Why these Londoners are celebrating the 80th anniversary of Dutch liberation

CBC News

· Posted: May 03, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 8 minutes ago

For Anja Hamilton, marking the anniversary of Dutch liberation is precise personal. 

"I deliberation truthful galore radical deliberation that, if they hadn't been liberated, what would the satellite look like?" said Hamilton, president of the Dutch Canadian Society of London and District.

Traditionally known arsenic Dodenherdenking, the archetypal play successful May marks the 80th day of the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. It commemorates the deaths of some soldiers and civilians since the opening of the war. 

About 7,600 Canadians died freeing the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. Although D-Day was June 6,1944, the Netherlands wasn't liberated until May 5, 1945.

"At that clip the Germans really surrendered to a Canadian general," she said. 

Hamilton was not live during the war, but said that her begetter Joop Valkenier was 14 years aged erstwhile it began and 15 years aged erstwhile the state was occupied. In 1943 astatine the property of 18, he was conscripted by the Germans to enactment successful a forced labour camp, where helium remained until the extremity of the war. 

"If the Canadians hadn't liberated Holland, wherever would I beryllium oregon would I beryllium [here]?" said Hamilton.

Each year, members of the Dutch Canadian Society of London and District conscionable astatine the liberation doorbell successful Remembrance Gardens, located astatine the country of Veterans Memorial Parkway and River Road. They ringing the bell, devour dutch treats and bespeak on the time their homeland was liberated from Nazi occupation. 

Membership astatine the nine has decreased arsenic members person gotten older and passed away, nevertheless determination are inactive a fistful who were inactive live and person memories of the concern and however hard it was.

Corrine Ham was 4 years aged erstwhile the warfare began, and recalls seeing a miss having her caput shaved successful the thoroughfare for dating 1 of the German soldiers. She said it's important to ne'er hide the past. 

"I anticipation for bid from present until eternity," she said.  

The Liberation Day Gathering begins connected Sunday, May 4 at 12:30 p.m. astatine Remembrance Gardens.