Nieuwsbrief RCL Branch 005

2016 volume 3: Number 5: September & October Version: English 2016 Nieuwsbrief RCL Branch 005 “The Liberation of the Netherlands” President Gerard Hendriks Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 005 The Liberation of the Netherlands 1 november 2016 Warm recollections he had of the beautiful nights in the tropics; the palm trees, the amazingly green scenery and the kind inhabitants of New Guinea. This is the way every veteran has his own memories. Coming back from New Guinea he married on August 17, 1966 with Dini ten Veen. Last August th they were able to look back to their 50 wedding anniversary for better or for worse. Past away on 24 August at the age of 75 years old, Comrade Willem Lith. His life was signed by taking care of other people. Being visible in society as a veteran characterized his citizenship. The veterans pin shaped in a “V”, n August 24, 2016 Willem Lith (75), which stand for freedom, peace and veteran, he chairman of the Bond van wore with honour at holidays and O Wapenbroeders, dep. Amstelland and commemorations in Amstelveen. Serving his member of RCL Branch 005, died. homeland, the military participation, remains visible in society in this way. He was well known in Amstelveen by his presence on May 5 at the parade of many military vehicles of “Keep Them Rolling” and the inflammation of the Amstelveen liberation fire and also because of his compassionate speeches at the Indies remembrance nights on August 14. By joining in at the national Anthem “the Wilhelmus” at the hoisting of the Dutch colours. Always in service of peace and liberation missions. Detaching of Dutch military to regions appointed by the UN. Since his 17th he was professional soldier at the Repressing terrorism between internal divided Royal Navy and was detached to New Guinea (’61- religion groups is difficult. Cultural differences of ’62). He did not take part in immediate war many centuries play a huge part in this operations. He was together with others responsible for maintenance and repair of the “Reach out, pay respect, accept one another, that aircrafts and for the take off of planes at the is peace..... was his explicit motto. At places where aircraft carrier Karel Doorman. His eyes sparkled a dictator, the army or religion have control in the the moment he told about the great time he had in country, democracy is not possible. There always the Navy. will be trouble in a country like that. Look around you!” He told many: “the military profession isn’t He lost many friends at New Guinea. Marines who just an employment, it is a way of life and living”. became victims of attacks and ambushes while on For his volunteer work he received on the occasion patrol. Also on the aircraft carrier Karel Doorman of Queens day 2007 by hand of Mayor Jan van he lost some of his friends, but he noticed this as a Zanen the decorations belonging to the Royal known danger of the military profession. For his Award: Member in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. participation and efforts he received the New Guinea Remembrance Cross at October 1, 1962 Lest we forget. from the Minister of Defence. 2 Past away on September at the age of 82 At the conclusion of this newsletter you will find a years, Comrade Jan Griekspoor. short biography about the special life of Jan Griekspoor. ursday September 22, 2016 our comrade Jan Griekspoor exchanged his earth life for the T hereafter. Jan, weakened by his illness, has past on in silence. In the way he wished. n September our thoughts were extensively I with the commemorations of “Operation Market Garden”. These series of events combines the spectacle of the para dropping with the importance of commemorating. It draws the attention of thousands of people, many youngsters included, which is an important signal. We would like to keep the sense of remembrance alive for the new generation. For the first time RCL Branch 005 participated with many comrades at the commemorations in the surroundings of Arnhem ad Nijmegen. You will find more information in this newsletter I the part “Logbook” in which I will report about the many commemorations in which Until the end of his possibilities he was occupied RCL005 participated in this period. with commemorating others. Participation in the RCL005 Colour Party was obvious, although he was It was the 72th commemoration of this operation not able to do it in the end. Still he was present at in which the Allied Air Force Operation (Market) commemorations and always placed his “Poppy- and the Ground Offensive (Garden) had to take cross” to honour the deceased comrades. care of the victory on the Germans. How different A very modest and appreciated person is no longer it turned out for the battle of the Airborne Division in our midst. We wish him a good journey. around Arnhem. The Airborne airdrops on the Ginkelse Heide at Ede attracted more than 40.000 Lest we forget. visitors. Unfortunately the weather played us tricks in the morning so the airdrops were postponed until the afternoon. Fortunately one was able to jump then. Many paratroopers, about a thousand in total amongst them were veterans of high age, jumped out of a Hercules C-130 Transall and even a C-17. Still about 25 “real veterans” of the Battle of Arnhem were present at the commemorations these days. 3 Membership RCL Branch 005, 2017 3 September 2016: Airborne March In the meantime you should have received your aturday 3 September the 70th Airborne membership card of 2017. I would like to ask you March in Oosterbeek. This commemoration politely to transfer the membership fee of € 40,00 parade in the context of the Battle of to the account of the treasurer of RCL Branch 005, S Arnhem 1944 is an homage to the more please mention “membership 2017”. than 1700 deceased British, Canadian and Polish soldiers during the Battle of Arnhem and are Bank Account Number (IBAN): buried at the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek. NL25 ABNA0451117913 If you already did this, thank you very much! Participants of RCL Branch 005 also walked along in this parade. It is a impressive event which is worthwhile trying to walk along next year. The information stand of RCL005 was positioned close 3 September 2016: Report Zone to the comrades of the Royal British Legion on a meeting nice spot next to the Airborne Cemetery. A place all walkers need to come by. Eelco and Evelien de Zee had to start early in the morning to be present at this special place. he Zone meeting of September 3th was postponed by Zone Commander Valerie T Laucke. The scheduling of this meeting did not came out right. The meeting should have taken place at the end of September/beginning of October. Many board members rescheduled their vacation planning. The Zone executives decided to plan the meeting at September 3th anyhow. At this date the Airborne March in Oosterbeek took place. So many of the RCL005 board members enjoyed their vacation of attended the Airborne March. A new date for the Zone meeting has to be announced. 4 16 September 2016: there and together it was possible for 2400 men of Commemoration Charles Reeves in the Airborne air troops to escape across the river Holten Rijn. After the war Charles married with his Marie and they lived for more then 30 years in Holten. He voluntarily worked daily at the Canadian Cemetery n 16 September 2016 a remembrance in Holten for maintenance and repair of the graves. service was held at the General Cemetery Charles passed away March 15, 2015 at 90 years of Oin Holten. The commemoration of Charles age. Reeves, passed away in 2015. Present at this Some impressions of the day at the General moment were a few British WW2 veterans of the cemetery in Holten: Market Garden Association and the Birmingham and Midland Branch of the Royal British Legion. They were visiting the Netherlands in the context of the commemoration of Market Garden. They had a very full schedule and would like to bring a salute of honour to their “Founder”, National President and comrade Charles William Reeves. Charles Reeves fought in combat during WW2 with the Hampshire Regiment, 130th Brigade of the 43rd 16 September 2016: Battlefield tour Wessex Division. Charles survived the heavy battle WWII veteranen Vlb Volkel. in the surroundings of Nijmegen. At 27 September 1944 the 28th Hampshire Regiment fought a battle In the neighbourhood of Heteren. The fight lasted 12 days and they lost 166 men, 42 killed and 124 injured. Together with the 129th Brigade of the 43rd Wessex Division and the 101st Airborne Division they contacted the Polish Airborne Division near Driel. Canadian Engineers were already located 5 n 2016 it is 71 years ago the Netherlands were liberated. From 10 until 19 September the I Netherlands-USA Foundation again welcomed veterans to whom we thank our freedom. At September 16 a very special commemoration dinner was held at the Airbase Volkel. For me it was a great honour to have been invited for this It was an honour to be present. dinner and the meeting with 14 Allied veterans, among them also 3 Canadian. 17 September 2016: Commemoration Air Crew Monument he “Market Garden Foundation” organised a commemoration ceremony near the Aircrew T monument at 17 September at 02:00PM. This monument is close to or behind the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. Among the participants a large detachment of British Airborne soldiers. Also the Royal Dutch Air Force was present.

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