This memorial page is dedicated to John Smith, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Name: Smith
First names: John
Nickname: –
Date of birth: –
Place of birth: –
Residence: –
Rank / Occupation: Rifleman
Identity tag: 14689687
Unit: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 9th Battalion
Date of death: 20 November 1944
Place of death: Helenaveen H.15, now Helenastraat 12
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Mierlo War Cemetery
Memorial site: –

Additional information

Grave location: VI. E. 6.

Aged 22.

In the Veldhuijzen family’s market garden (H.15, now Helenastraat 12), the Germans had laid a minefield which a patrol from the 9th Battalion of the Cameronians (part of the 46th Brigade of the 15th Scottish Division) stumbled upon. As they entered this minefield, a tragedy unfolded in which 11 soldiers from this battalion were killed. Alongside Rifleman John Smith, these were: Rifleman Thomas Kevin Sheehan, Rifleman Joseph Murphy, Rifleman Edwin Douglas Rookes, Rifleman James McHarg Flynn, Corporal Robert Verdun Shonk, Rifleman Clifford Reginald Secker, Rifleman Colin Reid, Rifleman Arthur Jones, Rifleman Charlie William Thomas Bullen and Rifleman Ernest Leach.

The bodies of these soldiers, with the exception of Rifleman Ernest Leach, who was temporarily buried on the south side of the market garden at house number H.14 (now Kervelweg 8), remained in the market garden for a few more days due to the risk of explosion; once the minefield had been cleared and declared safe, the remains were transferred to the temporary cemetery (87th GP) at Loon in Liessel.

This cemetery was established opposite L.247 (Johannes Damen) by the 15th Division, 87th Group, Scottish Grenadiers, who had set up a hospital in Johannes Damen’s stable. On 14 July 1945, there were still 31 graves at this Cemetery; the grave of the American soldier Bertram S. Butz was the first grave in the front row (counting from left to right).

Below is a photograph of this temporary cemetery, marked ‘87TH GP’ with the insignia of the 15th Scottish Division beneath it.

Beneden een foto van deze tijdelijke begraafplaats, gemarkeerd met 87TH GP met daaronder een insigne van de 15de Schotse divisie .

The following victims (including German soldiers) were buried in this Cemetery: click here for an overview

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action