Liberation Memorial Borkel en Schaft

This memorial is situated at the junction of the Luikerweg (N69) and the Oude Dorpsstraat in Borkel and the Schaft (community of Valkenswaard).

Text on the memorial:

11 September 1944 - 11 September 1994
The British liberators placed their feet on Dutch soil for the first time on this spot.
This memorial is a tribute to our liberators and a remembrance to their first contact with the citizens of Valkenswaard.

Two Daimler reconnaissance vehicles from D Company, 2nd Household Cavalry were sent out on 11 September to explore the road to Valkenswaard. The two vehicles were under the command of Lieutenant Rupert Buchanan-Jardine. Their aim was to explore the bridge over the Dommel, below Valkenswaard, and to assess whether it was still intact and could carry tanks. Once arrived at café Rustoord (nowadays pancake house "De Familie Suykerbuyck") the two vehicles stopped between an exuberant population. The lieutenant tried to calm the population while Lance-Corporal-of-Horse Jack Brook of the second Daimler explored the way further to the bridge. A German Panzerkampfwagen IV stood on the bridge, allowing him to report on radio that the bridge was intact and that it could carry tanks. After this the two vehicles returned through the German lines: "coming through very heavy fire and running the gauntlet of an enemy anti-tank gun."

Lieutenant-General Horrocks, commander of the XXX Corps would describe this exploration as "the most gallant reconnaissance ever carried out". Lieutenant Buchanan-Jardine would receive a Military Cross for his share. The Dutch citizens however had become curious as they thought the liberation had begun. Many people went to the Luikerweg (N69) where they met a group of Germans. He put four Dutch against the wall, but fortunately a German officer intervened. When they ran away, however, they were shot at, two were wounded, but Christ Tegenbosch and Jan Maas died on the spot. They are buried in the cemetery in Borkel and Schaft.

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Source

• Text: Jeroen Koppes
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes (1), Herma de Vries (2, 3, 4, 5)
• WO 373/51/13 Recommendation for Award for Buchanan Jardine, Arthur John Rupert
• Peer Tilburgs over de bezetting en bevrijding van Bergeijk (pdf)
• Het parochiekerkhof van Sint Servatius in Borkel en Schaft
• HORROCKS, B., Corps Commander, Magnum Books, 1979.
• MARGRY, K., Operation Market-Garden.
• THE EARL OF ROSSE & HILL, E.R., The story of the Guards Armoured Division.

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