THE COVENANTER
reaching Nieudorp on 2nd November. The At the going of the sun, and in the moming
War Diary of 6 Cameronians records one We will remember them’
particulay hard battle en route:
The time-honoured words were
‘0800 - Bn passed through 7 Cams to
reiterated at each commemorative event
advance west of EIIenwoutsdijk....
during the week. Most moving for us, when
1300 - D Coy began advance on ‘Point
uttered in a firm voice by Duncan
77’ (2519 ?) - Held up by strong opposition
McArthur, 4th/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers at
300 yards short of objective. Found to be
the memorials on the causeway to the
heavily defended (Permanent Coastal
French (who defended Beveland against the
Fortress). Coy forced to withdraw. 10 men
onslaught of Hitler’s rampaging Panzer
killed, 28 wounded.’
divisions in 1940); the Canadian 1st Army;
‘[D Company] were sent to attack a most
and to 52nd Lowland Division.
strong held position on the coast. They
The week reached its climax for the
attacked to within 200 yards and then got
Cameronian party on the following
held up by water. The Boche was in a strong
Saturday night with a private party given by
position, concrete and surrounded by
the people of Baarland, held in the
minefields, and very unfortunately [the
community hall, which is named after the
company] was out of range of support by
Regiment.
medium or field artillery. Then the Boche
The official ceremonies concluded with a
opened up with everything he had and [the
final service of commemoration and
company] got a pretty terrible pasting ...
thanksgiving at the Catharina church
next day... when one looked at it from the
Zoutelande on Sunday 7th November
enemy’s point of view one realised what
leaving the Cameronian party with some
ideal country is for defence, and how
final hours with their Dutch hosts before
difficult for manoeuvre, even minor tactics.’
beginning the journey back to Britain on
The Veterans started their
the following day. Inevitably, there will be
commemorations by attending a reception
very few Veterans able to attend any 70th
at the Burgerzaal in the marketplace in
anniversary commemoration. And there
Middelburg on Sunday 31st October.
may not be any more formal
Throughout the whole of the following
commemorations. However, there seems
week a variety of events had been organised
little doubt that for the foreseeable future
by the authorities of Walcheren and the
British and Dutch friends will continue to
local communities, which included much
maintain the strong bond between them by
generous hospitality. Some of the events
visits to Holland and Scotland on alternate
were attended by Veterans from all of the
years as long as health and breath permit.
allied units which had taken part in the
And the local authorities in South Beveland
fighting in 1944. Other events were
will continue to hold annual remembrance
arranged for specific units; and some were
services too.
very personal reunions between life-long
The author and his family were
Dutch and British friends. Ceremonies were
privileged to meet this sturdy band of
held at Uncle Beach in Vlissingen, where
Veterans, some wearied by age, some still
157 Bde landed; at Baarland where the
bearing the scars of that far-off conflict,
Cameronians landed with 156 Bde; at the
some as sprightly as men half their age.
Causeway, where so many lives were lost;
They had opened the Scheldt estuary but,
and at the British War Cemetery at Bergen
more important for us, they had been on
op Zoom, where many of those who made
the battlefield at the time of my father’s
the supreme sacrifice were eventually laid to
death. As when I had gone with my mother
rest. All followed the same familiar
some years ago, it seemed as if we had
remembrance format but each was, in its
known these men for all our lives, yet my
own special way, intensely moving. The
family met them for the first time, forging
Vlissingen Pipe Band provided the music
an immediate bond. An uncanny
and Royal Marine buglers sounded the
experience.
poignant calls of mourning. The British
It is invidious to mention names, as so
Government was represented by the
many people were involved in all the
Ambassador Sir Colin Budd, KCMG or one
arrangements. However, from our family
of his staff
perspective some people do deserve special
‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left mention: Mr. Leon Dewitte, Chairman of
grow old. the Liberation Support Walcheren
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. committee and Madam Nelleke Jeremaisse-
29
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