The Swift Current Legion Branch 56 honoured the heroes who helped liberate the Netherlands 80 years ago on Saturday.
Memorial Park was host to a parade of Legion members, dignitaries, and local members who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph. They were gathered to recognize the sacrifice local military members, and those across Canada, made to ensure the freedom of the Dutch people.
Legion Branch 56 public relations officer, John Griffin, delivered a speech that shared some details of the liberation while leaving out some of the more intense passages, as there were children in attendance. Some of those notes have been utilized in this article.
"It means the world to us as the Legion, and to the veterans of Swift Current, to have (members of the public) coming out to remember and honour our comrades," said Griffin. "It just means the world to us."
During the Netherlands campaign, 7,600 Canadians would end up as casualties. A total of 47 soldiers from Swift Current and area were a part of that total, having served in the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars).
The 8th Recce was heavily involved in combat from when they landed in Normandy on July 8th, 1944, where they immediately went into the line at Le Mesnil. From thereafter, they would be involved in heavy fighting for the rest of the war.
Griffin includes a tragic incident, where the 8th Recce was sent to relieve Allied paratroopers in Speir. Once there, they discovered 14 mutilated corpses of Dutchmen. The bodies showed signs of torture, with bullet wounds in each of their necks, and all their craniums destroyed.
The 8th Recce would be a persistent force throughout the campaign. Along the way, they would uncover many tragedies. One of which was how the Green Police murdered a 12-year-old boy.
On April 12, 1945, the 8th Recce would help to liberate Westerbrok Transit Camp, a mode in the Nazi concentration camp network. This is the same camp which held Anne Frank before she was sent to Auschwitz. They recovered close to 1,000 civilian prisoners, half of which were women and children.
These brave men, along with thousands of other Canadian and Allied troops, managed to over through the Nazi regime, liberating the Netherlands and the rest of Europe from fascism.
"We have a museum set up down at the Legion," said Griffin. "Anyone's welcome to come take a tour. I implore them to do so to learn a little bit about the history of Swift Current as it relates to the Canadian Armed Forces and to help honour and remember those from our community who have served and sacrificed."
During the ceremony, prayers honoured the sacrifice of men whom many of which were no older than their early 20s. Wreaths were laid by Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley MP Jeremy Patzer, Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley, Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal, and Legion Branch 56 president, Andy Moon.
The men who perished in the Netherlands campaign are listed as follows, courtesy of Griffin.
Tpr. Anderson, Ritchie
Tpr. Anton, Lee
Cpl. Backus, Joseph
Tpr. Barker, John Henry
Tpr. Blackmon, Orville Kenneth Alexander
Tpr. Brown, Ross Mervin
Sgt. Burrison, Reginald Meredith
Tpr. Bushensky, Albert Adolf
Cpl. Caldwell, Alexander Wallace
Tpr. Carnochan, Arthur E.
Tpr. Cederlund, Hans Wilfred
Tpr. Charboneau, Lawrence Adrian
Tpr. Cheeseman, Howard Lloyd
Sgt. Clark, Neil N.
Lt. Cowan, John Taylor
Cpl. Davies, Leonard Gordon
Tpr. Defontaine, Vern G.
Tpr. Dube, Laurenzo J.
Tpr. Duckett, Leslie Albert
Tpr. Durdle, Glenn David
Cpl. Egan, Francis Henry
Tpr. Elrick, Keith
Sgt. England, Ernest James
Cpl. Erman, Lloyd G.
L/Sgt. Hunt, Calvin Richard
Lt. Kay, Frederick Gordon
L/Sgt. Lawrysyn, William
L/Sgt. Lloyd, Charles Henry Oswald
Tpr. Lockheart, Robert Jeffery
Sgt. Mace, Leonard A.
Sgt. MacLaren, William
Lt. Mathison, Roy Clarence
Tpr. Mastel, Frank R.
Tpr. McDonald, Staffard Austin
Tpr. Morrison, Allen Donald
Capt. Platt, George
Sgt. Robinson, Wesley Charles
Cpl. Saunders, Howard L.
Tpr. Sawers, Arthur Thomas
Tpr. Shepherd, Arthur Alfred
Cpl. Stephens, Charles Henry
Tpr. Stewart, Wilfred Charters
Cpl. Strank, George
Tpr. Sturrock, William M.
Lt. Wood, Harold Everett
Cpl. Zaharik, Jacob
Cpl. Zybala, Joseph