152 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ AT "CASTLE EMBOURG"
December 1944

152 Inf. Brig. HQ at "CASTLE EMBOURG"
Dec '44

We were initially contacted by Georges Laloux in December 2009 who sent us a scanned list of names of those men who had been staying at his home, Castle Embourg, in December 1944. Georges' story is copied below.

In 2014 we were contacted by Bert & Ric van Wulfften Palthe after they read their Father's name and address among those noted on Georges' list. Their Father, B.R. van Wulfften Palthe, a resident of Eindhoven (liberated Sep '44), had volunteered as a Dutch Interpreter with the Corps. Tolken and was attached to 152 Infantry Brigade. Bert & Ric have very kindly sent us additional photographs of Castle Embourg and a series depicting their Father's subsequent crossing of the Rhine into Rees in Mar '45 which we have added to the site elsewhere.

B.R. van Wulfften Palthe noted on one photo of the Chateau "the castle where I slept so very well, close under the roof, and kept sleeping even when a German shrapnell-plane-bomb hit the roof and exploded".

George Laloux's story of "CASTLE EMBOURG"
Dec '44 - Jan '45

George noted the story behind his list of names form Chateau Peidboeuf, known locally as "Castle Embourg".

"Born in 1931, I was thirteen during the Ardennes bulge battle and we were living in Embourg (at that time a small and rural suburb village south of Liége.)

"I was living in the "Embourg Castle", with my parents and 7 brothers or sisters.

"[At the] end of December 1944, the 152nd Infantry Brigade H.Q. (from the 51st Highland Division [Seaforth Highlanders].) rested in our home while we were living in the cellars due to German V1 bombs reaching Liége every 10 minutes.

"I remember the Christmas and eve evenings we spent with head quarter members.

"I remember also Brig General A. J. M. Cassels who later in 1945 was appointed GOC 51st Highland Division.

"[At the] beginning January 1945 the brigade was sent to reinforce the US Army (in La Roche) and as far as I remember struggles were very heavy. The Brigade HQ was replaced by a Welch Brigade coming back from Ardennes front, for a small rest.

"On January 14th an incident occurred in the military kitchen and the castle burnt completely. (But this is another story)

"I found recently, after the death of one of my older sisters, a list of Officers and Soldiers who stay in our house.

"We still are grateful for all US and English soldiers who died for liberty

"Sincerely
Georges Laloux"

In January 2015 Georges Laloux got in touch after his younger sister found a photograph of some of the Officers from 152nd who stayed at "Castle Embourg" with the Laloux family in Dec '44.

The reverse carries signatures, presumed to be from the men pictured, some of which match the handwritten list of names that Georges sent to us in 2009 (pictured above). The signatures are hard to read but the following names can be made out that tally with the list of those who stayed at Castle Embourg : Capt. I.Inch, Capt. G.Burt, Lieut. G.Henderson, Capt. W.S.Crosby, Major C.N.Barker, Capt. D.W.Ramsden, Capt. H.Anderson, Rev. Kenny.

This photo matches the scene of a larger group photo of men from 152 HQ which was taken near Mook (close to Nijmegen) during a rest period prior to the Rhine Crossing in March '45. That photo belonged to B.R. Van Wulfften Palthe (mentioned above) and can be seen here.