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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Leon Dalbert Alward

In memory of:

Private Leon Dalbert Alward

April 14, 1945

Military Service


Service Number:

G/32580

Age:

23

Force:

Army

Unit:

New Brunswick Rangers, R.C.I.C.

Division:

10th Indep. Machine Gun Coy.

Additional Information


Born:

December 27, 1921

Son of Weldon A. and Wavie A. Alward, of Havelock, New Brunswick.

Commemorated on Page 490 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

IX. C. 3.

Location:

Holten is a village 20 kilometres east of the town of Deventer, on the main A1 motorway from Amsterdam to Bremen in Germany. Following the A1 motorway, turn off at exit 26 and follow the N332 in the direction of Holten. Follow the N332 until reaching a signpost for Holterberg. Turn right onto the N344 in the direction of Holten, then at the T junction turn left towards Holten and follow this road to the roundabout. Take second exit then turn first right towards Holterberg. Follow this road uphill until you see a green Commission sign pointing to the right. Turn right down the track and follow to the end. Turn left and the cemetery lies along here on the left hand side.

Historical Information: The Netherlands fell to the Germans in May 1940 and was not re-entered by Allied forces until September 1944. The great majority of those buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery died during the last stages of the war in Holland, during the advance of the Canadian 2nd Corps into northern Germany, and across the Ems in April and the first days of May 1945. After the end of hostilities the remains of over 1,300 Canadian soldiers were brought together into this cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Grave Marker
  • Photo of Leon Alward
  • Paying respects– This photo was taken on April 26th, 1945.  The person to the right is Wallace Alward, Leon's brother.  This photo was taken at Leon Alward's grave, eight days after his death.
  • Letter– This was the last letter written by Leon to his mother.  It was his 125th letter, written 3 days before he was killed.
  • Remembering Leon– This is a photo of me (Julie) at Leon's grave site where he is buried in Holten, Netherlands.  I always hoped to have the opportunity to visit his grave before my grandmother (his sister) passed away.  I visited his grave in 2010 when she was 90 years old.  She passed away at the age of 92.  It was so comforting to see that the area where he is buried reminds me a lot of the area where he would have grown up.  A beautiful green area surrounded by farms and fields of cows.  It was an honour to be able to visit.
  • Group Photo– This photo is of the New Brunswick Rangers "No. 3 Platoon".  There are four empty chairs in this photo.  The empty chairs represent the 4 members of their platoon who were killed.  Sgt H.A. Steeves, August 10/44, Pte L.D. Alward, April 14/45, Pte J. Dolman, April 14/45 and Pte T.O.E. Hall, August 13/44.
  • Essay (Page 1)– In 2014, the grade 11 Modern History students at Belleisle Regional High School continued to write biographies for soldiers from the local area who died during the First and Second World Wars.
  • Essay (page 2)– In 2014, the grade 11 Modern History students at Belleisle Regional High School continued to write biographies for soldiers from the local area who died during the First and Second World Wars.
  • Essay (page 3)– In 2014, the grade 11 Modern History students at Belleisle Regional High School continued to write biographies for soldiers from the local area who died during the First and Second World Wars.
  • Essay (Page 4)– In 2014, the grade 11 Modern History students at Belleisle Regional High School continued to write biographies for soldiers from the local area who died during the First and Second World Wars.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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