Arnhem Day Donation

L to R – Bro Ralf Cresswell   B of H –  Mr Frans Ammerlaan Treasurer Market Garden Foundation –  WBro Paul Moores President Riders of Arnhem – WBro Roy Charles D of C The Rose of Minden.

September 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, The Battle for Arnhem, which was battled out on the banks of the Rhine in 1944, was part of Operation Market Garden. It was the code name for a large offensive which aimed to advance from liberated Belgium straight to the middle of the Netherlands and then turn off towards Germany. The aim was to have the bridge conquered. However, the German forces proved to be too strong. Market Garden had failed, Arnhem was a ‘bridge too far’. Much of the old town centre was destroyed. After the battle all Arnhem residents had to leave the town on orders from the German authorities. Subsequently Arnhem was systematically looted by the German army. Arnhem had turned into a ‘ghost town’.

The annual remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem took place this year on 21-22 September where it saw the city come together with veterans to remember all those who lost their lives.

WBro Roy Charles (Rose of Minden Lodge), accompanied this year by Bro Ralf Creswell (Brothers of Hiram Lodge) made the trip to Arnhem by motorcycle and spent a long weekend taking part in the memorial services, this included a donation from The Rose of Minden, being received on Sunday 22nd September by the Market Garden Foundation.

The cheque was presented to Mr Frans Ammerlaan who was very pleasantly surprised and along with WBro Paul Mores  very proud to receive such a kind gesture from our Lodge to assist him and his volunteers in carrying out the up keep of those graves scattered around the local villages and keeping their memory alive.

The history of how these fallen Hero’s ended up and remained to this day in these small village graves is one of simple gratitude from the local residents for these young men who paid the ultimate price for their freedom. The villagers took it on themselves to take care of those who had fallen, many of whom were pulled from the river which had carried them down stream. They were given a place in the local cemetery to rest in peace and where the locals continue to this day, to care and  tend to their final resting place. Indeed they consider it, not only a debt of gratitude but a duty and honour and something that is passed down to through the generations. It is said that when the Commonwealth War Graves Commission wanted these men re-interred in their Cemetery, they were politely but firmly  informed by the villagers that it was their responsibility and duty to take care of the resting place of these men and they will remain where they are.

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