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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Kendzierski

In memory of:

Private John Kendzierski

January 18, 1945

Military Service

Service Number:

M/53880

Age:

20

Force:

Army

Unit:

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Additional Information

Son of Peter and Mary Kendzierski, of Rorketon, Manitoba.

Commemorated on Page 530 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

HOLTEN CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands

Grave Reference:

IV. H. 16.

Location:

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.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of John Kendzierski– Private John Kendzierski (M 53880), of Rorketon Manitoba served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He died on January 18, 1945 at the age of 20 and is commemorated at the Holten Canadian War Cemetary in Holland. He was the son of Peter and Mary Kendzierski of Rorketon, Manitoba and was survived by six brothers and two sisters. His brother recalls: John was a carefree and easygoing person who loved the outdoors and enjoyed life as many teenagers. At the age of 18, he left the farm to work on a ranch in Alberta and in 1943 enlisted in the army in the Armoured Corps. John was sent to Camp Borden in Ontario for training and then on to New Brunswick. He was then transferred to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and in 1944 sent on to England and combat. John served in the push through Belgium and Holland, but still wrote his family back home while receiving care packages from his parents including knitted socks by his mom. Sadly, John died when he came upon a machine gun nest and now rests in Holten with other soldiers. His brothers visited there and found the area very well kept after local school children planted flowers by each headstone. Kendzierski Lake (64 O/10), northwest of Nejanilini Lake was named after him in 1975.

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    Photo of John Kendzierski
    Photo of John Kendzierski – Private John Kendzierski (M 53880), of Rorketon Manitoba served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He died on January 18, 1945 at the age of 20 and is commemorated at the Holten Canadian War Cemetary in Holland. He was the son of Peter and Mary Kendzierski of Rorketon, Manitoba and was survived by six brothers and two sisters. His brother recalls: John was a carefree and easygoing person who loved the outdoors and enjoyed life as many teenagers. At the age of 18, he left the farm to work on a ranch in Alberta and in 1943 enlisted in the army in the Armoured Corps. John was sent to Camp Borden in Ontario for training and then on to New Brunswick. He was then transferred to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and in 1944 sent on to England and combat. John served in the push through Belgium and Holland, but still wrote his family back home while receiving care packages from his parents including knitted socks by his mom. Sadly, John died when he came upon a machine gun nest and now rests in Holten with other soldiers. His brothers visited there and found the area very well kept after local school children planted flowers by each headstone. Kendzierski Lake (64 O/10), northwest of Nejanilini Lake was named after him in 1975.
  • Photo of JOHN KENDZIERSKI– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Photo of JOHN KENDZIERSKI
    Photo of JOHN KENDZIERSKI – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Biography– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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    Biography
    Biography – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Holten Canadian War Cemetery (2)

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    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (2)
    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (2)
  • Holten Canadian War Cemetery (1)

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    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (1)
    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (1)
  • Holten Canadian War Cemetery (3)

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    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (3)
    Holten Canadian War Cemetery (3)
  • Gravemarker

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    Gravemarker
    Gravemarker
  • Grave Marker

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    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker

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