Complex sentence: After six months helping to re-build post-war life in Holland, instead of heading to England, Deacon chose to accept passage on the first ship home to Canada, walking up to his parent's home on Christmas morning 1945.
Split into simpler sentences: After six months helping to re-build post-war life in Holland, instead of heading to England, Deacon chose to accept passage on the first ship home to Canada. His military service finally ended as he walked up to his parent's home on Christmas morning 1945.