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Holton, Eric Albert

Date of birth:
January 4th, 1921 (Reston/Manitoba, Canada)
Date of death:
September 9th, 1944 (Moerbrugge/West Flanders, Belgium)
Buried on:
Adegem Canadian War Cemetery
Plot: 4. Row: E. Grave: 11.
Service number:
H/60745
Nationality:
Canadian

Biography

Eric was born on January 4 1921 in Reston Manitoba, the son of Horace Percival and Emily Marion Holton (both English) of Reston. They were married on August 20 1901 in Margate England. His sisters were Gertrude Edith Benzie and Reta Mabel and Florence Marion Holton.

He was a labourer and member of the United Church. His hobby was photography and his sports were baseball, hockey, tennis and volleyball.

He enlisted on April 7 1941 in Winnipeg and went on September 18 1942 thereafter overseas to the UK. He went on July 26 1944 afterwards to France.

Eric was killed in action on Saturday September 9 1944 age 23 during the battle of Moerbrugge in Belgium. He was temporarily buried then in a parc of Loppem together with the fallen Trooper Erle M. Foster before both being reburied on June 5 1945 in Adegem.

The National Combattants Association Belgium (N.S.B.) Sector of Loppem, (near Zedelgem, Belgium) have erected a Memorial Stone in memory of Eric Holton and the fallen Trooper Erle M. Foster of the South Alberta Regiment. The memorial was unveiled at a special commemorative ceremony on June 15, 2002.

On his headstone: AT REST IN GOD'S BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FREE FROM SORROW AND PAIN

The province of Manitoba named Holton Lake in honour of Sgt. Holton.

He served with the 15 Field Reg. of the Royal Canadian Artillery.

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Sources