A PLAQUE commemorating a Galashiels soldier who was killed in World War II while clearing mines has been unveiled in a Dutch village.
The moving ceremony in De Steeg took place on Saturday, almost 78 years to the date of William McLaren's death on April 16, 1945.
The granite plaque will ensure that he and fellow British sapper Donald Chisholm, of Inverness, are never forgotten.
McLaren, 23, and 32-year-old Chisholm died barely three weeks before the end of the war as they helped to make the Middachterallee between De Steeg and Ellecom passable again.
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The plaque consists of granite from the quarry of Glensanda and is supported by three rocks – one each for McLaren and Chisholm, and one for another sapper who was seriously wounded in the explosion.
John J. Kapteijn – of the National Committee for 4 and 5 May, a Dutch authority for war monuments and memorials – said: "I first heard in 2015 that the names of the two fallen soldiers were not known and I could not accept that.
“Through the site of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, an organization that manages the final resting places of all victims of two world wars, the names of the soldiers killed in De Steeg could be found.
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“The Daily Report of the 294 Field Company – Royal Engineers was then requested from the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London.
“This showed that the strength of this engineer unit had decreased by three people from April 16-17, 1945 – two fatalities and one seriously injured."
On the plaque, Mr Kapteijn, of De Steeg, added: "In this way, these men are not forgotten and it is a lasting memory of the war years and liberation."
The ceremony was introduced via a musical contribution by bagpiper Peter ten Dijke, followed by a welcome speech by Mr Kapteijn.
The plaque was then unveiled by Mayor Carol van Eert, of the municipality of Rheden, together with Lord of Middachten Franz Graf zu Ortenburg, Colonel Bas van den Berg, Commander Regiment Genietroepen, and Arjan Flipse, vice chairman of the Entrepreneurs Club Rheden.
The Last Post was then played on the cornet by Bjorn Verkerk.
After a minute's silence, wreaths were laid by the guests.
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The ceremony took place near the spot where the soldiers were killed while clearing mines.
To slow down the liberators, the Germans had used explosives to lay 40 trees across the road and placed hidden mines.
The bodies of sappers McLaren and Chisholm are buried in the war cemetery in the town of Uden.
Mr Kapteijn added: “I have been trying to trace members of the families and discovered that sapper William McLaren was born in Galashiels and married Sarah Monica McGonnell in 1940. Their son, named James McLaren, is thought to be still alive.”
If any reader can assist in Mr Kapteijn's search then please contact john.hislop@newsquest.co.uk
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