Following the Glens 2008

Day 15 - Sunday, September 28, 2008

2008-09-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

John at the Overloon War Museum in the Netherlands. There was an extensive display of army vehicles and we were trying to find one that resembled something Gramps might have used during the war. The sound effects in the large room where the vehicles were kept really added to the display.

In Nijmegen we found the Chapel in the photo Gramps had brought back with him in September of 1945. We'll never know the significance of the photo, but it was quite something to think he may have been there.

John and Cathy in front of St. Nicholas Chapel, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The Glens were in this area in November/December of 1944.

"A Bridge Too Far"
The Nijmegen Bridge over the River Waal - defended by the Glens in Nov./Dec. 1944.

The bicycle parking lot at the train station in Nijmegen. It was 2 levels and there was another bike parking lot across the street. There is an extensive bike path system everywhere you go in the Netherlands and people ride - rain or shine!!

Day 14 - Saturday, September 27, 2008

2008-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

Reverend Captain Andrea Harrison, Padre of the SD&G Highlander's Regiment, standing in the light of the beautifully kept Bergin-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands.

L - R, -Lenie & Wigger van der Horst (friends of the Glens), Harry Towes (WW2 Glens Veteran), and Cathy. We were treated to a very warm welcome and tasty lunch upon our arrival into Zutphen.

Our three veterans outside the Community Centre in Zutphen. L-R, Jack Stevens (WW2 Glens Veteran), Harry Towes (WW2 Glens Veteran), and Ervin Clement (WW2 D-Day Veteran, Sherbrooke Fusiliers).

The Memorial in Leeston area of Zutphen where streets have been named after the 11 Glens killed in this area in April of 1945.

We were piped to the subdivision that bears the names of the 11 fallen Glens, passing the white cross that marks the exact place where Glen, Aime Periard was killed in April of 1945. The residents of the subdivision greeted us warmly and it was a very moving moment.

This young resident of Leeston offered a tray of delicious candy - each chocolate was decorated with the crest of the SD&G Highlanders!!!! Absolutely amazing, and so very thoughtful. We appreciated this gesture very much.

Time for chatting and getting to know each other. We were welcomed so warmly. I found it to be an experience like no other, and I shall never forget this wonderful day.

As we boarded our coach to leave, the 48th Highlanders of Holland played their bagpipes for us. Everyone on the bus began to clap in unison. We then had to bid farewell to our wonderful, gracious friends in Leeston.

Day 13 - Friday, September 26, 2008

2008-09-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Glen' s Monument in Knokke Heist, Belgium. During the ceremony a man appeared on his balcony and quietly displayed his Canadian flag.

Our piper Nelson then walked over and played the bagpipes in appreciation of the gentleman's kind gesture. A very special moment indeed.

John standing on the south side of the Scheldt estuary. The sky was so clear you could see to the other side. The Glen's fought here on October of 1944.

One of the windmills we passed enroute to Hoofdplaat, the Netherlands.

Cathy standing on the dyke. The Scheldt is on one side and the low land of the Netherlands is on the other.

Belgium waffles with fresh fruit .... lunch for Cathy in Brugge!!

A local musician in Brugge, Belgium. We enjoyed some great sunshine too.

John in front of the most photographed site in Brugge.

A reception for the Glen's at the City Hall in Knokke Heist. A very warm welcome for us, and the end of a great day.

Day 12 - Thursday, September 25, 2008

2008-09-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Menin Gate WW1 Memorial in Ypres; the names of soldiers whose bodies were never located, are listed on the walls of this Memorial - too many to count ...... very sad.

The 'Cloth Building', Ypres, Belgium .... very ornate and very beautiful.

The salesman at one of Belgium's chocolate stores - Death by Chocolate!!!!

One of the chocolate consumer's in Ypres.

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world. It is located near Passchendaele.

During all of the Remembrance Ceremonies at the various cemeteries we visited across Europe, a wreath such as this one was left to honour the fallen Glens.

John, 'hanging out' of our hotel room balcony in Knokke Heist, Belgium.The Glens were here in Belgium at the end of October, early Novemhber 1944.

The Hotel Prins Boudewijn in Knokke Heist, Belgium - where we stayed.

Day 11 - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

2008-09-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Memorial at Vimy Ridge. It was quite misty when we were there.

Nelson stands at the Memorial and pipes Amazing Grace. A crowd formed below as the sound of the bagpipes fills the air at this most spectacular site.

Ninety years on and the old battlefield is still dangerous. The sheep provide the lawn cutting service in this hazardous area!

John in the trenches at Vimy.

We walked through the 'subway' at Vimy ..... not a place that you would want to spend a lot of time if you were a soldier in WW1.

Zouave Valley WW1 Cemetery near Souchez, France. A tiny, out-of-the-way, cemetery that was quite difficult to find. We had to walk quite a way to reach it as the bus could not access the tiny country lane that led to this beautifully kept WW1 cemetery.

Horses in the fields near the cemetery .... almost looks like a painting. The countryside in France is absolutely magnificent!!

Day 10 - Tuesday, September 23, 2008

2008-09-23T14:24:00.001-07:00

City Hall, Calais. A beautiful old building.

Rifleman Harvey W. White
Queen's Own Rifles

Harvey's headstone at the Calais Canadian War Cemetery. It started to rain while we were there so mom's poppy ended up being placed on the roses John and I bought for Harvey. You can see the button photograph as well. Harvey's name was read aloud after the Glen's names were read out, and the piper played the lament. John video-taped the ceremony while I held the umbrella over the camcorder. Many of our fellow travellers came over to Harvey's headstone, including Jim Brownell (MPP of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry), and I told them the story of mom's 5 brothers in the service and nana being the Silver Cross mother one year. In a way, it was like a proper funeral, including prayers by the regimental padre.

Cathy in front of Fred Patisseries, Boulogne-sur-Mer, where we enjoyed lunch ...... mmmmmmmm!!

John, trying to make an all important choice!!

Nelson Clarke, our piper, at the 13th century citadel Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Bridge to Château de Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The piper playing the bagpipes in the rain at the citadel. It was here that a local resident led the SD&G in through a 'secret' door, allowing them to gain control over the German headquarters in 1944.

Day 9 - Monday, September 22, 2008

2008-09-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Caen city Hall - pretty nice!

The racetrack at Caen, where in July 1944, the SD&G were located.

Pegasus Bridge, Benouville. Gramps and the SD&G crossed the River Orne here after taking Caen.

Cathy at Dieppe.

The beach at Dieppe.

Day 8 - Sunday, September 21, 2008

2008-09-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hell's Corner - you can see Dr. Jean Pierre Benamou's scout car on the left.

Walking towards the Chateau at Les Buisson. You can see the Glen's crest and plaque on the wall.

John in front of the Chateau.

This photo is special because Headquarter's Coy of the SD&G (including Gramps), was dug in behind the trees in the background.

Walking along Rue de Glengarrians in Les Buisson.

In front of the Glen's Memorial plaque in Caen.

The stairs at the Abbaye D'Ardenne that lead to the garden where the soldiers were murdered in 1944.

Greg Pollard in the garden at the Abbaye. The photo 4th from the left is Greg's uncle, George Pollard, a Lance Corporal with the SD&G, murdered at the Abbaye.

The Abbaye garden - poppies on the trees.

John riding in a half track at Dr. Jean Pierre Benamou's D-Day Acadamy.

John looking out at the city of Caen.

The walls of William the Conquer's fortress - Caen.

Dinner in Caen!!

Day 7 - Saturday, September 20, 2008

2008-09-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

John & Cathy reading the names of the Glens buried in Benny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.

On Juno Beach, nan sector, where the SD&G Highlanders landed.

(Lt) Dean Doll at the Bayeux Cemetery where his father is buried. Dean never met his dad.

Day 5 September 18, 2008

2008-09-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

As we left Portsmouth harbour and set sail across the English Channel heading for the Normandy shores of France, I (Cathy), thought about Charlie ('Gramps'), and wondered what it was like for him on that June 6 1944 day. The sun was not shining as it was for us, and the ride would not have been as smooth. Gramps was headed for the unknown... From my comfortable reclining chair in the lounge of the 'Normandie', I could see Ervin Clement sleeping. He is one of our D-Day veterans travelling with us, accompanied by his son Paul. He served with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers as a gunner, often in support of the SD&G Highlanders. This was Ervin's first visit to Juno Beach since June 6 1944. He said to me last night, "I'm not sure how I'm going to feel when I see the beach".

From where we docked at Ouistreham, only Sword Beach was visible. Leon Chamois, the curator of he SD&G Highlanders museum at the Cornwall Armoury provided tissues, and that's all I will say. We passed the fort built by William the Conquerer on the way to the Ibis Hotel in downtown Caen. All I can say is Caen looks much nicer to us than it did for Gramps - beautiful stone buildings and winding streets.

Day 6 September 19, 2008

2008-09-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

This morning we departed Caen for the Bretteville sur Laize Cemetery, taking much the same route as the SD&G did. As per usual, the cemetery was beautifully manicured and extremely well maintained. There was a short ceremony where the piper played, the names of the Glens resting here was read, and the mayor of Cintheaux spoke and presented our 3 veterans with a special pin. We were allowed time to walk amongst the grave markers and read the names and inscriptions of the fallen Canadian soldiers - the youngest being only 15 years of age.

It was on to the the town of Urville to lay a wreath at the Glen's Memorial there. Many school children waving Canadian flags greeted us, along with the mayor of that town and several local residents. We were warmly greeted. I showed the button of Gramps to one woman, and even though she did not speak a word of English, wanted to have a photo taken of herself with John and I beside the Glen's Memorial.

Afterwards, a reception was held in their town hall where we enjoyed local baking, tasty sandwiches and wine. The residents were very hospitable and friendly and it was a heart-warming experience.

...... on to Magney, a tiny village where one of the stone homes displays a plaque installed just 2 years ago, dedicated to the Glen's. It was this very house that served as the Headquarters as the Glen's were 'dug in' around Magney.

The mayor of Urville attended a brief ceremony held in front of the house. The present day residents were in attendance.

Upon returning to our hotel in Caen, we did some laundry. Gotta be clean for tomorrow!!

Day 4 - Wednesday, September 17, 2008

2008-09-17T13:14:00.003-07:00

A short bus ride from out hotel in Portsmouth took us to the D-Day Museum where we were "invaded" by 70 English school children! Ervin, one of the WW II veterans in our group, supplied some stories of life in a tank on that day and the days that followed.

On our way to our next stop, Southwick House, we stopped at a Rotary Club park high on a ridge overlooking Portsmouth and environs. A few of our travelers enjoyed "beefburgers and chips" from a local lunch truck - very greasy and very good!

Southwick House was the location where the decision to launch D-Day was made. It is located on an active British army base. We were on our best behaviour as we had a very informative visit to what is still the functioning officer's mess of the base.

An hour long drive through the English country side (one very large bus on many winding and narrow country lanes - a testiment to our bus driver John's skill!) brought us to Stonehenge. For me, John (the traveler, NOT the driver), this was a very facinating but very short hour long stop. Tonnes of pictures and video - multimedia presentation, anyone?

Day 3 - Tuesday, September 16, 2008

2008-09-17T13:14:00.002-07:00

The day began with a "full English buffet breakfast" after which me made our way to Buckingham Palace for a eye-popping tour of the State Rooms of that regal and extravagant residence. The gardens of the Royal Mews were very nice too!

Our next stop was the Imperial War Museum which is undergoing renovations at this time but this in no way diminished the impact of the presentations. We visited the "Blitz Experience" and other displays on the lower and ground floors but we didn't have enough time to see the other 5 higher levels... it's a massive display!

After a brief bus tour of some of other notable London sights we were off to Portsmouth, our base for the next two nights.

We next set our sights on the Gunn Inn in Findon, the birth place of the SD&G battlecry "Up the Glens". Our entourage was piped into the historical establishment with two WW II veterans leading the way. A few of the locals came out to see what all the excitement was about! A presentation was made to the owners of the pub; a reminder of the friendship and appreciation between them and the SD&Gs. A few pints were enjoyed by all!

Day 2 - Monday, September 15, 2008

2008-09-17T13:14:00.001-07:00

We met our skillful bus driver John upon our arrival into Heathrow and he took us straight away to Westminster Abbey. We toured the beautiful old structure lead by our London guide Charmaine.

Our next stop was lunch where the fare was traditional English fish 'n' chips at Bumbles of Buckingham Palace Road... it was fantastic!

With our stomaches full we heading off to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms near Downing Street... NO pictures allowed!

After we checked into our hotel (finally!) we made the short walk to 47 Kings Street, Hammersmith, former location of Regent Studio where, in November of 1943, CQMS Charles R. Dunk (Grampa Dunk) had his Christmas portrait done for his family back home in Canada. The original building has since been replaced but this is the actual location of that establishment.

Day 1 - Sunday, September 14, 2008

2008-09-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

Our trip began with a stop at the Cornwall Armory, home of the SD&G Highlanders. We then made our way to Jolly Tours where we met Carol MacAleese, our tour guide, and our fellow traveling mates.

Our flight from Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a bit late in departing but otherwise uneventful. We landed at Heathrow, London at 9:50 AM local time (4:50 AM for us!)