This year it is 80 years ago that Operation Market Garden was started to liberate the Netherlands en Western Europe from German occupation. In this operation many allied servicemen gave their lives for our liberation.
On September 25th 1944 the situation at Oosterbeek (near Arnhem) was untenable, and the decision was made to withdraw the allied troops across the Rhine. On the night of 25 to 26 September many troops were evacuated. Several of them lost their lives during the crossing.
During months thereafter remains of 6 allied servicemen were found at the banks of the river Lek in Schalkwijk and Tull en ‘t Waal. They were buried at one of the cemeteries of our villages. Among them was L-Cpl Herbert Benjamin Spooner, nr. 4914107, born march 1917 in Tamworth in Staffordshire, Airborne South Staffordshire Regiment (2-S Staffs)
Our village museum (Dijkmagazijn De Heul in Schalkwijk, The Netherlands) is planning to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of the allied servicemen by a small exhibition. In our exhibition we would like to give some background information Herbert Benjamin Spooner, or even some newspaper clippings, photos or postcards he has sent to his family. Any information is welcome.
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On September 25th 1944 the situation at Oosterbeek (near Arnhem) was untenable, and the decision was made to withdraw the allied troops across the Rhine. On the night of 25 to 26 September many troops were evacuated. Several of them lost their lives during the crossing.
During months thereafter remains of 6 allied servicemen were found at the banks of the river Lek in Schalkwijk and Tull en ‘t Waal. They were buried at one of the cemeteries of our villages. Among them was L-Cpl Herbert Benjamin Spooner, nr. 4914107, born march 1917 in Tamworth in Staffordshire, Airborne South Staffordshire Regiment (2-S Staffs)
Our village museum (Dijkmagazijn De Heul in Schalkwijk, The Netherlands) is planning to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of the allied servicemen by a small exhibition. In our exhibition we would like to give some background information Herbert Benjamin Spooner, or even some newspaper clippings, photos or postcards he has sent to his family. Any information is welcome.
Thank you,
C. Essens
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