Following the Glens 2008: 2008

Day 15 - Sunday, September 28, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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.