Australian RAAF lads that lie Alone in French Cemeteries

Following on from GPregt's post of "Foreign Fields" it made me think of some of the RAAF lads buried in France.

I have just completed the Longitude/Latitude coordinates of the cemeteries I need to visit to achieve my headstone photos when I get there next year.

When sorting them, I came across these (14) lads who are the only Commonwealth burials in these cemeteries.

So far from Australia in "Foreign Fields" to lie alone!

COMPLETED Latitude47.07761Longitude2.65118 FARGES-EN-SEPTAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Cher 1
McDONALD, JOHN WALTER 414419 11/02/1944 161sq

Latitude48.19939Longitude-0.37177 STE. GEMMES-LE-ROBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Mayenne 1
FLETCHER, JOSEPH JOHN 414668 11/06/1944 463sq

Latitude48.37528Longitude0.52725 LE GUE-DE-LA-CHAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Orne 1
KAIRTON, DONALD BERTRAM 414694 14/06/1944 106sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.6521Longitude-2.3316 PLEVENON COMMUNAL CEMETERY Cotes-d'Armor 1
THOMAS, JOHN BULLFINCH 16696 5/06/1945 460sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.76936Longitude4.84442 PARGNY-SUR-SAULX FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY Marne 1
ALLEN, COLIN FREDERICK 434218 19/07/1944 467sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.77274Longitude2.07391 GUYANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Yvelines 1
DELLAR, THOMAS GEORGE 409522 12/06/1943 30 OTU

COMPLETED Latitude48.79317Longitude4.8129 HEILTZ-LE-MAURUPT CHURCHYARD Marne 1
DAVIS, THOMAS EDWARD WILLIAM 420173 19/07/1944 467sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.8359Longitude0.00747 COULONCES CHURCHYARD Orne 1
SEENEY, CLARENCE ALFRED 414519 25/07/1944 453sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.85153Longitude4.44258 TOGNY-AUX-BOEUFS COMMUNAL CEMETERY Marne 1
BECKHOUSE, GORDON EDWIN 424354 19/07/1944 630sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.95024Longitude-0.52484 CULEY-LE-PATRY COMMUNAL CEMETERY Calvados 1
WILSON, MAURICE KEITH HASARD 414872 14/06/1944 611sq

COMPLETED Latitude48.97617Longitude0.26616 LES MOUTIERS-HUBERT CHURCHYARD Calvados 1
STOKES, GORDON JEFFREY 412747 7/06/1944 198sq

COMPLETED Latitude49.18233Longitude-0.1582 ST. SAMSON CHURCHYARD, Calvados Calvados 1
SMALL, RONALD HAROLD 412727 23/06/1944 229sq

COMPLETED Latitude49.202Longitude1.00476 CRIQUEBEUF-LA-CAMPAGNE CHURCHYARD Eure 1
HANSEN, VERNON NELSON 429431 3/06/1944 158sq

COMPLETED Latitude50.16927Longitude1.88041 NEUILLY-L'HOPITAL CHURCHYARD Somme 1
BERRYMAN, ARTHUR ALBERT WILLIAM 415495 25/06/1944 467sq

 

Any assistance with causes of these crashes would be appreciated.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Geoff

At the risk of embarassing you and hopefully on behalf of every forum member may I offer a hearty "Thanks a lot mate!" for the non-stop work you have done & continue to do in locating and publishing these gravesite details.

At best it is time consuming, laborious and painstaking but if ever a job was worthwhile it is the one you have chosen to take on.

More strength to your elbow !

Best regards

Ron

 

Thanks Ron,

Encouragement is always good for a few extra hours.

The end result while not yet on the horizon is taking a good shape.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Latitude47.07761Longitude2.65118 FARGES-EN-SEPTAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Cher 1
McDONALD, JOHN WALTER 414419 11/02/1944 161sq
Details of the above loss........

10 February 1944.

161 Squadron
Lysander III V9822

The aircraft was being used to deliver two agents to a landing zone south east of Bourges, the pilot made two unsuccessful approaches to land. On the third attempt the aircraft touched down too fast and overran the flare path tipped onto its nose and caught fire, 3 miles north east of Dun sur Auron Cher. The two agents survived although one was badly injured.

'Though Without Anger' - Colin Cummings.

.............................

Details of the two agents.

Jean Lacroix (Badly injured)
Willy Josset

 

Latitude48.19939Longitude-0.37177 STE. GEMMES-LE-ROBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Mayenne 1
FLETCHER, JOSEPH JOHN 414668 11/06/1944 463sq

Details of the above loss.......

10-11 June 1944

463 Squadron
Lancaster III DV229 JO-P
Op. Orleans

The aircraft took off from Waddington at 2219 hrs to bomb rail facilities and crashed at Ste-Gemmes-le-Robert.

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley

Out of the crew of seven P/O. Fletcher was the only one to loose his life in this crash.

 

Latitude48.37528Longitude0.52725 LE GUE-DE-LA-CHAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Orne 1
KAIRTON, DONALD BERTRAM 414694 14/06/1944 106sq
Details of the above loss......

14 June 1944

19 Squadron
Mustang III FX882

While carrying out an armed recce sortie and dive bombing the aircaft blew up and crashed, probably from the blast from its own bombs.

'Fighter Command Losses' - N L R. Franks

 

Latitude47.07761Longitude2.65118 FARGES-EN-SEPTAINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Cher 1
McDONALD, JOHN WALTER 414419 11/02/1944 161sq

Photo of John Walter McDonald.



John was born in Mareeba Qld Australia. He was a Mining Superintendent in Wau New Guinea before joining the RAAF

 

Latitude48.76936Longitude4.84442 PARGNY-SUR-SAULX FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY Marne 1
ALLEN, COLIN FREDERICK 434218 19/07/1944 467sq
Latitude48.79317Longitude4.8129 HEILTZ-LE-MAURUPT CHURCHYARD Marne 1
DAVIS, THOMAS EDWARD WILLIAM 420173 19/07/1944 467sq

Details of the above loss......

18-19 July 1944.

467 Squadron
Lancaster I R4585 OP-F
Op. Revigny

The aircraft took off from Waddington at 2256 hrs to destroy a railway junction. Homebound engaged by a night fighter whose fire killed F/S. Allen.

F/O. Davis along with others of the crew baled out but he jumped with his helmet on and was strangled by the attached intercom lead.

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley

 

Back in the summer when I got that one for you, he was also the lone war grave in the French cemetery. Well tended grave he had too .
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/313652-post51.html

He certainly has a pride of place in that cemetery.

Robert Wilkinson was with 182sq and died on 20/12/1943

I do think there are quite a few more however it would be too time consuming to backtrack.

Finding these solo graves was a little accidental however it was surprising to see the number when I finally sorted them.

I really want to ensure that I get to these and place a cross if they are not completed beforehand.

It will be interesting to see where they bury the Spitfire pilot found a couple of months ago.

The Embassy are adamant he will be buried in the closest cemetery to where he was found.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Latitude48.77274Longitude2.07391 GUYANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Yvelines 1
DELLAR, THOMAS GEORGE 409522 12/06/1943 30 OTU

Details of the above loss.......

11-12 June 1943

30 OTU
Wellington III BK550
Op. Nickel

The aircraft took off from Hixon at 2300 hrs, set course for Nantes and became lost.
Believed to have crash landed at Guyancourt 7 km south west of Versailles.

Bomber Command Losses' Vol.7 - W R. Chorley.

 

Thanks Peter,

I found this on 463sq history (missed it first time)

Fletcher who was the Pilot landed the aircraft and was killed himself. At least the rest of the crew were saved.

Date of Death: 11 June 1944.
Source:
AWM 64 1/342 (2) 1/343 AWM 237 (64) AWM 65 (3022)
Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type:
Lancaster
Serial number:
DV 229
Radio call sign:
JO – P
Unit:
463 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster DV229 took off from RAF Waddington at 2219 hours on the night of 10/11th June 1944 to bomb the marshalling yards at Orleans, France. Bomb load 2 x 1000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of them DV229 failed to return.
Crew:
RAAF 414668 PO Fletcher, J J Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 426352 Flt Sgt G W King, (Navigator)
RAAF 418756 Flt Sgt A W Matthews, (Bomb Aimer)
RAAF 404682 WO N W Robinson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt K K Smith (Flight Engineer)
RAAF 427743 Flt Sgt F H Redford, (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAAF 419746 Flt Sgt M R Barry (Rear Gunner)
It was later established that the aircraft crashed at St Gemmes-Le-Robert. PO Fletcher was killed and he is buried in the Communal Cemetery at St Gemmes-Le-Robert a village and commune 40kms NE of Laval, Mayenne France. Four of the crew were POW’s (Flt Sgt King, WO Robinson, Flt Sgt Barry and Sgt Smith) and the other two evaded capture.
In a 1945 report the then WO King stated “ Returning from the target at Orleans when the port outer motor blew up. Shortly after the port inner packed up and we lost height. Ordered to abandon A/c at 3000 feet. I landed about 10 miles NE of Laval at 0138 hours on 11/6. Walked for rest of night and on early morning came in contact with a French farmer who took me home in village of Jublains. Later that evening I met the Engineer, WOP, Rear Gunner. We stayed together in the outhouse on this farm.We were visited by a Priest, 2 Policemen and a member of the organization. On 17/6 the Policeman took us by car with a Red Cross to see a British Colonel at a farm 10kms from Alencon. We agreed to join a Maquis camp and at 1930 were taken by a Frenchman in the direction of a camp. We came across a party of German soldiers unloading an ammo truck which had overturned, and were forced to help unload and load the truck. We were then taken with the Frenchman to a Hqrts at Le Mans. On the 20th we were all interned taken to Angers
and put in a civil prison. On 30/6 taken to a POW Centre at Chartres then to Dualg Luft. Liberated by Russians on 22/4/45.”
The reports by Flt Sgt Redford and Flt Sgt Matthews who evaded capture are on AWM 65 (4319) and AWM 65 (3566).

 

Latitude48.8359Longitude0.00747 COULONCES CHURCHYARD Orne 1
SEENEY, CLARENCE ALFRED 414519 25/07/1944 453sq

Details of the above loss......

25 July 1944

453 Squadron
Spitfire IX Pl227

Armed recce pm to Falaise. Shot down by ground fire attacking motorised transport.

'Fighter Command Losses' Vol.3 - N L R. Franks

 

Latitude48.85153Longitude4.44258 TOGNY-AUX-BOEUFS COMMUNAL CEMETERY Marne 1
BECKHOUSE, GORDON EDWIN 424354 19/07/1944 630sq

Details of the above loss.......

18-19 July 1944

630 Squadron
Lancaster I LM117 LE-J
Op. Revigny

The aircraft took off from East Kirby at 2245 hrs to destroy a railway junction. Homebound hit by flak and crashed at about 0200 hrs near Togny-aux-Boeufe. 13 km SSE from Chalons-sur-Marne. All the crew baled out but the wireless operator F/S. Beckhouse, was found near the village suffering from wounds that soon proved fatal.

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley

 

Latitude48.95024Longitude-0.52484 CULEY-LE-PATRY COMMUNAL CEMETERY Calvados 1
WILSON, MAURICE KEITH HASARD 414872 14/06/1944 611sq

14 June 1944

611 Squadron
Spitfire V R6888

Combat with Me109s south west of Caen.

'Fighter Command Losses' N L R. Franks

 

Latitude48.97617Longitude0.26616 LES MOUTIERS-HUBERT CHURCHYARD Calvados 1
STOKES, GORDON JEFFREY 412747 7/06/1944 198sq

7 June 1944

198 Squadron
Typhoon Ib JP503

Flak, Les Moutiers, south of Caen.

'Fight Command Losses' - L L R. Franks

 

Latitude49.18233Longitude-0.1582 ST. SAMSON CHURCHYARD, Calvados Calvados 1
SMALL, RONALD HAROLD 412727 23/06/1944 229sq

Details of the above loss......

23 June 1944

229 Squadron
Spitfire IX MA817

Beachhead patrol pm.Engaged Fw190s north of Caen.

'Fighter Command Losses' - N L R. Franks

 

Latitude49.202Longitude1.00476 CRIQUEBEUF-LA-CAMPAGNE CHURCHYARD Eure 1
HANSEN, VERNON NELSON 429431 3/06/1944 158sq

Details of the above loss....

2-3 June 1944
158 squadron
Halifax III LK875 NP-Q
Op. Trappes

The aircraft took off from Lissett at 2224 hrs to bomb rail yards. Crashed between Criquebeuf-la-Campagne and Ecquetot two small villages north of the main road between le Neubourg and Louviers and 20 km NN of Evreux.

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley

 

Latitude50.16927Longitude1.88041 NEUILLY-L'HOPITAL CHURCHYARD Somme 1
BERRYMAN, ARTHUR ALBERT WILLIAM 415495 25/06/1944 467sq
Details of the above loss.....

24-25 June 1944

467 Squadron
Lancaster III LM450 PO-K
Op. Prouville

The aircraft took off from Waddington at 2232 hrs to bomb a flying-bomb site. Crashed at Neuilly'-l' Hopital (Somme) 8 km NNE from Abbeville.

'Bomber Command Losses Vol.5 - W R. Chorley.

Out of the crew of seven P/O. Berryman was the only one to looses his life in this crash.