LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

I have recently visited the CWGC and WW2 section of the Lorient (Kerentech) Communal Cemetery and taken photographs of all the CWGC and WW2 headstones there. I have purposefully written WW2 as there are also 9 Polish airman, alongside the 25 Allied airmen buried there.

There is also a memorial to the French who died in the sinking of the 'La Tanche' in June 1940.

I have been unable to 'tag' the servicemen buried here as there is a maximum of 20 tags, and to select 20 from the 25 seemed wrong to me.

Below you will find several posts as I have decided the best way to deal with this was to split the photos into sections:
1. French Memorial to 'La Tanche'
2. Polish airmen killed 6.8.1942
3. Polish airmen killed 31.10.1942
4. Allied airman killed 30.6.1941
5. Allied airmen killed 25.3.1942
6. Allied airmen killed 3.4.1942
7. Allied airmen killed 22.6.1942
8. Allied airmen killed 7.7.1942 (inc's 1 possibly from this crew died 13.7.1942)

I have not been able to ascertain if they all died as part of the same crew or not, perhaps others with better information on losses can help complete this thread with that detail

TD

 

'La Tanche' (a local fishing trawler) was sunk off Lorient on 19th June 1942, when taking approximately 250 French people escaping from France to England. At 16:10 it hit a German dropped magnetic mine.



The inscription reads (translated)

19 June 1940

For the 200 souls who perished at sea in 'La Tanche', a trawler sunk off Lorient in its attempt to escape to England.

Young Morbihanais, soldiers, sailors, and airmen from Fécamp, died for France

Many of them were going to a friendly country to fight for our freedom

In memory of the French - Morbihan, Vannes, Lorient, Fécamp

The Free French

 

Polish aircrew of 301 Squadron - 6.8.1942


Gohres W


Domanski L


Ciolek J


Frankowski A J


Kurowski L T J

 

Polish aircrew of 305 Squadron - 31.10.1942


Joszt K


Ossowski B


Pilasrski W J


Rogowski A

 

Herrick D T RNZAF 30.6.1942

He was awarded the George Medal during his time at Taieri Aerodrome (NZ) when he rescued another pilot from a burning aircraft loaded with high explosive bombs.

HERRICK, DENNIS TREVELYAN

Rank:
Pilot Officer
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
40974
Date of Death:
30/06/1941
Age:
29
Regiment/Service:
Royal New Zealand Air Force

53 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Awards:
G M
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Grave 7.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Edward Jasper and Ethne Rose Herrick; husband of Mary Rowena Herrick, of Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand.

 

25.3.1942


CROMBIE, JAMES DUNCAN

Rank:
Pilot Officer
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
68793
Date of Death:
25/03/1942
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

50 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Joint grave 4.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of William Duncan Crombie and of Mary McLellan Crombie (nee Robertson), of Milngavie, Dumbartonshire.



DECKMAN, HARRY NAUGHTON

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
924734
Date of Death:
25/03/1942
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

50 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Grave 3.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Harry Arthur Cornelius and Jessie Naughton Deckman, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.



MANLEY, FRANK

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
1208601
Date of Death:
25/03/1942
Age:
30
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

50 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Grave 1.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Charles E. Manley and Grace Manley, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.



PERRY, CHARLES RONALD CLIVE

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
1165304
Date of Death:
25/03/1942
Age:
32
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

50 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Joint grave 4.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Charles and Selina Millicent Perry, of Montgomery; husband of Alice Perry, of Montgomery.

 

3.4.1942


COOPER, HECTOR THOMAS MOORE

Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
R/80234
Date of Death:
03/04/1942
Age:
20
Regiment/Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force

101 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row A. Grave 2.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of the Revd. Joseph Edward Cooper and Mary Evelyn Cooper, of Oakville, Manitoba, Canada.



MYRING, NORMAN ERNEST

Rank:
Pilot Officer
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
107995
Date of Death:
03/04/1942
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

101 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row B. Grave 6.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Ernest and Louie Myra Myring, of Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire.



VALDER, CLAUDE WILLIAM

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Air Gnr.
Service No:
621311
Date of Death:
03/04/1942
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force

101 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row B. Grave 7.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Claude Cecil Valder and of Pearl Mary Valder (nee Keen), of Crosthwaite, Westmorland.

 

22.6.1942


BUCKINGHAM, ROBERT JOHN

Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Service No:
400578
Date of Death:
22/06/1942
Age:
24
Regiment/Service:
Royal Australian Air Force
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Joint grave 5-6.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of John Caleb and Ellen Millicent Buckingham, of Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia.



MARTIN, FREDERICK ROY

Rank:
Sergeant
Service No:
403479
Date of Death:
22/06/1942
Age:
24
Regiment/Service:
Royal Australian Air Force
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Grave 7.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Frederick and Elsie Vera Martin; husband of Mona Jane Martin, of Claremont, Western Australia.



MOORES, JAMES

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
798533
Date of Death:
22/06/1942
Age:
27
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row B. Grave 2.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of James Willis Moores and Elizabeth Belle Moores, of Northern Bay, Newfoundland.



McQUEEN, WILLIAM STALKER

Rank:
Sergeant
Service No:
403277
Date of Death:
22/06/1942
Age:
22
Regiment/Service:
Royal Australian Air Force
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row B. Grave 1.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of William and Elizabeth McQueen, of Leichardt, New South Wales, Australia.



ROGET, RAYMOND GEORGE MARAFU

Rank:
Sergeant
Service No:
400333
Date of Death:
22/06/1942
Age:
23
Regiment/Service:
Royal Australian Air Force
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Joint grave 5-6.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of the Revd. Henry Hunter Roget and Flora Mary Roget; husband of Gweneth Muriel Roget, of Armadale, Victoria, Australia.

 

Good photographs Dicky.

Polish aircrew from RAF Hemswell PAF No 301 and No 305 Squadrons.

L'orient port and U Boat base was subject to continual attention from Bomber Command throughout the war and the aircrew casualties in the surrounding cemeteries reflect this.

Like Le Havre, L'orient was rebuilt in concrete after the war....described as concrete cities.

US forces left the pocket festung to wither on the vine and it did not surrender at a Etel pub until the end of the war.

 

7.7.1942 (Including one of 13.7.1942 who I assume died from his injuries and to be part of one of the crews who died on the 7th July)


ALEXANDER, KENNETH JOSEPH

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
1382705
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
23
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Grave 4.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Matthias and Louisa Alexander, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.



ATTWATER, ROBIN AELRED

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
1264198
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
20
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 3.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Donald and Dorothy Attwater, of St. Ives, Cornwall.



BARRIE, GRAHAME COWAN

Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Trade:
Air Gnr.
Service No:
524581
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
25
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Grave 2.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Henry David Barrie and of Grace Barrie (nee Cowan), of Kelvingrove, Glasgow.


13.7.1942

CHAPMAN, WILLIAM JOHN

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
934647
Date of Death:
13/07/1942
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

420 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 1.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:



FOUNTAIN, NORMAN

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W. Op.
Service No:
1062388
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 4.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:



GALLEY, ARTHUR FREDERICK

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
1288181
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
32
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Grave 1.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of George and Edith Galley; husband of Marceline Gertrude Galley, of Winchmore Hill, Middlesex.



HEDDLE, JOHN DAVID ROBERT

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
1117365
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
18
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row C. Grave 3.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Robert S. Heddle and of Josephine Heddle, of Stromness, Orkney.



LEEDHAM, WILLIAM HENRY

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
1263488
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
29
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 5.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of William H. Leedham and Ethel M. Leedham; husband of Muriel K. Leedham, of Twickenham, Middlesex.



PARKER, ROBERT

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
Air Gnr.
Service No:
953678
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 6.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:



RODDY, WILLIAM GEORGE

Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Trade:
Obs.
Service No:
R/95149
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
22
Regiment/Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force

156 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 7.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of George Jennings Roddy and Harriet Irene Roddy, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A.C.B.A. (Queen's University, Kingston).



THOMSON, JAMES ANDERSON

Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
R/71841
Date of Death:
13/07/1942
Regiment/Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force

420 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row E. Grave 2.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:



WILTCHER, NORMAN RIGBY

Rank:
Sergeant
Trade:
W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:
1311452
Date of Death:
07/07/1942
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

156 Sqdn.
Grave Reference
Plot 62. Row D. Grave 2.
Cemetery
LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Henry Herbert and Sarah Margaret Wiltcher, of Barkingside, Ilford, Essex.

 

Hi Harry,
Thanks - St Nazaire, another Uboat base is similar to Lorient as well. It is interesting that towns like these are now modern concrete jungles whereas other towns demolished in two World Wars have been rebuilt as they were at the start of the 20th century.

I also understand that some of the German gun positions which were classed as 'impregnable', or probably a waste of time and especially men were just left 'under siege' until their supplies ran out.

 

A job well done which will be useful to several people.

 

Wellington lV
Z1386
GR-P
Op: Gardening
6th August 1942
301 Sqdn

T/o 2128 Hemswell to lay mines in French waters off Lorient. Hit by flak and crashed in the target area. Those who died are buried in the Kerentrech Communal Cemetery at Lorient. Sgt Pur (PAF) was a POW.

Gohres


W


21


6/8/1942





ST SZER


POLISH FORCES


301 Sqdn


Domanski


L


28


6/8/1942





PROR


POLISH FORCES


301 Sqdn


Ciolek


J


25


6/8/1942





POR


POLISH FORCES


301 Sqdn


Frankowski


AJ


24


6/8/1942





KPL


POLISH FORCES


301 Sqdn


Kurowski


LTJ


20


6/8/1942





ST SZER


POLISH FORCES


301 Sqdn

 

Wellington lV
Z1279
SM-O
Op: Gardening
31st October 1942
305 Sqdn

T/o 1733 Hemswell to lay mines in French waters off Lorient. Presumed lost over the target area. Four are buried in Lorient (Kerentrech) Communal Cemetery; F/O Gorecki (PAF) is commemorated on the Northolt Memorial

Joszt


K


31


31/10/1942





KPT


POLISH FORCES


305 Sqdn


Ossowski


B


21


31/10/1942





KPL


POLISH FORCES


305 Sqdn


Pilarski


WJ


27


31/10/1942





KPL


POLISH FORCES


305 Sqdn


Rogowski


A





31/10/1942





POR


POLISH FORCES


305 Sqdn

 

53sq was Fighter Command and I only have informnation on Australians. Someone will be able to assist.

Cheers

Geoff

 

From Chorley (BCL)

Hampden l
AT 158 VR-
Op: Gardening
Date: 25/26th March 1942

T/o Skellingthorpe for a mining operation in the Artichokes area. Presumed crashed in the target area as all are buried in the Kerentrech Communal Cemetery in the northern outskirts of Lorient.
Note: Concerning the first 50 squadron summary, it is believed this Hampden may have fallen victim to a night-fighter ( Oblt Ludwig Becker, 6./NJG2) and crashed 0033 into the sea N of the Dutch Island of Vlieland. However, with no evidence of wreckage, or bodies recovered, the claim must be treated with caution.
Crew:

CROMBIE


JAMES DUNCAN


21


25/03/1942


'68793'


Pilot Officer


RAFVR


50 Sqdn.


DECKMAN


HARRY NAUGHTON


21


25/03/1942


'924734'


Sergeant


RAFVR


50 Sqdn.


MANLEY


FRANK


30


25/03/1942


'1208601'


Sergeant


RAFVR


50 Sqdn.


PERRY


CHARLES RONALD CLIVE


32


25/03/1942


'1165304'


Sergeant


RAFVR


50 Sqdn.

 

From Chorley (BCL)

Wellington lll
X3709
SR-J
Date: 2/3rd April 1942
Op: Gardening
T/o Bourn t lay mines in French waters and presumed lost over the sea. Three bodies, those of Sgt Cooper RCAF, P/O Myring and Sgt Valder were recovered. They were buried on 4th April in Lorient (Kerentrech) Communal Cemetery; their companions have no known graves.
Sgt J. S. Weaver RAF
Sgt I. H. Roberts RAF
Sgt J. H. Dixon RAF
Crew:

COOPER


HECTOR THOMAS MOORE


20


3/04/1942


'R/80234'


Flight Sergeant


RCAF


101 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.


MYRING


NORMAN ERNEST


21


3/04/1942


'107995'


Pilot Officer


RAFVR


101 Sqdn.


VALDER


CLAUDE WILLIAM


21


3/04/1942


'621311'


Sergeant


RAF


101 Sqdn.

 

460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES

Date of Death : 22 June 1942

Source:
AWM 64 (1/293) AWM 64 (1/294) AWM 237 (63)
NAA : A705, 163/94/239

Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: Z 1383
Radio call sign: UV – D
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF

Summary:

Wellington Z 1383 took off from RAF Breighton at 2247 hours on the night of 21/22nd
June 1942 to carry out a mine laying operation in French waters off Lorient. Bomb load
Assembly 1PDM7, Assembly 22, and 2 x 250 GPTD. Nothing was heard from the
aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Four aircraft from the squadron took
part in the mission.

Crew:

RAAF 400578 Flt Sgt Buckingham, R J Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 400333 Sgt Roget, R G M (Observer)
RAAF 403479 Sgt Martin, F R (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
RAAF 403277 Sgt McQueen, W S (Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt Moores, J (Air Gunner)

Post war it was established that all the crew were killed and they are interred in the
Lorient (Kerentrech) Communal Cemetery, France.

 

These took me a while to transcribe (except 460sq) however no detail for the 53sq RNZAF lad.

Cheers

Geoff

From Chorley (BCL)


Wellington lll
X3345
GT-
Date: 6th July 1942
156 Sqdn
Op: Gardening
T/o 2359 Alconbury to lay mines in French waters of Lorient. Crashed in the target area. All are buried in Lorient (Kerentrech Communal Cemetery. Sgt Alexanders parents lived in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

GALLEY
ARTHUR FREDERICK
32
7/07/1942
'1288181'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
ALEXANDER
KENNETH JOSEPH
23
7/07/1942
'1382705'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
RODDY
WILLIAM GEORGE
22
7/07/1942
'R/95149'
Flight Sergeant
RCAF
156 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.
HEDDLE
JOHN DAVID ROBERT
18
7/07/1942
'1117365'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
BARRIE
GRAHAME COWAN
25
7/07/1942
'524581'
Flight Sergeant
RAF
156 Sqdn.


Wellington lll
Z1576
GT-
Op: Gardening
T/o 2357 Alconbury and tasked as previous.
Both crews were making their operational debut!!!
ATTWATER
ROBIN AELRED
20
7/07/1942
'1264198'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
LEEDHAM
WILLIAM HENRY
29
7/07/1942
'1263488'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
FOUNTAIN
NORMAN

7/07/1942
'1062388'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
WILTCHER
NORMAN RIGBY
21
7/07/1942
'1311452'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.
PARKER
ROBERT

7/07/1942
'953678'
Sergeant
RAFVR
156 Sqdn.

 

Hi Spidge

Thanks for your time in filling in details

TD