Private Jurien Cuperus 5102 a Belgian Native serving with Canadian Army Service Corps for only four weeks before his death. Initially buried at Saint-Boniface Cemetery in Winnipeg, his remains moved to Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery following the Great War. Finally, following the Second World War, moved again to the family vault at Schoonselhof Cemetery in 1949.
Antwerp
Jurien Cuperus born 7 January 1886 in Antwerp, Belgium. Son of Mary Cuperus, Rue Zurenborg 15, Antwerp, Belgium. Brother of Jean H Cuperus, Rue Zurenborz 23, Antwerp. Zurenborg an area in south-east Antwerp largely developed between 1894 and 1906.
Belgian Consul
Following a recommendation by H de Burlet, Acting Belgian Consul, Private Jurien Cuperus 5102 enlisted 8 November 1916, at Winnipeg, with No 14 Coy, CASC. Present address the Belgian Consul, Calgary, Alberta. A Motor Mechanic and Interpreter, standing 5′ 11″ tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.
Jurien a fluent speaker of French, English, Flemish and German. Thirty years, 10 months of age at this time. Previous service, 7 years with Belgian Civil Guards.
Was Jurien in this photograph? Perhaps. He certainly was not in Canada during 1914.
Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC)
The main duties of the Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) in France centered on the transport and supply of food, forage, ammunition, equipment, clothing and engineering material and stores. Corps personnel also repaired motor vehicles and each division had an ambulance repair workshop. In England, the CASC also responsible for feeding the troops.
Appendicitis
After only four weeks with No 14 Coy, Jurien died at St Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba on 6 December 1916, following a burst appendix.
A Medical District No. 10 casualty likely buried in Cimetiere de Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg. Also, likely moved to Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery following the Armistice.
Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery
Grave of Private Jurien Cuperus registered in Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery on 16 July 1927.
Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery on the south-west side of the city, between the roads to Hemixem and Boom, Opened in 1878, and now closed. Pte Cuperus was buried near the south-west corner, Park H, Tomb No 217. Sheet 15.J.36.a.8.8. The site now Kielpark, an athletic facility.
Removed from Antwerp (Kiel) Town Cemetery on 7 March 1949 and placed in the family vault at Schoonselhof Cemetery, Park Y, Line 24, Grave 3915, (Family Vault).
Schoonselhof Cemetery
Schoonselhof Cemetery the park of a chateau, bought by the town in 1911, used by the Germans from 1914 onwards, and used for civilian burials since 1921. It lies in the commune of Wilrijck.
Private Jurien Cuperus commemorated on Page 73 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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