The role played by the 9th Field Squadron during the Kapelsche Veer battle is told in the article Engineer Gallantry at Kapelsche Veer.
Sgt Dunkeld received his Military Medal during the actions at Kapelsche Veer. See the citation above. Later in the war, he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches. In 1960, at the rank of Warrant Officer Class I, Robert James Dunkeld was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration.
Previous to and during the operation to reduce the enemy pocket on Kapelsche Veer, Holland, Lance-Sergeant Dunkeld was detailed to carry out several reconnaissances to obtain engineering data and information essential for planning. These reconnaissances were done often in full view of the enemy and invariably in the face of machine gun and mortar fire, and often required Lance-Sergeant Dunkeld to work on his own, well in advance of the forward infantry. The most important of these reconnaissances was to determine to what extent a damaged and abandoned LVT blocked the route behind the north dyke at approximately Map Reference 099502. This LVT was blocking the only route along which tanks could assault the enemy from the west and it was vital that the route be cleared at first light 31 January 1945, in time for an attack to take place as scheduled. At this time the LVT was approximately 300 yards beyond our forward infantry positions. Lance-Sergeant Dunkeld commenced his reconnaissance at 1500 hours on 30 January 1945, crawling through the forward infantry positions and eastwards along the north dyke. Before he had gone 100 yards he came under fire from an enemy machine gun which continued to snipe at him whenever he showed himself. With great determination and superb courage this Non-Commissioned Officer continued to crawl forward in an attempt to get to a point from which he could observe the LVT. This he achieved on reaching a position on the dyke about 75 yards from the craft, yet whenever he appeared above the level of the dyke a burst from the enemy machine gun was directed at him. Lance-Sergeant Dunkeld remained in this position until he had obtained all the information required of him and then returned to his squadron commander and submitted a complete and satisfactory report. That night an armoured bulldozer did the required work and by first light, the route was clear for tanks. Lance-Sergeant Dunkeld showed great initiative, coolness and determination in carrying out this task. It is beyond doubt that his brilliant achievement helped considerably the final success of this operation.