Personal Profile Collection
Reginald (Reg) H. Roy - Section 4
This section contains three photos of Reg Roy and a group of Cape Breton Highlanders with a captured German flag outsite Delfzijl, the Netherlands, May 1, 1945.
The last battle of the war for the Cape Breton Highlanders was the liberation of the Dutch port town of Delfzijl and the capture of the nearby coastal gun positions of Battery Delfzijl. They were supported by tanks of the 8th Princess Louise’s New Brunswick Hussars. It was a bloody battle that cost the Cape Breton Highlanders two officers and eighteen enlisted men killed with many more wounded. The war ended only a few days later.
Battery Delfzijl was located on the coast just north of the town of Delfzijl in Holland. The battery consisted of gun positions on the coastal dike and supporting bunkers and buildings located on the land side behind, the dike. The battery was captured by the Cape Breton Highlanders on May 1, 1945, after a vicious fight with the German defenders.
The three photos in this section were taken in one of the captured gun positions of Battery Delfzijl on May 1, 1945
Click or tap on the photo images below for high resolution, expandable images. Use your back button to return to this page.
Cape Breton Highlanders Display German Souvenirs
Battery Delfzijl, Delfzijl, Holland
Circa May, 1945
Cape Breton Highlanders display a souvenir German battle flag. They are in a recently captured gun postion of Battery Delfzijl. This photo is the first in a sequence of three photos taken in this position.
In the back row, left to right, are Major Harry Barlow Boates of Foxbrook, Pictou County, NS; and Company Sergeant Major John Hugh MacQueen of Donkin, NS.
In the front row, left to right, are Capt. Larry Fox; Lieut. William (Bill) Francis Connell of North Sydney, NS; and Lieut. Reg Roy of Sydney, NS.
Major Boates was awarded a Military Cross for his actions in Italy in December, 1944 and for the fighting at Delfzijl in April/May, 1945. CSM MacQueen was awarded a Distinquished Conduct medal for his actions during the assault crossing of the Lamone River in Italy on the night of December 10/11, 1944 and during the fighting at Delfzijl. Both men were in “D” Company which led the assault on Battery Delfzijl. Major Boates was in command of the company which became pinned down due to very heavy enemy fire. Because of the courage and leadership of both men, the company held their positions and eventually completed the attack which led to the capture of 275 Germans and four 10.5cm guns.
Photographer: Unknown
Ref. Number: 0-1 (7-27c.3)
Image Information: Scan of a photographic copy of original photo
Source: Cape Breton Highlanders Military Museum, 2014 CBHMM-P0016
(The museum copy is believed to have been donated by Reg Roy)
Cape Breton Highlanders Display German Souvenirs
Battery Delfzijl, Delfzijl, Holland
Circa May, 1945
Cape Breton Highlanders display a souvenir German battle flag. They are in a recently captured gun position of Battery Delfzijl. This photo is the second in a sequence of three photos taken in this position. Refer to the previous photo for the names of the men and a more detailed description.
Photographer: Unknown
Ref. Number: 0-1 (7-27b.3)
Image Information: Scan of a photographic copy of original photo
Source: Cape Breton Highlanders Military Museum, 2014 CBHMM-P0016
(The museum copy is believed to have been donated by Reg Roy)
Cape Breton Highlanders Display German Souvenirs
Battery Delfzijl, Delfzijl, Holland
Circa May, 1945
Cape Breton Highlanders display a souvenir German battle flag. They are in a recently captured gun position of Battery Delfzijl. This photo is the third in a sequence of three photos taken in this position. This photo is similar to the previous two photos except that one man has been replaced.
In the back row, on the left, is Lieut. Frank J. Caissie from Shediac, NB, who has replaced Major Harry Boates from the previous two photos. In the back row on the right is Company Sergeant Major John Hugh MacQueen of Donkin, NS.
Standing in the front row, left to right, are Capt. Larry Fox; Lieut. William (Bill) Francis Connell of North Sydney, NS; and Lieut. Reg Roy of Sydney, NS.
Photographer: Unknown
Ref. Number: 0-1 (7-26b.4)
Image Information: Scan of a photographic copy of original photo
Source: Cape Breton Highlanders Military Museum, 2014
(The museum copy is believed to have been donated by Reg Roy)