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Major H. E. J. Lister Memorial, Hechtel-Eksel
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Major H. E. J. Lister Memorial, Hechtel-Eksel
Major Lister joined the Welsh Guards as a soldier, although he was an ordained priest with a Parish at Purle. He then went to Sandhurst and in October 1939 was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was awarded the MC for his actions during intense fighting in Normandy. Standing beside the Memorial is Bob Vranken who, as Adjutant of the local Belgian Army Base, had thoroughly researched the figthing in the area prior to and during Market Garden. He realised that Major Lister had been a very brave soldier and feeling that he deserved a Memorial, he designed and erected this one near where Lister died on 9th September 1944. Vranken found that Lister had been trying to encourage some young SS soldiers to surrender when they shot him with a machine gun. The Memorial was unveiled in September 2009 and was visited later that month by the Reverend William Pryor, Listers grandson. Date: 2006
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Media ID 23271374
© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans
2006 Guards Joined Lister Major Parish Priest Sandhurst Ordained
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this poignant photograph, Major H.E.J. Lister's memorial stands proudly in Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium. Major Lister's unique military career began when he enlisted as a soldier in the Welsh Guards, despite already being an ordained priest with a parish in Purle. He then went on to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in October 1939. During the intense fighting in Normandy, Major Lister's bravery was recognized with the award of the Military Cross. Tragically, on September 9, 1944, he lost his life while attempting to encourage young SS soldiers to surrender. Bob Vranken, Adjutant of the local Belgian Army Base, felt deeply moved by Major Lister's heroism and, in recognition of his sacrifice, designed and erected this memorial near the site of his death. Vranken had meticulously researched the fighting in the area during and prior to the Market Garden operation and was determined to ensure that Major Lister's memory would be honored. The memorial was unveiled in September 2009, and later that month, it was visited by the Reverend William Pryor, Major Lister's grandson. The image captures the solemnity of the occasion, with the sun casting long shadows over the memorial and the surrounding landscape. This poignant reminder of Major Lister's bravery stands as a testament to his courage and the enduring bond between the Belgian and British military.
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