If anyone knows of a veteran who served in Holland 1944, or a widow of a veteran, they might like to apply for a commemorative medal being given by the Dutch as a thankyou for helping in their Liberation. A "Thank you Liberators" medal. write to: Mr Dick Wip Defence Department Office Defence Attache Royal Netherlands Embassy 38 Hyde Park Gate London SW7 5DP Give their name, regiment, corps etc if possible. I received a reply on my late Fathers behalf. to be told that they can only process applications from surviving veterans or their Widows.
Afraid not, but I know eterans who have received theirs. They also receive a certificate. Attached reply from Dutch embassy.
Thats fine but for one thing. being I saw a lot of action in Holland on the Market Garden operation. I sent for the medal, only to be told that they had run out, and it would be some considerable time before I got it Thats ok if you are a young men, but at my age, and with my injuries? Sapper
I think this is the medal and the website: Medals of Remembrance (Thank You) (Netherlands ) These medals were instituted by the Thank You Canada and Allied Forces National Committee to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands in 2000. There is in fact three different medals as follows: Thank You Canada Thank You Liberators (with Canadian Flag) Thank You Liberators (without Canadian Flag) Tycaf: National Committee Thank You Canada & Allied Forces There appear to be a strong link between Holland and Canada in this campaign. And someone who received his: Greenock Telegraph Online
It appears that the Dutch do not intend to issue more, having run out they do not entend to order any more, bit of a shame for there are several veterans that are deserving of recognition, having paid a very high price for the liberation of Holland. What I cannot understand is why I have not heard about these thank you medals, being I was a founding father of the Bournemouth and Poole Market Garden Association. Still am a member, though they are defunct for all real purposes. Shame really. Sapper
Sapper. So you are a real veteran of Market Garden? Well I'd just like to say you have my full respect and that any organization which is offering medals of any kind to veterans of the war should make sure they have enough in stock to meet the demand. Otherwise it's disrespectful to other veterans. I feel quite strongly about that so I just though I'd say.
Thank you Marcus for the kind words. Yes I am a veteran I managed to get from Sword Beach to Northern Holland. The battles we took part in during the Dutch theatre of operations were some of the fiercest of the war. The assault crossing of the Escaut canal at one in the morning was as hair raising as I have experienced, and I had taken part in all the ops from Normandy onwards. My company and Division, had the rare and unpleasant honour of taking part in every battle. My war ended near the German Border. unlucky as I had already been wounded in Normandy. Sapper