Hilversum
This is from “Up the Glens : the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 1783-1994” by William Boss.
“The battalion moved from Emden on the 16th of May for Appeldoorn, by way of Groningen and Deventer. Another move on the 19th took the Glens to Hilversum, where, with the Pipe Band leading, the battalion marched into the town led by Lieutenant-Colonel Gemmell. A victory parade at The Hague, voting for the Federal Elections, presentation of medals at Maple Leaf Stadium, and lectures on rehabilitation relieved the routine duties. The Salvation Army had moving picture shows frequently and a good ENSA show played at the Grand Theatre. On the 27th of May the Roman Catholics attended mass at St. Clemens Church while the Protestants went to Dupendal Church. Captain J.P. Donihee was chosen for the important appointment of Unit Sports Officer.
“Early in June the battalion paraded to Maple Leaf Stadium where a group picture was taken. On the 6th, the anniversary of D-Day, when Hilversum was en fete and a flag was on every house, the Glens marched in the parade at Utrecht.
“Many members of the battalion volunteered for service with the Canadian Far East Force and for the Canadian Occupation Force. There was no training syllabus for the companies and training now consisted mainly of sports, lectures and route marching. On the 14th of June the unit moved to a camp at Elspeet, between Appeldoorn and Utrecht, and the men were genuinely sorry to leave the friendly town of Hilversum.”
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