Message from Martin Louwers
Martin had earlier adopted Grant Aitchison’s grave.
Greetings from the Netherlands – Flight Lieutenant Edward Grant Aitchison
Martin had adopted Grant Aitchison’s grave. He sent me this.
Good evening Pierre,
Some time ago we were in touch when I adopted the grave of Canadian pilot E.G. Aitchison and today was the candles on war graves evening again. First covid free event after 2 years.
I attached a picture of the grave I adopted and I was thinking you may want to see it. We just took it at the cemetery when the ceremony was over.
I wish you a nice Christmas and some good time with your family.
Take care.
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Original post
Hi,
I am named after Grant Aitchison and I sent those pictures of Grant to a government site.
When my Dad George Wissler passed away I found Grant’s picture in his wallet. I think he carried it until the day he died. He wrote that on the back of the picture.
Dad was with 424 Squadron and they flew 34 trips and all got back alive.
I found out Grant was buried in Holland just after I had been on an Oldtimers hockey trip to Holland and our bus had driven right past the cemetery where he was.
I didn’t know how he died. Awful and so near the end of the war too. There was a lady in Elora named Mary Scott, a close family friend, who used to call me « Little » Grant every time she saw me when I was growing up. She never married and I think she pined for Grant Aitchison all her life even though he was married I see.
Regards,
Grant John Wissler
It was about this post…
Putting all of Walter Neil Dove’s pictures and his logbook online is a way to reach out and to share information with relatives of airmen who were part of RCAF No. 403 Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Tommy Todd was the first airman known by someone who wrote a comment.
His best friend Tony Cannell wrote us last month, and last week, Tommy Todd’s grandson wrote a comment when he saw pictures of his grandfather.
F/L Aitchison is another pilot’s name found in Greg’s grandfather’s logbook.
He was forced landed near Deist on December 31, 1944.
Click the image for a larger view.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Grant Aitchison’s name would appear later in the logbook.
That time F/L Dove will write how Flight Lieutenant Aitchison died.
In memory of
Flight Lieutenant
EDWARD GRANT AITCHISON
who died on March 31, 1945
March 31, 1945
F/L Aitchison Bailed Out over Rhur…
Was beaten to death by SS…
Hi,
I am named after Grant Aitchison and I sent those pictures of Grant to a government site.
When my Dad George Wissler passed away I found Grant’s picture in his wallet. I think he carried it until the day he died. He wrote that on the back of the picture.
Dad was with 424 Squadron and they flew 34 trips and all got back alive.
I found out Grant was buried in Holland just after I had been on an Oldtimers hockey trip to Holland and our bus had driven right past the cemetery where he was.
I didn’t know how he died. Awful and so near the end of the war too. There was a lady in Elora named Mary Scott, a close family friend, who used to call me « Little » Grant every time she saw me when I was growing up. She never married and I think she pined for Grant Aitchison all her life even though he was married I see.
Regards,
Grant John Wissler
It was about this post…
Putting all of Walter Neil Dove’s pictures and his logbook online is a way to reach out and to share information with relatives of airmen who were part of RCAF No. 403 Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Tommy Todd was the first airman known by someone who wrote a comment.
His best friend Tony Cannell wrote us last month, and last week, Tommy Todd’s grandson wrote a comment when he saw pictures of his grandfather.
F/L Aitchison is another pilot’s name found in Greg’s grandfather’s logbook.
He was forced landed near Deist on December 31, 1944.
Click the image for a larger view.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Grant Aitchison’s name would appear later in the logbook.
That time F/L Dove will write how Flight Lieutenant Aitchison died.
In memory of
Flight Lieutenant
EDWARD GRANT AITCHISON
who died on March 31, 1945
March 31, 1945
F/L Aitchison Bailed Out over Rhur…
Was beaten to death by SS…
This is the list of the pilots of 403 Squadron found in the logbook.
One thing that might not get noticed with the names highlighted is that Hank Zary survived the war contrary to Hank Byrd, Mac Reeves and Grant Aitcheson.
Hank Zary was a squadron leader and Walter Neil Dove called him the Chief…
The Chief died in 1946.
Hank Zary died of pleurisy on 11 February 1946 at the Royal Edward Laurentian Hospital (Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts division) where they specialized in treating tuberculosis & other chest problems.
Walter Neil Dove thus added this information after the war. Like so many war veterans Greg’s grandfather kept in touch with his comrades.
I wonder how the other pilots used to call affectionately Walter Neil Dove.
Updated 24 December 2021
Martin wrote me…
At Christmas eve it is tradition to place candles on WW2 graves here in Holland. I placed candle on the grave I adopted.
Attached are some pictures. As we are in covid lockdown again we could not attend the ceremony, but still happy we could place the candles ourselves.Have a nice Christmas time.
Martin
Updated 29 January 2021
A message to Lynn in the comment section…
Hello Lynn,
Thank you so much for your message and the article. It really gives a glimpse of the world of Grant outside the military and shows he was much more than a fighter pilot in WW2.The last few weeks I was quarantined at home as I was tested positive on Covid19. This gave me some valuable time to read and see all documents I have been receiving via Pierre.
Really cannot thank you enough for sharing such personal information. Feels like I am working on a huge jigsaw puzzle and that more and more pieces are finding their place.
I visited the grave recently again. It was a pity that the candles ceremony on Christmas eve was cancelled due to covid19 restrictions because this is such an impressive event that gives me goosebumps. Candles are placed on every grave in the cemetery when it is dark, so that is an unbelievable sight.
The cemetery is only a few miles from where I live so I try to visit as much as possible.
If you want I can share some pictures of the grave and the cemetery. I would be happy to share if you like.
And should you have the opportunity to travel overseas to visit his grave, of course I would be glad to help you and show you around.Martin
Updated 16 November 2020
Martin commented…
I ‘adopted’ the grave of E.G. Aitchison at the Commonwealth cemetery in Nederweert, Holland and feel honoured I can do this. In Holland adopting WW2 war graves is a very common thing and I believe it is the very least we can do to remember. We must not forget.
Try to gather as much as information as possible about him which I can share with the organization that handles the grave adoption program.
Original post
Putting all of Walter Neil Dove’s pictures and his logbook online is a way to reach out and to share information with relatives of airmen who were part of RCAF No. 403 Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant Tommy Todd was the first airman known by someone who wrote a comment. His best friend Tony Cannell wrote us last month, and last week, Tommy Todd’s grandson wrote a comment when he saw pictures of his grandfather.
F/L Aitchison is another pilot’s name found in Greg’s grandfather’s logbook. He was forced landed near Deist on December 31, 1944.
Click the image for a larger view.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Grant Aitchison’s name would appear later in the logbook. That time F/L Dove will write how Flight Lieutenant Aitchison died.
In memory of
Flight Lieutenant
EDWARD GRANT AITCHISON
who died on March 31, 1945
Military Service:
Service Number: J/8387
Age: 26
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Division: 403 Sqdn.
Additional Information:
Son of John A. and Louise Aitchison. Husband of Bronwen M. Aitchison, of Elora, Ontario.
These pictures were on the site.
This is what was in Walter Neil Dove’s logbook.
March 31, 1945
F/L Aitchison Bailed Out over Rhur…Was beaten to death by SS…
RCAF No. 403 Squadron 