B/114792 Trooper John King McGuire a member of Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment was killed in action on Thursday 5 October 1944 when his tank was taken out by enemy fire while liberating the Netherlands from Occupation. His final resting-place is in the Canadian War Cemetery at Bergen-Op-Zoom, the Netherlands.

In December of 2002, Ben Zonnenberg and Gert Jan t' Holt of the Dutch Welcome Again Veterans Association and who are also members of the Royal Canadian Legion received a letter from Cassie Connolly. Cassie is the daughter of Maureen Connolly, who is the daughter of Trooper John King McGuire and was 11 years of age at the time of her father's death.

The letter was as Ben put it "asking for a simple favour" if they could make arrangements for a graveside service for family members of Trooper John McGuire. In typical Dutch style these two gentlemen put together a wonderful tribute to Trooper McGuire in what could have been just a family gathering by the gravestone. Priory to this time no family members were able to visit the gravesite. So it came to be that on Friday 2 May 2003 which was her 70^th birthday the daughter of Trooper John McGuire Maureen was finally there taking part in an understandably emotional tribute to her father.

The Zone Commander, Thomas J. Andrews and I departed for the Netherlands early Thursday morning 01 May 2003 via Geilenkirchen where the NATO Air Base is located in north west Germany near the Dutch border. We had some business to attend to with Branch 003. On arrival at Branch 003 the Branch President Val Lauke met us and with other members of her executive served us lunch. We spent about an hour at Branch 003 before heading for Royal Dutch Air Force Base in the town of Woensdrecht/Hoogerheid near Bergen-Op-Zoom. Arriving at the Air Base we were met by Lt. A.J.Th van den Dobbelsteen the aide to the Base Commander Col. E.J. Oliemans. He gave us a warm welcome and accompanied us to our quarters where we met two of our Legion members who had arrived earlier in the day Ben Zonnenberg from Apledoorn and Céline Garbay who lives in Amsterdam. Lt. Dobbelsteen took us on a tour of the area stopping at a memorial to the Canadians that liberated that area of the Netherlands.

At 1800 hours the Base Commander, Colonel Oliemans had us to dinner in the Officers Mess where over dinner we chatted on many subjects. Canada seemed to be the focal point since Col. Oliemans was recently the Dutch Military Attaché in Ottawa for three years and as he said, "my wife and I fell in love with Canada and the people". He also supports the Canadian Legion and was honoured to have us as his guests. Following the dinner the Commander escorted us to a Hotel in Bergen-Op-Zoom where the family members of Tpr. John McGuire were staying. We spent the next couple of hours chatting with the family members then it was back to the barracks for the night.

After breakfast we drove to the Canadian War Cemetery in Berger-Op-Zoom. Arriving early gave us a good opportunity to wander through the cemetery. Shortly after Iris and Daniel Van Landschoot, two of our Legion members from Belgium arrived and completed our Colour Party. We met Mr. Dirk Goudkuil a Piper of 48^th Highlanders of Holland and bugler Iwan Wiering, an Officer of Royal Dutch Military Police who would play for the ceremony.

Family members and dignitaries arrived and were escorted to the gravesite by Ben Zonnenberg who done a super job as the moderator of the ceremony. Led by the piper the colours were marched into position. The ceremony got underway with an opening address from the mayor of Bergen-Op-Zoom His Worship Mr. van der Velden. The religious portion of the ceremony was conducted by Lieutenant Commander Reverend, Karen Fillmore, Canadian Forces Chaplain from SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium.

Larry Connolly recited the Act of Remembrance and Cassie Connolly read a very touching poem that she had written for the ceremony:

It did not matter he was their son

John McGuire left Englehart to join the war in 1942,

Canada prayed along with his wife, Winnie, and five children the baby just two.

John was a strong and gentle man bravely seeking peace if truth were told.

Not really believing in the heartache that could eventually unfold.

John wouldn't give up until his duty was done.

The Netherlands were freed, an important battle won.

During the war he made many friends so effortlessly.

You see, many wrote to tell us after he died so gallantly.

John didn't live to see the monumental victory.

His tank was hit—he crawled back to our lines and, tragically,

Couldn't make it back before the gunfire ceased.

John died that October day he was released.

Just before John left this world of ours, his heart shattered.

At this painful juncture: his children and wife were what really mattered.

Please help your morn: Maureen, John, Eileen, Joanie and Terry.

For I have left her with a heavy burden to carry.

I'm sorry, please believe me when I say,

I always thought that I would come home to you one day.

Forgive me, my inability to return.

I'm elsewhere watching and hoping you can sense my concern.

Dutch farmers took great risk and buried John.

For the enemy was close by the war raged on.

After three weeks, the enemy was forced back finally.

Then, Dutch farmers placed flowers on John's grave tenderly.

The farmers' soulful response, bravery and compassion were not in vain.

It provided John's family precious strength to bear their pain.

The Dutch farmers didn't know our John.

It did not matter he was their son.

John's children are grown with extended family.

They will never forget and miss him endlessly.

In 2003, John's eldest daughter, Maureen, travelled overseas.

To finally gaze upon her father's gravestone that rests proudly among the poppies.

Since 1944, Maureen has dreamed of visiting her fallen father far away.

Just a chance for a real goodbye and to say, "Daddy we missed you every day."

The Dutch people too never forget they honour the soldiers and remaining family.

Their graciousness and kindness offered 59 years later to Maureen and her daughter so humbly.

John's family remains proud of his sacrificial contribution.

And forever grateful to Holland for this moving service and dedication.

For Canada and Holland unite once again.

This time, in a long-awaited commemoration.

May John and the Dutch farmers rest peacefully in heaven.

Beside Mom I stand, one of John's granddaughters, at the age of thirty-seven.

Poignantly, the same age Grandpa died serving his country so willingly.

The heroic souls resting beneath the rows of gravestones representing: sacrifice, freedom and peace so honourably.

I stare at Grandpa's gravestone in complete aweno one could have prepared me for the vital realization:

We are all responsible to honour our living veterans and fallen soldiers' sacrifices by teaching the future generation.

The bugler, Iwan Wiering, plaid the Last Post, which was followed by Two Minutes silence. Piper Dirk Goudkuil played the Lament and the bugler plaid the Reveille. This was followed by a very impressive wreath laying ceremony, which began with local Dutch children putting flowers on the graves of Trooper John McGuire and his the fallen comrades.

Family members and relatives laid wreaths.

The Rev. Lt.Commander Karen Fillmore, Chaplain Canadian Forces in Europe laid a wreath on behalf of the Canadian Embassy.

Hon. Mayor. Mr.P.A.C.M. van der Velden and Mrs. L. Westerhof laid a wreath on behalf of the City of Bergen-Op-Zoom.

Col. E.J. Oliemans and Lt. A.J.Th van den Dobbelsteen laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Dutch Air Force.

Mr. Gert Jan t' Holt, Chairman of the Welcome Again Veterans Association and the Secretary Mrs. Eggink ten Velde laid a wreath.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Widt, Deputy Chairmen of the Foundation of Thank you Canada and Allied Forces laid a wreath.

Ms. Céline Garbay laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, Zone Europe.

To complete the ceremony the National Anthems of Canada and the Netherlands were played followed by the family members, dignitaries and those present filing by the Colour Party showing their appreciation for us being there which was a pleasant surprise and very much appreciated. The Colours led by the Piper was marched off. The remainder would then leave the family at the graveside of Trooper John McGuire in private.

Col. E.J. Oliemans, Commander of the Royal Dutch Airforce Base of Woensdrecht/Hoogerheid invited all present to a reception and lunch at the mess. It was here that the emotions of the day seem to relax as a few informal short speeches took place. We had the opportunity to sing happy birthday to Maureen, gifts of appreciation were exchanged, Legion pins and e-mail addresses as all the little groups intermingled trying to get to know one and other. Unfortunately the reception is too soon over, as people have to head out for other engagements. We bid farewell to our new found Canadian friends with hopes of keeping in touch. Ben and Céline had to head for home, Andy and I would remain over night at the Base since we had a few more ceremonies to attend in the Netherlands over the next few days.

The Zone Commander and I had the pleasure of spending the rest of the afternoon and evening with our Belgium friends Iris & Daniel at a local pub in the nearby town. Over a few beers and a few games of cards it was an opportunity to catch about the latest developments in Belgium and the progress regarding the formation of a Belgium Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. At about 2230 hours Iris & Daniel left for home and for Andy and I it was back to the barracks where we discovered the Base Commander had placed lunches in our rooms for the road trip in the morning, quite unbelievable.

Saturday morning 03 May 2003 we left the Base at approximately 0730 hours and headed for the Dutch Military Barracks in Ede as did other members of our Zone Colour Party from Germany. Jocelyn Gelinas and his wife Val from Branch 003 and Gerard Lemay and Heinz Bernesser from Branch 001 which we would meet in Ede this afternoon. Having time to spare Andy and I decided to stop and see one of our Dutch Legion members and good friend Joe Van Dyk who after retiring from the Dutch Military opened a water ski school called "Splash" on the Maas river. We had a little problem finding the actual location of the site on the river. But as luck sometimes has it we were going around a small traffic circle when a vehicle passed in front of us with the logo "Water Ski School Splash" on it so we followed along and it was Joe. We spent about an hour with Joe and then it was on to Ede.

Arriving in Ede at about 1400 we went to see Teus Meerveld and his wife Wil for a coffee. Tues is also a Legion member and the manager of the Military Hotel in the Kaserne in Ede. He had our rooms ready and we asked him if he would carry the Dutch Flag for us during the Liberation March through the city of Wageningen on Monday to which he accepted. We went to the hotel got the rooms sorted out and the other members arrived shortly after that. That evening we went into the town of Ede for supper and having a full day tomorrow we returned to barracks for the evening.

Holten Ceremony

Sunday 04 May 2003 we were up early and headed for the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten to attend a ceremony at 1100 hours. Ben Zonnenberg and his wife Wil met us in Holten. Ben carried a flag with us and even though we had an impressive Colour Party again this year the organising committee was not informed that we would be present. To avoid more confusion the Zone Commander told the committee just to carry on with their ceremony and we would do our thing as we did in previous year. When the main ceremony was completed our Colour Party marched to the Cross of Sacrifice formed a semicircle, the Zone Commander laid a wreath and recited the Act of Remembrance the Colour Party was then marched out of the cemetery. We were invited to the mayor's reception at a nearby restaurant. Here another of our Dutch members Arend Dubbelaar who is a policeman from Noordwijk and his son Glen met us and would spend the rest of the day with us. Arend and I were able to have some good conversation while the Zone Commander was being entertained by a Russian contingent or as he is able to speak their language maybe he was entertaining them. Anyway this little gathering was soon over and we headed for a village called Whilp where our friends Comrades Mark Hoodermann and Corina Pott with the rest of the PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) Re-enactment Group would have a camp set-up. Each year on liberation weekend this group dressed in PPCLI uniforms sets up a camp complete with weapons, tents, military vehicles, field kitchen and re-enact what the PPCLI did liberating this area and their advance to and crossing the Ijssel River in World War II. This year they set up near a farmhouse on a road that was about three kilometres from the village. The road is primarily used for walking and cycling and every 500 meters they put up display boards complete with pictures and text that told the story of the liberation of the area by the PPCLI. The display was really well done as thousands of people on foot and bicycles stopped to look at each of the presentations. We arrived at the camp where our friends welcomed us. The Zone Commander had his traditional mess tin dinner from the field kitchen. The Russian delegation also showed up and this time there was no question as to who was entertaining who as the Zone Commander had them all line up for a shot of something that looked dangerous out of a big brown jug? The veteran General with the group presented Andy with a special Russian War Veterans Pin as a few stories were told. We spent a great afternoon with our hosts but had to leave about 1800 hours and headed for Apeldoorn where we took part in their Liberation March and the Zone Commander laid a wreath at the city monument.

Following the ceremony the mayor invited us to a reception at the city hall. The mayor wanted to discuss with us the formation of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in his city. He enthusiastically supports the idea and offered us a location for the Branch in one of the cities historical buildings at no cost. Ben Zonnenberg volunteered to recruit the required members and a date was set with the mayor for an organisational meeting in October if all goes well.

We also met Heinrik Kuiper a Sgt Maj in the Dutch Army in Apledoorn where he is presently serving and he accompanied us back to Ede. Having a long day we decided it was time to have a beer and unwind so off to Ede we went not for long though since tomorrow is the big day.

05 May Liberation Day in the Netherlands.

This year would mark the nineteenth time that Canadian Legion Members took part in the annual parade through the city of Wageningen. We arrived in Wageningen at approximately 1130 hours and made our way to the reception tent along with about five thousand other participants. We got our Legion Standards put together and had about an hour to visit with old friends from past years. The Colours were called out at 1230 hours, formed up and marched off to the church where a rehearsal would take place before the church service. In the meantime we met two other Legion members from Canada and a Militia Soldier from St. Catherines who were visiting the Netherlands we invited them to join us on the parade. Also Captain Erik Jockzc of the Dutch Army and a member of our Legion joined us and volunteered to carry a flag so with Tues Meerveld and Ben Zonnenberg we had plenty of flags and with our companions we were able to represent the Canadian Legion in true Legion fashion.

Each year there seems to be some controversy as to who is going to lead the parade. In the beginning it was always the Canadian Veterans that led the parade since it was the Canadians who liberated this area of the Netherlands but over time the organisation committee changes and they make changes. This situation seems to bother the Dutch and Belgium people more than it does us since we are there to take part in their event not to cause more confusion with the organising committee. As it happens though something always seems to happen to rectify the situation and this year was no exception. The organisers put the units of the Dutch Army in front with a full Brass Band, which seemed fair since it is their liberation day. We were I believe group number seven just in front of a full British Pipes & Drums Band. The parade started with the Brass Band leading off at 120 paces to the minute while we swayed along to the Pipes & Drums so by the time we got to the saluting base which was about a kilometre away we were so far behind that we were actually first.

As we passed the saluting dais Prince Bernhard gave us the "thumbs up" which was a very meaningful jester. He also sent his aide over to find us in the tent after the parade to thank us personally for our attendance, which was quite unbelievable!

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