ALAN MOORE, DEAL, KENT, ENGLAND

Our first overseas contributor, in 1997, Mr. Moore, then 81, had just bought himself a computer and was surfing the net when he came across the project's web site. Before long, he had purchased a digital camera and sent me 191 images of graves from his hometown area in Deal, Kent and from Boulogne in France.

JOHN THOMPSON;
INGERSOLL ONTARIO CANADA

I first met John in the spring of 98 when I was conducting interviews for prospective project team members. John had a long interest in the subject matter of the project and was keen to get on board. When the hoped for funding failed to materialise, John stayed in touch. One day around Christmas of 98, he suggested and requested to represent the project, at his own expense, on a trip to photograph as many of the Canadian war graves as possible in Italy. After many email discussions back and forth, he finally made the trip to Italy in the summer of 99 and visited some 24 cemeteries and photographed almost 3000 graves. It was on this trip, while shooting at Cassino War cemetery, that he met Matt Smith and Matt's girlfriend, Jackie. Matt's interest was piqued at why this guy was photographing all of the graves. Once John explained the project, Matt was hooked on the idea and, within a few months, had contacted me and launched the Australian version of the project in January 2000.

PETER & BRENDA HIGMAN,
MARK, SOMERSET, ENGLAND

Peter first read about the project in 'Legion' magazine of the Royal British Legion. Since that time, Peter and Brenda have travelled all over south west England from their home in Somerset. At last count they have covered more than 65 cemeteries in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Tunisia. They are also doing the Australian graves. Here they are at the gate to Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia.

PETER JEVONS,
HAFRSFJORD, NORWAY

A retired R.A.F. Wing Commander now living in Norway, Peter also read about the project in the 'Legion' magazine. He emailed me and offered to try to organise the collection of photos of Canadian war graves in Scandinavia. (Norway, Denmark, Sweden). A few months later, on a trip to visit family in England, met with me and presented me with a full set of beautiful photos of all of the graves in Norway, except for 6 that I already had. Peter had travelled almost 4,000km in order to get the photos. He also did all of the Australian graves too. Peter is pictured here with his wife, Caroline and her daughter Camilla, wearing a traditional Norwegian costume.

JEAN MacLEOD,
BRECON, POWYS, WALES

Jean also read 'Legion' magazine. Although she doesn't have a car, Jean has made several excursions to photograph graves in various locations by bus. On a recent trip to the middle east, she made all the preparations and arrangements to visit the Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery in Damascus, Syria while her tour was in the area. Unfortunately when her taxi arrived at the cemetery it was locked up and there was no way to get in. On a subsequent trip to northern India, she managed to record the 11 Canadian graves at Imphal War Cemetery. This region is a potentially dangerous area and their tour coach was accompanied by armed military escort.

DOEKE OOSTRA;
EMMELOORD, NETHERLANDS

While Doeke only began helping the project in August 2000, he wasted no time in getting started on the photography in his country. On his first five excursions, he spent about 13 hours on the road for each one and has visited scores of cemeteries and churchyards in the Netherlands. He submitted his digital photos on discs and included maps showing the locations and a full 'tour guides special' description of the cemeteries. He is also doing the Australian & New Zealander's graves. So far he has photographed graves in over 200 cemeteries in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

ANDREW McKEER;
ORPINGTON, KENT, ENGLAND

Andrew has been very generous with his time and has submitted many photos of Canadian and Australian graves in the Orpington area and from Plymouth, in Devon.

Brian & Maureen WALFORD, COCHRANE, ALBERTA, CANADA

I met Brian and his wife Maureen on the steps of the Vimy Memorial, in France, in June 2000. We got talking about the project and they seemed interested in becoming involved. After his return home, I received an email from him and he eventually offered to help organise the collection of photos and promote the project in Alberta. Since then he has solicited a number of war grave sponsorships from his friends and acquaintances in Cochrane, making it the world leader in sponsorships!! Go Cochrane!! He has also recruited a number of volunteers from across Alberta. I can't seem to get a decent smiling photo from Brian. Maybe inside he's smiling from ear to ear. Lets hope so. Brian was also interviewed and videoed photographing war graves for a piece on Global TV in Lethbridge, Alberta. The item was subsequently broadcast across Canada on Friday Nov. 10, 2001

WARREN OTTO
LORETTE, MANITOBA, CANADA

Through a chance email encounter with Warren, he became interested in the project. He has since taken on the collection of photos in Manitoba and NW Ontario. Manitoba was one of the centres of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan and as such there are a lot of war graves there as a result of training accidents. Warren is shown here with his daughters, Ashleigh and Taylor. Warren was recently interviewed on CBC regional radio and has arranged print media publicity too

Ernie Cromie has been organising the collection of photos in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Ulster Aviation Society and as such has recruited some of the members to help out. Ernie is shown here with his wife, Lucy.

Reon was one of our first overseas contributors way back in 1997. His interest and research into the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 takes him to many cemeteries in South Africa and he has contributed many photos of Canadian war graves from this conflict and from World War 2.

Neil Cameron is a keen volunteer in north-east Scotland and has contributed some excellent photos so far. He is shown here with his 3 year old son in front of Neil's great grandfather's grave in France.

GRAHAM & CAROL MATTHEWS, CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

Our high flying pilot volunteer Graham and his dear wife Carol and son Gavin.

John read about the project in the Royal British Legion magazine and has taken photos of all of the Canadian and Australian graves in Gibraltar. Here's a picture of John and I when we first met when John came to London for a short holiday and some Christmas shopping.

Stephanie and David recently made a trip to Bangladesh and were kind enough to take excellent photos of all the Canadian, Australian and New Zealander graves at Chittagong War Cemetery.

Ralph is probably our keenest volunteer photographer. He is responsible for photographing most of the war graves in Manitoba and NW Ontario. He has also done many in Saskatchewan and Turkey. Last we heard from Ralph, he was traveling in North Africa and photographing war graves for the three projects wherever he could in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and will continue to do so as he continues his year long travels around the world. This photo was taken in a bar in Tunisia. He has recruited many helpers along the way and continues to promote the projects wherever and whenever he can. Following are some of Ralphs friends and family who have helped him out along the way.

Vanessa is Ralph McLean's older sister and went to a lot of trouble to get the photos of war graves on a recent holiday to Jamaica.

2827 RCA Cadet Corps
Port Moody, B.C.

Back row left to right:
Cadet Robert Pelly (wearing black hat)
Cadet Trooper Nicholas Devaal
Cadet Warrant Officer Nicholas MacKay (grey hat)
Cadet Tanja Bergen

Middle row left to right:
Cadet Master Corporal Kendra MacKay
Cadet Trooper Sara Bergen
Cadet Trooper Nicole Kokko
Cadet Trooper Christopher Congnam
Cadet Trooper Han Lee

Front row left to right:
Mrs. Darla MacKay (parent)
2nd Lt. Robert Rothwell
2nd Lt. Orlando Banman
Sgt. (retired) Thomas Houghton

Eric is a dentist with the Canadian Forces and was recently involved in the attempt to identify the remains of three WW1 Canadian soldiers found in Belgium. Unfortunately the results were inconclusive.

On a recent trip to the western front, Eric spent the better part of his holiday photographing war graves in Ieper, Valenciennes and Cambrai, coming back with over 800 images.

Eric lives in Ottawa with his wife Cathie and son Ben and daughter Heather. Inthe past they have served in Mons, Belgium, Lahr, Germany, Kingston, Ont. and Victoria, BC. After retiring next year plans to stay active as a reservist and as a volunteer for the MLLP.

Yes that is a real Canadian Mountie! Tim Popp is a 14+yr veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, currently serving in Battleford, Saskatchewan where the Mounties role is in general policing duties. He is also a veteran of the PPCLI regiment of the Canadian Army. Linda Popp is the Registrar for the Court of Queen's Bench and the Sheriff in their area. Linda's Dad was a veteran of the 49th Loyal Edmonton Regiment during WW2.

John has worked getting lots of photos and information about Canadian war graves in Eire and also in the Napoli area of Italy, where they have a vacation home. Struggling with an uncooperative camera, John is determined to win and has become familiar with the war cemeteries around Napoli in the process. Here he is pictured with his wife, Angela, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. He doesn't mention how many years ago this was. Any guesses?

Ludo Louis has taken on one of the biggest jobs in the project - that of regional co-ordinator for France and not only for the MLLP but for our Australian and New Zealand sister projects. He has personally taken thousands of photos of graves in France and is co-ordinating many new volunteers across France. He is ably assisted by his dear wife Nathalie, who has helped in the cemeteries and in the administrative end of things. There are no words to express my sincere appreciation to these selfless friends. Ludo also has built a small D-Day museum in his home town in Normandy. The web site for the museum is: http://www.normandyparas.com

That's Jacky in the middle with Ludovic Louis on the left and Steve Douglas on the right. Jacky has been very active with the project in his region, not only photographing war graves but generating press coverage for the project in every town he has to visit with war graves.

Barry has done a number of locations for us in the Kent area and has proved to be a keen supporter of the project.

In their own words...

Having equipped ourselves with a computer, we were looking for some projects to do that would help us learn how to operate it. I had been aware of the military cemetery at Scottow since 1970, when, in my R.A.F. days at Coltishall, I used to frequently visit it to pay my respects and thanks to the airmen for their sacrifice. prior to a trip to New Zealand two years ago, we determined the circumstances relating to three New Zealand graves. So, armed with photographs etc, we tried to find some relatives. We were successful wth one family which resulted in a much more comprehensive project. it was during this research that we came across the three marvellous Commonwealth projects. (MLLP, AWGPA, NZAFMP).

Both Heather and I are of an age that well remembers the dark days of WW2. So, as out tribute to those from far off lands who helped us in our time of need, the least we can do is take a few photographs. We now consult the location lists before we make any journeys around the country just in case there are graves that need our attention.

We are willing to give assistance, if practical, to any relatives regarding remembrance or tributes etc.

Réal is in the Belgian Army and works as part of the bomb disposal team in the Ypres area so he is well placed to help get photographs for us. He would know, more than most, what it means to the people of Belgium to help remember those who died in helping to liberate this country.

Trish came along just recently and provided some nice shots of graves in the Dublin area.

David is a photographer who makes a living, I think, photographing ships. He is doing a terrific and expectedly professional job photographing war graves in a growing number of cemeteries in the south east of England.

Sandra is our Scotland rogional co-ordinator and has been working very for the project not only doing lots of photography herself and with hubby Glen, but also keeping track of who's doing what and where in Scotland. They are pictured here at a recent wedding with their children (l to r) Keith, Lyndsay and Stewart.

Mike Stepney,
Kent, England

After a long search, Mike has recently discovered he has family in Canada and is hoping to visit them soon.

Yes that's Heather in the middle! She is our British Columbia regional representative and has proven to be totally dedicated to the cause of remembrance and a valuable member of the MLLP team. Heather was invaluable in organising speaking venues for my 2002 speaking tour of western Canada.

Tom Houghton (right in photo)

Tom is a retired Sergeant in the Canadian Army and also is a keen volunteer in the Vancouver area. Tom was most helpful and generous in acting as our driver while I was in the Vancouver area for the speaking engagements. It's hard to think of how things might have gone without his help that week. Thanks Tom.

June and Bryce are very keen volunteers in southern Saskatchewan. I was honoured to learn that they had travelled over 7 hours in order to meet me and attend the talk in Winnipeg in October 2002. For the volunteers in the prairee provinces, the job often means many hours of driving for very few grave photos due to the great distances between places there. All the more reason to appreciate the dedication of the volunteers in western Canada

Iris, Daniel and their children Elke and Mecheal have been great friends and hosts for me when I am in their area of Belgium. Iris and Daniel are very interested in the history of WW2 in particular and the Canadian role in the liberation of their area. They are members of the Royal Canadian Legion and are trying to start a branch in Maldegem. In fact they are part of the Colour Party for the RCL Zone Europe. The family usually spend their holidays touring battlefields and cemeteries in France and Belgium.

I am proud to call them friends.

Tim (left in photo) and his wife Marianne are from England but have been stationed in Denmark for a few years now and have used the project as a good excuse to get out and see some of the Danish countryside and to get to some places they would not normally have gone. They were kind enough to host me when I went through the area in the fall of 2001.

Tony Robinson

Tony is also from the UK and is stationed in Denmark with the Royal Air Force. He and his wife Sue have also travelled around Denmark to help out the projects.

Esther and Richard were part of our team that photographed all of the graves at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

"We started taking photos for the MLLP in Belgium & France, and we have continued to photograph and record memorials of Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand service personnel in Alberta and B.C."

"We find this a very fulfilling experience because of the untold stories that present themselves from the limited but meaningful messages on the stones. We have been particularly struck by the headstones of non-Canadians killed while participating in the Commonwealth Air Training program. As we are retired, pretty well, and travel a fair bit, and we find our on the road experiences greatly enhanced by being able to seek out locations where Canadians are honoured.

"We are impressed with the commitment of all the volunteers associated with the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand web sites, and as much as possible, will assist in achieving the honourable and challenging goals of the project."

JEAN & JOHN BARTLETT,
VANCOUVERB.C.

Thanks to a project war grave sponsor, Garnet Burke, his colleagues at the Canadian Co-operative Association in Jakarta, Indonesia were kind enough to take war grave photos for the project at the Djakarta War Cemetery. On the right is Endang Yuliati, who co-ordinated the effort. In the middle is Sari Hidayati, the photographer and the gentleman is Tri Wibowo who drove and helped locate the cemetery and the graves. Many many thanks to them for their efforts. Apparently is was a very hot humid day. Like most days there I understand. Good work team!

Garnet (shown here with grandson Ethan) is a grave sponsor and recruited the his friends in Indonesia (above) to do the phtoography there. An avid radio controlled model aircraft enthusiast and musician, he has a website dedicated to his interests and photos of his trips to Indonesia. http://pipercubflyer.tripod.com

Sue Borgerson, shown here with hubby, Arne, was our Regional Co-ordinator for the Nova Scotia area. Sue and Arne live in rural Nova Scotia and run a small art gallery with much of their own work for sale. Glorious Mud Studio and Gallery

Kristin Moore, shown here at a typical Canadian cabin in the woods in winter, which is about as far away as one can get from Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in hot, humid Thailand where Kristin took photos for the project. Hopefully she will continue to contribute to the project on future travels.

Ian is the regional inspector for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Greece. He recently met Ralph McLean and offered Ralph a ride to all the cemeteries in the area and also offered to do the one in Macedonia.

Cathy Kushneryk is retired from a career as a Medical Lab Technologist with the Canadian Blood Services. Alfred Adams is retired from a career in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Aviation Technician, and continues to serve on a part time basis as a reservist in 402 Squadron. They live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and enjoy traveling which allows them to help with the Maple Leaf Legacy Project.

Patrick has been a keen volunteer in the Ottawa area. Here with wife Angela, he is shown enjoying his recent retirement from teaching while learning to sail in the British Virgin Islands.

Bill and Donna first contributed to the Maple Leaf Legacy Project while on a cruise to Bermuda. They had learned of the project just prior to embarking on the cruise in October, 2002. While alongside at Kings Wharf, they visited the Royal Navy Cemetery Bermuda and photographed the eight Canadian grave sites and later photographed graves in the Ottawa area.

Natalie & Rod live in southern Ontario, just west of Toronto and have been photographing graves in their region. As of this photo, they are expecting their first child later this year.

Kenn and Sue have been taking grave photos for the project on their travels to Ontario, Quebec & Nova Scotia as well as in Europe, although they hail from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Gareth, or "Lester" as he is better known, is a serving Officer currently stationed with the Canadian Component NATO Airborne Early Warning Force (CC-NAEWF) in Geilenkirchen, Germany. He is a "Weaponeer" on the Mission Crew of the AWACS. Since coming to Europe, he has started to expand his knowledge on Canadians in WW1 on the Western Front and as a result discovered the Maple Leaf Legacy Project though a trip to (amongst others) the Flanders Region of Belgium.

Nelson was the regional co-ordinator for western Quebec and eastern Ontario did an admirable job. Hélene joins Nelson in the field and helps with the location and photography of the graves. A great team.

Robert Lestrade
Belgium

I was born in December 1948 in Beloeil. I am now Police Officer on retirement.
I am married with Betty and have two daughters and 3 grandchildren, 2 girls and a boy.
My interest in history comes from a narrative of my uncle who "did" 14-18.
I often visit Ypres and British cemeteries and ask always into myself "why". Why men come from so far have died in my country and for my country too? I never found a answer.
At last the smallest thing I can do is to work so nobody forget what they have done.

Leo Guerin,
Ontario

This young man was a close friend. All my work that is contributed to this project by me is dedicated to his memory!

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."