This week, we welcomed a group of young people from the British program MPCT (Military Preparation College for Training) to Overloon War Cemetery. The program offers youth between the ages of 14 and 23 a combination of physical training, personal development, and career preparation. Whether they aim to join the British Army, build self-confidence, or pursue a future in the world of sports, MPCT supports them with discipline, structure, and motivation.

This morning, a group of veterans from the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regiment Association visited the war cemetery in Overloon. It was a close-knit group of men, some of whom have been friends for over forty years. Among them were four sons of soldiers who fought in the Netherlands and Germany during the years 1944–1945.The group included servicemen of various ranks and backgrounds, including a three-star general, two two-star generals, several colonels, sergeant majors, signal experts, Royal Engineers specialized in bridge construction and mine clearance, and even an actively serving colonel. Many had served in numerous global conflicts, including Borneo, Aden, Malaya, Belize, Northern Ireland, UN operations, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Remembrance Days brought many people to Overloon this year. In community centre De Pit, visitors came to see the special exhibition by British veteran Arthur Johnson. His drawings, which he made in villages around Overloon during the war, made a big impression. Overloon War Cemetery was also well visited: flowers were laid at many graves and visitors reflected on the many stories about the military.

Overloon War Cemetery rests two young British airmen who perished during World War II: Flight Sergeant Denis Alphonsus McCauley and Sergeant Fred Seddon Langton. On 21 February 1945, their Lancaster bomber took off from Skellingthorpe for a mission over Germany. The aircraft was shot down and crashed near Helenaveen. Six of the seven crew members were killed. Denis and Fred were reburied at the Overloon War Cemetery in 1947. Denis came from a large family of 16 children. The McCauley family had to make a heavy sacrifice: in addition to Denis, their son Mack McCauley also died. Mack served in the Royal Navy and was killed when his ship hit a mine. He is buried in Dieppe, France. The story of Denis, the McCauley family and the special story about Fred and his family show us once again the personal tragedies behind each grave.