Seeking info on Sgt. William H. Graham
Article content
My name is Mike Muntain and I am writing you from Kingston, Ont. While assisting the Mayor of Kingston, Mark Gerretsen, on an initiative to recognize school children from Holten, the Netherlands, for their Christmas Eve efforts honouring Canadian war dead resting in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, I was asked to assist in another program.
Mr. Gerry VanHolt, chairman of the Welcome Again Veterans committee, is in the process of collecting pictures and biographical info on all 1,355 Canadians who rest at the Holten cemetery. 'A Face For Every Name' is a significant undertaking as pictures and available info are placed at the headstone of the appropriate grave, giving visitors the opportunity to put a face and bio to the name and the man.
Myself and research specialist Peter Gower of Kingston's regiment, The Princess of Wales Own Regiment, were provided with a list of Kingston boys resting in Holten. We reached out to the local media and the response was overwhelming.
We have collected pictures and biographical information for our local war dead, allowing the Dutch to add this info to their data base and grave site life stories.
Included in the Canadian war dead from Tillsonburg is Sgt. William H. Graham, service number A/64755 Royal Canadian Artillery - 19 Army Field Regt. KIA February 13, 1945 at 27 years age.
I am seeking your assistance in reaching out to the local community in the hopes that, as in other communities across Canada, there are still relatives, friends, and men who served with those who did not come home, that may be able to provide a picture and information to the Dutch.
The Dutch people are tireless in their efforts to honour our war dead, and taking on this responsibility is seen as a duty, not a hobby.
For an idea of their dedication please watch this three-minute video 1400 Candles in 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQr9Z8Dnxyo). Note at 1:01 how proud the woman is to show her Canadian Olympic mittens.
If the adage "A man lives as long as he is remembered" is true, the people of Holten, the Netherlands, make sure that for "their Canadians"... Their Name Liveth For Evermore.
Mike Muntain
Kingston, Ont.
Name: GRAHAM, WILLIAM H.
Initials: W H
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Artillery
Unit Text: 19 Field Regt.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 13/02/1945
Service No: A/64755
Additional information: Son of Robert H. and Margaret Jane Graham; husband of Anne K. Graham of Tillsonburg, Ont.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: X. H. 12.
Cemetery: HOLTEN CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Hamilton Spectator - March 1, 1945
SIMCOE MAN GIVES LIFE
Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Graham, RR2 Port Dover, have been advised that their eldest son, Sgt. William Hubert Graham, has been reported killed in action, presumably in Holland.
Sgt. Graham enlisted with the Royal Canadian Artillery at London, Ont., in September 1941, and continued his training at Kitchener, Camp Borden, and Petawawa. He left for overseas in July of 1943.
Prior to enlistment, Sgt. Graham worked in the tobacco area near Tillsonburg and also was employed with the Michigan Central Railway.
Sgt. Graham was 27 years of age and married Anne K. Belous, of Manitoba. They have one son, Robert William, four years old. Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his father and mother; one brother, Pte. T.E.W. Graham, who has served overseas with the Canadian army for three years; and three sisters, Mrs. Lorne F. Barber of RR3 Simcoe, Betsy, at home, and Mary of Ingersoll.
Tillsonburg News - March 22, 1945
The casualty list of the Canadian army on Saturday morning reported that Sergt. William H. Graham had been killed in action. His wife is Mrs. Ann K. Graham, whose address is care of Fred Livingstone of RR4 Tillsonburg.