Visit of Don
Visiting Jan Vierboom, with Don, Jose and Jan
2010: Don Foster and his family return to Europe to visit the Netherlands to see the places where his father and the Canadian Scottish Regiment, have been during and after the war. He asks me, Jose, during our first phone conversation whether I know the village Leuth. It is located near Nijmegen and he wants to visit it to search for a field grave of a soldier. The soldier is the brother of a friend (Beatrice) who was killed and buried in Leuth. Don tells me, that his children have piano lessons from Beatrice. In June of 2009, Don and family visited Juno Beach in Normandy (France) where his father landed with the Canadian Army on D-Day. Upon their return, Don told Beatrice about their journey and how they followed his father's route while serving with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Beatrice showed Don pictures of her two elder brothers. One brother, Bud, died 4 days after D-Day in France and is buried there. The younger of the two, Ernest, wanted as a result of his brother's death, also to go to Europe to fight. He was, however, quite a bit younger than Bud and had to receive training in Canada. After a training of 6 months he was sent to the Netherlands to join his brother's Canadian Scottish Regiment. He arrived in Beek/Ubbergen and not far from there he was killed. He is however, still "Missing in Action".
Beatrice shows Don a letter that was written shortly after the war ended by a German medical corporal, later preacher, translated in English. Beatrice has framed the translated letter and its hanging next to the picture of Ernest. She would like to know where her brother was buried. In the letter it is described that Ernest Harrison was killed by the Germans during a nightly expedition in the snow and buried by them. An exact description is given of the place of Ernest's grave.
‘In the neighbourhood of Nijmegen, (…) not far from there is a place called Leuth. From Leuth a road runs to another road which runs along the dike built as protection against the Rhine River. At this spot where these two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm. It is in the garden of that ruined farm your son is buried.’
The farm mentioned has been demolished after the war and the family rebuild their farm approximately 50 metres from the dike.
On 2 May 2010, Don Foster and his family arrive in Groesbeek. After a visit to the liberation museum in Groesbeek, we drive to Leuth. Arriving there, we hear that the farmer who lives in the rebuild farmhouse, is terminally ill and therefore it is not wise to visit him. In Leuth lives an historian Jan van Eck, who has done a lot of research about the history of the area and all that happened during the war. We visit him. He also has a copy of the letter of the German preacher with the description of the location of Ernest’s grave. He received it from Helen Lily, a friend of Beatrice. Jan tells us that the farmer, Jan, who lived as a young man during the war in the original farm at the dike, still lives in the village. We decide to pay him a visit.
Jan is already 82 years old, but he still remembers everything that happened during the war. He tells us that he was 16 years old in 1944. The farm of his parents stood in a very favourable place for the Germans. It was build against the dike on an elevation. The Germans had placed their guns in the yard and were able to fire across the river Rhine where the Americans and British were. They also had the barn filled with ammunition. Because the situation was very dangerous, the farmer and his family, including Jan, were ordered to evacuate. They were placed in a farm with another family at the other side of the village and all they could take with them in their hurry was a chest filled with personal items. The chest is standing in the living room of Jan.
A few days after the evacuation the farm was hit and burst into flames. Only ruins were left. This matches with the description in the letter of the preacher: where the two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm…
On 20 October 1944 the orders of the German Ortskommandant were a mandatory evacuation of Leuth.
Beatrice shows Don a letter that was written shortly after the war ended by a German medical corporal, later preacher, translated in English. Beatrice has framed the translated letter and its hanging next to the picture of Ernest. She would like to know where her brother was buried. In the letter it is described that Ernest Harrison was killed by the Germans during a nightly expedition in the snow and buried by them. An exact description is given of the place of Ernest's grave.
‘In the neighbourhood of Nijmegen, (…) not far from there is a place called Leuth. From Leuth a road runs to another road which runs along the dike built as protection against the Rhine River. At this spot where these two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm. It is in the garden of that ruined farm your son is buried.’
The farm mentioned has been demolished after the war and the family rebuild their farm approximately 50 metres from the dike.
On 2 May 2010, Don Foster and his family arrive in Groesbeek. After a visit to the liberation museum in Groesbeek, we drive to Leuth. Arriving there, we hear that the farmer who lives in the rebuild farmhouse, is terminally ill and therefore it is not wise to visit him. In Leuth lives an historian Jan van Eck, who has done a lot of research about the history of the area and all that happened during the war. We visit him. He also has a copy of the letter of the German preacher with the description of the location of Ernest’s grave. He received it from Helen Lily, a friend of Beatrice. Jan tells us that the farmer, Jan, who lived as a young man during the war in the original farm at the dike, still lives in the village. We decide to pay him a visit.
Jan is already 82 years old, but he still remembers everything that happened during the war. He tells us that he was 16 years old in 1944. The farm of his parents stood in a very favourable place for the Germans. It was build against the dike on an elevation. The Germans had placed their guns in the yard and were able to fire across the river Rhine where the Americans and British were. They also had the barn filled with ammunition. Because the situation was very dangerous, the farmer and his family, including Jan, were ordered to evacuate. They were placed in a farm with another family at the other side of the village and all they could take with them in their hurry was a chest filled with personal items. The chest is standing in the living room of Jan.
A few days after the evacuation the farm was hit and burst into flames. Only ruins were left. This matches with the description in the letter of the preacher: where the two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm…
On 20 October 1944 the orders of the German Ortskommandant were a mandatory evacuation of Leuth.
Leuth
On 7 June 1945 the parents of Jan Vierboom were allowed to return to Leuth. The village Leuth was completely ruined, not only by bombs but also because of the flooding caused by the Germans in February 1945. Trees, ammunition, weapons, debris, everything was in the streets. The family of the farmer moves temporarily, along with three other families, into the local dairy. They have to stay there for a few months until their farm is rebuild, about 50 meters from the dike.
In the summer of 1945 the Heidemij cleans the rubble of the farm and they also removed the mound. No bodies were found by culling. However, in the dike along the Rhine, bodies of German soldiers are found. They had been there in pits dug and some were slain and still in there. To prevent the dike from weakening the bodies were removed when strengthening the dike.
Jan does not know anything about a Canadian who was buried in the vegetable garden at the farm. Don want to know exactly where the garden was located and Jan tells him that the garden had been next to the farm along the dike. To get to the garden, you had a flight of stairs, because it was not on the mound but next to it. According to Jan for years you could see where the garden had been, although the whole was included in the field to grow crops. They used to have to crossed paths with white sand/pebbles to create four areas where the vegetables were grown. These paths were still visible in the field for a long time.
From this information we conclude that the garden was never excavated and probably never been checked on graves. There had not been any reason to do this. Possible grave markers had probably been washed away when the whole area was flooded. During the excavation of the mound no attention had been paid to the garden, because it was already at the same level as the arable land.
Jan van Eck tells us that there are still old aerial photographs of the area and they show the outlines of the farm and the garden. We come to the conclusion that it makes sense to work on an official search. Jan van Eck says he has contact and therefore he will take the necessary steps to get it started.
In the summer of 1945 the Heidemij cleans the rubble of the farm and they also removed the mound. No bodies were found by culling. However, in the dike along the Rhine, bodies of German soldiers are found. They had been there in pits dug and some were slain and still in there. To prevent the dike from weakening the bodies were removed when strengthening the dike.
Jan does not know anything about a Canadian who was buried in the vegetable garden at the farm. Don want to know exactly where the garden was located and Jan tells him that the garden had been next to the farm along the dike. To get to the garden, you had a flight of stairs, because it was not on the mound but next to it. According to Jan for years you could see where the garden had been, although the whole was included in the field to grow crops. They used to have to crossed paths with white sand/pebbles to create four areas where the vegetables were grown. These paths were still visible in the field for a long time.
From this information we conclude that the garden was never excavated and probably never been checked on graves. There had not been any reason to do this. Possible grave markers had probably been washed away when the whole area was flooded. During the excavation of the mound no attention had been paid to the garden, because it was already at the same level as the arable land.
Jan van Eck tells us that there are still old aerial photographs of the area and they show the outlines of the farm and the garden. We come to the conclusion that it makes sense to work on an official search. Jan van Eck says he has contact and therefore he will take the necessary steps to get it started.
The official channels
Jan van Eck asks Beatrice Messinger, Ernest's sister, to send a letter in which she indicates that she gives permission to start an investigation into the burial place of her brother. Beatrice sends this letter en with all other documentation (the letter of the German preacher, aerial photos of the area) Jan visits the Mayor of Beek/Ubbergen, Dhr. P.G.I. Wilbers. The Mayor is responsible for progress and he will get in touch with the Identification and Salvation Department of the Royal Army. The person responsible within hat division is Mr. Patric van Aalderen. Mr van Aalderen sends a request to the responsible authorities (Veterans of Canada) asking form information about Ernest Harrison. On July 5, 2010 he received the documents, including the medical records of Ernest. He is also in contact with the National Police Agency DSRT.
On 8 August 2010 the son of Jan dies. We decide to give the research a rest.
On 8 August 2010 the son of Jan dies. We decide to give the research a rest.
Beatrice visits Holland
May 2011, Beatrice and her husband Bill visit the Netherlands. They participate in the commemoration of liberation day, 4th of May, and visit Wageningen. We meet the Mayor of Beek, farmer Jan and his wife en they visit the Liberation Museum in Groesbeek. Beatrice continues her visit to Europe with a trip to France. Together with Helen and Keith they visit Normandy, where they pay their respect to the grave of Bud, the elder brother of Beatrice.
Beatrice is in the Netherlands with her friend Helen. They met in Canada, where Helen married Keith, a friend of the family of Beatrice. Helen is originally from the Netherlands where she lived in Utrecht. As a young girl she emigrated with her parents in the 50ties to Canada Helen spent quite some time in Leuth, when she was young. Her aunt lived there and she frequently visited her aunt for longer periods. That’s how she knows Jan van Eck as well and she contacted him after she heard about Ernest from Beatrice.
Helen says that her aunt would sometimes after Sunday Mass walk up the dike to pray. When she asked her why she did that, her aunt answered: “ I pray for the soldier who is buried there, because his mother doesn’t know he is here.”
Beatrice is in the Netherlands with her friend Helen. They met in Canada, where Helen married Keith, a friend of the family of Beatrice. Helen is originally from the Netherlands where she lived in Utrecht. As a young girl she emigrated with her parents in the 50ties to Canada Helen spent quite some time in Leuth, when she was young. Her aunt lived there and she frequently visited her aunt for longer periods. That’s how she knows Jan van Eck as well and she contacted him after she heard about Ernest from Beatrice.
Helen says that her aunt would sometimes after Sunday Mass walk up the dike to pray. When she asked her why she did that, her aunt answered: “ I pray for the soldier who is buried there, because his mother doesn’t know he is here.”
Search for other options
Don and Beatrice get in touch with the National Canadian Archives, as advices by Alice, whom we met in Wageringen during Beatrice’s visit. Beatrice receives all documents related to her brothers. From these documents received from the National Archives it becomes clear that a search has been done for Ernest after the war, in January 1948. There is also quite some correspondence between the mother of Ernest and the army-unit of the Canadians. From the answers to the Beatrice’s mother it shows that a search took place in January 1948 in The Netherlands, probably because of the letter of the German minister Karl Missbach in which the field grave of Ernest was mentioned.
In the letter to the mother of Ernest the Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries states:
"The area mentioned has been searched and enquires made, but no trace of the above-named could be located. From local information, there was a grave of a Canadian who was concentrated by the Canadians just over a year ago.
It is thought that this casualty may have been concentrated to the Canadian Cemetery at Groesbeek, as an "UNKNOWN."
Based on these facts, it seems logic to try and find more information about the search that took place in 1948. If Ernest was found and reburied shortly after the war, the field of the farmer does not have to be disturbed. .
Don tries to find more information about the report that was probably written in response to the above study and I try to find out, with the help of the Mayor of Beek-Ubbergen, if there is documentation about a search in the (municipal or church) archives in the period June 1946 – June 1947.
Maybe there is a diary of Mayor Prosper (P.M.H.) Sassen ? maybe there are newspapers of that period ? Maybe there are official documents proving that a request was made for an excavation ? It could show whether there were indeed Canadians in the area in 1946, and maybe an indication is given where the Canadian mentioned was found.
Within a week I received an answer” “ Our archive staff have researched documents that could possibly have information about a solder named Ernest Harrison. No documents have been found from the period Mayor Sassen worked in the municipality, there are no dairy notes or any other documents. No information could be found in the archives of Ubbergen related to the questions asked.
Don hears from his contacts in London that the original reports, written in 1948 by the Graves Registration and Enquiries in the Netherlands, lo longer exists. He is also informed that there are no UNKNOWN soldiers in the cemetery of Groesbeek or Holten that were originally found near Leuth. The research does not stop yet, though. The International Red Cross also has an Archive. In that archive they could have documents written by the German army in which it is indicated where Ernest is buried on 27 January 1945. That apparently was common at that time. It is also still possible that Ernest was excavated in 1947 which might have been documented by the Red Cross. Don has not yet received an answer .
In the National Archives in The Hague and in the Provincial (Gelders) Archive in Nijmegen there are no indications that in the vicinity of Beek-Ubbergen a military was found shortly after the war.
The Dutch Red Cross sent an e-mail just before Christmas 2011, saying that in their archives no documents were found in which the excavation of reburial of a soldier took place near Nijmegen.
In the letter to the mother of Ernest the Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries states:
"The area mentioned has been searched and enquires made, but no trace of the above-named could be located. From local information, there was a grave of a Canadian who was concentrated by the Canadians just over a year ago.
It is thought that this casualty may have been concentrated to the Canadian Cemetery at Groesbeek, as an "UNKNOWN."
Based on these facts, it seems logic to try and find more information about the search that took place in 1948. If Ernest was found and reburied shortly after the war, the field of the farmer does not have to be disturbed. .
Don tries to find more information about the report that was probably written in response to the above study and I try to find out, with the help of the Mayor of Beek-Ubbergen, if there is documentation about a search in the (municipal or church) archives in the period June 1946 – June 1947.
Maybe there is a diary of Mayor Prosper (P.M.H.) Sassen ? maybe there are newspapers of that period ? Maybe there are official documents proving that a request was made for an excavation ? It could show whether there were indeed Canadians in the area in 1946, and maybe an indication is given where the Canadian mentioned was found.
Within a week I received an answer” “ Our archive staff have researched documents that could possibly have information about a solder named Ernest Harrison. No documents have been found from the period Mayor Sassen worked in the municipality, there are no dairy notes or any other documents. No information could be found in the archives of Ubbergen related to the questions asked.
Don hears from his contacts in London that the original reports, written in 1948 by the Graves Registration and Enquiries in the Netherlands, lo longer exists. He is also informed that there are no UNKNOWN soldiers in the cemetery of Groesbeek or Holten that were originally found near Leuth. The research does not stop yet, though. The International Red Cross also has an Archive. In that archive they could have documents written by the German army in which it is indicated where Ernest is buried on 27 January 1945. That apparently was common at that time. It is also still possible that Ernest was excavated in 1947 which might have been documented by the Red Cross. Don has not yet received an answer .
In the National Archives in The Hague and in the Provincial (Gelders) Archive in Nijmegen there are no indications that in the vicinity of Beek-Ubbergen a military was found shortly after the war.
The Dutch Red Cross sent an e-mail just before Christmas 2011, saying that in their archives no documents were found in which the excavation of reburial of a soldier took place near Nijmegen.
Christine
To the surprise of Don en Beatrice they find amongst the papers from the National Canadian Archives also a copy of the English translation of the letter from the German minister. And on that copy they find both the name of this man, Karl Missbach, as well as his residence, Grossolbersdorf, in the eastern part of Germany. (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirche_Gro%C3%9Folbersdorf). The minister appears to be deceased in 1998, but he has a daughter, Christine, who lives in Bockerwitz, nor farm from Dresden. During a brief phone conversation with Christine, she tells me that her parents lived the last years of their life with her. She does not know much about the experiences of her father during the war , except for the fact that he has been imprisoned after the war in the Netherlands and in France. She was unaware of the letter. She has however received a copy of the letter, but because she does not understand English, she waits for her granddaughter to translate it for her.
Beatrice writes a short note to Christine, in which she tells her that she has been very grateful towards her father all those years, because he has offered comfort to her family by sending this letter. Not long after Beatrice receives a reply from Christine. She thanks Beatrice for her kind words and says she knew immediately that the letter (translated by her granddaughter in German) was written by her father. She went to his Grave and told him the whole story. At the end of the letter is shows that she never knew her biological father and was adopted by Karl Missbach, who she describes as a wonderful father.
Beatrice writes a short note to Christine, in which she tells her that she has been very grateful towards her father all those years, because he has offered comfort to her family by sending this letter. Not long after Beatrice receives a reply from Christine. She thanks Beatrice for her kind words and says she knew immediately that the letter (translated by her granddaughter in German) was written by her father. She went to his Grave and told him the whole story. At the end of the letter is shows that she never knew her biological father and was adopted by Karl Missbach, who she describes as a wonderful father.
Coordinates of the garden
In September 2011, one year after the death of the owner of the land, we meet the farmer’s wife, Vera. Her father in law, Jan, is also present. We talk about the war, the old farm, the Germans on his farm and the evacuation of the family and how everything exploded in 1944. The priest of the village had t that time a camera. He made a picture of the farm after the destruction. Later he left for Brazil. During a visit to the Netherlands, years later, he gave a copy of the picture to Jan.
According to Jan chances are small that something will be found in the arable land. He gives several reasons.
Jan explains that for many years after the area of the farm and the mound were cleared by the Heidemij, debris and other garbage were found in the field. To clean up the land they have deep ploughed the area were the farm used to be several times. This was done by a kind of spade attached to rod, which is pulled through the clay in the field. Though ploughing was never deeper than 25 to 30 centimetres, the rod came to a depth of 50 to 70 centimetres. If a grave was ever there, it is in any way disturbed. Besides that a lot of metal debris was found in the field during the years. Most of it has been removed, but there may still be some left. Jan is concerned that a metal detector might only indicate more junk.
In previous years cattle was buried near the farm. This was also done at the edge of the vegetable garden. Bones found could be of cows. Also, the exact location of the garden is not clear. The area as shown in a drawing by jan van Eck, is 35 by 40 meters in size, which seems too large. Jan wonders how the exact location of the old garden can be found, also because the white pebble/sand paths that were visible for so many years cannot be seen anymore. Vera adds that she finds it worrisome that such a large area might be searched. “ We live off this land and we don’t want to lose income because of this research”. Jan indicates on the aerial photograph of the farm, where the vegetable garden was, which ran until about the middle of the pigsty. Then there was an area of grass and then a row of plum trees.
Patric tells us that the police uses a new technique, called GIS. They use old photographs, cadastral drawings and recent aerial photographs of the area (like Google earth). Based on all these maps, they can, by placing them over each other, give an exact indication of the location of the vegetable garden. He has a drawing of the cadastral office of the farm from 1894, and an aerial photograph of the farm on which the garden is clearly visible. He will consult the National Police Agency to determine the coordinates of the garden.
Just before Christmas I receive notice of Patric. That they have determined the coordinates of the garden. The area is 25 by 25 meters. And now we are waiting for frost in the ground, because the land is very wet and already ploughed. Making ‘sorties’ with the radar is easier if the area is frozen.
According to Jan chances are small that something will be found in the arable land. He gives several reasons.
Jan explains that for many years after the area of the farm and the mound were cleared by the Heidemij, debris and other garbage were found in the field. To clean up the land they have deep ploughed the area were the farm used to be several times. This was done by a kind of spade attached to rod, which is pulled through the clay in the field. Though ploughing was never deeper than 25 to 30 centimetres, the rod came to a depth of 50 to 70 centimetres. If a grave was ever there, it is in any way disturbed. Besides that a lot of metal debris was found in the field during the years. Most of it has been removed, but there may still be some left. Jan is concerned that a metal detector might only indicate more junk.
In previous years cattle was buried near the farm. This was also done at the edge of the vegetable garden. Bones found could be of cows. Also, the exact location of the garden is not clear. The area as shown in a drawing by jan van Eck, is 35 by 40 meters in size, which seems too large. Jan wonders how the exact location of the old garden can be found, also because the white pebble/sand paths that were visible for so many years cannot be seen anymore. Vera adds that she finds it worrisome that such a large area might be searched. “ We live off this land and we don’t want to lose income because of this research”. Jan indicates on the aerial photograph of the farm, where the vegetable garden was, which ran until about the middle of the pigsty. Then there was an area of grass and then a row of plum trees.
Patric tells us that the police uses a new technique, called GIS. They use old photographs, cadastral drawings and recent aerial photographs of the area (like Google earth). Based on all these maps, they can, by placing them over each other, give an exact indication of the location of the vegetable garden. He has a drawing of the cadastral office of the farm from 1894, and an aerial photograph of the farm on which the garden is clearly visible. He will consult the National Police Agency to determine the coordinates of the garden.
Just before Christmas I receive notice of Patric. That they have determined the coordinates of the garden. The area is 25 by 25 meters. And now we are waiting for frost in the ground, because the land is very wet and already ploughed. Making ‘sorties’ with the radar is easier if the area is frozen.
Research finalised ?
In January, February and March 2012 research is done in the area marked through GIS. There are markings (smalL wooden poles) in the filed, which indicates the area.
In September the following message is sent by the Mayor:
"I indeed received the report, You can have it and take it with you. I only have to consult Patric about the publication of the report and some ambiguities. I understand from the report that the chance that something will be found of Ernest is extremely small. The farm was used as an ammunition depot during the war and exploded c.q. inflated. Metal is spread over the entire area. Detecting makes no sense. Moreover, because of the removal of the remnants of the farm and later the deep plowing, means that body residues could be spread out over a large area (if he has indeed been buried there). The option to dig out a large part of the area for two meters deep, does not seem real. No final decision has been made yet, but I am pessimistic about it. The only consolation is that the family has now seen, where he died and was the location of his burial place was""
March 2013 I (Jose) will visit Beatrice in Vancouver. Before that time I will pick up the report and I take it with me to hand it over to Beatrice.
In September the following message is sent by the Mayor:
"I indeed received the report, You can have it and take it with you. I only have to consult Patric about the publication of the report and some ambiguities. I understand from the report that the chance that something will be found of Ernest is extremely small. The farm was used as an ammunition depot during the war and exploded c.q. inflated. Metal is spread over the entire area. Detecting makes no sense. Moreover, because of the removal of the remnants of the farm and later the deep plowing, means that body residues could be spread out over a large area (if he has indeed been buried there). The option to dig out a large part of the area for two meters deep, does not seem real. No final decision has been made yet, but I am pessimistic about it. The only consolation is that the family has now seen, where he died and was the location of his burial place was""
March 2013 I (Jose) will visit Beatrice in Vancouver. Before that time I will pick up the report and I take it with me to hand it over to Beatrice.
Message from Don.
Dear Jose
As you know we have enlisted the help of our Member of Parliament for North Vancouver in our search for Ernest :
Andrew Saxton
Member of Parliament, North Vancouver
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
His Assistant is Tristan Ley and I have copied him on this email.
Yesterday, Tristan called Beatrice to notify her that Andrew will assist us in our search for Ernest.
I have sent Tristan the link to our website along with a few emails detailing the research we have done. Over the years, our search for Ernest has touched the hearts of
a great number of people across the globe.
Jose, on behalf of Beatrice and I, it is important to state that your assistance has been key to our efforts in the Netherlands, thank you again.
As such, Beatrice has requested that we should be kept informed of any updates and developments pertaining to the ongoing search for Ernest.
Andrew and Tristan, we welcome your assistance.
Sincerely,
Don Foster on behalf of Beatrice Messinger
As you know we have enlisted the help of our Member of Parliament for North Vancouver in our search for Ernest :
Andrew Saxton
Member of Parliament, North Vancouver
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
His Assistant is Tristan Ley and I have copied him on this email.
Yesterday, Tristan called Beatrice to notify her that Andrew will assist us in our search for Ernest.
I have sent Tristan the link to our website along with a few emails detailing the research we have done. Over the years, our search for Ernest has touched the hearts of
a great number of people across the globe.
Jose, on behalf of Beatrice and I, it is important to state that your assistance has been key to our efforts in the Netherlands, thank you again.
As such, Beatrice has requested that we should be kept informed of any updates and developments pertaining to the ongoing search for Ernest.
Andrew and Tristan, we welcome your assistance.
Sincerely,
Don Foster on behalf of Beatrice Messinger
Animal bones and metal.
animal bones
The report shows that on February 8, 2012 markings are places on the determined coordinates of the former garden.During this work it
became clear that the deployment of a ground radar is not possible, because this only works on a hard, flat surface.
Subsequently, on 28 February 2012 the field was searched with detectors, looking for results that might be interesting. A search line
north-south and east-west was checked. In the soil appeared so many metals, as Jan Vierboom had already stated, that this option also did not bring a solution. Some animal bones were found on the surface and a variety of small calibre ammunition from the Second
World War (see also 'Pictures)'. The field study was therefore completed on this date.
became clear that the deployment of a ground radar is not possible, because this only works on a hard, flat surface.
Subsequently, on 28 February 2012 the field was searched with detectors, looking for results that might be interesting. A search line
north-south and east-west was checked. In the soil appeared so many metals, as Jan Vierboom had already stated, that this option also did not bring a solution. Some animal bones were found on the surface and a variety of small calibre ammunition from the Second
World War (see also 'Pictures)'. The field study was therefore completed on this date.
Research finalised; no convincing and conclusive evidence
The research report
Conclusions and recommendations
The aim of the study was, at the request of Ms BeatriceMessinger, to determine on the basis of historical, archival, desktop and field studies whether the lost Canadian soldier, Private Ernest David Harrison, would still lie in his field grave in the former garden of the in 1946 demolished farm Dijkhoeve. Also speculations going on for years about the possible presence of human remains at this site could potentially be terminated.
Based on the detailed investigation of the BIDKL ka, with the current techniques at their disposal, no convincing and conclusive evidence could be supplied on the presence of the field grave with human remains of Private Ernest David Harrison in the garden of the former Dijkhoeve in Leuth .This can only be ruled out if this garden is excavated down to the primal soil. The surface area is too large to search manually.Speculations can therefore not be terminated. It is up to the Mayor to decide whether to proceed with a possible follow-up study.
The aim of the study was, at the request of Ms BeatriceMessinger, to determine on the basis of historical, archival, desktop and field studies whether the lost Canadian soldier, Private Ernest David Harrison, would still lie in his field grave in the former garden of the in 1946 demolished farm Dijkhoeve. Also speculations going on for years about the possible presence of human remains at this site could potentially be terminated.
Based on the detailed investigation of the BIDKL ka, with the current techniques at their disposal, no convincing and conclusive evidence could be supplied on the presence of the field grave with human remains of Private Ernest David Harrison in the garden of the former Dijkhoeve in Leuth .This can only be ruled out if this garden is excavated down to the primal soil. The surface area is too large to search manually.Speculations can therefore not be terminated. It is up to the Mayor to decide whether to proceed with a possible follow-up study.
Water as weapon in Ooijpolder and Duffelt - Nov '44 - Feb ´45, by Hans van der Wiel
Dijkhoeve or Grada hoeve
Hans van der Wiel has published in 2018 the book "Water als wapen in Ooijpolder en Duffelt" in which he writes about operation "Veritable', the battle in the area between Kleve-Nijmegen, and the rivers the Rhine and Waal. His focus is on the use of water as a weapon.
In the book Ernest and our search for him are also mentioned. It says that our conclusion is based on the letter from Karl Missbach: Harrison was buried in the garden of the Dijkhoeve (i.e. farm of Vierboom) at the intersection of the Steenheuvelsestraat and the Duffelt dike. In the letter of Missbach it says: “From Leuth a road runs to another road which runs along the dike built as protection against the Rhine River. At this spot, where these two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm. It is in the garden of that ruined farm your son is buried.”
According to van der Wiel, the two roads mentioned do not necessarily have to be the Erlecomseweg (Duffelt dike) and the Steenheuvelsestraat, where the ruins of the Dijkhoeve were (red circle). These two roads could also be the Breestraat (nowadays Bredestraat) and the dirt road across the street towards the Erlecomsdam and via that dam to the stone factory De Kiefwaard. This is where the ruins of current Grada hoeve (green circle) were.
The Dijkhoeve ruins were across the street from the letter H of Heuvelse straat (red circle). The Grada hoeve ruins were to the left of the marking 10.5 (green circle).
However, If Ernest was indeed buried at the Grada hoeve, would Karl Missbach who visited the grave, not have written something along the lines of "between the two outgoing roads of Leuth is the ruins of a farm and there is the grave of your son".
Hans van der Wiel has published in 2018 the book "Water als wapen in Ooijpolder en Duffelt" in which he writes about operation "Veritable', the battle in the area between Kleve-Nijmegen, and the rivers the Rhine and Waal. His focus is on the use of water as a weapon.
In the book Ernest and our search for him are also mentioned. It says that our conclusion is based on the letter from Karl Missbach: Harrison was buried in the garden of the Dijkhoeve (i.e. farm of Vierboom) at the intersection of the Steenheuvelsestraat and the Duffelt dike. In the letter of Missbach it says: “From Leuth a road runs to another road which runs along the dike built as protection against the Rhine River. At this spot, where these two roads come together lay the ruins of a farm. It is in the garden of that ruined farm your son is buried.”
According to van der Wiel, the two roads mentioned do not necessarily have to be the Erlecomseweg (Duffelt dike) and the Steenheuvelsestraat, where the ruins of the Dijkhoeve were (red circle). These two roads could also be the Breestraat (nowadays Bredestraat) and the dirt road across the street towards the Erlecomsdam and via that dam to the stone factory De Kiefwaard. This is where the ruins of current Grada hoeve (green circle) were.
The Dijkhoeve ruins were across the street from the letter H of Heuvelse straat (red circle). The Grada hoeve ruins were to the left of the marking 10.5 (green circle).
However, If Ernest was indeed buried at the Grada hoeve, would Karl Missbach who visited the grave, not have written something along the lines of "between the two outgoing roads of Leuth is the ruins of a farm and there is the grave of your son".
Location of the grave
Van der Wiel found a situation sketch with notes of the location of graves of allied soldiers in the municipality of Ubbergen.
“The archives of Ubbergen contains data on allied and German graves. In addition, there is a map of the Military Police in Beek with the graves of the allied soldiers. No grave has been drawn near the former Dijkhoeve, but to the northeast there is a grave.”
“At nr 3 stood a wooden cross with the inscription: “Hier ruht ein unbekannter kanadischer Soldat”. In an accompanying letter from Wachtmeester Antoon to the Group Commander of the Ubbergen Group, it is stated that, among other things, grave no. 3 had already been cleared by the American soldiers in October 1945. It is obvious that the Canadian soldier Harrison is that unknown. He is probably buried in Groesbeek as unknown.”
Karl Missbach visited the grave and new Ernest's name. The question is therefore: why didn't the inscription have his name, but instead said "An unknown Canadian soldiers rests here". In 1945 grave 3 was cleared by the America burial service together with grave 5. Can we not conclude that in both these graves American soldiers were buried who were probably transferred to Margraten. If grave 3 had been for a Canadian or British soldier, then the CWGC would have found this on our question but negative news came back about an unknown soldier from Leuth.
Van der Wiel found a situation sketch with notes of the location of graves of allied soldiers in the municipality of Ubbergen.
“The archives of Ubbergen contains data on allied and German graves. In addition, there is a map of the Military Police in Beek with the graves of the allied soldiers. No grave has been drawn near the former Dijkhoeve, but to the northeast there is a grave.”
“At nr 3 stood a wooden cross with the inscription: “Hier ruht ein unbekannter kanadischer Soldat”. In an accompanying letter from Wachtmeester Antoon to the Group Commander of the Ubbergen Group, it is stated that, among other things, grave no. 3 had already been cleared by the American soldiers in October 1945. It is obvious that the Canadian soldier Harrison is that unknown. He is probably buried in Groesbeek as unknown.”
Karl Missbach visited the grave and new Ernest's name. The question is therefore: why didn't the inscription have his name, but instead said "An unknown Canadian soldiers rests here". In 1945 grave 3 was cleared by the America burial service together with grave 5. Can we not conclude that in both these graves American soldiers were buried who were probably transferred to Margraten. If grave 3 had been for a Canadian or British soldier, then the CWGC would have found this on our question but negative news came back about an unknown soldier from Leuth.
Aerial photo interpretation: Harrison & Luloff
Van der Wiel also did an areal photo interpretation. “A photo of 24 December shows a faint light spot on the eastern side of the current Grada Hoeve. On an aerial photo of 15 March 1945, the same spot is visible as well as a new spot on the western side of the farm-ruins. If these spots have anything to do with buried Canadians, the first spot cannot be Harrison. He only died on January 27, 1945. It could then be another buried soldier (Luloff, missing in action since December 14). The second patch could be Harrison's grave. The German hospital officer knew only one grave. The other grave was not or not properly marked. The above has speculative elements but is worth seeking out. Four unknown soldiers of the Canadian army are buried in Groesbeek and one at Jonkerbos War Cemetery. Harrison is one of these five soldiers. Luloff may still be at Grada Hoeve.”
There were also America soldiers buried in the Leuth area; the second patch does not have to be Ernest, it can just as well be an American soldier. Besides that it is questionable if it is really possible to recognize field graves on such old aerial photos.
Van der Wiel also did an areal photo interpretation. “A photo of 24 December shows a faint light spot on the eastern side of the current Grada Hoeve. On an aerial photo of 15 March 1945, the same spot is visible as well as a new spot on the western side of the farm-ruins. If these spots have anything to do with buried Canadians, the first spot cannot be Harrison. He only died on January 27, 1945. It could then be another buried soldier (Luloff, missing in action since December 14). The second patch could be Harrison's grave. The German hospital officer knew only one grave. The other grave was not or not properly marked. The above has speculative elements but is worth seeking out. Four unknown soldiers of the Canadian army are buried in Groesbeek and one at Jonkerbos War Cemetery. Harrison is one of these five soldiers. Luloff may still be at Grada Hoeve.”
There were also America soldiers buried in the Leuth area; the second patch does not have to be Ernest, it can just as well be an American soldier. Besides that it is questionable if it is really possible to recognize field graves on such old aerial photos.
What can be our next step?
Van der Wiel might be right about Ernest's burial place at the Grada hoeve, when thinking back about what Vierboom told us: he never found human remains in the field where the farm used to be, even though he had been plowing quite deep in the soil. But we could just as well have been correct with our location at the Dijkhoeve. And we had also discovered that the Americans had cleared a grave but not at the Dijkhoeve, which could be at the Grada hoeve, but was this Ernest?.
Philip Reinders (https://www.missingsoldiersinthenetherlands40-45.com/), who has been trying to find missing soldiers in the Netherlands for a number of years, also looked at Ernest's file and checked if there is an unknown buried somewhere who might have links with Ernest, but unfortunately no unknown has been registered who was exhumed from the Leuth area, neither at Jonkerbos, Groesbeek, Holten or any other cemetery, as far as he has been able to ascertain. He could not even find an unknown American who came from the Leuth area.
Van der Wiel might be right about Ernest's burial place at the Grada hoeve, when thinking back about what Vierboom told us: he never found human remains in the field where the farm used to be, even though he had been plowing quite deep in the soil. But we could just as well have been correct with our location at the Dijkhoeve. And we had also discovered that the Americans had cleared a grave but not at the Dijkhoeve, which could be at the Grada hoeve, but was this Ernest?.
Philip Reinders (https://www.missingsoldiersinthenetherlands40-45.com/), who has been trying to find missing soldiers in the Netherlands for a number of years, also looked at Ernest's file and checked if there is an unknown buried somewhere who might have links with Ernest, but unfortunately no unknown has been registered who was exhumed from the Leuth area, neither at Jonkerbos, Groesbeek, Holten or any other cemetery, as far as he has been able to ascertain. He could not even find an unknown American who came from the Leuth area.