Dutch celebrating liberation by Canada in 1945.

"As the French, Belgian and Dutch civilians were liberated they were ecstatic and treated us with flowers, hugs and kisses, wine and Calvados. "

"It was very difficult from the Invasion Beaches in Normandy through France until the Battle of Faliase.  From then on it was regular fighting.  In Belgium the Germans stiffened up quite a bit where we had to cross rivers and canals under fire.  In Holland  the fighting was terrible.   We had to wear hip-waders in battle since the Germans opened the dykes and flooded the coutryside."

"When we were fighting we always fvelt that the next guy would get hit and not ourselves. Well this proved false as it hasppened to me in Holland in October."

Nazis flooded the Dutch countryside in '44.

"I was out on night patrol on Oct. 13, l944 and the enemy threw up flares - which made it as bright as day.  A sniper shot me in the   [leftside of my] chest.  I knew I was hit and when I reached in my helmet for my first field dressing, I was shot in the right hand. I was taken to a barn where I received medical attention. When I woke up I was in a hospital in Antwerp, Belgium -- from there I was flown to Northern England in a Hospital Airplane.  As the wounded were arriving very fast, I was transferred to The Canadian Army Hospital in Bramshot, Southern England where I remained until March , 1945. At that time I was shipped back to Canada on a Hospital Ship."