and the lives of many Canadians by providing societal leadership, moulding children’s character, developing future citizens, and trying to build a better world.
    [Show full text]
  • J.L. Granatstein the WEIGHT of COMMAND
    J.L. Granatstein THE WEIGHT OF COMMAND Voices of Canada’s Second World War Generals and Those Who Knew Them Sample Material © UBC Press 2016 Studies in Canadian Military History Series editor: Andrew Burtch, Canadian War Museum The Canadian War Museum, Canada’s national museum of military history, has a threefold mandate: to remember, to preserve, and to educate. Studies in Canadian Military History, published by UBC Press in association with the Museum, extends this mandate by presenting the best of contemporary scholarship to provide new insights into all aspects of Canadian military history, from earliest times to recent events. The work of a new generation of scholars is especially encouraged, and the books employ a variety of approaches – cultural, social, intellectual, economic, political, and comparative – to investigate gaps in the existing historiography. The books in the series feed immediately into future exhibitions, programs, and outreach efforts by the Canadian War Museum. A list of the titles in the series appears at the end of the book. Sample Material © UBC Press 2016 © UBC Press 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Granatstein, J.L., author, editor The weight of command: voices of Canada’s Second World War generals and those who knew them / J.L. Granatstein. (Studies in Canadian military history) Includes bibliographical references and index. Issued in print and electronic formats. ISBN 978-0-7748-3299-1 (hardback).
    [Show full text]
  • BRAVERY SHOWN in DIEPPE FIGHT NOT FORGOTTEN Unselfishness and Devotion to Duty by Canadians, Including Hamiltonians
    BRAVERY SHOWN IN DIEPPE FIGHT NOT FORGOTTEN Unselfishness and Devotion to Duty By Canadians, Including Hamiltonians, Revealed in Official List 149 One Distinguished Order Won Along "'UP Or .. 1939 i Two D.C.M.'s, o . .'S9 Five CANADA ARMY M.M.'s-Name 12 in Dispatches DIEPPE RA.ID Dieppe has been described as a "wonderful but awful day 4n the history of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry." The DECORATIONS heavy toll of dead, missing, prisoner and wounded attests HAMILTON the fact that every minute of the muggy, mid-August morn- ing was marked by fierce action. But out of the din and smoke and agony have come tales of devotion to duty, un- selfishness and gallantry . The conspicuous courage of Cana- dians-and of Hamiltonians particularly-has not gone un- rewarded. To-day-which is a wonderful day in the history of the R.H.L.I. - twenty-two members of this proud old battalion received decorations or citations for their exploits at Dieppe. Here is what members of Hamilton's oldest fighting unit earned in the fateful hours they spent on the beaches and on the streets of the little French town-one Distinguish- ed Service Order; two Distinguished Conduct Medals ; two Military Crosses ;, five Military Medals and three officers and nine men "mentioned in dispatches." Major Whitaker, D.S.O. Therve H.H.L:I - mien who won In a list of awards from Ottawa the Military Medal were : C.S.M. to-day, Major W. Dems "Denny" William Dean, whose wife and Whitaker was cited for conspicu- parents reside on Jackson street ous courage in the Dieppe assault west ; Lance-Cpl.
    [Show full text]
  • •Œyou Have Shut up the Jerriesâ•Š Canadian Counter-Battery Work In
    Canadian Military History Volume 21 Issue 3 Article 3 2015 “You Have Shut Up the Jerries” Canadian Counter-Battery Work in the Clearing of the Breskens Pocket, October–November 1944 R. Daniel Pellerin Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation R. Daniel Pellerin "“You Have Shut Up the Jerries” Canadian Counter-Battery Work in the Clearing of the Breskens Pocket, October–November 1944." Canadian Military History 21, 3 (2015) This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : “You Have Shut Up the Jerries” Canadian Counter-Battery Work in the Clearing of the Breskens Pocket, October–November 1944 “You Have Shut Up the Jerries” Canadian Counter-Battery Work in the Clearing of the Breskens Pocket, October–November 1944 R. Daniel Pellerin n 4 September 1944 British Histories of the battle have troops, with the help of the Abstract: This paper examines usually offered a brief chronology of O Canadian counter-battery work during Belgian resistance, captured the port events without providing much detail Operation Switchback, the battle of Antwerp intact. It was one of the to clear the Breskens Pocket, from into the Canadians’ preparations or largest and most important ports 6 October to 3 November 1944 the battle’s aftermath. For decades, in Western Europe, but it lay at the during the Battle of the Scheldt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Boer War *WWI
    <^ SUMMERLAND During the War Years *the Boer War *WWI *WW II CONTENTS: The Boer War 5 Boer War Information 5 Reunion Menu ^ Photograph of Veterans 5 "A Cup and Saucer" (belonging to Pres. Kruger) 6 World War I ? War Bonds lO Commemorative Scroll ]\ War Passes ]2 World War I Information 13 Summerland Honour Roll War Photos Jo World War I Veterans ]/ "Goodbye to All That" (story) 19 The Capture of Vimy Ridge 24 World War II 29 World War I Information 30 Recruiting Book : 31 World War II Newspaper Clippings (local) 32 World War II Veterans 35 Summerland Troop 38 World War II Tension in Summerland 40 Pacific Coast Militia Rangers 41 Commando Bay 45 Canadian Women's Army Corps 47 The Red Cross ^1 War Bonds ^3 The Home Comfort Club 55 D-Day 57 War Brides d4 The Legion "Wait for me Daddy" 69 Poetry 70 Remembrance Day 71 Summerland's Post-war Boom 77 Bibliography 79 THE BOER WAR The Boer War began in 1899 in South Africa. It was a war between the Boers, Dutch settlers, and the Imperialist British. The central issue was the Transvaal Franchise, which was refused by President Kruger. The forces were unequal from the start, with 500,000 British soldiers and only 65,000 Boer soldiers, but because of the rough terrain, the Boers managed to keep the British fighting until May 1902, when the Boers accepted the loss of their independence by the Peace of Vereeniging. dznJ. RE-UNION & BANQUET COAv\MEMORATING THE 5 OF THE PEACE OF VEREENIGir MAY 31st, 1902 1899 1966 HOST SUMMERLAND BRANCH No THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEC an to be held in the xani ROSEDALE ROOM .-{e-Union and Dinner 64th Anniversary of the Peace of Vereeniging May 31, 1902 Armstrong Branch No.
    [Show full text]
  • SUPPLEMENT to the LONDON GAZETTE, 2 'OCTOBER, 1942 4329 Captain William Denis Whitaker, the Royal No
    .SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 'OCTOBER, 1942 4329 Captain William Denis Whitaker, The Royal No. H. 19266 Warrant Officer Class II (Com- Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regi- pany Sergeant-Major) George Gouk, The ment). Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Lieutenant-Colonel Bollard Menard, Les Canada. Fusiliers Mont-Royal. No. H. 19814 Sergeant Ernest Elmer Gordon, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Douglas King, The The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Princess Louise Fusiliers (Motor). Canada. Major (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Douglas jNo. H. 19715 Corporal Adam Brygider, The Gordon Cunningham, The Queen's Own Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Cameron Highlanders of Canada. No. L. 13504 Lance-Corporal Guy Bernard Major Andrew Thompson Law, The Queen's Berthelot, The South Saskatchewan Regi- Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. ment. Major James Earl McRae, The South No. L. 13282 Private William Alvin Haggard, Saskatchewan Regiment. The South Saskatchewan Regiment. The Military Cross. The Military Medal. Captain Hervey Barnet Carswell, The Royal No. M.27006 Lance-Corporal Calvin Wilbert Canadian Artillery. John Helmer, 14 Canadian Army Tank Regi- Lieutenant William Alexander Ewener, The ment (The Calgary Regiment (Tank)), Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. Canadian Armoured Corps. Captain John Charles Holtby Anderson, The No. K.25599 Gunner Henry John Rowe, The Royal Regiment of Canada. Royal Canadian Artillery. Lieutenant John Gibbons Counsell, The Royal No. 6.25107 Sergeant (acting) Earl Kitchener Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regi- Skippon, The Corps of Royal Canadian ment). Engineers. Lieutenant John Blake Gartshore, The Royal No. A. 18149 Lance-Corporal John Fisher, The Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regi- Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers.
    [Show full text]