Graves of Stirling EJ116U Crash at Chateau de Grangues

These men are all buried at RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.


The Short Stirling MkIV took off from Fairford to drop paratroops at DZ/LZ ’N’ on D-Day. Shot down by flak on way to DZ and crashed 13 km east of DZ/LZ ’N’ near to crash site of Stirling EF295. All crew members and paratroops onboard were killed. The Short Stirling MkIV was one of 2 Stirlings & 4 Horsa Gliders from 620 Sqn RAF that crashed at Chateau de Grangues due to flak on 6th June 1944.


My interest in this plane is that 5 men of 6 Airborne Armd Recce were on board. For more information see these links:

Grangues INDEX

Dans le cimetière à côté de l'église

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/36530-new-member-researching-6th-airborne-armoured-reconnaissance-regt/

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/36298-horsa-glider-chalk-numbers-d-day/

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_short_stirling_variants.html

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/batt_620.htm


Photos thanks to Regis Biaux


First 6 men are Aircrew from 620 Sqn
Next 5 men are 6 Airbourne Armd Recce
Next man is REME
Rest are 7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion


Cheers
Paul

 

Pilot Officer Albert Hamilton Barton
176884
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 24 on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Flight Serjeant Henry Mark Bittiner
Navigator
1550834
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 22 on 06 June 1944
Son of Louis and Marie Bittiner, of Aberdeen.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Serjeant Geoffrey Crosse
Flight Engineer
1894261
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 19 on 06 June 1944
Son of Rudolph and Lilie Crosse.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Serjeant Donald Reid
1473068
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 28 on 06 June 1944
Son of Charles H. and Florence Reid, of Halifax, Yorkshire
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Serjeant John Gillies Smith
1059520
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 23 on 06 June 1944
Son of Robert and Annie G. Smith, of Edinburgh
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Serjeant William Eric Wallis
1439755
Wireless Operator/ Gunner
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
620 Sqn
Who died age 20 on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Lieutenant RAYMOND CHARLES BELCHER
258144
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps
Who died on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Trooper MICHAEL PERCY DONE
7947393
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps
Who died age 19 on 06 June 1944
Son of Percy Edward and Dorothy Mary Done, of Malpas, Cheshire.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Corporal PETER THOMAS EARWICKER
420192
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps
Who died age 25 on 06 June 1944
Son of Thomas Henry and Eva Kate Earwicker, of Sidcup, Kent.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Trooper GEORGE WILSON LAMONT
7903897
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps
Who died age 31 on 06 June 1944
Son of James and Margaret Lamont; husband of Christina Lamont, of Alexandria, Dunbartonshire.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Trooper ARTHUR HARRY WILSON
7961412
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps
Who died age 21 on 06 June 1944
Son of Albert Harry and Mary Ann Wilson, of Church Gresley, Derbyshire.
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Craftsman George William Hunt
4470319
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Who died age 21 on 06 June 1944
Son of John Hunt, and of Mary Hunt, of Churchill, Oxfordshire
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Private Geoffrey Copson
14405006
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 19 on 06 June 1944
Son of John Henry and Ivy Copson, of Rotherham, Yorkshire
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Private Reginald Albert Edward Francis
6354955
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 20 on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Private Vincent Patrick Cole Frost
14420431
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 21 on 06 June 1944
Son of William Henry Cole Frost and Gladys Annie May Frost, of Clapham Park, London
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Lance Corporal John Gascoigne
4343281
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 27 on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Colour Serjeant Major John Edward Philip Hutchings
5674216
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 26 on 06 June 1944
Son of Harold S. and Louie Hutchings, of Bristol; husband of Elizabeth Hutchings, of Clifton, Bristol
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Corporal Alfred Ronald Kemp
5676360
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 26 on 06 June 1944
Son of Fanny Maycock Kemp; husband of Violet Amelia Kemp, of North Wembley, Middlesex
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.

 

Corporal George Henry Leamer
5675357
7th Light Infantry Parachute Battalion
Who died age 26 on 06 June 1944
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave VIA. C. 1-25.