The Little Coat : The Bob and Sue Elliott Story

by Alan J. Buick

In the midst of the Second World War, while firing at German soldiers on the other side of the Maas River in the Netherlands, Canadian soldier Bob Elliott and his tank crew found laughter and hope in a, energetic 10-year-old Dutch girl named Sussie Cretier. Sussie’s family had escaped from the Nazis to the safety of the Allied troops. She sang songs and lifted the spirits of the Canadian soldiers during a painful time in all of their lives. On Christmas Day 1944, the Canadians honoured their adopted little soldier with a special Army-style coat they asked a local seamstress to make from a Canadian Army blanket. Sussie held on to that coat for decades, describing it as the most special gift she had ever received. Almost 40 years later, Bob Elliott returned to the Netherlands. Bob and Sussie’s relationship blossomed and she followed her favourite soldier to his home in Canada, bringing with her the precious coat.
The Little Coat by Alan J. Buick was awarded Honourable Mention in the 2010 Hollywood Book Festival.

Genres: Biography

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Let's just say; a long and varied career!
From being raised on a Mid-Canterbury sheep farm to carpenter, musician, song-writer and now literary writer living in Canada.
My first book, "The Little Coat" happened quite by accident and was directly due to music!
Since discovering my latest passion I've completed 3 more books; "The Handbook of Life," my personal take on The Law of Attraction; "The Book of Inane Revelation," containing ridiculous thoughts, hilarious situations etc. And now my novel, based on my own life, some conspiracy theory combined with some real experiences and morphed into a riviting story; "The Puppeteers." More in the process.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the few books I have read dealing with WWII this one has hit closest to home so far. Might not be the best written book I have read, but this one actually revoles around the Canadian soldiers and Holland. My Grandparents never talked about what it was like so all I have heard is little snipets from my Aunts and Uncles. I was good to find out what some soldiers and Dutch civilians remember. If I were to meat the Elliot family I would thank them for bringing my Oma and Opa a little closer to me in my heart.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful story that I was so pleased to read. I passed the book onto my step father who then told stories from his time serving his country. This spring I went to the war museum in Ottawa. I saw the "little coat" in all it's glory.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING!!!! Right from the prologue I was hooked! The story of Bob & Sue Elliott is one that should be read by everyone. What a great story for all Canadians and all of humanity on what it means to be compassionate!

[Lcdvernichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely terrific book!

[Shane Taysup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man should get more recognition as an author. Good on you Al keep up the good work.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to my two daughters, and its a wonderful true story told in an enthusiastic way. While the style is not that compelling or elegant, the story itself is riveting at times. It tells two stories, really: of a young man named Bob Elliot who joins the Canadian army to fight in World War II and ends up landing on Juno Beach, D-Day, and becoming part of the liberating forces of Holland from the Nazi regime.

The second story is of a Dutch family, the Cretiers, and especially the little girl Sussie, whose father is working for the resistance and is forced to flee his home when he is found out. He grabs his family and miraculously crosses the front lines to join the Canadians. There they meet Bob Elliot and I won't spoil the rest from there.

A great Dutch-Canadian story for the kids and teens! It brings together two stories, and two parts of my own identity--the Dutch and the Canadian.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book so much, it opens your eyes to more then what you've been taught or heard about WWII and how it affected others and not just the Jewish people and soldiers.
you realise just how much other places where affected to and the people such a great story that has even ended in a love story among all the war and gor.

[Robert Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting true tale of a small Dutch girl that is caught up in the horror of Nazi occupation during WWII and the subsequent liberation by Canadian forces. I would imagine that there are many stories like this and I found this one to be well told.

[Zena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really good story, poor writing and lazy research.

[Alicia Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story

[Belynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Lori, (my first cousin)

Funny meeting you here.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to anyone searching for more insite of how dutch families lived and survived the war.
There are so many questions that I have, however we (my family) were unable to receive any anwsers and any chance is gone forever. The only way to get some idea, is in these type books.

Unlike Bob, my Opa would NOT speak about anything that had to do with the war. It was an unspoken "known" as a child, never to ask!!!!!!!
My dad was born on Jan.7, 1945, just months before the ending of the war, and I must THANK GOD for that. He was too young to ever be directly affected by the war, although it did indirectly affect him. My Oma and Opa, absolutly loved the Canadian's just as it was documented in the book.

This book confirms many things that I have read in other books. I wish more people would tell there amazing stories. I absolutely recommend this book. It's a great story and makes me very proud to be a Canadian with a Dutch heritage. Belynda

[Kiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love the writing-- in many areas I felt that entire sentences were used when an adjective built into the previous sentence would have been more descriptive and concise. However, the story is an important and little-told one, and it was very touching. My grandmother and many of her friends loved it and recommended it over and over until I gave in and read it! I'm glad I did, despite my skepticism.