A couple in the Netherlands is on a mission to find the family of a Second World War soldier who died in combat overseas but was born in Penticton, B.C.
Berry and Yvonne Swarthoff recently adopted the grave of Leslie Frank Bull through Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
“Because you know, it’s an honor and a privilege to do because we don’t want to leave them alone.”
According to the couple, Bull was born in Penticton on Nov. 28, 1924, to Frank and Barbara May Bull.
At age 19 he served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles before being killed in action on Oct. 24, 1944. Bull is now buried at the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.
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“I know when he was born, his birthplace, his parents, his serial number, his engagements. When he disembarked and the date and the date of his death, that’s all I knew because you can’t choose your adoption. It’s given by you by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who is working together with the cemetery,” said Berry.
The couple turned to Facebook for answers, posting what little information they had in a Penticton community group hoping to connect with the family.
They have yet to find his loved ones but said they have been sent more information including a photo of when Leslie was a child and a newspaper article about him.
Berry said more than 1,300 Canadian soldiers are buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery and all of the gravesites have been adopted.
“Because these people came from, of course, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and we thought we can’t leave them alone. Somebody has to look after them because it’s not always easy for the family to come over,” said Berry.
The pair said that history is their passion. They’ve been collecting memorabilia, taking care of soldiers’ graves, and reuniting families for years.
Berry and Yvonne say that they will continue to take care of Bull’s gravesite and hope to connect with the family to let them know he is not alone.
On June 6, it will be the 78th anniversary of D-Day.
On that day in 1944, over 14,000 Canadians stormed Juno Beach, as part of the largest combined sea, air, and land military operation in history.
Together with Allies, Canadian soldiers broke through German defenses on the beaches of Normandy and opened up a new Western Front in Europe. The Winnipeg Rifles, with whom Bull fought with, were at that historic battle that happened months before he died.
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