Oh yes, Stevin Oudshoorn from Holland. For many of us Holland was one of our greatest trials, I spent much time at Overloon and Venraij (or what was left of them!) and in the little villages that can be found in the vicinity of the Maas. Oploo was the place where we prepared to launch the great attack, after the Americans departed to the South. The war museum at Overloon was originally dedicated to the Third British Infantry Division, My old Division. It was later made into the National war museum. for we were the ones that freed that area. later we lived in a SS camp near Venraij.It was on the road between Overloon and Venraij in the early hours of the morning that I met my second and final wounding.But this time there would be no way back for me, for now my war was finished.
The Dutch people (BLESS THEM)invited me to go back with a free holiday, when I told them I was too war disabled to go,they came back quickly with the answer "We will have a nurse waiting for you as soon as you arrive", But I did not go. But more of that later, for there is a great deal about Holland in the later stages. I still keep in touch with an old Dutch friend, he was so war disabled, we call him "Byonic Bill" He has been to my home and we love to see him, sadly it is now very difficult, for we are getting old and frail. But Byonic Bill is a lovely fellow and I shall send him a Christmas card as usual. On the way in Holland, A young lady offered to wash my dirty clothes for me. BLess her! we had to move fast in the morning, I collected a bunch of wet clothes and slung thewm in the wagon! While we were at Weert, I gave a little Dutch boy the change from a two and half Guilder note and put it in his hat. I wonder if he remembers that young English man who gave him all his money?
Sapper