Faces of our Fallen Project

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L/Cpl E.R. Taylor, Holten Canadian War Cemetery
Lt A.M. Burslem, Holten Canadian War Cemetery
The Faces of our Fallen Project is being launched to further our efforts to ensure our Honour Roll members are remembered. With the success of the Graves of our Fallen Project at identifying and photographing their final resting places (only 15 more to go), our efforts can now turn to telling their stories.

Tying in with the Netherlands 2021 trip and to support the efforts underway in the Netherlands, the initial focus of the project will on those buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery and the adjacent Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery and the Holten Canadian War Cemetery.

The non-profit organisation ‘Faces to Canadian War Graves Groesbeek’, as part of the Faces to Graves project in the Netherlands, aims to publish a short story of every one of the soldiers buried in Groesbeek. Their latest newsletter is HERE. Their partnership with Holten and Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemeteries will eventually realise a database for all of some 2700 Canadian soldiers who are buried in the three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands or whose names are on the Memorial Walls. It is intended that all online stories will be available on their site HERE as well as RCSigs.ca

We have 58 Signallers in these War Cemeteries and we want to assist with telling their stories. In addition to locally displaying these stories for visitors, Groesbeek is well-advanced with their online "Digital Monument" but none of our RC Sigs stories have been captured. In fact, to date on RCSigs.ca, only limited research has been done on two soldiers at Groesbeek (Capt Loughnan and Sigmn Rodrigues) and two at Holten ( Lt Burslem and L/Cpl Taylor).

Our project needs volunteers to research and write these Soldier Stories. These soldiers are an integral part of our history and their sacrifice cannot be forgotten. Joe Costello has collected the detailed information on our 58 Signallers (listed below) and can assist individuals with information on how to access Service Files and War Diaries, where available. If you cannot undertake this project yourself you may have a son or daughter in high school, this could be undertaken as part of the "Lest We Forget" Project or to help with an educational opportunity during the pandemic lock-out.

Please let us know if you are interested in helping with this project. The list of all Signallers buried in Groesbeek, Bergen op Zoom and Holten can help if you are looking for a relative. Joe can also assist if you have an interest in a particular unit. You might also wish to focus on a specific hometown or region of one of our fallen Signallers. As we progress, we will keep track of which soldiers are being researched and who is doing the research so we do not have overlap. Plus, if you are interested in a particular unit or individual, the Netherlands Faces to Graves team can advise if someone is already working on this individual or if they have some material to contribute. You can contact them at:

 *   Bergen op Zoom: info@stichtingbbw.nl
 *   Groesbeek: info@facestograves.nl
 *   Holten: info@canadesebegraafplaatsholten.nl

Once again, we can assist with the research if you contact us at rcsigs@rcsigs.ca.

We will remember them!

Resources for Researchers

Example soldier story: Captain Symington
Canada, WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947 (Ancestry.ca - Service files can be accessed for free, do a search and create a free account when prompted)

Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery

Service Number Rank and Name Date of Death Trade Age Unit Cause of Death Details Grave Location Being Researched Yet
B17076
Sigmn C.H. (Charles Henry) Burgess Jun 17, 1945 Operator Wireless and Line 34 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade Sigs Accident Jeep in which he was a passenger had an accident at approximately 0500 hrs. Suffered a fractured skull and died at the scene. I.A.7.
Yes
G16011
Sigmn W.D. (William Domville) Clark Feb 10, 1945 Electrician "A" 31 19 Fd Regt Signal Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed Killed by a mine when with P Battery. I.B.6.
Yes
K45568
Cpl E.S. (Edward Stephen) Couture Apr 26, 1945 34 HQ First Canadian Army Signals Accident Killed in motor accident. II.G.1.
Yes
B111538
Sigmn T.J. (Thomas John) Cronan Jul 25, 1945 11 Tel Op Section, 1 Canadian Corps Signals "Died on active service" I.C.6.
Yes
A57804
Sgt A.B. (Albert Bernard) Eakett Dec 25, 1944 HQ 2 Canadian Corps Signals Accident Killed instantly in a vehicle accident outside Rear HQ when he was struck from behind by a 15 cwt truck II.F.6.
No
D116378
Sigmn A. (Alfred) Ford Jun 22, 1945 Lineman 25 16 Cdn AA OR Sigs Accident Died from multiple injuries when the vehicle he was driving struck a tree. V.E.14.
No
M53192
Sgt D.H. (Douglas Horace) Greenfield Jun 4, 1945 21 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Accident Vehicle accident. Died after a traffic accident between Ede and Arnheim Holland when proceeding on 72-hour leave. Compound depressed frature to skull and lacerated brain. IV.A.10.
No
B134241
Sigmn A.E. (Albert Edward) Jay Apr 23, 1945 21 (HQ) First Canadian Army Signals Killed Killed by mine while patrolling line near Arnhem Bridge. VII.A.14.
Yes
Lt K.G. (Kenneth Geikie) Jeanneret Feb 19, 1945 26 Essex Scottish Killed in Action Killed attempting to keep the unit HQ in communication when it was overrun by enemy armour. He was last seen coolly endeavouring to contact forward companies by wireless in full view of approaching enemy tanks. IX.E.8.
No
F78831
Sigmn E.J. (Edward John) Kennedy Sep 1, 1945 Despatch Rider 26 2 Company, 1st Canadian Divisional Signals Accident Suspected drowning on the night of 28/29 August. He was last seen around midnight 28 August and his body was later found in the Amstel River on 1 September with no signs of violence or foul play. IX.A.11.
Yes
L65754
Sigmn H.J. (Henry Joseph) Levesque Apr 23, 1945 23 First Canadian Army Signals Killed Killed by mine while patrolling line near Arnhem Bridge. VII.A.12.
No
Capt D.S.H. (David Stephen Herbert) Loughnan Feb 19, 1945 25 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals - "J" Section Killed in Action Killed by mortar fire while forward attempting to repair line to the Canadian Scottish whose companies were in difficult straits. XI.G.15
No
C5809
Sigmn M.V. (Martin Victor) Shields Jul 7, 1945 1st Canadian Divisional Signals Accident Drowned after falling into a canal (MERUEDE) while returning from a unit party. II.A.12.
Yes
B38505
Sigmn W.C. (William Colin) Soule Feb 27, 1945 Lineman "B" 19 Fd Regt Signal Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed Badly wounded by shell/mortar fire when regiment was road moving to a new location. Died before reaching a casualty clearing station. XXIV.B.8.
No
L58711
Sigmn R.G. (Richard Gordon) Sweeting Sep 13, 1945 Operator W&L 26 1st Canadian Divisional Signals Accident Died as a result of head injuries, fracture of right arm and amputation of left thumb due to accident between a jeep and the bicycle he was riding at approximately 2300 hrs. X.B.1.
No
C31566
Sigmn L.E. (Lawrence Edward) Wilks Dec 18, 1944 21 No. 5 Despatch Rider Section, 2 Canadian Corps Signals Accident Died after being accidently shot by L/Cpl Brown II.F.1.
No
D116199
Sigmn G. (George) Rodrigues May 26, 1945 Died While POW Panel 10.
No

Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery

Service Number Rank and Name Date of Death Trade Age Unit Cause of Death Details Grave Location Being Researched Yet
D24092
Cpl N. (Norman) Armitage Oct 28, 1944 Lineman "B" "F" Section, 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed in Action Killed by mine at approx 1745 hrs. 7. C. 11.
No
L58727
Cpl P.A. (Philip Andrew) Bentley Mar 30, 1945 17 WT Section, 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals Accident Traffic accident 9. E. 6.
No
D141277
Sigmn E.B. (Edgar Beatty) Black Dec 17, 1944 26 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals (5 Contruction Section?) Died of Wounds 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 8. B. 3.
No
B148460
Sigmn G.A. (Gordon Allan) Brown Feb 7, 1945 19 1st Canadian Line of Communication Signals Accident Jeep struck a tree on the Roosendaal-Breda road at approx 1400 hrs. Severe skull fracture, both femurs and left humerus fractured as well as spine injuries. Died approximately 1915 hrs at 30 Field Dressing Station having never regained conciousness. 1. A. 3.
No
K42470
Sgt R.H. (Russell Haigh) Clapperton Dec 16, 1944 Opr Cipher "C" 24 4 Cipher Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 3.
Yes
A102126
Sigmn F.C. (Frank Charles) Croshaw May 26, 1945 Driver 6 Cipher Section, 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals Illness Died of jaundice in 10 Canadian General Hospital 10. E. 9.
No
B67432
Sigmn J.H. (Joseph Henry) Fraser Oct 28, 1944 Lineman "B" 28 "F" Section, 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed in Action Killed by mine at approx 1745 hrs. 8. D. 4.
No
D116325
LCpl R.H. (Robert Henry) Goodyer Oct 28, 1944 Electrician "C" 25 4th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals Killed in Action 5. C. 7.
No
B38800
Sigmn R. (Reginald) Greentree Dec 16, 1944 32 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals (5 Contruction Section?) Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 5
No
Lt A.M. (Austin Michael) Heffernan Jun 6, 1945 25 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals Accident Killed in a jeep accident near Tilburg 7. B. 1.
No
A103887
LCpl C.A. (Chancey Alva) Jones Dec 16, 1944 23 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals (5 Contruction Section?) Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 1.
Yes
A2481
Sigmn G.C. (Gordon Cardno) Kilgour Dec 16, 1944 44 5 Construction Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 7.
No
H8714
Sigmn E.W. (Eugene Wilfred) Leblanc Dec 17, 1944 20 2 Construction Section, First Canadian Army Signals Died of Wounds 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 8. B. 8.
No
A116576
Sigmn M.F. (Murray Foster) Newman Dec 16, 1944 21 3 Signals Park, First Canadian Army Signals Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 2.
No
B38730
Sigmn J.G. (James Gilbert) Reason Dec 16, 1944 22 4 Tele Op Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. G. 4.
No
Lt P.E. (Pitman Elwood) Scharfe Jan 6, 1945 Canadian Army Signals Park, First Canadian Army Signals Accident Killed in a motor vehicle accident. 7. B. 11.
No
A2464
Sigmn T.T. (Thomas Turner) Smith Dec 16, 1944 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals (5 Contruction Section?) Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. F. 9.
No
H19521
LCpl J.H.F. (John Harold Francis) Steeds Dec 25, 1944 Despatch Rider "C" 24 First Canadian Army Troops Area Signal Section, First Canadian Army Signals Accident (DR vehicle accident?) 10. A. 1.
No
A2383
Sigmn H. (Hector) Vertente Dec 25, 1944 Despatch Rider "C" 21 3 Despatch Rider Section, First Canadian Army Signals Accident (DR vehicle accident?) 5. H. 3.
No
B145193
Sigmn J.P.K. (John Patrick Kenneth) Waites Aug 7, 1945 20 5 Cipher Section, 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals Accident Drowned while swimming off the pier at Scheveningen near the Hague 8. F. 9.
No
M9059
Sigmn D.B. (Donald B.) Wallace Oct 29, 1944 Operator W&L "B" 26 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed Killed by mine. 12. A. 7.
No
B132375
Sigmn J.A. (Hugh Verdun) Webber Oct 28, 1944 Lineman "C" 23 "F" Section, 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed in Action Killed by mine at approx 1745 hrs. 7. C. 8.
No
B32649
Sigmn A.J. (Alfred J.) Wilson Dec 17, 1944 Inst Mech Group "B" 33 2 Tech Maint Section, First Canadian Army Signals Killed 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 8. B. 5.
No
F32205
Sigmn J.W. (James William) Yates Dec 17, 1944 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals (5 Contruction Section?) Died of Wounds 60-cwt leave truck returning from Brussels was hit in the vicinity of Brasschaet with 13 killed and 9 injured. 5. F. 12.
No

Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery

Service Number Rank and Name Date of Death Trade Age Unit Cause of Death Details Grave Location Being Researched Yet
B32799
Sigmn R.J. (Robert James) Clark Nov 1, 1944 27 1 Canadian Air Support Signals Unit Killed in Action Reported killed in action while attached to HQ 4th S S Bde (BR). 6. B. 5.
No

Holten Canadian War Cemetery

Service Number Rank and Name Date of Death Trade Age Unit Cause of Death Details Grave Location Being Researched Yet
Lt A.M. (Allan Mackenzie) Burslem Apr 12, 1945 28 Alg Regt Killed 4 Div WD for 12 Apr says"Lt Burslem, Signal Offr with the Algonquins was killed today by a guerrilla party on the ESTERWEGEN area. WARPATH and Alg WD say: In the region of Borger/Esterwegen Germany and while driving in a jeep to visit "C" Coy in their new position on 12 April 1945, Lt Burslem and his driver Cpl Ruddy were ambushed by the enemy. Lt Burslem was killed while Cpl Ruddy was wounded and managed to crawl away. B A IX. C. 11.
Yes
M37759
Sigmn C.B. (Carsten Berg) Davidson Jul 31, 1945 29 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals CAOF Illness Died in WILHELMSHAVEN at 7 Canadian General Hospital from heart failure caused by a virus brought on by blood poisoning. VII.B.12.
No
M36230
Cpl G.A. (Grant Albert) Druhan Apr 29, 1945 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed Mine strike on vehicle - Whlle returning to camp after laying line along the bank of the EIS River, near WEENER Germany, the vehicle struck a mine. He was thrown into the canal and drowned before he was found. XII.A.14
Yes
B31573
Cpl A.R. (Alfred Rawnsley) Edwards Apr 25, 1945 Lineman 28 5th Canadian Divisional Signals Killed in Action Killed in action by a direct hit while repairing lines. VI.C.13.
Yes
D26890
Sigmn J.H. (Jack Hyman) Gaskin May 10, 1945 Driver mechanic MV "C" 30 3 Signal Park, First Canadian Army Signals Accident Died of "accidental wounds" VI.A.11.
No
H38836
Cpl R.L. (Robert Luke) Harrison Apr 23, 1945 Lineman "B" 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Died of Wounds Mine strike with cable jeep destroyed. XI.H.16.
No
F26373
Cpl M.J. (Maurice James) Hughes May 2, 1945 24 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed Mine strike on vehicle. VIII.E.5.
No
Lt E.L. (Evan Llewellyn) Johnston Aug 15, 1945 Royal Winnipeg Rifles Accident Killed in a motorcycle accident VIII. A. 14.
No
W2073
Sigmn M.T. (Matthew Thomas) Low Jul 15, 1945 Operator W&L 21 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals CAOF (attd. H.Q. 3rd Cdn. Inf. Bde.?) Accident Drowned while attempting to swim across the BAD ZWISCHENAHN MEER from Div HQ to Blue Diamond Beach at approximately 1940hrs. Body recovered 20 July. V.F.11.
No
A50101
Sigmn W.S. (William Stuart) Metcalfe Jun 4, 1945 Despatch Rider 24 B Troop, 5th Canadian Divisional Signals Accident Drowning. Body was recovered from the Loopende Diepe Canal, Groningen, Holland after a unit dance in the Apollo Club on the night of 3 June. He was observed to be obviously under the influence of liquor and was last seen leaving his billet alone at approximately 0200 hrs. VI.B.13
Yes
B32020
Sigmn A.H. (Arthur Harold) Randall May 9, 1945 Lineman 26 4th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals Died of Wounds Seriously wounded when jeep struck a mine. Sigmn Rogers killed in the same incident. VI.E.4.
No
G16571
Sigmn B.R. (Burton Ronald) Rodgers Feb 13, 1945 24 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Killed Drowned - While laying line across a gap between two dykes, the amphibious vehicle stalled and sank. He had a life belt on but drifted away and 'went under' before he could be rescued. XI.G.5.
No
F9585
Sigmn F.E. (Frederick Erven) Rogers May 9, 1945 Lineman 27 4th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals Killed Killed when jeep struck a mine. Sigmn Randall injured in the same incident. VII.A.1.
No
B113088
Sigmn F.G. (Francis Gerrard) Rundle Jun 11, 1945 24 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Illness Went to bed with a headache, in morning was groaning and delerious. Taken to No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station and died while being admitted. IX.F.4.
No
Capt J.A. (James Alexander) Symington May 6, 1945 28 5 Construction Section, 1 Canadian Line of Communication Signals Killed Killed instantly while conducting a route recce when the jeep struck a mine at approximately 1800hrs. XI.C.15
Yes
G53254
LCpl E.R. (Ernest Raymond) Taylor Apr 27, 1945 Lineman "F" Troop, 2 Squadron, 4th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals Killed Died from small arms fire. While conducting a line recce his line crew ended up forward of Canadian lines. Owing to a crater in the road, Taylor and Cpl Armstrong walked ahead on the road and came within 6 feet of two Germans in a slit trench before noticing them. In the ensuing shooting, Taylor was badly wounded in the abdomen and legs. He was extracted but died enroute to aid. VIII.A.10
No