Military service
Burial/memorial information
Baptized Joseph Lucien Roland Laporte. Son of Lucien Laporte and Yvonne Massé of Montreal, Quebec.
Under the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940, he enlisted in the Régiment de Maisonneuve—Infantry Reserve—in Montreal, service number D-577046, from May 20, 1942, to April 20, 1943. On June 1, he volunteered for service in the non-permanent active militia, service number D-555646, which was replaced by D-577046. On June 13, he enlisted in the regular forces, service number D-145585. On November 24, 1944, he embarked for Great Britain, where he arrived on December 5. On January 23, 1945, he was assigned to the Mediterranean theater of operations with Force M. He embarked the same day and landed on Italian soil on February 7. He was transferred to the Royal 22nd Regiment on the 13th and joined the unit on the 14th. On March 14, he embarked for France, where he landed on the 16th. From Marseille, he traveled to the Netherlands via Belgium. On April 6, he arrived at his destination. He was killed in action on April 14, 1945, during the Battle of Yssel—also known as the Battle of Deventer—as part of Operation Cleanser, aimed at capturing the fortified forest areas between Zutphen and Apeldoorn. He was temporarily buried on the 16th in Deventer. His body was later exhumed and reburied in Holten.
Digital gallery of Private Roland Laporte
-
Holten Canadian War Cemetery
-
Photo 2 of Holten Canadian War Cemetery
-
Holten Canadian War Cemetery
-
Flower beds
-
Cross of Sacrifice
-
Grave Marker
-
Grave Marker
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
Digital gallery of
Private Roland Laporte
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 532 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
HOLTEN CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Netherlands
Holten is a village 20 kilometres east of the town of Deventer, on the main A1 motorway from Amsterdam to Bremen in Germany. Following the A1 motorway, turn off at exit 26 and follow the N332 in the direction of Holten. Follow the N332 until reaching a signpost for Holterberg. Turn right onto the N344 in the direction of Holten, then at the T junction turn left towards Holten and follow this road to the roundabout. Take second exit then turn first right towards Holterberg. Follow this road uphill until you see a green Commission sign pointing to the right. Turn right down the track and follow to the end. Turn left and the cemetery lies along here on the left hand side.
Historical Information: The Netherlands fell to the Germans in May 1940 and was not re-entered by Allied forces until September 1944. The great majority of those buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery died during the last stages of the war in Holland, during the advance of the Canadian 2nd Corps into northern Germany, and across the Ems in April and the first days of May 1945. After the end of hostilities the remains of over 1,300 Canadian soldiers were brought together into this cemetery.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.