Charlie

Three years ago deep in the woods I discovered a group of beech trees with initials and dates carved into the bark. The dates were in May '44, the eve of D-Day. One particular tree had a full name and a place - Kenora, Ontario. I sent a photograph of the tree and an appeal for help to the local paper in Kenora. Eventually I was able to piece together elements in the story of the soldier - Charles Bynski - who had carved his name on the tree. Its a long story with a sad ending. After 11 months fighting his way across France, Belgium and Holland, Charlie was killed in action, aged 22, at the very end of April 1945 just a week before the war ended as the Canadians advanced across the Ems and into Germany. He is buried, alongside many others from the Lake Superior Regiment, in the Canadian War Cemetry at Holten in Holland.

A remarkable email arrived overnight and completely out of the blue. It was from Charlie's nephew Louis and his wife Louise. It filled in some details that I had not known, including the circumstances surrounding the action in which he was killed. Attached to the email was this photograph of Charles Bynski taken in 1940. I am so pleased to be able to finally put a face to the story.