War memorial, Sint Joost (Netherlands)

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by Ivo Wilms, Feb 7, 2015.

  1. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Dear members,

    For your information.
    On Saturday, 2 May 2015 a war memorial will be dedicated in my hometown Sint Joost, the Netherlands. More than 70 years after the embittered battle for Sint Joost - an important objective during Operation Blackcock - a fitting tribute will be made to honour those who were involved in the liberation of our village. The memorial will include the names of the 17 gallant men who gave their lives for our freedom.
    For the last year we (a small group of locals from St. Joost) have been (and still are) working on materializing this memorial.

    I figured there might be people here who would like to attend this unique event. You are more than welcome to join us.

    The program for Saturday is as follow:
    14:00 - 14:30: Reception at our new community centre.
    14:30 - 14:45: Walk to the location of the memorial (circa 700 meters), guided by our local fanfare and civic guard.
    14:45 - 15:30: Ceremony and dedication of the memorial, including speeches, music and a floral tribute.
    15:30 - 15:45: Back to our community centre.
    15:45 - 18:00: Refreshments and opening of a small exhibition (period photos, film footage and items).

    The address of our community centre:
    Caulitenstraat 6 (left of our church)
    6112 AL
    Sint Joost

    If you have questions, or if you are seeking information as for where to stay, please feel free to contact me. For those who are coming and plan to stay several days: there will be more activities in the surrounding area regarding the 70th anniversary of our liberation.

    In memory of the heroic sacrifices made by our gallant liberators. :poppy:

    9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
    Pte. Arthur Alfred John Holden, KIA 20-01-1945, age 21
    Maj. Sam Macartney, Commanding Officer of "A" Company, KIA 21-01-1945, age 43
    Cpl. Wilfred Coombes, KIA 21-01-1945, age 33
    Cpl. Frederick Albert Schofield, KIA 21-01-1945, age 27
    L/Cpl. Jack Silvester Maunders, KIA 21-01-1945, age 23
    Pte. Anthony Thomas Clarke, KIA 21-01-1945, age 19
    Pte. Clifford Holmes, KIA 21-01-1945, age 24
    Pte. Francis William Best, KIA 21-01-1945, age 32
    L/Cpl. Philip Phillips, DOW 29-01-1945, age 26

    1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade
    Sgt. Robert Finch, KIA 20-01-1945, age 30
    Rfn. Frederick Benjamin John Blackhall, KIA 20-01-1945, age 25
    Rfn. Alfred White, KIA 20-01-1945, age 28

    8th Battalion, King's Royal Irish Hussars
    L/Cpl. William Flatt, KIA 20-01-1945, age 29
    Tpr. John Isaiah Partoon, KIA 20-01-1945, age 21
    Tpr. Edwin Thomas Eeles, KIA 20-01-1945, age 21
    Tpr. George Clifton, KIA 21-01-1945, age 34

    141st Royal Armoured Corps (7th Battalion, "The Buffs")
    Tpr. Leonard Alfred Stone, KIA 21-01-1945, age 32
     
    CL1, Aixman, stolpi and 3 others like this.
  2. smdarby

    smdarby Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the info, Ivo. I'm a Brit living in the Netherlands and was down your part of the country last summer visiting Nederweert CWGC Cemetery, Harden VC memorial and the Piron Brigade Memorial at Thorn. I must admit I did not have any knowledge of the fighting at Sint Joost until I saw your post and did a quick bit of research online. Well done on all your efforts to create a memorial, and I'll certainly try my best to make it to the dedication.

    Incidentally, my mother's family is from St. Just in Cornwall. Never knew there was a Sint Joost in the Netherlands!
     
  3. Bernard85

    Bernard85 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    good day ivo wilms,m.yesterday 09:41pm.re:war memorial sint joost (netherlands)thank you for your invite.i am down under,so i wish all well for creating a memorial to those lost ww2.to those who were lost.may they rest in peace.regards bernard85 :poppy: :poppy:
     
  4. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Interesting! I never heard of a St. Just in the UK, so that makes us even. ;) My last visit to Nederweert CWGC was last summer as well. Did you also visit the new memorial on the location where Eric Harden VC lost his life?
    Thanks and I will hopefully see you in May then!

    Thank you! I will make sure to post pictures afterwards.
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thank you Ivo Wilms,

    I am presently reading about Operation 'Blackcock' in the book, 'With the Jocks', by Peter White.
     
  6. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    That's one of the best books I've read so far!
     
  7. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    I agree, it is not my usual theatre for reading, but his style of writing is excellent and brings home the terrible nature of those times.

    Best wishes

    Steve
     
    Chris C likes this.
  8. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Update

    The final program has been made (see first post).
    The relatives of four fallen liberators will join us for the ceremony.
    The construction of the memorial is in full swing.
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  9. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Last update before the big day.

    Everything is set. I wish everyone who will be joining us a safe trip and see you tomorrow!
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Best wishes and I trust you have a god turn out and good weather !
     
  11. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Thank you! I'm off to bed now. Pictures will follow soon.
     
  12. smdarby

    smdarby Well-Known Member

    Hi Ivo. Above I said I might be able to make it to the ceremony, but unfortunately I can't due to family commitments.

    Good luck with tomorrow - I hope everything goes well and please post photos. I'll try and make time to visit the memorial some time in the summer.

    Well done for your efforts.

    Regards,

    Shaun
     
  13. Nijmegen

    Nijmegen Member

    Hallo Ivo,
    A little map with positions and objectives. You might have it already, perhaps not.
    [​IMG]
    With regards,
     
  14. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    @smdarby: No problem. Drop me a message when you are coming.

    @Nijmegen: I didn't have that one yet, thank you. It appears to be cropped from a larger map. Where did you find it?

    Here are some pictures from Saturday:

    En route to the memorial
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Yours truly
    [​IMG]

    Revealing of the memorial by relatives of the fallen liberators
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Consecration of the memorial by our vicar
    [​IMG]

    Our mayor lays a wreath
    [​IMG]

    Mr. Harry Bellars, No.45 RM Commando, lays a wreath
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Buteman, Deacs, Fred Wilson and 2 others like this.
  15. The Cooler King

    The Cooler King Elite Member

    Thanks for the images - an excellent photographic record!. :)
     
  16. Nijmegen

    Nijmegen Member

    gpo son likes this.
  17. Ivo Wilms

    Ivo Wilms Member

    Thanks! Very well done.
     
    gpo son likes this.
  18. gpo son

    gpo son Senior Member

    Ivo
    Great effort by the local group to have undertaken and a perfect time for the memorial unveiling
    Matt
     

Share This Page