Historical Information

The monument stands on the right in front of the bridge. A dressed stone plaque mounted on a low brick wall bears the name of the bridge, "J. L. Hickman brug". Beside it stands a section of Bailey Bridge on a brick plinth, together with a bronze plaque with the inscription in English, French and Dutch: In tribute 2nd World War 1940 – 1945.

After the offensive of the Westerschelde. The Canadians fought an exhaustive battle in the polders of Zeeuws-Vlaamse and along the dikes in the direction of the Belgian border and Knokke-Heist. At the end of october 1944. The Royal Canadian Engineer Regiment, under

the leadership of Sgt. J.L.Hickman, reached the drainage canal at Retranchement under heavy shell fire. They erected a Bailey bridge on this site on 31 october 1944. Sgt. Hickman was mortally wounded. In tribute to him and his comrades. This bridge was dedicated in his name on 30 october, 1986.