Don White, Royal Canadian Dragoons veteran - RIP

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Robert Morrison sent me the following link:

Dutch PM Mark Rutte Lauds Canadian Vet Who Helped Liberate Netherlands From Nazis

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/1...te_a_23571632/

During his historic address to Parliament Thursday, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte paid tribute to the Canadian soldiers who liberated the Netherlands from Nazis — including one in particular, veteran Don White.

Glad to see our PM paid a small but important tribute to this Canadian veteran.

I think Mr. Don White's reaction is exemplary for many Canadian veterans. A humble man, which makes him so much greater than the veteran who brags about it.

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Canadian veteran Don White served in the Second World War. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and served with a regiment in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. On Remembrance Day, he asks Canadians to remember those who gave their everything:

https://globalnews.ca/news/7451743/r...ir-everything/

"Canadian veteran Don White served in the Second World War. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and served with a regiment in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany.

White is the only soldier left from his troop to share the tragedies they faced during war. For that reason, he continues to shares his experiences, which demonstrate the undeniable impact the Canadian soldiers had on those around them.

White asks that Canadians mark Nov. 11 as a day of remembrance, not as a holiday.

“It’s hard for me to really express my feelings, but I hope you realize that what you have today and the good times all was because of what the soldiers were willing to sacrifice for you to have it. Don’t ever forget and always remember,” White said."

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Lagoons

No-one noticed this atoll.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

No-one noticed this atoll.

Now corrected, thanks. Must have been an autocorrect bitch - err - glitch (there she goes again).

What I did note is that Mr White has become a frail man, compared to the impression he gave when he was over in Holland two years ago.
Good to see he’s still helping us to remember what he and his regiment did to liberate us

[Hanno Spoelstra]

RIP Don White....

From the Ontario Regiment Museum:
"Today [17 June] we say goodbye to our dear friend Trp Don White of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Don was a Second World War Veteran, serving in Italy and NW Europe. Always a proud and active member of his community in Oshawa, ON; Don passed peacefully this morning with family by his side.
At the age of 16, he joined his local militia unit in the Durham Region; The Ontario Regiment and at the age of 18 volunteered for overseas service. Following training he was deployed to Italy and assigned to the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Don would continue to serve his community right up to his passing as a member and volunteer of our Museum. Active in providing tours to youth, attending local remembrance ceremonies, and doing his part to educate our community on our proud Canadian military heritage and honour those who did not return from their service during the Second World War.
He will be greatly missed by his family, his community in Oshawa, the Royal Canadian Dragoons and his friends at this museum to which he dedicated so much of his time.
Sir your watch has ended, May you rest in peace.
Thank you for your service to our country, your endless work in our community, and most of all for your friendship and kindness to all who knew you.
Bold & Swift | Audax et Celer"

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Nice write up about Mr White’s visit to the Netherlands in 2019: https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/w5/i-m...ands-1.4674245

“Canadian Second World War veteran Don White (left) and the Netherlands' Lieutenant-Colonel Ton Linssen, Defence, Military and Air Attache, at the ceremony in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, to commemorate 75 years of liberation. (W5)“

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Farewell Don White (1924-2023)
Juno Beach Centre | June 22, 2023

https://www.junobeach.org/farewell-don-white-1924-2023/

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Remembering Don White:

https://www.insauga.com/remembering-...was-don-white/