 Posted Friday, November 21, 2008
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As a child I was told about the second world war by my grandparents and as a schoolchild. WW2 is still an active subject in Dutch schoolprograms. These story's where the start of a journey of books, meetings and learning all in the subject of the second world war.
My family has a large history during the war. Due to these story's my interest grew and as a result a search for stories by the liberators and to never forget this war.
After a search of Canadian veterans who where active in my area during the war, I came a cross with a veteran of the Canadian VIII (8th) RECCE REGT. A regiment as a part of the second canadian division. Who landed in july in Normandy and fought there way through France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. This regiment was in a "holding position" in Boxmeer, the Netherlands. In prepare of the operation Veritable who would get started in february 1945.
I got in contact with formar Lt. M. Young of the 8th (canadian) Reconnaissance regiment. Who was in Boxmeer during the war and could tell me more about the situation and his carreer. Many letters with storys and pictures followed. During the war he made a lot of pictures of his men and the country's he and his comrads where in. Also from my home town Boxmeer. After seeing these pictures I went in a search of the locations of the pictures. After a search of a few months I was able to pin point the houses and locations on the photo's.
After the coronspondance between Mr. Young and I we could arrange a meeting in the village he left more that 65 years ago.
At that time I was still busy with my education as a assistant teacher. During that time I was a assistant teacher to a class of 11 year old boys and girls. I decided to invite the formar Luitenant to the class and tell and answer questions about the war and his expiriences. I got the green light of the school and combining English and history lessons to prepare the children of the visit of a real WW2 veteran. It turend out to be not a though soldier like the children saw in the movies and the video games they played. One of the goals i wanted to get. A true and sad story of a soldier in the war. A story of a man not very different then any other men. Looking similar to there grandparents, but with an unique story.
After the history and English lessons, the day came that Mr. Young and his wife came to the school. The children where quiet for the first in my lessons and a bit nervous to ask questions to this man who fought in a War, to liberate there grandparents and family from the German occupiers.
First of all Mr. Young told his global story of his education as an officer and the training with his men. I played in this story as a translator, and it was hard to keep up with Mr. Young as he told about this time. Noticeable was that Mr. Young's anecdotes where of the nice parts of the war. He told about the pictures he took and about the story of a piece of scrapnell that hit him on his camera in his breast pocket. Saving his life. For the first time all the children where completly silent in the time I was there as an assistant teacher.
The children where giving the time to ask the veteran the questions they had. A few examples of these questions are:
-"where you scared during the war?"
-"Did you had time to tell yokes during the war?"
-"How did you stay clean during the war? Where there any showers?"
-"How did you find food during the war? And what did you eat?"
-"how was the Netherlands like during the war?"
etc. etc.
As Mr. Young is a great teller and told the most nice anekdotes about his time and sometimes with tears in his eyes answerd the questions of the 11 year old children.
After the questions and story's Mr. Young showed his grand collection of pictures who he took during the war to the children.
One picture in particular I want to tell about. It was of a road sign who told "Don't be CS (chicken shit), Roar your motor, holor your head off" A sign of warning men that the enemy had a artillery ready. On the back of the sign you can see a house with a typical barn to the side. I allready thought, thanks to some research, this house now belongs to the parents of a child present in the classroom. As the child looked at the picture, i asked if she knew this house.. After looking good she yelled "Wow, that is my house on this picture (in Dutch)". As I translated it for the veteran, the tears went in his eyes and laught.
I visit the location with Mr. Young and his wife and walked around the house. He couldn't remember the house or the surounding area after 65 years, but was glad to be here. Where he was in a Holding position after so many years.
After a long good bye we (my family and I) said goodbye to the two Canadians.
A though, nice and memorial week of nice story's of a man I can only respect, and glad I could let him tell his story in Holland and beeing here after 65 years.
I hope I could play in a part to Never forget the war and the men and women who gave there lives to the freedom we now have!
Thank you for reading,
My appologize for my English, I hope it is clear.
Best regards,
Guido
Boxmeer, The Netherlands
1944-1945 - Boxmeer, The Netherlands
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Posted Friday, November 21, 2008
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| Guido, Thank you for that, a most wonderful story. And your English is very good indeed. My Father took part in Operation Veritable so to hear about those days means a lot to me. Thank you.
Lest we forget
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Posted Friday, November 21, 2008
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Hello ??? (sorry, only a member for one day, don't know any names)
Thank you for your reply. Good to hear my English is still in shape!
May I ask in which division and regiment your father was in? I'm always interested in story's from the first/second hand. Much better then reading it in books. If I may be so rude to ask ,Is your father still alive?
Thanks again for the reply!
Best regards from the Netherlands.
Guido
1944-1945 - Boxmeer, The Netherlands
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Posted Saturday, November 22, 2008
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Hi Guido,
Sadly my father passed away 40 years ago.
He was in 3rd Battalion Irish Guards fighting with the Guards Armoured Division and was badly wounded during fierce fighting near Hommersum on 21st February 1945. As a result of the fighting the Battalion lost 175 men from Numbers 1 and 3 Coy, both Company Commanders and all Platoon Commanders and were forced to pull back to Nijmegen.
My understanding is that the Guards Armoured Division were providing close armour support for the Canadians, however my research is still ongoing to find out more information.
Regards
Simon
Lest we forget
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Posted Saturday, November 22, 2008
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Hello Simon (thanks!)
Sorry to hear that. Was he able to talk about his time? I've heard story's of veterans, That they only talked about it since 5 years ago.
Interessting. I know the Guards Armoured division also seen action at the battle of Overloon (the only tank battle in Holland, also called second Caen). But I only recall Coldstream Guards and Household cavalry regiment. Escorting the British 3rd divsion (infantry). But I'll try to find out if the 32nd Guards Brigade (where the 3rd Battalion Irish Guards where part of.) saw action also at Overloon.
I'll try to found as much as possible about this battalions action!
Greetings,
Guido
1944-1945 - Boxmeer, The Netherlands
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Posted Saturday, November 22, 2008
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i've just contacted some people with knowledge about the Irish Guards. No luck yet, but i heard soon there will be a website online purely about the Irish Guards. We just have to wait.
A good source aswell are the archives in London. The War Diaries can give a lot information!
1944-1945 - Boxmeer, The Netherlands
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