Our Stratford: From Stratford to Vimy

Our Stratford: From Stratford to Vimy

Normandy Update

Since we have been to France and Belgium, Ken and I have become voracious readers of material about the Canadians, Normandy and Buron. We intend to attend an open house at the Cambridge Armouries, the home of the Highland Light Infantry, at the end of October.

The Armouries house a museum with many diaries and artifacts, I've been told. In the meantime we have been collecting material and trying to decide what or where to head next. One book entitled: Bloody Buron by J. Allan Snowie, was difficult to locate but full of pictures (some of Francis) and many interesting interviews. We wished we had found it before we went to Europe.

We need to get in touch with the Historical Society and make sure they have some of this. Then we need to talk about a strategy to move forward on the Victoria Cross issue.

I was hoping to talk to someone about my Dad's papers as well. Much harder to figure out where he was and who he was attached to.

We have also seen some very graphic and compelling original film footage this week in a show called the Colours of War on the History Channel, much of it was about Normandy.

Beny-Sur-Mer War Cemetery

We find Cpl. Francis Weitzel's grave. Ken and I felt we had to leave a picture of Francis there.

The QOR laid another wreath. It was most fitting and special for us that the Last Post was played while we were there.

We got the wreath from the War Graves Commission in Ieper.

More Scenes from Juno Beach

A Dutch sign to remind anyone who may forget.

The re-enactment sets up a display.

As we were boarding our bus another group on its way to the beach to lay a wreath passed us by.

Juno Beach Continued

Canadian (Dutch ) soldiers on Juno beach in 2009.

The offerings at Maison des Queens Own Rifles - Hoffer Family House. The first home to be liberated in Normandy and by the Queeens Own Rifles.

A view of the beach from the German perspective (inside the pillbox) . This was what they saw as Canadians landed on this strip pf soil.

Touching tributes.

More floral tributes

Stunning roses ......

I was not able to determine the name of this shrub. Except for the extra petal it reminded me of the trillium.

The larger picture, not very trillium-like.

Flowers in the Cemeteries

These stunning roses are only a few of the thousands that are planted at the grave sites.

It turns out the War Graves Commission has a horticultural element. I had wondered.

I will post more picutres later. The fowers were quite beautiful and every so often I couldn't help myself and had to take a picture of some stunning example.

St. Julien part 2

A Queens Own Rifles patch goes up... Ed is in the background.

Everyone gets ready.

Visitors before us had planted the Canadian flags. It was a windy day and they were alive on the monument, fluttering. It was very solemn.

Updates

Hi to all.

I thought I'd just post a note to let you know I am still uploading pictures and details to expand the site. New material was posted to-day but I am keeping the chronological order from the Itinerary. So go check out Belgium entries.

Computer Issues!

Hi all. Ken and I arrived home after over 8 hours of traveling. Disappointing results tonight.

We arrived home and I took my camera in to my big computer to upload all those pictures for editing AND to post more material on the blog. When I booted it up my monitor refuses to show me anything!!!!! Now I cannot upload to any computer. It never rains but it pours. Now I'll have to use up a lot of time tomorrow and the next day getting all working again. Sorry everyone. They are really amazing pictures and I will need them and the itinerary to keep all in order.

And just to add the frosting on the cake, Dad's war records are in our homecoming mail ! :(

Finally Juno Beach!

Early Saturday, June 6th 2009 we arrived at Juno Beach. Contrary to what many think, the place is not called that. Juno Beach was a code name for the Canadian part of the Allied landings that all occurred that day. The town is Bernieres-sur-Mer. This shot is looking down the beach from the German pillbox pictured below.

Ken and I are finally at the place where his Uncle landed and Dad, too. It was such a compelling thing in his life, the War. We need to understand it better.

Shaun and Adam stand guard at the QOR monument.

Juno Beach on D-Day

These panels were on display near Canada House on Juno Beach.

Canada house on D-Day.

Juno Beach & the Queens Own Rifles

In preparation to lay a wreath at the house liberated by the Queens Own Rifles on D-Day.

Ed and another vetran.

Our Dutch fellows on Juno Beach in Canadian Uniform. It was a bit erie.

Dieppe

Note the cliffs above the beaches at Diepppe. Also the beach is composed of smallish stones. Not good for tank treads or running!

After 3 days in and around the Ypres area, we can say that we enjoyed Belgium very much. Our next stop will be in and around Dieppe. The scene of the largest disaster of leadership in WWII. There are a lot of reasons for the failure of this plan. When I can upload pics it may be self evident.

In the meantime we continue to enjoy windy but fair weather. Apparently this is unusual for this time of year. In Belgium at least, they receive twice as much rainfall as we do. This explains some of the disasters of WWI and the losses. The clay soils were pounded into mush, just add rain for total disaster.

This is the view of the beach at Dieppe from the German pillbox below. They had this beach covered. The Allies never had a chance.

Dieppe was the disastrous raid also known as 'Operation Jubilee" which claimed over 3000 Canadian casualties. Despite the tragic outcome, the lessons learned provided the Allies with valuable information which was later used to successfully plan the beach landings on D-Day.

Note to all

I have had some trouble with my usb ports on my portable. The bottom line here is that I cannot upload pictures to my computer. This is highly disappointing as this is a great help with the order of events. I also have to use this unsatisfying and inadequate track pad instead of my mouse!!

More from Le-Mesnil-Patry

This pipe band was part of the parade to the monuemnt and led us back to the hall after. They were a pretty decent pipeband. Their arm patch said "Seaforth Highlanders of Canada" a regiment from Vancouver.

This blew me away... the whole Pipe Band is from Holland. Another group of reenacters.

Later that Same Day

This is the town of Le-Mesnil-Patry. We were part of a ceremony to lay a wreath dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Queens Own Rifles killed during the Battle of Normandy and in the liberation of the town. This young lady was part of a group that laid peonies as their offering of remembrance.

The Honour Guard stands.

The students are prepared for the Ceremony.

Another symbol of remembrance. This gentleman was no part of the ceremony but laid his wreath privately.

June 5th at Giberville

For the last three days we have been almost continuously on the go . Two nights ago we were laying wreaths, attending ceremonies and on the bus till 11:30 pm. Believe it or not the next day we had to be up and at 'em by 5:30 in order to fit everything in!!!!!! The weather was fine with a bit of cloud.

By last night Ken and I begged off from another ceremony with leg and back issues. Mostly because we had been doing a lot of standing at back to back ceremonies. June 5th we attended a wreath laying ceremony in a small village. We walked quite a distance to the park and then back to a dedication to a Queens Own sign/street and then to an old age home. It was an amazing day!! The first surprise was to see young men and women dressed in Canadian forces uniform for the Queens Own rifles ...... from WWII!!!!!!


They are quite engaged and are very serious collectors of WWII material. These people were from Holland and were then with us on and off for three days. They believe they are keepers of history. A very serious group.They came complete with their very own WWII era Canadian jeep! At one point they gave Ed (our vet) a ride. His comment was "I never thought I'd ever ride in one of these again!"

The second surprise was the town treated everyone to a very yummy luncheon, complete with Calvados (the local cider) and wine.

Queens Own Rifles (circa 1940) and Queens Own Rifles (Shawn & Adam) circa 2009

As the day advanced we saw more and more unformed Canadian soldiers (all reenactment groups). That has been the weirdest thing of all to get used to. They have trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, uniforms, kit bags, boots, tents, etc. In the right place it is ghostly to see them there.

More in the Village of Giberville

In her role as a Canadian WAC , this young woman , her child and her husband were very involved in the whole reenact culture.

Shawn and Adam with a Vetran at the village monument. You can see part of the Canadian Maple Leaf (in red) on the monument behind them.

the village band played as we marched, etc.