Authors: Cpl Su and Cpl Walker

Of those buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Private Steven Motkaluk is the only one who did not fall during Op CANNONSHOT or the liberation of the Netherlands. The circumstances of his death, and his eventual burial at Holten are murky, but this much is known.

Pte Motkaluk and his parents, like many others during this time period were immigrants looking for a better life in Canada. He was born in Tornopol, Poland on 15 August 1912 to Phillip and Dora Motkaluk. At the age of 7 he and his parents left Poland and arrived in Canada in 1919. He grew up as an only child and only obtained a grade 4 education, as he attended school irregularly. He managed to find work throughout his time as a young adult. These jobs ranged from spray painter, bartender, and supplier of plumbing goods, with spray painter being his occupation before enlisting. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, boxing, wrestling, soccer, and swimming.

He enlisted on 28 May 1942 and was placed into the 48th Highlanders. He was eventually sent overseas on 12 December 1942. During his time training he was granted permission to marry Adele Motkaluk (nee Geroge) on 11 November 1942. They did not have children.

Pte Motklaluk was deployed to the Mediterranean theatre of war and fought with the 48th Highlanders of Canada throughout the Italian campaign with a good record of service. The mystery starts on 14 Dec 1944 when he reportedly walked past the 48th Highlanders’ front lines and vanished and after an inquest, was declared MIA. It is likely that he was taken POW shortly thereafter, and was reported safe in allied hands near the end of the war, five months later.
It was only when the main fighting body reached Apeldoorn that Pte Motklaluk was reunited with his brethren.

The circumstances of his return were just as mysterious and confusing as his absence. Pte Motklaluk met his end due to alcohol poisoning on 2 May, 1945, well after Apeldoorn’s liberation. Whether purposeful or otherwise, we can only speculate as to what he lived through. Originally buried in a military cemetery near Reutti, Germany, it wasn’t until August 1948 that he was re-interred, and joined his fellow 48th Highlanders at Holten Canadian War Cemetery. His death was no doubt a result of the horrors seen and experienced during this campaign.