I attended the temple in June and did the proxy endowment for Richard Max Hirschnitz. I felt captivated by the name and the individual.
The temple card indicated he was born 20 February 1893 in Langebruke, Kamenz, Dresden, Deutschland.
After doing some research on Richard Hirschnitz I discovered he passed away in 1917 in Belgium. Which to me told me he was likely a casualty of World War I.
He died 1 May 1917 in Flanders Province of Belgium. It shows he was buried in the Vladslo German Military Cemetery. He was definitely fighting for the Germany military.
I could not locate a formal battle happening in Flanders in May 1917. A German website shows Richard is at Seeflugstation I at Zeebrugge. The ongoing Battle of Arras seems too far away for him if he was a pilot. He could have been part of preparations for the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). I just don’t have enough detail to tell me more about how or where he died.
Gruppenaufnahme des II. Zuges, Weihnachten 1915
FindaGrave shows this designation: Flugzeugf.-Matrose. He was certainly on an aircraft. Planes in 1917 were not very large and not many crew members.
What he shot down? Crashed? Plane failure? He was just over 24 years old.
His proxy baptism and confirmation were performed 13 April 2019 in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
His proxy initiatory was performed for him 26 April 2019 in Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
I attended to his proxy endowment on 28 June 2025 in Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
His proxy sealing to parents is yet to be performed.
He appears to be fourth of 13 children born to the marriage Max Friedrich Heinrich Hirschnitz and Johanne Therese Schlegel.
I have more questions but cannot locate answers. Perhaps some day?
We are now in Hindley, Lancashire, England. We drove down here today to crash at the home of Hilton and Rhona McCabe. I met them while as a missionary here about 8 years ago. The friendship has continued and we have kept in contact.
Back on the British Side of the Road
Scotland Motorway
We are waiting to hear word from Salt Lake City. We are supposed to be closing on our home in Oklahoma City. Hopefully everything works out. We will find out tomorrow I guess.
Glasgow City Chambers
Last night we spent our evening in Edinburgh, Scotland. We walked throughout the city, saw the castle, the Holyrood residence, and the cathedral. Amanda got to see her world famous Mary Kings Close. It was very interesting. We got our hostel for the equivalent of $30 which we thought was a gonga deal.
Edinburgh Castle looking north
Edinburgh Castle looking northeast to the Scott Monument and North Sea
We landed in Prestwick on Thursday after flying out early from Charleroi Airport near Brussels. We then picked up our hired car and drove to Glasgow and on to Edinburgh. It took me a little bit, but I quickly adjusted to getting back on the wrong/left side of the road.
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Foog’s Gate – Edinburgh Castle
Half Moon Battery
Walking through Half Moon Battery
Mons Meg
Paul Ross in Mons Meg
It is late and I am too tired to write more of our travels today or of what we did in Edinburgh. We did stop to visit Downham, Clitheroe in Lancashire today where the entire town joined the church and later emigrated to Zion. Now we are back in the old mission. My second visit since being released. It is good to be back.
We did not have internet in Paris, so there has been a long silence. Perhaps that is a good thing.
As a note, I did upload some photos on the blog. They were the ones from Dresden. Well, a few. I hit my limit for the month for how many photos I can upload. As soon as July 1st hits, I will start uploading again. Sorry. There are some great pictures from Dresden and Meissen.
We left Bern and started making our way to Paris. We were planning on hitting the temple in Bern but after trying to figure out the buses, taxis, or trains with attendant costs, backpacks, and traveling all day in our church clothes, we threw in the towel. We just started out for Paris.
See our digital camera, given for our wedding looking at Lake Geneva
We made stops in Lausanne and Geneva.
Amanda at Place Saint-François in Lausanne
Lausanne was beautiful.
Lausanne Cathedral
The view coming in over Lake Geneva was amazing.
Oomp Pah Pah band near the Lausanne Cathedral
Some of the Alps between Bern and Lausanne were breathtaking, much like the Alps we passed through in Northern Italy.
View from Lausanne Cathedral to Lake Geneva
We were supposed to catch a train directly from Lausanne to Paris, but it was fully booked.
We were able to book a train from Geneva so we knew our time in Lausanne was limited. We decided to hike up to the Lausanne Notre-Dame. We stopped at some church on the way, St. Michaels or whatever. We heard an Oomp Pah Pah (who knows what they are really called) in a park near the cathedral. It was so hot, the sun was killing us, and we were wearing our backpacks climbing an asphalt mountain made for a welcome arrival at the top. We enjoyed the hike back down to the station to head off for Geneva.
Amanda with Brunswick Monument in Geneva
We had limited time at Geneva as well. We walked over and saw the famous Jet d’Eau and enjoyed what little comfort the breeze brought to us from it.
It just made us want to jump into the water for some salvation from the heat. We walked through the park to see the flower clock, which all these watch-makers got together to show their prowess.
Paul with L’Horloge Fleurie Genève
This massive clock set in a flower bed. However, it was more than 6 hours off, not one of the hands was on the right time. Watch making prowess must have been a think of the past. We then walked up to Saint Peter’s Cathedral where we toured where John Calvin taught.
The University of Geneva is right next door. It was all very fascinating. We then had to make our way back down to the train station so we could head off to Paris.
The ride to Paris could have been better. We ended up in an assigned seat going backwards. Plus this train was going much faster than the other trains we have been riding on it and it swayed back and forth. I got sea sick on a train! Boy was I glad when we got to land. I wasn’t feeling well.
It was miserably hot, again, for the first two days. We walked loads and both of us ended up with blisters on our feet. Probably more from the swelling of our feet rubbing. I was fortunate enough to get blisters between my big and index toes on both feet. Amanda got them on top from her flip flops.
Arc de Triumphe, Place de la Concorde, Place de la Bastille, Champs-Elysees, Montmarte, L’Opera, Saint Denis Cathedral, Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Invalides, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Palais Versailles. I am sure that is not even a full list. But we saw them, and much of Paris in between.
Amanda at Louvre
Louvre
Paul Ross with Luxor Obelisk
Since it is late here, only a few highlights. Amanda got to see the sun set from the top of the Eiffel Tower on the longest day of the year. I was there too. How romantic is that? We had a fancy, full french meal before ascending the Eiffel’s nearly 700 steps to the second state. Mine included deep fried turkey and marinated (basically pickled) red peppers. I probably could have done without the peppers. My baklava was amazing!
Academie Nationale de Musique
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We climbed more than 1000 steps between Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower in one day. On other days we climbed Mont Marte and a whole list of other stairs. Add to that the oppressive heat, and some days we were about as good as dead when we got back to our hotel room. Our hotel had no air conditioning!
Paul Ross at Sainte-Chapelle
Display area, lower chapel, St Chapelle
St Chapelle
Rose Window in St Chapelle
Window detail in St Chapelle
We enjoyed French pastries every morning and every time Amanda would let us.
We did see the Venis d’ Milo and Mona Lisa, along with scores too many of other artworks.
The Metro of Paris is wonderful. We could get to nearly anywhere in relative comfort. However, some of them were hot and the air hung with a motor oil smell and greasiness.
Of course we did the visit to Notre Dame. However, since this post is already too long, I will post later regarding Notre Dame and the top of the Eiffel Tower.
We are glad to be back Oostrozebeke, Belgium for a day of laundry and relaxing. Thursday we fly out for Glasgow. Britain, here we come!
As I sit in an internet cafe in the middle of Amsterdam, my entry will have to be short and sweet.
This morning we found ourselves wandering around Brugge, Belgium.
Brugge Provinciaal Hof
Brugge Belfort
Amanda Ross in front of Brugge Provinciaal Hof
Brugge Grot Markt
Paul Ross in Brugge with the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk spire in the distance
Gruuthusemuseum in Brugge
We snapped a few photos, and caught a train back to Antwerp. I recognized the train station from the famous flash mob. We have a knack for catching things under construction, Antwerp Central was the same!
Bahnhof Antwerpen-Centraal
Then we jumped trains and headed to Nederlands. Amsterdam Central was also under construction.
Amanda Ross at Amsterdam Centraal
Paul Ross with Basiliek van de HH Nicolaas in Amsterdam
Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam with De Nieuwe Kerk
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
We found ourselves a hostel this morning and checked in this evening about 6 PM. We walked all the way from the station to our little hostel up near a quaint little eating district. We stayed at the Hotel Orfeo at 12 Leidsekruisstraat. We were on the very top floor. I have a really interesting story about this hostel and how it came to play at law school in Oklahoma City!
Our ventures here took us through the Red Light District! Who would have thought? It wasn’t that bad, I don’t think we were in the heart of it. Just a few naughty souvenirs in the store fronts, oh, and a few leather stores.
Amsterdam Hostel
After checking in we went for a walk around the city. We found the Anne Frank house, which happens to be under construction, or the facade is. We got a picture of the sign and that was about it.
There was a Holland Footie game tonight against an unknown opponent. Don’t know if they won or not but there is a party going on in the streets.
We stopped on a quiet little street to enjoy an Indian meal.
Who would have thought I would be sitting at a sidewalk cafe with my wife in Amsterdam eating khorma with the bellows of the crowds from the bars at every little quirk of the game. Then again, my life has always been enchanted. What next?
Nothing too much to report this day. We went to Antwerp for District Conference. It was a live broadcast from Salt Lake City. Yep, we came all the way to attend church in Belgium broadcast to us in English! We did get to hear a blessing in Dutch, but that was about it. For those non-English speakers, it was translated for them in the main chapel.
We enjoyed the rest of the day with the Cazier’s. We enjoyed some sandwiches for lunch, some shrimp/pasta/zucchini dish for dinner. Both were very good. They have been good to us. Letting us use their laundry, spare room, and dining room. They drove us to Vianden, Luxembourg, and Antwerp. I do not know how we will ever repay them. We certainly appreciate their hospitality and friendship.
We are planning on heading out for Paris tomorrow. Although that plan may very well change as we hear of a strike with the French railways. We may reverse our trip and head to The Hague tomorrow instead.
We have just returned from a trip to Luxembourg. I really am exhausted and don’t want to take the time to tell a whole lot. So you are only going to get an abbreviated version.
Yesterday we went to visit the Catholic church in Harelbeke, Belgium.
We then went to Kortrijk, Belgium and of course Amanda had to go to the chocolate shop for Belgium chocolate.
We did some window shopping, being tempted by some of the goods in the stores.
The suits were out of my range, as is about everything with the exchange rate with the Euro/Dollar.
We did snap a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Afterward, we made our way back to Oostrozebeke and prepared for the trip to Vianden.
We drove through the beautiful Ardennes on the way and into Germany.
There was a storm the entire way so everything was highly misted and especially green.
We drove past Brussels, Liege, and stayed at the Grand Hotel de Vianden.
It was very pretty. Amanda and I went for a late night walk through the city for some photographs.
The bars were full but we enjoyed the sights. Victor Hugo lived in Vianden for a spell.
We saw the house he lived in and the bridge with his name and bust.
Today we arose and went for a tour of the Vianden Castle/Chateau. It was beautiful.
Originally there was a fort on the site in the time of Julius Caesar.
The current castle was built during the 13-14th centuries.
It fell into ruin but was restored in the 1970’s – 1980’s.
Vianden was the last town to be liberated in Luxembourg in 1945.
Afterward, we drove through the beautiful mountains to Luxembourg and went on a tour of many of the cities sights.
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Amanda and Paul Ross at Vianden Chateau
Catherine and James Cazier, Paul and Amanda Ross at Vianden Chateau
We saw the Notre Dame there. It was gorgeous with a huge, high wall.
Who would ever have thought?
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Altar, Notre Dame, Luxembourg
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Amanda and Paul Ross, Notre Dame, Luxembourg
We ate lunch at Pizza Hut of all places. Talk about going for the local cuisine.
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I did have toasted bread with goat cheese on them (at Pizza Hut!) Did you know Luxembourg had a 1,000 year celebration? 963 to 1963. How is that for old?
Paul Ross on the Luxembourg wall
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The downtown market area reminded me much of London or Manchester, but the architecture is different.
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We finished our trip to Luxembourg and came back to Oostrozebeke, Belgium. We will visit Antwerp and Brugge in the next couple of days before we make our way to Paris.
We have arrived in Belgium! What a relief. I cannot tell you.
British countryside flying to Heathrow
We flew out from the Boise airport. We were fortunate to catch a non-stop flight, from Los Angeles!! Boy, if there is anything near torture, try flying through the night in a very cramped space. After 9.5 hours on the plane, we landed at London Heathrow. We found our way through the Underground to Kings Cross Station.Â
Excited to land and look for a pasty
Amanda went and found Platform 9 & 3/4 of Harry Potter fame and took a few pictures. We waited, checked in for Eurorail at St. Pancras Station, and enjoyed a Cornish Pasty. A first for Amanda, a beloved memory for me.
We climbed aboard the Eurorail which treated us to a trip through the Chunnel. France proved to have beautiful scenery. We got off at Lille, France and switched trains.
Lille, France, walking from one train station to another
We rode to Kortrijk, Belgium. James met us at the station and now we are in our digs at Oostrozebeke, Belgium.
Funny thing, we knew we needed to get to Kortrijk but we forgot to bring James & Catherine’s phone number and address. Meaning, when we arrived, we were totally at their mercy. We couldn’t catch a taxi to their home, and we could not call them. It is sure a good thing James showed up with his Toyota.
We find ourselves babysitting while James & Catherine are off to Branch Council. We put the kids to bed in 15 minutes, took a shower, and crashed ourselves! We are exhausted.
Another random newspaper clipping from my Grandmother Gladys Maxine Donaldson Ross. I am not sure why this was clipped or what relationship or knowledge she had of anything in the article. I assume familiarity and connection with Elder Ritz.
Talks in area ward chapels of the LDS Church are scheduled Sunday by departing and returning missionaries.
Elder Mark Stephen Ritz, son of Mrs. Karen Taylor, 732 E. 850 N., has been called to serve in the Sweden Goteborg Mission.
A graduate of Weber High School and seminary. He will speak at the Plain City 3rd Ward Chapel, 4461 W. 2350 N., at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Elder Greg Steed, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Steed, 784 W. 300 N., Clearfield, has returned from the Belgium-Antwerp Mission.
He will speak at the Clearfield 10th Ward Chapel 300 N. 200 W. Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
Elder Vern Alan Thurgood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vern L. Thurgood of 675 N. 2000 W., West Point, has returned home after serving in the LDS Church England London South Mission.
He will speak at the West Point 2nd Ward Chapel, 3488 E. 300 N., Sunday at 12:45 p.m.
The full name of an elder who will speak at the Ogden 62nd Ward Chapel, 300 Grammercy, Sunday at 2 p.m. is Brent Allison Bate. He is being assigned to the Texas San Antonio Mission, as previously reported.
Sagacity 