Lost over Leipzig, remembered in Paris: A call to mark our heroes’ homes

Neil Edwards

Paris Independent Contributor

On a bitterly cold night in February 1944, a massive contingent of 822 British and Canadian aircraft was heading across the English Channel on a bombing run over Leipzig, Germany. The operation was successful, but there were dangers for the aircrews on the way home as well. One Canadian Halifax bomber did not make the return trip to safety. Aboard was Air Gunner Neil Stewart, from Paris Ontario. His plane was either shot down or crashed due to the icy conditions. It plunged into the Ijsselmeer, a bay off the coast of North Holland. All seven men aboard were killed in the crash. Neil was 20 years of age.

But that is not the end of the story. Some time later, 13-year-old Tamme Schenk, who lived in the nearby town of Andijk, was walking along the sea dyke and discovered the body of a Canadian airman. It was the body of Neil Stewart. He reported his finding, and the German occupiers buried his body.

But that is still not the end of the story, because 13-year-old Tamme grew up, and he remained curious about that Canadian airman whose body he found so long ago. In 2004, 60 years later, he became determined to find out more about Neil Stewart from Paris. And his search was successful. He made contact with a member of the Stewart family, and then he visited with several Stewart family members in Paris. There was a photo in the old Paris Star of all of them standing together in front of the Paris cenotaph. And Tamme wanted to set Neil’s family’s minds at rest about his loss. Tamme said, “he has been lovingly remembered on many special occasions, and fresh flowers have been placed on his grave many a time.”

That sentiment will not surprise anyone who has had the opportunity to visit the war cemeteries in Holland, and to witness what loving care the Dutch people, even children, have shown for the graves of all the foreign soldiers who freed their county from Nazi occupation.

It is with that same sentiment--to honour the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the military, that the Homes of Heroes project was born. Many men and women from Paris have risked their lives to defend our country and our common values. And far too many of them have lost their lives doing so. And others have risked their lives, not to fight in war but to prevent war, as peacekeepers. They also deserve our remembrance and respect. The goal of Homes of Heroes is to place a sign in front of every house in Paris where a soldier lived while they served, or lives in now. We need to preserve their stories before they are lost. Do you have a story? Then please share it at info@homesofheroes.com. These signs can be like Tomme’s fresh flowers. They will ensure that our heroes will not be forgotten. If you have questions, please email them to neiledwards51@gmail.com.