As a 38 year old Dutchie I get very emotional in a positive way. EVERYTHING you see in our country wouldnt be this way if the Canadians didnt come to liberate the Netherlands. They are our heroes and saved our families. We can not thank them enough. So again Thank you Canada.
@Steve Mar. Wow! The Dutch are very cognisant of who risked, and gave, their lives for them. They're taught very young about the British, the Canadians, the Americans. Mr. van der Neut isn't decrying any of that. What he is saying is that without the Canadians it wouldn't be what it is today. Neither would it be what it is without the British or Americans, etc. But because this is specifically about the Dutch and the Canadian relationship his comment is about the Canadians. Apart from that, I'm not entirely sure that the relationship between the Dutch and the other Nations who helped in the Liberation of the Netherlands have quite as close a connection for whatever reason. Please allow Mr. van der Neut to express his gratitude for Canada without asking where that same gratitude is for the others. It's there, I'm sure, but he's responding to this video on Canada. And that's ok.
I'm Dutch, my parents were young children during the war. My grandmother did not survive the cold "hunger winter" of 1944/1945. I was in a Canadian shopping mall when I saw a man doing book signing. It was a book about his bomber days over Europe during WW2. It turned out he had taken part in the "food droppings" over Holland during the last weeks of the war.. My parents were on the receiving end of those droppings in these days. I was grateful to be able to shake this man's hand and thank him for what he did for us.
My Great Grandfather is in this briefly. He travelled back to the Netherlands many many times after the war. He just turn 100 years old this year. Very proud of him and proud to be Canadian.
@@toddboyce3599 he is immortal...he was/is a liberator, the Dutch will keep what he's done in their fondest memories as well as their history classes! He and all other Dutch Liberators are thus, immortal!
Our friendship runs deep. The Dutch Royal family went into exile in 1940 and were sheltered in Canada. Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa Civiv hospital. The entire maternity ward was declared Dutch territory, so that she could be born a Dutch citizen. The Netherlands yearly sends thousands of tulip bulbs to Canada in gratitude. They are beautiful arrayed in our capital each spring. Regarding accents in the 40’s and earlier most of our immigrants were from the UK. It wasn’t unusual to hear Canadians with English and Scottish accents. I myself was born in Canada to a British war bride ( my dad was Canadian ) my mum was a little homesick and a tad leery of those “ Wild Canadians “ There were six English war brides in our little town, and they kind of stuck together at first. My dad worked on the railway, so being away long periods of time…..I and my friends all had English accents and terminology once I was in school for a while I lost my accent. My Mum died young at 42 but she never lost herEnglish accent.
Actually, that's not true. The maternity ward was declared extraterritorial, so that she wouldn't be born British. Because the British follow the rule of "jus soli" ("right of soil"), by declaring the maternity ward extraterritorial, aka (very simply) international, Margriet would be born Dutch, following the Dutch rule of jus saguinis ("right of blood"). From Wikipedia "It is a common misconception that the Canadian government declared the maternity ward to be Dutch territory. That was not necessary, as Canada follows jus soli, while the Netherlands follows jus sanguinis. It was sufficient for Canada to disclaim the territory temporarily."
I am proud that Canada is recognized the world over as a polite, peaceful people, but will push comes to shove against crimes of humanity. We lay down our lives to defend those who need defending 🇨🇦♥️ I am proud to be a Canadian
Huh, I played Jr and college hockey against Western Canadians.....they were not so polite. Things might be different now, but back in the day, those boys would drop their gloves in a heartbeat.
In 2017 my daughter, a corporal in the Canadian forces, marched through several liberated towns in the Netherlands. Hospital patients insisted on being pushed outside to see our troops pass. She said it was such an honour to represent those who had earned these peoples gratitude.
Peter was a doing a report here in Vancouver right on the Granville Street Bridge next to my building. I ran out to see him before I remembered that we're 3 hours behind Toronto so he was long gone! 😂 He was superb in all of his interviews, especially Gord Downie.
Peter Mansbridge was discovered by a CBC Radio manager in 1968 when he was making an announcement over the intercom at the airport in Churchill, Manitoba.
John, I am a 1st gen Canadian born to Liberated Dutch immigrants. I was the 3rd of 4 kids. My Father’s quiet wish was that 1 of his children would grow up to be a Canadian Forces soldier. He arrived at the YMCA in Winnipeg with 2 brothers and a sister (his remaining 6 siblings remained in Holland as they had their own families). The deal was once they secured work and a place to live they’d repay the YMCA for food and shelter. The jobs that were supposed to be awaiting them were never realized. He was 19 then so he and his older brother set out found work while his sister cared for his 14 yr old brother. The YMCA refused to let them pay back the cost room and board. Unbeknownst to him, I went to recruiting and waited for the call that came in Feb of ‘89. I got home late for dinner from signing my Oath to Queen and Country. He barked “your mother slaves all day cleaning and cooking and you come home late for supper. My mom knew what I was upto. I dropped my Oath in front of him. It was the first and only time I saw his eyes wet. He lived near Appledoorn and was liberated by Canadians, his dream was finally realized with that Oath I took. Both he and my mother are as grateful as those who remained in Holland if not even more so for being allowed to immigrate to Canada. He said they wouldn’t take his money when he wanted to pay his room and board but, he felt his debt to Canada was paid in full because his eldest son joined the CF. This video, of the Dutch people’s gratitude is as vivid for me today as it was the day I took the Oath. I had to dry my eyes before I wrote this because I to, even though I am a Canadian am just as thankful for the Liberators as he, my mother and whole extended family are. Thank-you.
I was born in Netherlands. My parents lived through the war, my mother having lived in Rotterdam which was bombed flat and at age 16 weighed 65 lbs. My father from a family of 9. He stole whatever he could to survive. I am now Canadian and these stories always bring tears to me. I am a proud Dutch/Canadian. Thank you for this. I’m on my way to Netherlands in a month.
You’re quite welcome and I’m just happy to be able to tell the stories of the people that made a difference. I admire both Canada and the Netherlands. I have also studied the history of my home state, NY. The Dutch influence from the early days when we were New Amsterdam, in the colony of New Netherlands, still informs a lot of what NY is today. Religious freedom and ethnic tolerance started and remains a hallmark of New Amsterdam aka NYC.
@@Doug.Dimmadomedon't count yourself weak. The Dutch are a strong people. Just a small nation. But this is where our allies come in my friend. Canada and the Dutch. Same with Ukraine and Poland and our other allies. You can't bully a group of small countries when they all punch a weight class or 3 above and our total is bigger too.
My neighbours for a number of years were a wonderful couple from Holland. He had been a farmer all of his life, tough and rugged, still doing heavy work even in his later years. We were discussing the war one day and he was telling me what it had been like under occupation when I noticed a tear in his eye. He looked at me and said, “They came all the way from their homes to save us and gave their lives”.
In 2008, I was privileged to spend a week in the Netherlands and participate in their Liberation parade in Wageningen. I've been in a lot of parades in Canada and the US, and this blew me away. The number of people lining the streets to welcome back their liberators was incredible. I felt like I was in one of those newsreel movies. Their love for Canadians is unmatched.
Dutch families tend the many Canadian graves in Holland to this day. In fact, there is a waiting list to be a family that has the privilege and responsibility of caring for the grave of a fallen Canadian soldier. Beyond the yearly donation of 20,000 tulip bulbs that grace our capitol city every spring, this commitment by individual Dutch citizens is moving beyond words. On a similar theme, there is an old clip of a young Belgian boy saluting marching Canadian troops, and receiving a return salute.
@@TheDyllsand people say Canadians are nice?! A waiting list??? That's absolutely amazing, and truly humbling. I think the Dutch might just have us beat!! 😂
My father was born in 1941 in Gouda (province of South Holland). Even at 4 years of age, he still distinctly remembers the Canadian liberators coming into the city! Even now (he's 82), he remembers sitting on one soldier's lap, who gave him some candies. He remembers the look on the soldier's face - one of compassion, and longing to be home. The starvation was a reality. My dad lost his hair due to malnutrition. He still remembers hiding under the bunk beds when the air raid siren rang out as Rotterdam was being bombed. Some things you never forget. So it was that his eldest brother, post war, came to Canada, and paved the way for his mom and other siblings to also come. Every year, on the anniversary of the liberation, we fly the Canadian and Netherland's flags high and proud. While traveling in the Netherlands, wearing anything that has the Canada flag is sure to get you noticed, and may just spark up a conversation - especially with the elderly, those who were there. Great reaction John! Thanks.
I was a piper and drummer for the military and never had the opportunity to make it to the celebrations with the rest of the Canadians. However, I was once doing a remembrance service and the minister told us a story. She was back in her Dutch father's home and as they were driving the country side, her dad yelled for her to stop the car. She thought something was wrong, as her dad got out of the car, walked across the road into a field and fell to his knees in tears. As she followed him and helped him up, she asked what was wrong. The dad replied that's where they came from, over that hill. She asked where who came from. The dad replied, the Canadians. That's where they came from and saved us. It was a touching story to hear. To hear an elderly man describe what he saw, almost like he was a child again, watching his town become free, once again.
Not just the Dutch but also Norwegians. I attended a funeral for a friend who had been twice honored by the Norwegian King. He said he was Norwegian by birth but Canadian by choice. The Norwegian ambassador flew out from Ottawa to attend. He made an emotional speech thanking the Canadians for giving his people their country back. He had tears in his eyes.
Our ancestors are from these lands. Canadian. But my direct ancestor is Rollo of normandy. Danish or Norwegian if memory serves but nobody knows exactly for certain. Western provinces are heavily populated by families from Ukrainian polish and Dutch roots. Same with all over. We may be a new nation bur as we've shown with 2 world wars. Even when it costs us we don't forget our roots. Quebec has a large Jewish population so does ontario. We don't forget our roots.
the whole thing was far more complicated than a history lesson can tell. It wasn't because Canadians liberated the Netherlands but how. With astonishing bravery fearlessness determination in total disregard of their own lives. These men walked into the jaws of death with calm resoluteness because it was better to die and win than live and loose. This is not nostalgic remembrance but the truth in a nut shell. My parents grand parents ants and uncles lived it out in person. The freedom was hard won for someone else.
I visited the Netherlands in the mid '90s. I went into a bank one day to get some currency exchanged, and they wouldn't charge me a service fee when they found out I was Canadian.
When I was in the Army I was stationed in Washington and we would go to Canada some weekends and it was a blast! Some of the nicest people i have ever met in Canada.
My uncle served in the Netherlands with Princess Patricia light infantry in WWII, he also served in Normandy. Canadians are reveared for our brave service and the liberation of so many 🇨🇦 🍁
My father was a Canadian soldier during the Second World War . He was in Holland ,what he saw haunted him for the rest of his life . He befriended a young Dutch boy and gave him food and chocolate as much as he could . During the 50s this little Dutch boy whose name I have forgotten found my Father again in Halifax ,Nova Scotia . Their bond was like Father and son .
When I went to the Netherlands in 1980 the Canadians on our bus tour were also treated this way & where I live we always have tulips donated to us from them, it’s so beautiful & the Capital of Canada (Ottawa) have even more Tulips given to them😁❤️ The Dutch are a beautiful people & Will remember forever❤️
My father was part of the Liberation of Holland. He landed at Juno Beach. Later in life he went back with my Mom to visit a “boy” he had helped there during the war. They held a parade for him! Still makes me cry thinking about it. So very proud of him. ❤️🇨🇦
They still send tulips to Canada every year. I visited Ottawa in June, 20+ years ago and there were tulips everywhere. I am halfway through the video writing this. Great video sir, thank you.
It is unsettling for me to contemplate sometimes that I would not exist if Germany had not invaded the Netherlands. My paternal grandmother lived in Rotterdam, and experienced the horrors of that occupation. She married a Canadian soldier and moved to Canada in 1945. My father was born from that marriage. When I was a teenager, my grandmother told me about some of her experiences during the war. I know she held back many things.
🇨🇦 war brides came from a lot of places and found a home for a family here. My great aunt was one, landed on the east coast, took a train "that lasted forever it seemed" to go all the way west. A rear admiral's surgeon's daughter from England.
@@ninemoonplanet Not to forget that many German POW's in Canada returned to Canada after being sent back to Germany at war's end. Germany was in such a mess that they saw no hope for the future. They returned to Canada because they were treated so well and because they saw a better future here. They've become excellent citizens.
I moved to the Netherlands in 2000 and driving from the airport to my new home I saw a horse drawn wagon, covered in flowers with a huge sign saying "Thank You Canada". Over my 12 years there I saw and felt the love the Dutch have for we Canadians. Memories have not faded with them. Thank you so much for your reaction John.
I went to Holland when I was 18 as a World War buff and virgin traveller... I NEVER expected the kindness from the Dutch for JUST being Canadian. It got to a point where too many free drinks were bought and we eventually said "We appreciate it very much, but we dont want free drinks on our grandfathers bravery and Grandmothers work at home".... almost all replied to it by basically saying "Well their work is why I, my dad, mom, uncle etc etc etc survived the war and are here today. Canadians gave their weeks rations and any money they had on them to us while we starved on tulip bulbs and other roots" Didnt matter if they experienced it first hand, or were our age and only taught about it.... but their grandparents and parents all had a personal story to tell. Every hotel owner wanted to talk to us to see if they knew out last names from possibly friends from wartime as well. Which we thought only Canadians do "I know Mike Abootman from Calgary! hows he doin?" lol
The canadians freed the town i grew up in. The very hospital i was born in was free'd by them. If not for the collective efforts of the allied i mightve not been born. So many of us need to be thankfull to the canadians just for that fact. The war is often forgotten.
Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it. I am a Dutch Canadian. My whole life, I heard stories from my mother about the war. Yes, my mother ate tulip bulbs, too. Yet I never knew exactly what those courageous Canadian heroes did. Thank you for educating me and for the video that followed. Makes me sad about the war between Russia and Ukraine. Seeing two kids with their back packs on laying in the street dead. Have we not learned anything? Anyway, thanks once again for this! Incidentally, my Mom is 91 now. It's scary to think about what may have been. I lost my grandfather (Dutch soldier) during that war. My Mom was 12, so I wouldn't have existed.
Thank you for this video; my grandfather was part of the liberation army as a pilot. Thankfully he came home or else I wouldn't be here. He died when i was quite little but he always planted tulips in the garden in rememberance of the Dutch people he helped set free. To this day my flower beds have tulips of all colours. On a side note thank you for bringing this to the attention of a wider, hopefully American audience. I married a Texan and lived there until he passed a way and we raised our family there. When my oldest was learning about WW2 in history I was appalled to learn that Canada was NOT mentioned as fighting in this war!!! I wrote a very irate letter to the govenor and the school board, my son was so outraged that he did an entire report on exactly what the Canadian forces contributed to the war including taking my great uncle and grandfather's medals with him when he presented it. I was so gosh darn proud of him that day, lol. The teacher didn't know what to say and i mean what could she say the proof was in the pudding as they say. Anyway great job on all your thoughtful and intelligent content on topics that Canadians are proud of but too humble to brag about. :]Love your channel!
Excuse my English, a Dutchie here A very emotional and great video is about that every Dutch person adopted the graves of the fallen hero’s. Till this day the graves been cleaned, put flowers on because there families good not do it for them. And to thank them. Also every year candles lighting up on the graveyards. We are thankful to the fallen and to their families. And we have to make sure we remember. It changed Europe. Like they said you have to be taking away your freedom to know.
I'm so glad to hear from a Dutch person about this subject. Please, no need to apologize for your English. It is quite good. I thank you for your wonderful reflections. Peace from New York.
I have been to The Netherlands and also visited the Anne Frank house and visited the memorial sites. So many tributes to Canada all over. All my Uncles and my Dad fought in WW2 and my Dad raised us to never forget. So visiting these places where battles were fought and won, the graves of soldiers lost and also the places where inhumanity was at its worst is so meaningful in making sure we do never forget. I love that the children in The Netherlands take part in the Remembrance Day activities and pay tribute to those that liberated their families. It is very touching.
Nice to hear from you again. Yes, this is taught in our schools as well. Canada also passed legislation so the hospital room the young princess was being born in was given Dutch ownership so she would still hold Dutch citizenship. The Dutch Royal family lived in Canada in exile during the war. Seems kind of predestined that the cdns would then liberate the country.
Thank you John for this wonderful reminder of the kinship between the Dutch and Canadians. I know the story well having heard it from my Dad who was a soldier in the Canadian Army during WW II. Really enjoyed the report by Peter Mansbridge as well as your comments. Coming from a patriotic family where 3 uncles and both my parents served it was nice to hear how the Dutch remember their liberators. ❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
My uncle Harry Gervais was killed during the liberation. The street sign Gervaisstraat is in his memory. The street where he was born in the village of La Passe Ontario was also renamed Gervaisstraat
Hi again John, 48th Highlanders were and still are a Toronto regiment. When I was in the 25 Toronto Service Battalion - Transportation Company, I had quite a few friends from that regiment.
17:14 "The little thing we did". This phrase always makes me both crack up and tear up every single time I hear it. For them, it was just another day at the office. For everyone else, it was everything.
When Peter Mansbridge was nineteen years old, he was working at the airport in Churchill, Manitoba ---- yes the town famous for polar bears romping around its streets. Part of his job was to announce planes arriving and departing. When Gaston Charpentier, the manager of a CBC radio station heard his voice over the intercom, he hired him on the spot to host a local music show in Thompson, Manitoba. Mansbridge rapidly moved up CBC's talent ladder. By 1988, he was the co-anchor of the flagship national news hour, working with the venerable Knowlton Nash. CBS offered him a spot in the U.S.. To prevent Mansbridge from leaving the country, Nash resigned his post and insisted that Mansbridge replace him. Good call. I often saw Mansbridge walking down my street, which was around the corner from the CBC station in Toronto. Yes, the Dutch never forget. When I visited the Netherlands, if anyone found out I was Canadian, they treated me like royalty. The documentary doesn't mention that every year, the Netherlands sends thousands of tulip bulbs to Ottawa, and in the spring and summer the city is carpeted with tulips.
Another terrific and informative video. Thank you John to remind me, as a Canadian, that these awesome historic events are often overlooked. Not really forgotten, but pushed to the back of our minds I suppose to make room for all of the current events that take up so much of our lives these days. Watching this video wakes a person up to the real important events that changed people’s lives. Both of my parents served overseas in WW2, dad was Canadian Army. He served on the transportation units(trains) of course the bridges and rail tracks were bombed regularly. His unit also had the horrific job of picking up the death camp survivors, many of them died along the way and were given a proper burial near the tracks.😢 mum was in the British Airforce, they met at a dance and married in England in 1944. They came to Canada a year later. I have a treasure trove of their military memorabilia.
I still to this day run into Dutch Canadians who express their love and appreciation for Canada and all that she had done for the Netherlands. From all ages. They truly are a lovely people.
My Grandfathers regiment took part in the liberation. While he walked down the road, a lady ran out of her house and gave him a tiny porcelain shoe to show her gratitude. He gave it to my Great Grandmother when he came home and when she passed, it was given to me. I have no idea how old it is though it looks very old, indeed, nor its monitary value. The sentimental value is pricesless. A tiny bit of history i hold in my hand and remember Grandad and his wonderful stories and the Dutch lady who probably gave him the very best she had.
As a Dutch person I am willing to bet that it was not only the most valuable thing she had, but she excused that she didn't have more to give. And it was well earned, having heard stories from my grandparents about the suffering during the war, our gratitude will always remain.
My parents “Dutch” lived in the Netherlands during ww2 ,they suffered greatly. My mother saw resistance fighters shot to death as a little girl. She and my dad also saw much more horror . My uncle was blown up beside my mom while they were walking looking for firewood to keep warm. They were rescued by Canadian soldiers who treated the Dutch people like family. They lost family members by the score. They managed to save and we moved and immigrated to Canada in 1965. Our gratitude to Canada is still in our hearts ❤️ our family in Holland still loves Canadians , the feelings have been passed down from parents to children. Thanks to all Canadian soldiers and their families that came from them for their sacrifice for freedom 😢peace
Loved this video.. and it definitely put tears in my eyes. Wars are abhorrent and it makes me very sad and angry that they happen and cause immeasurable suffering. This makes me proud to be Canadian too, and I'm glad there is still good in human beings to help those who need it.
Highlander is a pretty common unit term of the army of that era but the 48th Highlanders were largely from Toronto part of the 1st Canadian Division. They were one of the many Canadian Units that missed out on D-Day as they were still fighting in Italy. In 1945 they redeployed to Northern Europe to aid in the liberation of the Netherlands. Of note the 48th Highlanders Pipes and Drums is the group that opens the Toronto Maple Leaf's home season every year by marching on the ice and has done so since 1931.
I had a neighbor that was dutch he passed away a few years ago, he was great for telling stories about growing up in wartime Holland ,eating tulip bulbs, he joined the canadian military as a musician, as many Dutch did in the 1950,s.
Living in Germany nowadays as a Dutchman, people here dont understand our gratitude for those who liberated my grandparents. They partly cannot understand it, cause the gratitude my grandparents experienced that day is passed on to the next generations. The freedom we enjoy these days has come with an unimaginable sacrifice. And that gratitude i was thought by my grandparents i will pass on to my kids and friends. (even if it is abit to deaf men's ears) Even if it is Germany
I have to say, you are one of the most empathetic people I’ve seen. Your desire to learn through the pain and suffering of others is written on your face and you are often on the verge of tears. The world needs more John F’s especially these days through strife and turmoil.
From Canada I always look forward to your clip . We have many families of Canadian Army Soldiers bringing back War Brides from Holland . My next door neighbor is the daughter of a Dutch War Bride . There are many Fountains in Parks that are donated by the Dutch . As I understand the Dutch maintain the Canadian Military Cemeteries in Holland , according to my Dutch friend . C A McLean
John - Please look into Leo Major. A Canadian WW2 hero who helped liberate Holland, and if he were an American there would already be 10 movies about him. His story is so crazy but true!
I'm sure I read he was born in 1921, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to French Canadian parents, Major moved with his family to Montreal before his first birthday.
This Story has all ways resonated with me. My Grandparents on my mothers side both immigrated to Canada as children from the Netherlands after the war and i have heard some of the stories from the war (unfortunately some were never passed down from my Great grand parents). My great Uncle on my fathers side fought to liberate the Netherlands. i inherited a few years back a clog he brought back for my grand mother as a gift. one fact that was not mentioned is the story of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. when the Netherlands were occupied the royal family fled to Canada. while they were there a Hospital room in Ottawa was temporarily given to the Dutch so that the new born princes could be born a Dutch citizen.
My father was one of those Canadians who liberated Appledorn. He always held the Dutch in such respect after seeing what they had endured. We are so very proud of him..
Canada heeft ons bevrijd .americanen waren voor de helft omgelopen omdat ze zogenaamd de weg kwijt waren en de andere helft bombarderde rotterdam en vlogen daarna meteen door naar berlijn om de buit te delen daar met england en rusland.jaren lang hebben wij ze miljoenen gegeven ervoor terwijl de canadezen nog geen stuiver van ons wouwen aannemen
@@gerritkortland2784 Nee hoor, de Amerikanen hebben evengoed delen van ons land bevrijd. Weet je hoeveel jonge Amerikaanse soldaten begraven liggen bij Margraten? 💔 Die hebben hun leven gegeven om ons te bevrijden van de nazi's. Na de bevrijding hielp de VS ons economisch met hun Marshallplan. We hebben enorm veel te danken aan ze en dat mogen we nooit vergeten.
Thank you. Even 80 years on, Dutch families honor our boys by maintaining and decorating their graves, whether US, Canadian, Polish or Brits. It’s beautiful. Especially because there are waiting lists and many graves have been passed by wills to the younger generations of a family after the deaths of the older. 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇳🇱🇵🇱🇬🇧
Thank you once again, John, for another enjoyable and informative video. I feel that Peter Mansbridge is such a wonderful storyteller and interviewer, in addition to being a trusted and respected journalist and news anchor. He's absolutely a legend in the Canadian media; knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and with a keen sense of humour! Retired now, but welcomed into Canadian livingrooms every weeknight for decades. The Dutch have always been very vocal with their gratitude and respect to Canada with respect to Canadians' role in the liberation of their country. Are you also aware that the Dutch royal family went into exile when the Netherlands was occupied by the German Nazis in 1940. Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa on January 19, 1943, daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. The maternity ward of Ottawa General Hospital was temporarily declared to be extraterritorial, being Dutch territory, so that the Princess was born in the Netherlands. Each spring, in gratitude, the government of The Netherlands sends Ottawa thousands of multi-colored tulips in recognition of the hospitality shown to their Royal family.
My brother in-law father was born in Holland and 12 years old when the war ended. He immigrated to Canada and married a Dutch girl who also immigrated and bought a farm. He told me once that he remember the day the Canadian came and liberated the village. He and his family though these men were amazing. The soldiers also share their rations as the people were starving. The German had taking everything, they could find. Several Canadian died in the battle for the village, their names are honoured every year. School children are taught their names so their sacrifices are not forgotten. I’ve alway thought the Dutch really know what freedom means much like Ukrainians know today what freedom cost.
The Dutch have never forgotten. Thank you John for this moving piece...I just love your warm, thoughtful, articulate commentary as always. And yes, Peter Mansbridge is a Canadian treasure to be sure. We were so lucky he didn't leave Canada to make bigger $$ as an American journalist. I see similarities between you and him. You are both such lovely men.
John the Dutch Royal Family stayed in Ottawa during the war and Princess Margriet was born here. For the birth the maternity ward at the Ottawa Civic Hospital was declared extraterritorial for the birth, ensuring the baby would have Dutch citizenship alone. The princess regularly visits Ottawa. Holland continues to send tulips to Ottawa as a gift. The Canadian Tulip Festival 12 to 22 May is a legacy of this gift. each year more than one million tulips bloom across Ottawa
In those days the gender was only known at birth, it could have been a boy, and therefor successor to the throne. Nowadays it's the first born, no matter its gender. Margriet, who was born in Canada as third child, remained second in line because her sister in between gave up her rights. Next to Queen Beatrix, she took up a lot of work to represent the royal family and worked for charity. She is very much appreciated.
@@dutchman7623 Her birthday was the only time a foriegn flag flew on our Parliament buildings. There is a story behind why they made the materinty room extraterritorial It had to do with being born in Canada would make the baby him/her a Canadian citizen. "The maternity ward of the hospital was temporarily declared to be extraterritorial by the Canadian government. This ensured that the newborn would not be born in Canada, and not be a British subject under the rule of jus soli “
You might be interested in "When Canada Saved Denmark".It's an 11 minute video,by Mark Felton,on RU-vid,about Operation Eclipse,Wismar Germany,May/2/45 when Monty sent the Canadians to stop the Russians from entering Denmark!!
During a veteran's dinner in 2005, a legislator was one of the guest speakers. His family was Dutch and he was a young boy during the occupation. Of course he is much older now, but recounted seeing the faces of the young Canadian soldiers as they liberated their town. He spoke the Canadians smiling and waving at the kids, being very friendly and handing out whatever food they could find. He said the atmosphere certainly changed in their town. Anyhow, there were young Canadian soldiers attending this Veterans dinner, all dressed up in their DEU's. As he spoke about his childhood experiences he glanced over at the young Canadian soldiers and said "I remember all of the beautiful young faces of heroes...much like you", then he started weeping. Gratitude.
My Dad was with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders on D Day ...the ONLY Allied unit to exceed the day one objectives, Dad also went to the Scheldt Estuary campaign which led to the liberation of Holland. The Dutch have NEVER forgotten Canada and we have tons of Dutch immigrants who have added greatly to our country.
There is a cultural click between Canada and the Netherlands, much more than the US or UK have. It resulted in high mutual respect and friendship. After the war we had to reorganize our agricultural sector, too many farmers on too little land to be economically effective. Many small farmers went to Canada for a better future in the '50's and '60's and they were welcomed. This only made the ties stronger.
My dad and his twin brother are two of those farmers. Their family immigrated in 1957 dad was 19. He bought a dairy with his twin their dad had to co sign. The had a company together, my uncle the dairy, my dad a pig farm. ❤
As a Dutchman, I would like the thank the Canadians one more time. My grandparents lived in occupied Haarlem, in North Holland. That part of the Netherlands was one of the last places to be liberated. They lived through what’s known as the “hunger winter”. My grandfather was send to the tulip fields between Leiden & Haarlem, to dig up tulip bulbs to bring home. They would cook them, so that their families had at least something to eat. My grandmother was send to a farm in the province of Friesland, because she was sick and so weak that she wouldn’t have survived that winter. My grandparents would always tell about the Canadians when they arrived in Haarlem, during the Remembrance and Liberation day on the 4th & 5th of May. You can still find some old footage on RU-vid when these liberators arrived in Haarlem.
@Steve Mar. well the British and American forces were mainly focused on invading Germany. North Holland in the west, wasn’t a priority for allied command. This is why the western part of the Netherlands was almost exclusively liberated by the Canadians. British & American forces were concentrated in the east of the country, in what is known as Operation Market Garden. This is also the reason why the west of the Netherlands almost starved during the winter of 1944-45. Simply because the Allies were more focused on invading and defeating Germany.
The Dutch Royal Family came to Canada during the War. Princess Margriet was born here - the hospital ward being declared by Canada to be Dutch Territory as Margriet was due to be the Dutch Monarch some day (and did). The Dutch give us tulips every year and are everywhere in Canada as a 'thanks'. The Dutch also gave us Holstein cows as a 'thanks'. The Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Holland make you cry - they are so pristine, so beautiful, so maintained with the Dutch themselves making them pristine as a 'thanks'. A Canadian today travelling to or through Holland won't believe how he's treated by the Dutch. I can only hope that he knows why.
Margriet was not in line to be queen. She was 3rd born. Her oldest sister Beatrix was in line and became queen after Juliana, their mother, retired. Whilemina, Juliana's mother was queen during the war years.
This brought me to tears. War… how we can bring he’ll to planet earth! How we can reach the depths of the human spirit and understanding of what truly matters.
When Canadians saw what was happening in the Netherlands, taking down Hitler temporarily became a secondary war goal The liberation and feeding of Europe was more important, General Crerar was hellbent on making sure no German troops would remain in occupied territories before reaching Germany and made it his personal mission to do everything he could to minimize destruction and casualties to civilians in north-west Europe after being almost powerless to prevent the destruction and killing of civilians in Italy Much love from Canada, Netherlands
I am from Rotterdam and my father nearly death because no food. I know Canada freed Rotterdam and saved my fathers live giving him food. I never forget and I love The Canadians.
Honored to have known a great man who was there during that time. Recently passed in his 103rd year. Would always tell of the kindness of the Dutch people and how welcoming they where. He would go back from time to time to visit.
I had a deep sigh and a few tears...my Dad was there involved in the liberation. He was a machine gunner on a tank. He landed on Juno Beach and lied his age to join. There have been need specials such as this we watched with him but he never talked about it. He would silently watch these. He was in the Algonquin Regiment of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. The only thing I ever heard him say about the war was that he would never forget the smell of a burning tank. Just a few years ago one of my youngest cousin's told me a story I never knew. My cousin was at the cottage with my parents. He was sitting outside with my Dad. He thinks he was about 7 yrs old. He said to my Dad. .So Uncle John you were in the war. He said this look came over my Dad's face and even at that young age he knew it was a topic you didn't bring up.
Wow same story as my Father, lied about his age to get into the army. At least to me he never spoke about the war yet he read war books everyday. He also landed on the beach. My Dad's name was also John.
@@ruthelizabeth9638 Oh Ruth Ann 😘. What out Dad's did...the horrors they saw. My Dad was in the Algonquin Regiment (North Bay, Ontario) which was part of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. And his Uncle Father J.R. O'Gorman was the Chaplain of the Canadian Forces in England. Actually the High School in Timmins is named after him. We will always carry our pride. Have a box of my Dad's books that he read and have been seriously thinking if donating them to the Legion.
@@ruthelizabeth9638 How lucky we had such strong Fathers who did what they felt they had to do and came home to build good, peaceful lives for their families 😘
My father-in-law was also a gunner on tank in the Canadian 4th armoured division who helped liberate the Netherlands. My father was a Sgt Major in the Canadian army. They both didn't talk about experiences in the military and don't believe either attended the Remembrance Day ceremonies, as for some the memories were too painful. Although my father-in-law went back to the Netherlands in 1976 with his brother who also took part in liberating the Netherlands.
My maternal grandfather was there in 1945. My home town in Southern Ontario had a lot of Dutch people who came in the early 50s as refugees from the massive floods. They chose Canada because of the Liberation. When I was little I thought the Dutch accent was just the way some of the older people spoke. As I got older I realised they were Immigrants.
