The haunting wail of bagpipes will soon echo across Dutch villages and memorial sites as a delegation of British Columbia pipers prepares for a poignant pilgrimage to the Netherlands this spring. The journey, marking the 79th anniversary of the country’s liberation from Nazi occupation, represents far more than a musical tour—it’s a living tribute to the thousands of Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice on foreign soil.
“Each note we play carries the weight of history,” explains James MacKenzie, lead organizer and piper with the Vancouver-based Celtic Heritage Ensemble. “When we stand at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek and play ‘The Lament,’ we’re not just performing—we’re speaking directly to the 2,338 Canadian soldiers buried there.”
The delegation, comprising 24 pipers and drummers from across British Columbia, will participate in numerous commemorative events between April 30 and May 10, including the official Liberation Day ceremonies on May 5. Their itinerary encompasses both high-profile national observances and intimate community gatherings in villages where Canadian forces played crucial roles in driving out occupying German forces.
Canada’s contribution to the Netherlands’ liberation remains one of the most significant chapters in our military history. More than 7,600 Canadian soldiers died during the nine-month campaign to free the Dutch people, establishing a profound bond between the two nations that continues to this day. As noted in previous CO24 World News coverage, the annual gift of tulips to Ottawa stands as a lasting symbol of this enduring friendship.
For piper Sarah Johnston, whose grandfather served with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during the liberation, the tour represents a deeply personal connection. “My grandfather rarely spoke about the war, but he always mentioned how Dutch families would invite Canadian soldiers into their homes, sharing what little food they had,” Johnston told CO24 Canada News. “Playing ‘Highland Laddie’—his regiment’s march—at the very spots where he fought feels like completing a circle.”
The musical repertoire for the tour has been carefully selected to honor both Canadian and Dutch heritage. Traditional Scottish laments will stand alongside Dutch resistance songs and contemporary compositions, including “The Liberation of Apeldoorn,” a piece specifically commissioned for this tour by Canadian composer Ian MacDonald.
Dr. Helena Van Rijn, a historian at the Dutch National War Museum, emphasizes the cultural significance of these musical tributes. “The sound of bagpipes has powerful associations for the Dutch people,” she explains. “For many elderly citizens who lived through the occupation, that distinctive sound was their first indication that liberation had arrived. It represents hope in its purest form.”
The tour has received support from veterans’ organizations, cultural institutions, and government agencies in both countries. Canadian Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay described the initiative as “a vital contribution to keeping the shared history of our nations alive for new generations.”
Local communities throughout BC have raised over $75,000 to support the delegation’s travel expenses, with fundraising events drawing unexpected crowds. A benefit concert in Victoria last month sold out within hours, demonstrating the continued resonance of Canada’s wartime legacy.
For younger members of the piping delegation, the tour offers an immersive history lesson. Nineteen-year-old drummer Callum Fraser admits he initially knew little about Canada’s role in the Netherlands. “Learning about Operation Veritable and the push through Nijmegen changed my perspective completely,” he says. “Now each time I pick up my drumsticks, I feel like I’m carrying something much bigger than myself.”
As the last living veterans of World War II reach their twilight years, commemorative initiatives like the BC Pipers Netherlands Tour take on added urgency. How will future generations maintain these crucial connections to our shared history when firsthand accounts are no longer possible?
