Royal Canadian Legion

Oudenaarde, Belgium

On 6 May 2007 the town of Oudenaarde had a special ceremony to honour their war dead and the military members that were involved in their liberation.

In addition to the soldiers that were honoured there was the crew members of a Hedley Page Halifax Bomber that crashed and are buried in the town’s local cemetery. It was in the middle of the night on 2 May 1944 when the doomed aircraft was about to crash into the town. The pilot at the last minute was somehow able to maneuver the plane from crashing into the town and ditched into a nearby field thus avoiding many civilian casualties as a result of his courage’s act.

This was a very special ceremony because the pilot, Leslie Stuart Mackenzie, of the Royal Canadian Air Force survived the ordeal and with his wife was brought over from Canada as an honoured guest. A plaque was dedicated to the crew by the children of Oudenaarde in memory of their sacrifice.

F/O MacKenzie was born in Winnipeg on 21 February 1924 . He joined the RCAF in March of 1942 and went overseas in July where he earned his wings in May 1943. He along with many of his fellow fliers took on assume responsibility at a very young age. Mr. MacKenzie gave a very touching speech describing his personal challenge to attend the ceremony. He honoured the memory of his crew members, gave thanks to the Belgium people who gave him refuge during this very difficult time and the efforts of the Belgium underground who were successful in getting him back to England in September of 1944. Following the war he flew for Air Canada and after retirement lives on Vancouver Island .

The crew members that paid the supreme sacrifice.

In total there are 24 commonwealth burials in this cemetery. Four additional RAF Flyers, twelve British soldiers and two Australian soldiers. During the floral tribute the Zone Commander laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion. The ceremony ended with a fly past by the Belgium Air Force.

Following this tribute the delegation marched to the towns War Memorials where a floral tribute was given for the towns liberators. The mayor invited all to the town hall for refreshments and gifts were exchanged. Mr. & Mrs. MacKenzie were in great demand by the dignitaries present and the local press but we did have the opportunity to meet them and have a short chat.

Not to detract from the ceremony that we were invited to attend the Zone Commander on completion of the proceedings gathered the Legionnaires together and with permission from the mayor and in the presences of Mr. MacKenzie awarded a Life Membership to one of our Belgium members Comrade Frank Verhulst. The Zone Commander explained that normally this award is presented by his Branch President at the Branch in the presence of his fellow Comrades, however, Frank who is a very highly decorated war veteran it seems appropriate that the award be presented in the field. Frank on completion of the presentation received a very warm ovation and congratulations from all who were present. Frank who is a very emotional and modest man said that we made him a very happy and proud person today and one he will no forget. ( A short story about Frank)