Saturday 17 Jun 2017, The Netherlands
At a moving commemorative service last Saturday in the small Schoondijke cemetery in Zeeland, 10 members of the 33 Squadron Association, along with a group of serving 33 Squadron personnel, were finally able to pay tribute to Warrant Officer George James Roney RNZAF. They were joined by George Roney’s nephew, Rob, who had flown in from New Zealand with his wife, Trish, to attend this special event.
On 6 Oct 44, the Allies’ attempts to open the port of Antwerp struck Zeeland. As Canadian troops tried to force a crossing across the Leopold Canal in the opening phase of Operation SWITCHBACK, 33 Squadron was involved in bombing and strafing enemy targets around Breskens. The 22-year-old New Zealander, who was posted to 33 Squadron on 6 August 1944, took part in the bombing. His aircraft was hit by flak and he crashed near Schoondijke, the plane burying itself meters deep into the ground. The aircraft was not found until 9 Jun 48, and George was buried in Schoondijke Cemetery on 12 Jun 48.
While researching for this battlefield tour of Walcheren, a Battle Honour on the 33 Squadron Standard, the Chairman of the 33 Squadron Association, Dave Stewart, discovered that George Roney had served with 33 Squadron during that period and had approached the New Zealand Genealogy Society for information on any potential family members. A number of relatives came forward, and provided photographs, a logbook, and a number of official letters about George going missing, and then about his death. Dave said, “With the Roney family’s help I was able to collect all of the pieces of the puzzle and this ceremony today is ultimately the reward for that work”.
Rob Roney is the son of Stanley Roney, George’s brother, who had served in the New Zealand Army in North Africa and Italy while George had joined the RNZAF and then travelled to England to join the RAF. Rob and his wife Trish did not hesitate when it became clear that the puzzle about the life and death of his uncle, could finally be completed. "We heard that the 33 Squadron Association and the squadron that George served with were going to Zeeland to visit, among other places, the place where Uncle George crashed, and that they were also going to see the grave. We had to be there. We are very grateful that we are here now, "said nephew Rob.
Before the commemorative service at the church, the group were able to visit the actual crash site in a maize field near to Schoondijke. The farm was still owned by the same family, the Dekkers, and Rob Roney met with three Dekker sisters who, aged 7, 10 and 14, had witnessed George’s crash that day. After watching a flypast by three vintage aircraft to salute his uncle, Rob Roney said, "Yes, it means a lot to me. I did not expect this. It's really very special. My father never talked about the war and his brother who came over here. This feels like a recognition of my family. That this is now in Zeeland makes it extra special. In some way, it feels like the old country”.
That his father and uncle were involved in a war thousands of miles away from home, Rob Roney understands. "I think New Zealanders have a strong sense of good and evil. Perhaps because it was originally a pioneer country where people had to act to survive. Fighting on the other side of the world, they did not think twice about it. They just did it”.
The group then drove to Schoondijke Cemetery to attend the commemorative service at George Roney’s grave. A small gathering of approx 50 people heard short speeches and dedications from Rob Roney, Dave Stewart, Peter Cammaerts (Burgemeester of Sluis, which now includes the municipality of Schoondijke). Pastor Derk Blom conducted a short service before wreathes were laid by the Roneys, 33 Squadron, 33 Squadron Assocation and the Municipality of Sluis; Association member Chris Perkins then recited ‘For the Fallen’.
