Hello Michelle. John Boers is the first I have contacted trouch the organization Liberation Children in the Netherlands. At the time I came there for the first time, it was also the last meeting. The organization was dissolved. It was between me and Mr. Boers a difficult contact, eventually he wrote that he could not help me? He had too little information. Today I visited the sister of my mother, she had not much more information. She is there " sure" that he called CHARLES and came from Canada. It claims that he returned to Canada via England in mid 1945 begin 1946. Thank you anyway
I found this picture, It look likes the uniform of Charles. Am I correct? and is it the 5th Canadian Brigade? chris
more sites with Canadians in Holland Seaforth Highlanders http://data2.archives.ca/ap/a/a137259-v6.jpg http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ap/a/a134408.jpg http://data2.archives.ca/ap/a/a131714-v6.jpg
Hello Skipper. You regonize this uniform too? and what is the difference between the 5th division and the Seaford Highlanders? I know nothing about the various ranks and divisions. regards chris
Chris, Once the regiment is identified your search will become much easier. In RG24 (Record Group 24) of the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa you can locate the War Diaries of every Canadian army unit in the European theater. From research there in the late 80s and early 90s I happen to know that in each war diary there is a nominal roll of all personnel in that unit for that month. This way they could account for men KIA and MIA. It occurs to me that if the regiment is identified, the war diary can be pulled and if you have a "Helms" in there you are onto something. That will give you the man's service number and from that the LAC's own internal database may be able to tell you if he is alive or not. I say "may" because their database is dependent on families reporting deaths of a service veteran. Other sources for their database are the Royal Canadian Legion as well as veterans hospitals and retirement homes. If he is not alive and has been dead for 20 years you will be able to gain access to his service file. There are two down sides to this. a) it takes about 8 months to get to your request b) unlike RCAF service files which 99% of the time contained a photo of the man, Army files, 99% of the time, don't so you won't be able to compare photos. Still, if someone here can identify the unit, there is hope for a positive outcome. Either way, best of luck with your search. I hope it is successful.
Tank you, it takes time, but I sure have. For the record, I only have his first name: CHARLES Helms is my surname. of my Dutch father" . This make the cours look more complicated, but I doggedly. I am of course prepared that I might fail, but that is not insurmountable tragedy
To answer your question, the Seaford Higlanders are a Regiment. Idon't know whether this regiment was part of the 5th Division. This link (Canadian archives) may help you there are many pictures of Canadians in Holland in 1945 Résultats - Visages de guerre - Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Re John Doers - I saw your post on their site after I'd already posted here, I thought he was a different group than Olga and Lloyd Rains. The individual I contacted with your search information used to help Olga and Lloyd here in Canada; however, I don't believe she has seen the email yet, based on other activities she has been doing. Re the uniform, the Canadians in general wore a very similar uniform, regardless of division. Differentiation was usually by shoulder flashes, cap badges, and the types of head coverings. 5th Division www.canadiansoldiers.com New Page 1 and Seaforth Highlanders Images of Seaforth Highlanders and I'm certain that Charles was not a Seaforth Highlander. seaforth highlanders - Google Search
Thanks Skipper. Good morning Michelle. Yesterday it was a cold and rainy day, I have spend reading all the information, and that's a lot. I myself can not judge which range to Charles belonged According to the uncle of KTK it is very likely "B" troop 5th Field Regime (he gave information via e-mail) I now try to trace the address of Olga Rains, and a newspaper asking to place an article. I already asked the London Free Press, but no answer, only (delated without reading) regards chris