Different or Unusual Headstones/Memorials /Inscriptions

I WAS going to ask why these were not CWGC style headstones, but as usual the CWGC anticipate people like me asking questions!!
Auderghem Communal Cemetery contains six Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. The graves are marked by private memorials erected by the local authorities.
So, once again, I salute another town which took it upon itself to honour those servicemen who died so that they may have freedom.

I think Drews question, though was the inclusion of the Belgian serviceman on the Marker stone (they are on the screen wall). I should think it a question of space, simply including as many as possible with due respect, trying to match with a Screen Wall which could have a lot of Names on a panel!

 

Hi KevinW4.
A question of space and regulations perhaps.

CWGC: Screen Walls

" In some cemeteries, local regulations prevented the marking of individual graves by headstones so the Commission erected special screen wall memorials ..... ...... ... .... ... to commemorate by name the casualties buried in these graves. Screen walls, special panels or tablets are also used for the commemoration of war casualties whose remains were cremated."

 

Hendon Cemetery London.

 

Bombardier HAROLD BRIAN WRIGHT

1397273, 11 (Honourable Artillery Coy.) Regt., Royal Horse Artillery
who died
on 13 December 1939

Remembered with honour
HENDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM

 

Will Dyson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

From Auderghem (Oudergem) courtesy of Doc

In several of the Belgian communal cemeteries, the stones are local design rather than being CWGC style. Verviers and Ixelles are two which come to mind immediately. Generally, stones in this category are put up by the local community, and are of the same style as used in that community for their war dead and veterans. Here's one from Ixelles. Doc

 

I visited with these guys mid upper just last Wednesday. A bit frail but sharp as a tack mentally. He is hoping to go to the Sqn Reunion in May to see the new equipment of the 57th.

cheers,
phil

Hi,
Couple of Non-Standard Head-stones to bomber command;

Name: ARMIN, ARTHUR MEAKIN
Initials: A M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 57 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 23/05/1944
Service No: 568867
Additional information: Son of James and Mary Jane Armin, of Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot C. Row 7. Coll. grave 21-25.
Cemetery: HOOGKERK (KERKSTRAAT) GENERAL CEMETERY

Name: MANSON, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op [Air])
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 57 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 23/05/1944
Service No: 1097851
Additional information: Son of John and Ivy Manson, of West Hartlepool, Co. Durham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot C. Row 7. Coll. grave 21-25.
Cemetery: HOOGKERK (KERKSTRAAT) GENERAL CEMETERY
Regards
Verrieres

 

Cheng Lai Mills

Buried in line of Commonwealth plot

Saint Michaels Halton

 

I don't know where else to post this, but I found it curious so this is as good a place as any. I photographed this in Townsville while looking for RAAF graves.

The grave is for McWHAE, JOHN HENTY, H.M.S. "Devonshire" Royal Navy, Son of Kenneth and Caroline Agnes Henty McWhae; nephew of Margaret A. McWhae, of Melbourne, Victoria.

The grave stone identifies him as "of Australia" and I started wondering how an Aussie in the RN ended up buried in Australia.

Turns out I already had the info as he died in the crash of an RAAF aircraft that he was flying in as the pilot.


8 FEBRUARY 1943 CRASH OF A SEAGULL (OR WALRUS) IN THE BOWEN AREA

On 8 February 1943 a Supermarine Seagull V, A2-9, (called a Walrus by the Air Force) of 9 Squadron RAAF crashed, possibly during a Fleet Co-operation role. Killed were Fl. Lt. Donald Jack Hookings 407173 and P.O. Edward Charles Sherwood Seller 401320 of 9 Squadron RAAF based in Bowen and Lt. John Henty McWhae (Royal Navy - HMS Devonshire). All buried in the Townsville War Cemetery.

(from the diary of one of the ground crew - 8 February 1943 - A2-9 into sea. Lt. McWhae, F/Lt Hookings and P/O Sellers killed on dive bombing practice. Bad weather. Heavy rains. Hull A2-9 located with grappling irons. / Thurs 11 February 1943 - violent rain all day. Confined to crew tent which almost flooded. Hull A2-9 raised and 3 bodies removed. / Fri 12 February 1943 - rain has continued unabated. Acted as pall bearer at funeral of 3 officers)

 

Unknown Soldiers 1939-1945 War East Finchley ,London
two different grave stones

 

Spotting the name of this thread I thought that a reference to this thread:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/25199-sub-lt-herman-hirsch-becker-dfc.html
would not go amiss. It must surely be the smallest Shield of David in existence !

 

A couple of unusual headstones in Holland:

Woudenberg General Cemetery:




First World War ('s Gravezande General Cemetery):

 

M.E.Clement Royal Corps of Signals 1960

 

Driver STANLEY CLIFFORD NEGUS

5958220, 48th Div. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals
who died age 21
on 28 August 1944
Son of Arthur John and Agnes Harper Negus, of South Harrow.
Remembered with honour
HARROW (EASTCOTE LANE) CEMETERY

 

Flight Lieutenant LESLIE HOWARD FERRY
Twice Mentioned in Despatches

102590, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 24
on 30 March 1944
Son of Albert Howard Ferry and Louisa Mary Ferry, of North Wembley. Certificate of Royal Society of Arts.
Remembered with honour
WEMBLEY (ALPERTON) BURIAL GROUND

Sergeant STANLEY ALBERT FERRY

932387, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 20
on 15 July 1942
Son of Albert Howard Ferry and Louisa Mary Ferry, of Wembley, Middlesex.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

I don't know where else to post this, but I found it curious so this is as good a place as any. I photographed this in Townsville while looking for RAAF graves.

The grave is for McWHAE, JOHN HENTY, H.M.S. "Devonshire" Royal Navy, Son of Kenneth and Caroline Agnes Henty McWhae; nephew of Margaret A. McWhae, of Melbourne, Victoria.

The grave stone identifies him as "of Australia" and I started wondering how an Aussie in the RN ended up buried in Australia.

Turns out I already had the info as he died in the crash of an RAAF aircraft that he was flying in as the pilot.


8 FEBRUARY 1943 CRASH OF A SEAGULL (OR WALRUS) IN THE BOWEN AREA

On 8 February 1943 a Supermarine Seagull V, A2-9, (called a Walrus by the Air Force) of 9 Squadron RAAF crashed, possibly during a Fleet Co-operation role. Killed were Fl. Lt. Donald Jack Hookings 407173 and P.O. Edward Charles Sherwood Seller 401320 of 9 Squadron RAAF based in Bowen and Lt. John Henty McWhae (Royal Navy - HMS Devonshire). All buried in the Townsville War Cemetery.

(from the diary of one of the ground crew - 8 February 1943 - A2-9 into sea. Lt. McWhae, F/Lt Hookings and P/O Sellers killed on dive bombing practice. Bad weather. Heavy rains. Hull A2-9 located with grappling irons. / Thurs 11 February 1943 - violent rain all day. Confined to crew tent which almost flooded. Hull A2-9 raised and 3 bodies removed. / Fri 12 February 1943 - rain has continued unabated. Acted as pall bearer at funeral of 3 officers)
Hi Dave,

Found him on this site:

Australian Fleet Air Arm air crew roll of honour. Database of the Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945

Cheers

Geoff

 

Pilot Officer JOHN PEILE TOLSON

67640, 108 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 16 March 1942
Son of Sqdn. Ldr. Wilfred George Tolson, M.C., R.A.F. (V.R.) (died on service, 12th April, 1943), and Marjorie Seymour Tolson, of Harpenden.
Remembered with honour
HARPENDEN (WESTFIELD) CEMETERY

Squadron Leader WILFRED GEORGE TOLSON
M C

75658, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 57
on 12 April 1943
Son of Colonel Wilfred Tolson, The Royal Sussex Regt., and Maud Carrington Tolson; husband of Marjorie Seymour Tolson, of Harpenden. Formerly Maj. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
Remembered with honour
HARPENDEN (WESTFIELD) CEMETERY

 

Sergeant GEOFFREY MAYALL STOCKEN

748247, 1 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 22 April 1941
Son of Herbert and Muriel Town Stocken, of Harpenden; husband of Ethel Rose Stocken, of Harpenden.
Remembered with honour
HARPENDEN (WESTFIELD) CEMETERY

Wren MARGERY AMY STOCKEN

94049, H.M.S. Helican., Women's Royal Naval Service
who died age 19
on 09 April 1945
Daughter of Herbert and Muriel Town Stocken, of Harpenden.
Remembered with honour
HARPENDEN (WESTFIELD) CEMETERY

 

In Remembrance of
WALTER MURRAY HOURSTON DONALDSON

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Service Number: P/JX 202427
Date Joined Hood: Unknown
Biographical Information: Walter was born on 28 December 1918 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland to Walter and Eleanor Donaldson. The family later lived in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. He was 22 years old at the time of his loss.



P/JX 202427, H.M.S. Hood, Royal Navy
who died age 22
on 24 May 1941
Son of Walter and Eleanor Allan Stewart Donaldson, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Remembered with honour
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

Leading Wren MARIAN SUTHERLAND SCOTT DONALDSON

24846, Women's Royal Naval Service
who died age 26
on 15 February 1947
Daughter of Walter and Eleanor Allan Stewart Donaldson, of Harpenden. Her brother, Walter Murray Donaldson, also died on service.
Remembered with honour
HARPENDEN (WESTFIELD) CEMETERY

 

Wren ELLEN SAUNDERS

92045, Women's Royal Naval Service
who died age 19
on 23 August 1944
Daughter of Sto. 1st Cl. George C. Saunders R.N. and of Ellen Rose Saunders (nee Rogers) all of whom were killed in the same incident.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY

Stoker 1st Class GEORGE C. SAUNDERS

P/KX. 146406, H.M.S. victory., Royal Navy
who died age 39
on 23 August 1944
Son of Isabel Saunders and stepson of Richard Mantell, of Euston London; husband of Ellen Rose Saunders and father of Wren Ellen Saunders, W.R.N.S., all of whom were killed in the same incident.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY