Search for SD&G photo D-Company May 1945 with 130 Glens

[Wigger K. F. van der Horst]

There was a photo pubished in the "SITREP - SD&G Highlanders' Association" - No. 8 - April 1973 - Editor: Reginald H. Smith.
The caption of the picture: " 'D' COMPANY HILVERSUM MAY 1945".
I realize that my search for this picture is almost like searching for a needle in a haystack . . . however it's worth trying and I hope for the best of it !
For the owner(s) of this picture I have some information where it was exactly made. Most of the large pictures in the village of Hilversum were made on June 3rd 1945 by the local photographer Mr. A. Hofma. He had a photo shop at the Leeuwenstraat 70. The photo was made at the school yard of the "Gerardus Majellaschool", Irisstraat 2a, Hilversum, Netherlands.
Unfortunately the printing quality of the "SITREP" booklet is very poor (no grey tones), which makes it impossible to identify the Glens by face.
Who has seen the attached picture before OR can give me a good tip in the right direction ? You can write me by email: wiggervdhorst27@planet.nl

[Christopher Bell]

As you've mentioned Hilversum.
The Leicestershire Regiment suffered pretty badly at Hilversum on the 10th of May. From memory, whilst disarming the HG Division a 'Teller' was detonated in a pile of unexploded ordinance, 13 'Tigers' lost their lives.
Patrick De La Force - Polar Bears, Monty's left flank has some good pictures of the tragic incident.

Hope this helps.
Chris.

[Wigger K. F. van der Horst]

Thank you for your message Chris !
Yes, I know the story about the Regiment which took place in the woods of the Lage Vuursche (a few kilometers into the direction of Baarn / Soestdijk.
The Regiment was part of the "Polar Bear Division" one of more than 20 Regiments. They Liberated Soest, Soestdijk, Baarn and Hilversum on May 7th 1945. One of the tasks they had to do was to disarm the Germans and to guard the Ammunition Depot in the "Lage Vuursche". On May 10th there was an explosion which caused the death of 13 Leicestershire soldiers (2 of Anti Platoon and 11 of of Mortar Platroon). They all are buried in Hilversum. Also buried there: 1 of Pioneer Corps - June 16th, 1 of Royal Artillery - May 30st and 1 of Royal Signals - July 22nd 1945.
I had the privilege to know Veteran John Robert "Dixie" Dean († 2010), who was at the at the Lage Vuursche when the explosion took place. He wrote the History of that event "Tragedy After Victory".
In 2009 I found several pictures among a photo collection of the "Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlander" Capt. R. B. Gault, about the surrender of the German Army at Soestdijk and at the Biltseweg near the woods of the Lage Vuursche. I have sent Veteran Dean all information which I collected - about 1 GB of information: Maps, Pictures, Text files (including "Tragedy After Victory" in English and Dutch. and a Map with the whole Ammunition Depot in the Lage Vuursche. The same Disk is sent to "The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division Association in Grays, Essex, England.
The SD&G-Highlanders took over the guard of the Ammunition Depot, when they came to Hilversum on May 19th 1945. They stayed there for almost one month and moved then to other places in the Netherlands.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Wigger

Have you tried Library and Archives "Images of War" database?

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/d...s/index-e.html

I quickly tried to search using "Stormont" and "Hilversum" as key words but nothing specifically relating to what you are after.

Maybe a more detailed search on your part will reveal some result.

regards
Darrell

[Wigger K. F. van der Horst]

Hello Darrell,
I have searched for the picture on that site, but they do not have it. The pictures made in Hilversum were made by a local photographer, Mr. Hofma, and I tried to find him but it seems that he is no longer among us since a long time. A family member told me that the pictures were donated to the "NIOD" - the Dutch Institure of War Documantation - but they told me that the photographer was unknown in their archive.
Of this picture must be some among the Veterans and / or their famiiies. Yes, it is searching for a needle in a haystack and with a little bit of luck it will show up one day . . . !
Cheers from Wigger in Apeldoorn.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hallo Wigger

I am sorry that you could not find any assistance on that site.

I did make a quick telephone call and managed to get an email address for the person representing the SD&G Highlander's Mseum and will PM that to you now.

regards
Darrell