BERGEN-OP-ZOOM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Noord-Brabant
Netherlands
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.50158 Longitude: 4.33052
Location Information
Bergen-op-Zoom is a town in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, 40 kilometres north-west of Antwerp (Belgium). Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery and Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery are almost next to one another, 3 kilometres east of the town centre, on a road named Ruytershoveweg, which runs parallel with the A58 Bergen-op-Zoom to Roosendaal motorway.
The cemeteries can be reached from the motorway by taking the Bergen-op-Zoom exit, which leads on to Rooseveltlaan. At the first crossroads the cemeteries are signposted to the right. There is a further signposted right turn after 1 kilometre, and the cemeteries are 1.5 kilometres along this road on the left-hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery contains 1,119 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 31 of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 1,119.
Identified Casualties: Canada 968, United Kingdom 109, New Zealand 6, Australia 5. Total 1,088.
Unidentified Casualties: 31.
Bergen-op-Zoom is a town in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, 40 kilometres north-west of Antwerp (Belgium). Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery and Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery are almost next to one another, 3 kilometres east of the town centre, on a road named Ruytershoveweg, which runs parallel with the A58 Bergen-op-Zoom to Roosendaal motorway.
The cemeteries can be reached from the motorway by taking the Bergen-op-Zoom exit, which leads on to Rooseveltlaan. At the first crossroads the cemeteries are signposted to the right. There is a further signposted right turn after 1 kilometre, and the cemeteries are 1.5 kilometres along this road on the left-hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery contains 1,119 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 31 of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 1,119.
Identified Casualties: Canada 968, United Kingdom 109, New Zealand 6, Australia 5. Total 1,088.
Unidentified Casualties: 31.
Cemetery images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
R/127496 Flight Sergeant
Gordon Edward Aitken
427 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Between 22nd October and 23rd October 1943, aged 20.
Plot 10. C. 6.
Son of Edward and Eglantine Aitken, of Verdun, Province of Quebec.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of Our Dear Son Who Is Always In Our Hearts"
Gordon Edward Aitken
427 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Between 22nd October and 23rd October 1943, aged 20.
Plot 10. C. 6.
Son of Edward and Eglantine Aitken, of Verdun, Province of Quebec.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of Our Dear Son Who Is Always In Our Hearts"
419636 Flight Sergeant
Collin Royal Bundara
Royal Australian Air Force
18th February 1945, aged 26.
Plot 6. F. 2.
Son of John Collins Bundara and Stella Ann Elizabeth Bundara, of Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until We Meet Again"
Portrait of 419636 Flight Sergeant (Fit Sgt) Colin Royal Bundara, Brighton, Vic, member of Spitfire No. 453 Squadron RAAF based at landing ground B.70 near Antwerp, a former German airfield. Flt Sgt Bundara was killed in a ground operation in Holland on 18 February 1945 while serving with 127 Squadron RAF; he is buried in the Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, 40 Kms N-W of Antwerp.
Collin Royal Bundara
Royal Australian Air Force
18th February 1945, aged 26.
Plot 6. F. 2.
Son of John Collins Bundara and Stella Ann Elizabeth Bundara, of Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until We Meet Again"
Portrait of 419636 Flight Sergeant (Fit Sgt) Colin Royal Bundara, Brighton, Vic, member of Spitfire No. 453 Squadron RAAF based at landing ground B.70 near Antwerp, a former German airfield. Flt Sgt Bundara was killed in a ground operation in Holland on 18 February 1945 while serving with 127 Squadron RAF; he is buried in the Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, 40 Kms N-W of Antwerp.
J/88363 Pilot Officer
Peter Caamaart
424 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd April 1944, aged 21.
Plot 12. E. 3.
Son of Peter J. and Lucy Cammaart, of Wallaceburg, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love No Man Hath Than To Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Peter Caamaart
424 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd April 1944, aged 21.
Plot 12. E. 3.
Son of Peter J. and Lucy Cammaart, of Wallaceburg, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love No Man Hath Than To Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
R/115915 Flight Sergeant
Francis John Duffy
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
27th April 1943, aged 23.
Plot II. F. 6.
Son of Edward James Duffy and of Mary Irene Duffy (nee Dodd), of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription "May He Rest In Peace Amen"
Francis John Duffy
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
27th April 1943, aged 23.
Plot II. F. 6.
Son of Edward James Duffy and of Mary Irene Duffy (nee Dodd), of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription "May He Rest In Peace Amen"
R/106603 Warrant Officer Class III
Kenneth Franklin Fighter
426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th May 1943, aged 28.
Joint Grave 6. F. 4-5.
Son of Franklin George and Mary Eva Fighter, of Esquimalt, British Columbia; husband of Hilda Evelyn Fighter.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten. Dad And Mom, Brothers And Sisters"
Kenneth Franklin Fighter
426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th May 1943, aged 28.
Joint Grave 6. F. 4-5.
Son of Franklin George and Mary Eva Fighter, of Esquimalt, British Columbia; husband of Hilda Evelyn Fighter.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten. Dad And Mom, Brothers And Sisters"
B/163089 Private
Arthur William Hunter
General List, Canadian Army
2nd April 1945, aged 20.
Plot 10. F. 9.
Son of Claire Katheleen Hunter, of Toronto, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription My Greatest Gift, Dear Son, "Remembrance" Mum
Arthur William Hunter
General List, Canadian Army
2nd April 1945, aged 20.
Plot 10. F. 9.
Son of Claire Katheleen Hunter, of Toronto, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription My Greatest Gift, Dear Son, "Remembrance" Mum
Major
Herbert Owen M. Lambert, M. C.
Lincoln and Welland Regiment, R. C. I. C.
26th January 1945, aged 33.
Plot 12. D. 11.
Son of Richard Morten Lambert and Claudia Hill Lambert, of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest, Soldier By Those Who, Gave The Last Full Measure Of Devotion"
Pictures and following text provided by Michael Field (Great Nephew)
Click on the images below for more information
Herbert Owen M. Lambert, M. C.
Lincoln and Welland Regiment, R. C. I. C.
26th January 1945, aged 33.
Plot 12. D. 11.
Son of Richard Morten Lambert and Claudia Hill Lambert, of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest, Soldier By Those Who, Gave The Last Full Measure Of Devotion"
Pictures and following text provided by Michael Field (Great Nephew)
Click on the images below for more information
My great uncle Herbert is actually American from Cincinnati Ohio. He left the U.S. February1941 and went to Canada to join the Canadian army to fight in WWII. Herbert started out at the bottom, got to Sergeant while in training then went to Officer training. He went to England in 1942 after training, was assigned first to the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment, then was attached to the Lincoln and Welland Regiment in May 1944 as Commanding officer of a gun battery of 6 pounder anti-tank guns. After being wounded during the Seine crossing in August 1944 he returned to the Lincoln and Welland Regiment as Commanding Officer of "Able" Company in September 1944. He helped to liberate Bergen Op Zoom Netherlands and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in October 1944. Herbert always lead his men from the front. In this action he was the first across a canal in Bergen Op Zoom to attack and factory known to be occupied with enemy troops. During the crossing their guns were jammed with mud and ice, all they had was 38 hand grenades. they fought all night killing many of the enemy. Upon being relieved they found the only had 3 grenades left!
Major Lambert's Regiment and as it turns out his Company was the lead company during "Operation Elephant", (this was a fourth attempt to take the crossing first by the British, then the Polish then the Royal Marines) the attack to capture a ferry crossing on the Maas river that was held by German paratroopers. Major Lambert as usual was in the lead, the position was fortified with bunkers and Machine guns. Herbert and a handful of men made it to the house but in the counter attack they were killed. This was costly battle for the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, all of "able" Company's officers were casualties in the couple hours of the battle, overall casualties were high. It took another week to finally take the crossing and only then because the Germans has retreated across the river.
As a family little is known about what exactly happened. I have walked his battlefield at least 4 times and a clearer picture has formed. The dike area is devoid of any natural cover with the exception of the many watering trenches. near the objective site there is an old trench dam that we noted is pocked mark with bullet holes. We believe that Herbert and a handful of men made it into the trench and "went over the top" to attack the house. There are several reasons why I believe he had a handful of men when he attacked the house. 1.) The watering trench near the house is the ONLY cover to get close. 2.) His remains were found in October 1945 buried 100 meters from the house along side the road with four other men, 4 other men were found in the general area a couple years ago. and at the Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War cemetery. There are some that believe he should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for the Battle at the Kapelsche Veer crossing.
Major Lambert's Regiment and as it turns out his Company was the lead company during "Operation Elephant", (this was a fourth attempt to take the crossing first by the British, then the Polish then the Royal Marines) the attack to capture a ferry crossing on the Maas river that was held by German paratroopers. Major Lambert as usual was in the lead, the position was fortified with bunkers and Machine guns. Herbert and a handful of men made it to the house but in the counter attack they were killed. This was costly battle for the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, all of "able" Company's officers were casualties in the couple hours of the battle, overall casualties were high. It took another week to finally take the crossing and only then because the Germans has retreated across the river.
As a family little is known about what exactly happened. I have walked his battlefield at least 4 times and a clearer picture has formed. The dike area is devoid of any natural cover with the exception of the many watering trenches. near the objective site there is an old trench dam that we noted is pocked mark with bullet holes. We believe that Herbert and a handful of men made it into the trench and "went over the top" to attack the house. There are several reasons why I believe he had a handful of men when he attacked the house. 1.) The watering trench near the house is the ONLY cover to get close. 2.) His remains were found in October 1945 buried 100 meters from the house along side the road with four other men, 4 other men were found in the general area a couple years ago. and at the Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War cemetery. There are some that believe he should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for the Battle at the Kapelsche Veer crossing.
Images of the cemetery © Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The images were taken between in 1949-1950
R/120905 Flight Sergeant
Earl Lloyd Newburg
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
27th April 1943.
Plot II. F. 5.
Earl Lloyd Newburg
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
27th April 1943.
Plot II. F. 5.
J/91048 Pilot Officer
John James Renning
424 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd April 1944.
Plot II. E. 6.
Son of John Joseph and Gladys Renning, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
John James Renning
424 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd April 1944.
Plot II. E. 6.
Son of John Joseph and Gladys Renning, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
J/25397 Flying Officer
Richard Walter Vokey
439 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
24th September 1944, aged 21.
Plot 7. F. 10.
Son of John Philip and Catherine Vokey, of Montreal, Province of Quebec.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Him"
Richard Walter Vokey
439 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
24th September 1944, aged 21.
Plot 7. F. 10.
Son of John Philip and Catherine Vokey, of Montreal, Province of Quebec.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Him"
