PrenticeNet

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This is an update and consolidating of two earler, 1999, articles appearing in our newsletter in the hope that our viewers will be able to provide additional information about Michael Prentice, his roots, and his descendants. If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, please contact us.

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We are helping Patricia Burke, Wendy Cosper, Dale Hughey and Eileen, Doug Storie, Glen Campbell and William J. Stewart in their search for their Prentice ancestors. Here is what we have so far:

Generation 1

1.0  Michael Prentice.

Date of Birth: There is some uncertainty as to the date of his birth:

1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c.1819)
2. The 1891 Hastings Co. census showed his age as 69 which would indicate a birth year of about 1822.
3. An entry in Ancestry.com (bad URL) says he was b. 1818 in Wexford, Ireland, but no source document is cited.
4. Information provided by his son on Michael's death dertificate, with whom he was living when Michael died, says he was born in 1811. Of the 3 different dates, the 1811 date provided by Michael's son would seem to be the more reliable date.

Place of Birth: Again, there is uncertainty as to his place of birth and ancestry of his parents.

1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c.1819) and born in the United States.

Place of Death: An entry in Ancestry.com (bad URL) says he d. 1897 in Ontario, Canada.

Origins:

1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c.1819) and born in the United States. The census designates his "Origin" as "Dutch" and designates his "Origin" as "Dutch."
2. The 1881 Carlow census says he was then 64 (b. 1817) and reads as follows: "Michael Prentice, Catholic, German, farmer." It is unclear whether the "German" refers to his place of birth or to German origins. The "Dutch" in the 1871 census may be a corruption of "Deutch," or German. We tend to think of "Prentice" as an English-Irish-Scottish name, but in our research we have found a fair number with German roots. Also, "Michael" was a fairly common German name in that period.

Immigration to Canada: According to a Township History published in 1977, Michael came to Canada from Ogdensburg, NY when he was 21 years old. A variation of that says he imigrated to NY and then went to Canada with a travelling show company. Another version says that, since spoke broken French, he was raised in Quebec. The year of immigration would depend on his actual date of birth (see above discussion).

It is said that Michael selected his own wood and metal handles for his own casket, which was made by Andrew Stringer of Carlow. His funeral became the talk of the countryside. He was carried behind black Percherons who had mounted brass harnesses.

Marriage: Michael married Eliza Jane Oram/Horam in 1850 and the marriage record shows them both to be residents of Blythfield. The names of their parents were not given. However, by email of 8 Oct 2002, Dale Hughey advises that Eliza Jane is the daughter of Alexander and Matilda Oram; he relates that Alexander and Matilda lived at Calabogie Lake, Ontario, in 1864 and they later moved to Carlow Twp., Hastings Co., Ontario. Wedding witnesses were William Gordon and G. Ross.

Children of Michael and Eliza Jane:

1. Catherine Prentice, b. 25 Apr 1851, Bagot Twp and d. in the Spring, 1938, Carolow. She married, as his second wife, David "Dave" Kennedy on 2 Sep 1868, Mayo Twp. Patricia Burke's email of 29 Oct 2000, citing a book on local history, says Catherine was known as one of the grand old ladies of Carlow Township. Her home was overlooking the Conroy Marsh.

   An article describing her 85th birthday celebration in Havergal on 26 Apr 1936 names some who were there, including Mrs. William Prentice & Miss Agnes Prentice. It states that she was born at Calabogie, Renfrew County in 1851, daughter of Michael Prentice & Elizabeth Oram. It related that the family had moved to Carlow in 1864, along with many, many families from Renfrew County.

   Children of Catherine and David:

   1. Agnes Kennedy, b. 1 Mar 1870; d. 10 Jun 1904, bur. Carlow United Cemetery. She m. John D. Campbell.
   2. Isabella "Bella" Kennedy, 12 Sep 1872, in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario; d. 19 Jan 1957 in Bancroft, Hastings, Ontario, bur. Carlow United Cemetery.
   3. David "Dave" Kennedy Jr, b. 4 Dec 1874, in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario; d. 1 May 1950 in Coleman, Timiskaming, Ontario, bur. Cobalt Veterans Cemetery in Haileybury.
   4. John "Jack" Kennedy, b. 17 Jan 1877 in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario; d. Dec 1953 in Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, bur. Carlow United Cemetery.
   5. James Henry Kennedy, b. 1879; d. 1947, bur. Wellington Cemetery in Wellington, Prince Edward County, Ontario. Married Emma M Young (1881-1958). One known child: Mildred Grace (Kennedy) Morden.
2. Margaret Prentice, b. 3 Dec 1852, poss. in Hastings County, and d. 17 Jun 1916. She m. Archibald Kernochan (Carnochan, Kernighan). Both are bur. in the Carlow United Church cemetery.
3. Maria Prentice, b. 11 Jan 1854, Hastings, Ontario. . . . . . . [2.1]
4. Eliza Jane "Jeannie" Prentice 1857-1942 (per Carlow United Church Cem., Carlow) and m. William J. McNaual/McNeil (1854-1935). Children (per Carlow United Ch. Cemetery):
   1. Mary McNauel/McNeil, b. 1879 and d. 1918. She m. J. A. MacDonald.
   2. Dolly McNauel/McNeil, b. 1893 and d. 1936. She m. S. Dennison.
5. Benjamin Prentice, b. 11 Feb 1860, Boulter. . . . . . [2.2]
6. Susanna Prentice, b. 1862 and m. William J. Sadler.
7. John Prentice, b. 11 Apr 1863. . . . . . . . [2.3]
8. Grace Prentice, b. 17 Mar 1866, Carlow Twp. . . . . . . . [2.4]
9. William Prentice, b. 11 Jan 1868. . . . . . . . [2.5]
10. George Nelson Prentice, b. 1869/70 and m. Melissa Brenette (or Burns?) and Elizabeth Hynes.
11. Agnes Prentice, b. 1872, Ontario, Canada. Did not marry.
12. Michael Prentice, b. 1877, Ontario, Canada; d. 1950. . . . . . . [2.6]

Generation 2

2.1  Maria Prentice, daughter of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 11 Jan 1854, in Hastings, Ontario, Canada (per Wendy Cosper, 12 Jan 2001).

She married, on 27 Sep 1881, to William Rufus Landon, in Combermere, Radcliffe Twp. He was b. c.11 Jun 1857, son of Rufus (b. 12 Jul 1817, Eliabethtown, Ontario and d. 7 May 1861, Fitzroy) and Susanna DeLancette (b. 24 Apr 1828, South Gower, Ontario) and in 1881 lived in Fitzroy, Combermere, Ontario. Wedding witnesses were George Bisonette(?) and Jane McDonald, both of Combermere.

Children of Maria and William (per Lorraine Taylor, email, 6 Jan 2004):

1. Eliza Jane Landon, b. 9 Mar 1882.
2. Margaret L. Landon, b. 24 Sep 1883.
3. Susannah Landon, b. c.1884 (on 29 Aug. 1906 at Bracebridge .. what is that information?). She m. James McCracken, 22, farmer, Canada, Draper Twp., s/o James McCracken and Mary Presley, 22, Canada, Oakley Township. Witnesses were Henry & Henrietta Rice, both of Vankoughnet.
4. Henrietta M. Landon, b. c.1886. She m. Henry Rice, 28, 6 July 1904 at Vankoughnet, Oakley Twp. He was a laborer, King Twp., Oakley, s/o John Rice and Harriet White. Witnesses were William Tinkiss of Ryder & Margaret Landon of Oakley. Henry (Harry) Rice died in 1952 and is buried in Mickle Memorial Cemetery, Bracebridge.
5. William J. Landon, b. 10 Feb 1888.
6. Lewis J. Landon, b. 11 Apr 1891.
7. Laura Landon, b. 29 Dec 1896.

2.2  Benjamin Prentice, son of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 11 Feb 1860, in Boulter or Carlow, Hastings County (or b. 11 Jan 1859 [per 1901 Carlow census, Div. 1, pg. 7, Family 62] and d. 26 Jan 1916 in Carlow, Ontario.

By email of 18 Jan 2007, Melissa Beedle advises that Benjamin was a witness at the wedding of her great great grandfather, John Bailey, to Sophia Whitefoot ("9905-80 John BAILEY, 21, farmer, Stok--? England, Carlow, s/o William & Ann, married Sophia WHITEFOOT, 16, London England, Carlow, d/o Walter & Sarah, witn: Benjamin PRENTISS & Alice Maud WHITEFOOT, 2 Oct 1880 at Combermere.)

He married, on 7 Nov 1882 or 1883, to Jane/Janet "Jeannie" Kelly in Carlow Twp., Hastings, Ontario. She was b. 25 Mar 1866 in Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 11 Oct 1954 in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario and was the dau. of Benjamin Kelly and Elizabeth Kilby. Both are bur. in the Carlow United Church Cemetery.

Children of Benjamin and Jane (per Neeta Magee E-mail of 23 Feb 2000 and Trish Burke E-mail of 27 Oct 2000):

1. Mary Elizabeth Prentice, b. 9 Dec 1883, Carlow, Hastings, Ontario (per 1901 Carlow census) and d. 19 Oct 1945, Schumacher, Ontario. She m. William E. Small on 4 Jan 1916, Carlow. Son:
   1. Elmer Small, b. 1918; d. Peterborough, Ontario. He m. Betty McGillis.
2. Benjamin Prentice, b. 26 Apr 1886, Carlow, Ontario (per 1901 Carlow census) at Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 18 Apr 1951, Carlow. He m. Eliza Bruce (1886-1981) in 1907 in Boulter, Carlow. Both are buried in the Carlow cemetery. Daughter:
   1. Dau. Prentice. She m. Mr. Videto.
3. George Samuel Prentice, 1888-1955. . . . . . . . . [3.1]
4. William James "James" Prentice, b. 9 Jul 1890 Carlow Twp. . . . . . . . [3.2]
5. Charles John Prentice, 18 Apr 1893, Carrlow, Hastings (per 1901 Carlow census) and d. 18 Oct 1968, Peterborurough, Ontario. He m. Gertrude Caverly Gould. She d. c. 1970.
6. Herbert "Herb" Michael Prentice, b. 29 Mar 1896, Carlow, Ontario (per 1901 Carlow census) and d. 7 Nov 1955, Carlow. He m. Grace Muriel Lavoy on 7 Nov 1955, Carlow. She was b. 4 Mar 1891, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 12 Feb 1980, Carlow, Ontario. Both buried in the Carlow cemetery.
7. Markham/Markward Robert Prentice, b. 3 or 4 May 1899, Carlow, Hastings, Ontario, and d. there 9 Jan 1918, age 19 years.
8. McLaren/McLearn Archibald Prentice, b. 1902 and d. 1970. . . . . . . . . . [3.3]
9. Irene Violet Prentice, b. 18 Feb 1905, Carlow, Hastings, and d. there 16 Oct 1966. She m. Howard P. Stewart on 13 Nov 1925, Carlow. Hewas b. 23 Feb 1893 and d. 14 Sep 1959. Both are bur. in the Carlow cemetery. Son:
   1. Howard Stewart.
10. Myrtle Prentice, b. 7 May 1907, Carlow and d. there on 28 Oct 1911, age 4 years.

2.3.  John James Prentice, "Jack", son of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 11 Apr 1863 in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario.

He married first, on 7 Mar 1899, to Matilda Perrier (dau. of N. Perrier and _____ Badarick), in Renfrew (or Combermere?), Ontario. She was. b. Feb 1874, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada.

Children of John and Matilda:

1. Nicholas John Jerry Prentice, b. 18 Jul 1899, Ontario, Canada, and d. 1974, Shawville, Quebec, age 75.
2. Michael Mills Prentice, b. Jan 1901, Ontario, Canada, and d. 21 Dec 1935. age 34.
3. Henry Emerson Prentice, b. 20 Apr 1902.
4. Laura Louise Prentice, b. 9 Jan 1904.
5. Catherine Ellen Prentice, b. 20 Jan 1908.
6. Daniel Ritchie Prentice, b. Jul 1910.

He married second, to Tilly (Mathilda). She was b. 1874, Ontario, Canada.

Children of John and Tilly:

6. Daniel Prentice, b. 1911 Ontario, Canada.
7. Mercaline Prentice, b. 1912, Ontario, Canada.
8. Ruby Alice Prentice, b. 8 Apr 1912, and d. 1997, Bancroft, Ontario, age 85. She m. Percy Edward Mayhew on 21 Aug 1934, Maynooth, Ontario.
9. Harvey Prentice, b. 1913, Ontario, Canada.
10. Dau. Prentice

Hmm. First wife named Matilda and second named Tilly/Matilda, and both with same birth year? I'd bet that they are the same person.

John died on 25 Mar 1950, age 86 (per Carlow cemetery record).

2.4  Grace Prentice, daughter of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 17 Mar 1866, in Carlow Twp., Hastings County.

She married, on 30 Jun 1886, to James Robertson Stewart. James was b. 6 Mar 1864 and d. 10 Dec 1940 (per William J. Stewart, email, 2 May 2005).

Grace died on 11 Jun 1946. Both are buried in the Carlow United Church Cemetery.

Known children of Grace and James:

1. Allan Burton Stewart, b. 23 Jul 1907 and d. 1 Jul 1997. Bur. United Church Cemetery in Hermon. He m. married Mabel Bruce on 5 Jun 1933. She was b. 18 Sep 1913 and d. 1 Jun 1997. Children:
   1. James Allan Stewart, b. 7 May 1943. He m. 1st Ann Holmes on 24 Jun 1972. She was b. 5 Nov 1950. Children:
      1. Tracy Ann Stewart, b. 2 Feb 1973. She m. Joe Goncalves on 5 Feb 1994. He was b. 24 Jun 1972.
      2. William James Stewart, b. 10 Apr 1974. He m. Shelly Timmins on 24 Oct 1992. She was b. 27 Nov 1971.

      James m. 2nd. Linda Smith on 14 Feb 1993. Son:

      3. Donald Stewart.
2. Donald Stewart.
3. Micheal James Stewart.
4. Howard Peter Stewart.
5. Lillian Agnes Stewart.
6. Henry Robertson Stewart.
7. George Arnold Stewart.
8. Viola Catherine Stewart.
9. Mary Alma Stewart.
10. Duncan Stewart.
11. Hugh/Hughie Stewart.
12. Wilfred Stewart.

They had 1 or more grandchildren, including:

• Ernie E. Stewart, d. 1941 and bur. same cemetery.

2.5  William Prentice, son of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 11 Jan 1868.

He married Caroline Foster. She was b. 5 Oct 1871 and d. 20 Nov 1954 in Ontario, Canada, age 83.

William died on 31 Mar 1950, in Carlow, age 82.

Children of William and Caroline:

1. Cora Prentice, b. 21 Jun 1896; d. 28 Apr 1975, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 78.
2. Morris Clare Prentice, b. 13 Jun 1898, in Combermere, Ontario, Canada; d. in 1973 at the age of 75.
3. Warner Prentice, b. 8 Jul 1900. He married, on 17 Aug 1920, to Mary Cecelia Alecia St Michel, in Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. He died on 21 Jun 1984, in Renfrew, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 83. Children:
   1. Joseph Prentice, aka Joe Prentice was born on 7 Sep 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. He had two sons and one daughter with Maureen McCormick. He died on 7 Jun 2017, in Ontario, Canada, at the age of 88. Maureen McCormick was born on 23 Dec 1917, in Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, her father, Alexander, was 36, and her mother, Sarah, was 23. She died on 18 Oct 2008, in Ontario, Canada, at the age of 90.
   2. Melvin P. Prentice, b. in 1928. He died in 1992 in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 64.
   3. Son Prentice.
4. Lorance Prentice, b. 19 19 May 1902.
5. Hamilton Prentice, b. 22 Oct 1902, in Lanark, Ontario, Canada; d. 28 Nov 1902, in his hometown.
6. Carley Ray Prentice, b. 23 May 1904.
7. Burton Prentice, b. 6 Jul 1906.
8. Marjory Emma Prentice, b. 24 Dec 1908.
9. Gretta Eleanor Prentice, b. 21 Aug 1911.
10. Dorothy Estelle Prentice / Morris Clare Prentice (???), b. 8 Oct 1913; d. 13 Sep 1998, in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 84.

2.6  Michael Prentice, son of Michael[1.0] and Eliza Jane, was born on 20 Jan 1877.

He married, on 8 May 1913, to Elizabeth Stuart Wilson, in Combermere, Ontario. She b. 1867 and d. 1964.

Michael died in 1950, age 73 (per cemetery record) in Carlow.

Children of Michael and Elizabeth (per Doug Storie):

1. Agnes Prentice.
2. Philip Douglas Prentice, b. 6 Oct 1913 and d. 28 Feb 2007, Picton, Ontario, age 93.
3. Verna Marie Prentice, b. 1 Feb 1920 and d. 23 Dec 2005, age 86. She m. Bernard James Inwood, b. 1916, Ontario, and d. 19 Dec 1997, age 81. Son:
   1. Morris Inwood.
4. Nessie J. Prentice, b. 1922; d. 2005, age 83. She m. Raymond Tweedy, b. 1923 and d. 1996, age 73.
5. Dean Dennis Prentice b: in Bancroft, Hastings Co, Ontario, Canada.
6. Murray Prentice, b. 1923, Barry's Bay, Ontario. He m. Faye Helen Whyte, b. 19 May 1927, in Bancroft, Ontario, and d. 11 Jan 2007, age 79. Son:
   1. Steven Prentice.
7. Charlotte Fern Prentice, b, 1925 and d. 26 Sep 2010, age 85. She m. Raymond Cornall.
8. Caroll E. Prentice b: 1928 and d. 1930, age 2. Bur. Carlow, Hastings Co., Ontario.
9. William Thomas Michael Prentice b: 1932 in Boulter, Hastings Co, Ontario. Died 18 Mar 1992, Belleville, Ontario, Canada, age 60. He m. Miss Head and had a child.

Generation 3

3.1  George Samuel Prentice, son of Benjamin[2.2] and Jane, was born on 17 Mar 1888, in Boulter (or Carlow?), Hastings, Ontario.

He married, on 23 Oct 1915, to Mary Etta Lavoy/Lauox, in Carlow. She was b. 6 Feb 1891 and d. 28 Apr 1980 in Maple Leaf, Hastings, Ontario.

George died on 2 Apr 1955, in Maple Leaf, Hastings, Ontario.

Children of George and Mary:

1. Emmerson Prentice.
2. Ross Alan Prentice.
3. Emma Elizabeth Prentice.
4. Reginald Ronald Prentice.
5. George Edgar Prentice. He m. Rowena.
6. Vivian Fern Prentice. She m. Ross Plumely who d. 20 Jan 1995.
7. Dorthy Gwendolyn Prentice, b. 29 May 1917 in Carlow, Hastings Cty, (or Cobalt, Timiskaming District?) Ontario, Canada. She m. Gordon H. Chalmers. She died in 1995. They had 3 sons and 3 daughters.
8. Melville Emerson Prentice, b. 11 Oct 1918. . . . . . . . [4.1]
9. Rosebud Etta Prentice, b. 27 May 1930 in Bancroft, Hastings County, Ontario. She m. George Albert Cook (1921-1981). She d. 5 Jan 2017 in Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario.

3.2  William James "James" Prentice, son of Benjamin[2.2] and Jane, was born on 9 Jul 1890, in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario.

He married, on 20 Jun 1923, to Mary Olive Kennedy, in Carlow Twp. Mary was b. 7 Sep 1903 in Carlow Twp. and d. 14 May 1982 in Toronto. She was the dau. of Nathan Dayton Stoughton Kennedy and Catherine Lillian Young.

William died on 26 Aug 1962 in S. Porcupine, Ontario, age 72.

Children of William and Mary:

1. James Boyd Prentice, b. 21 May 1924, in Ontario, Canada, and d. 14 Jun 2003, Grimsby, Ontario, age 29, He m. in 1948, to Doreen Ralston. Children:
   1. Marsha Prentice.
   2. Hugh Prentice.
2. Eric Dayton Prentice, b. 22 Aug 1926, in Schumacher, Ontario, and d. 8 Dec 2002, Coleman, Alberta, age 76, and buried in S. Porcupine, Ontario. He m. Jun 1948, to Wilma Lyle Marea Mawhiney (1928-2013). Children:
   1. Karen Prentice. She m. Graeme Oxby, one son.
   2. Jo-Anne Prentice. She m. Tom Bilodeau, 2 daughters.
   3. Peter Eric James "Jim" Prentice, b. July 20, 1956, in South Porcupine, Ontario; d. 12 Oct 2016, Kelowna, age 60, and bur. in Canada. He m. Karen. He was the 16th Premier of Alberta, [wikipedia.org]. Children:
      1. Christina
      2. Cassie
      3. Kate
   4. Lori Prentice. 2 daughters.
   5. Nancy Prentice. She m. Brent Sprecher.
3. Joan Prentice, b. 23 Feb 1928 in Schumacher, Ontario. She m. on 5 Aug 1950, to Doug McGinn, in Schumacher. She d. 28 Nov 2006 in S. Porcupine, Ontario, age 78. Children:
   1. Boyd McGinn
   2. Mary (Stuart?)
4. Dean Sutherland Prentice, b. 5 Oct 1932 in Schumacher, Cochrane, Ontario; d. 2 Nov 2019 in Cambridge, Waterloo, Ontario. He m. June had two daughters, Kelly and Kerry He was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger, [wikipedia.org]. Children:
   1. Kelly Prentice.
   2. Kerry Prentice.

3.3  McLaren Archibald Prentice, son of Benjamin[2.2] and Jane, was born on 17 May 1902, in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario.

He married, in 1924, to Ethel Wannamaker. She was the dau. of Robert Nicolas Wannamaker (b. 1857 in Madoc, Mayo twp. North Hasting Co., Ontario) and Margaret Kennedy (b. 16 Aug 1860 in Calabogie, Bagot Twp. Renfrew Co., Ontario.

McLaren died on 30 Oct 1970 in Mayo, Hastings, Ontario. Buried in the Carlow cemetery.

Children of McLaren and Ethel:

1. Amy Prentice, b. 11 Mar 1924, in Hastings County, Ontario; d. 28 Aug 2003 and bur. Carlow United Cemetery. She m. Louis Blanchett, 2 sons.
2. Ruby Prentice. She m. Rev. Douglas Conlin.
3. Josie Prentice. She m. Joseph Rowe and had a son and daughter.
4. Myrtle Prentice.

Also buried at the Carlow United Church Cemetery are the following persons who are probably descendants of Michael Prentice, but their exact relationship is not yet known:

• Elinor/Eleanor M. Prentice, b. 1918.
• Daniel R. Prentice, b. 1910 and d. 1972. His wife, also buried there, is Helen Langdon, b. 1913.
• Ruby Alice Prentice, b. 12 Apr 1917. She m. Percy Mayhew, b. 7 Jul 1912 and d. 31 Dec 1982. Both buried there.
• Nicholas John (Jerry) Prentice, b. 1899 and d. 1974. He m. Jessie Kirk McKie. She was. b. 1911. Both buried there.

Generation 4

4.1  Melville Emerson Prentice, son of George[3.1] and Mary Etta, was born on 11 Oct 1918 in Greenview (or Carlow?), Hastings, Ontario.

He married Lura Pearl.

He appears in WW II military death records as a Rifleman, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C., who d. age 26 on 2 Apr 1945, son of George and Etta Prentice, of Bancroft, Ontario; husband of Lura Pearl Prentice, of Bancroft. His memorian can be found at XXII. D. 1., Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. Description. An unsourced website provided the following information:

The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek is a field of honor to the memory of the Canadian soldiers who were killed during World War II.

Background: The Canadian War Cemetery reminds the inhabitants of Groesbeek of the allied solders who were killed during Operation Veritable. It is the largest cemetery of British Commonwealth soldiers in The Netherlands.

The majority of the Canadians who lie buried in Groesbeek were killed during Operation Veritable, which started on 8 February 1945. Its objective was to cross the Rhine as quickly as possible. The advance was preceded by bombardments executed by approximately 800 heavy bombers. The cities of Kleef and Goch were the first targets. More than 5,000 Canadians were killed during this operation. The First Canadian Army under General Crerar included some British divisions. More than 200,000 soldiers and their supplies were assembled around Nijmegen for quite a long time without being noticed. Due to heavy resistance the Allied Forces could not cross the Rhine, near Wesel, before the end of March.

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