A Canadian soldier’s World War Two remains have finally been laid to rest in the Netherlands, after he day more than 70 years ago.
Canadian Private Albert Laubenstein was killed in the final months of World War Two as the Allies made their ground advance through the Netherlands and on into Germany.
Albert’s remains were discovered only last year. He was killed in action at the Battle of Kapelsche and like thousands of other troops was given a battlefield grave that was forgotten in the confusion of war.
It was a metal detector enthusiast who was scanning the banks of the River Maas and picked up a signal of old bullet shells and when he dug he found a silver ring and some human remains. The remains were excavated and dental records and the ring led to Albert’s remains being identified.
The discovery brought memories of Albert back to his family, who had lost him so many years ago.
The Battle of Kapelsche took place among the canals and rivers of the Netherlands as the Allies tried to make the Germans retreat to the east.
Now Albert has had a proper burial with full service honours at the Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, around 70 kms from where he actually died.
The burial was attended by his family and hundreds ofviewers. Albert’s family members included Glen Laubenstein and his daughter Sarah Penton.
The family are so happy to find Albert’s remains and continue to learn more about his life and circumstances around his death.
Almost 8,000 Canadian troops died in the Allied Netherlands ground campaign and earlier this month Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended a commemoration ceremony for all the fallen soldiers at Wageningen, the Mail Online reports.
During the ceremony a parade took place made up of surviving veterans from the campaign. One veteran held up a sign saying ‘Friends Forever’ in commemoration of his fallen comrades more than 70 years ago. Among the veterans taking part were Frank Graham, 92, from Midland, Ontario and Roy Nightingale, 92, from New Liskeard, Ontario.
Local Dutch citizens watched the parade and waved Canadian flags in thanks for their contribution to the war. The Netherlands was occupied by Germany between 1940 and 1945.
Later a liberation concert took place with the Canadian Prime Minister, his wife and the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in the audience.