Three British war veterans commemorate the liberation of Zeeland
Joining the Taxi Charity on their recent trip to the Province of Zeeland in the Netherlands was Dutch Photographer and friend of the charity, Daan Van Oort. This is his record of how the group spent their Saturday.
Saturday 31 October 2026 – A special day with Geoff Roberts MBE (101), Ivan Staines (100) and Paul Terry (101)
On Saturday 31 October, three British war veterans, accompanied by their friends and supporters from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, made a very special visit to Zeeland in the Netherlands. The day was dedicated to remembrance, comradeship and gratitude for the freedom for which so many fought and sacrificed their lives in 1944.
Commemoration at the Sloedam Causeway
The morning began at the Liberation Museum Zeeland in Nieuwdorp, where everyone gathered before setting off in historic military vehicles for the official international commemoration of the Battle of the Scheldt at the Sloedam Causeway.
The ceremony began at 10.30 am and included speeches by Hugo de Jonge, the King's Commissioner for the Province of Zeeland, and Yvonne van Mastrigt, Mayor of Middelburg.
Among those attending were representatives of the British, Canadian and French embassies, local and provincial authorities, military organisations, veterans' associations and hundreds of participants in the Mallard Memorial March.
One of the most moving moments was the wreath-laying ceremony, during which the three British veterans paid tribute to their fallen comrades. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of various authorities and organisations.
The service was accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, The Last Post, a minute's silence and the national anthems. Children laid flowers at the memorial, symbolising the importance of passing the memory of those who fought for our freedom on to future generations.
A special tribute to Rifleman Khan
Following the ceremony, the group returned to the Liberation Museum Zeeland for lunch. Afterwards, a particularly meaningful wreath-laying ceremony took place at the bronze memorial dedicated to Rifleman Khan in the museum's Liberation Park.
Khan was a German Shepherd who served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) during the Second World War. On 2 November 1944, during Operation Mallard, the assault boat carrying Khan and his handler, Lance Corporal Jim Muldoon, capsized in the freezing waters of the Sloe. Khan managed to reach safety but bravely returned to rescue his handler, who was unable to swim.
For this extraordinary act of courage, Khan was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945, the highest British honour awarded to animals for bravery in military service.
The bronze memorial, unveiled in 2024, commemorates not only Khan but also all animals that have served alongside soldiers during wartime.
The wreath-laying at the memorial was a touching tribute to their loyalty, courage and sacrifice. It provided some particularly memorable moments, with the veterans paying their respects to a remarkable story of devotion and bravery.
Afternoon commemoration at Baarland
In the afternoon, the group travelled to the sea dyke near Baarland, where the Borsele Bevrijd Foundation organised its annual commemoration at the landing memorial of the 52nd (Lowland) Division.
At this historic location, known during the war as Amber Beach, Scottish troops landed on 26 October 1944 as part of the liberation of South Beveland.
The ceremony was attended by British veterans, representatives of the British Embassy, provincial officials and local dignitaries.
Speeches were delivered by Kees Weststrate, Deputy Mayor of Borsele, and Rossel Hussein, the municipality's Junior Mayor.
Music performed by the Salvation Army band from Goes and a Scottish piper added to the solemn atmosphere of the occasion.
During the wreath and flower-laying ceremonies, tribute was once again paid to the Allied servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice during the liberation of Zeeland.
The participation of young Scouts and children was particularly meaningful, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the stories and sacrifices of the Second World War are never forgotten.
It was a moving ceremony at a place where history had been made 82 years earlier.
Daan Van Oort
