It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Don White this past week. The Juno Beach Centre sends its sincere condolences to his loved ones, and offers its eternal gratitude for Don’s military and commemorative service. 

Born in 1924 in Oshawa, Ontario, Don was only 16 when joined the militia, and 18 when he volunteered for overseas service. He served as a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, landing in Italy in 1944 before moving with his regiment to liberate the Netherlands. 

Don and his regiment engaged with the enemy throughout the winter, and after enduring months of brutal conditions, they successfully liberated the Dutch town of Leeuwarden on April 15th, 1945. In his Legacy of Honour video, Don recalls the emotional experience of Leeuwarden’s liberation, as well as his touching reunion with his family in Canada, and his later return to the Netherlands, where he paid his respects to his fallen comrades. 

After the war, Don worked diligently to help preserve and endorse Canadian military history, having volunteered as a guide at the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum in Oshawa and participated in numerous commemorative events and lectures. 

In May 2018, Don met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Leeuwarden during celebrations for the 73rd anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, and in October of that same year, Prime Minister Rutte visited Canada and honoured Don White and his fellow liberators in a speech in the House of Commons. In April 2019, Prime Minister Rutte christened the “Don White Tulip” in honour of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, and Don met the Kings and Queens of the Netherlands and Belgium and, in a separate event, had tea with Dutch Princess Margriet in the gardens of Het Loo Palace.

Our Canadian staff met with and interviewed Don in early 2020 for our podcast, Juno Beach and Beyond. The result was an interview reproduced in two podcast episodes, one about his early military career and time in Italy and the second featuring his reflections on the liberation of the Netherlands.

Regardless of his many great accomplishments, Don didn’t wish to be put on a pedestal. “Take me as I am”, he said. One piece of advice that Don has offered us was to “learn about the word respect, because if you do, you will respect other people, other people’s opinions and, I think maybe the most important thing, if you respect yourself, things will be good”.

Don White will forever have our utmost respect. We send our deepest condolences to Don’s family and friends. Thank you for your service, Don. We will remember.