War graves in Belgium

Discussion in 'War Grave Photographs' started by dbf, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    8 PARA. If you could do this one whenever you are passing, I would be very grateful. I was supposed to do it for 2 Forum Members.

    MITCHELL, HENRY WILLIAM, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, GRAVE REFERENCE VI.C.13

    Regards - Rob
     
  2. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi 8 PARA and welcome.
    There are 40 members of the Durham Light Infantry who lie at rest, here any photographs of headstones you can supply would be appreciated even if its just a single grave it would be most welcome.
    Jim
     
  3. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    This is Verrieres List. His were some I did not manage to get.

    LEOPOLDSBURG CEMETERY, BELGIUM

    SECTION – 1

    DUGGAN, MB - 1.C.19

    SECTION – 2

    GILBRIDE, WE - 2.B.1
    BUTLER, J - 2.B.2
    STONES, GE - 2.B.3
    GLEW, W - 2.B.4
    LIVERSAGE, WILLIAM ARTHUR - 2.B.5

    SECTION – 3

    NUTTALL, RW - 3.A.5
    JENKINS, TH - 3.A.6

    SECTION - VI

    MORRELL, JW - 6.B.20
    THOMAS, O - 6.C.1
    MITCHELL, HENRY WILLIAM - 6. C. 13
    CRITCHLEY, CHARLES RICHARD - 6. C. 19
    PUGH, CE - 6.E.19

    SECTION - VII

    FOSTER, P - 7.A.15
    HAWKINS, TW - 7.A.17
    SHAWCROFT, A - 7.A.18
    WOOD, W - 7.A.19
    YOUNG, H - 7.A.20
    SMART, JW - 7.B.2
    MARSHALL, R - 7.B.3
    HIGGINS, GF - 7.B.4
    PUGMIRE, JJ - 7.B.5
    CULLEN, AE - 7.B.6
    THOMPSON, WH - 7.B.7
    BROWN, WJ - 7.B.8
    WALKER, K - 7.B.9
    WHITE, W - 7.B.10
    WILSON, W - 7.B.11
    CURTIS, W - 7.B.12
    DAVISON, A - 7.B.12
    DITCHBURN, RW - 7.B.13
    CUTHILL, J - 7.B.15
    HARPER, R - 7.B.17
    SMITH, WT - 7.B.18
    HARRISON, H - 7.B.19
    BARNES, AB - 7.C.5
    WATERS, REO - 7.C.6
    GIBSON, R - 7.C.9
    WOOD, J - 7.C.10
    PATTON, JW - 7.C.11
     
  4. 8PARA

    8PARA Junior Member

    Hello guys,

    The weather permitting, I will drive to the place tomorrow and hopefully get them all. Send me a private message so that I know where to send my pictures to.

    I was wondering... as some of you are interested in these graves. Do you have stories of veterans of the fights in this region (Geel, Beringen, Hechtel) . I would be interested in them. A friend of mine is accumulating interviews of civilians in the area of Geel and there we would like to know.

    Best wishes, C
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  6. 8PARA

    8PARA Junior Member

    Diane, I've photographed the five missing graves at Leopoldsburg. If you give me an E mail address, I can send them to you. Or where do I send them to? The above website? Best wishes, Carl
     
    Verrieres likes this.
  7. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi Carl,
    Thanks very much for your time and effort it is very much appreciated.

    Verrieres
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Diane, I've photographed the five missing graves at Leopoldsburg. If you give me an E mail address, I can send them to you. Or where do I send them to? The above website? Best wishes, Carl

    Hi Carl
    I very much would appreciate the 5 IG photos - yes please email them through my site address on the Contact page.

    Kind regards,
    Diane
     
  9. 8PARA

    8PARA Junior Member

    Hello Diane, I sent you the pictures using the contact page. Did you get them? Carl
     
    dbf likes this.
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi Carl - PM on its way
    Thanks,
    D
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Carl
    5 photos received for the IGs - thank you very much!
     
  12. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Hi 8 PARA and welcome to the forum. Could I take you up on your offer of a photo. Due to further information recieved I have found that I need 1 more photo from Leopoldsburg.

    Craftsman HEDLEY JAMES SPIGHT V. A. 11.

    Thanking you in advance.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  13. 8PARA

    8PARA Junior Member

    Hello Recce Mitch, I've just done a whole lot of them. I'm a bit pressed for time in near future, so it will have to wait for a couple of weeks. But, I'll do so. Don't worry. Please, send me a reminder in a week or two... if weather is a bit better. Best wishes, Carl
     
  14. 8PARA

    8PARA Junior Member

    Hello Recce Mitch,

    I've made the photograph of Craftsman HEDLEY JAMES SPIGHT. Send me a private message with E mail and I send you the photograph.

    Best wishes, Carl
     
  15. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Due to the help of many many people, I now only have one outstanding headstone from Belgium out of 154 headstones across 22 different cemeteries.

    If anyone can help close out the final name It would be greatly appreciated.

    TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION
    RIMMER, WILLIAM JAMES, 3773745, - Grave VI. C. 3.
    The Son of William James Rimmer and Mary Rimmer, of Widnes, Lancashire, Fusilier Rimmer, having enlised with the Kings Regiment, served with the 1/6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusilliers, and died on the 21st May 1940 aged 21.

    Thanks to Doc (Dave), another headstone, Cemetery and Country completed

    P
     

    Attached Files:

  16. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Due to the help of many many people, I now only have one outstanding headstone from Belgium out of 154 headstones across 22 different cemeteries.

    If anyone can help close out the final name It would be greatly appreciated.

    TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION
    RIMMER, WILLIAM JAMES, 3773745, - Grave VI. C. 3.
    The Son of William James Rimmer and Mary Rimmer, of Widnes, Lancashire, Fusilier Rimmer, having enlised with the Kings Regiment, served with the 1/6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusilliers, and died on the 21st May 1940 aged 21.

    Hi Phil,

    I know the feeling of achievement when I received the last of mine from Belgium.

    211 RAAF lads from 44 cemeteries WW2.

    21 AFC/RFC/RNAS/RAF in 18 cemeteries WW1.

    232 in 62 cemeteries all up.

    People really are great aren't they!

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  17. Doc

    Doc Senior Member

    England Phil, good morning. Rimmer on the way to you via email. Doc
     
    englandphil likes this.
  18. dtm

    dtm Junior Member

    Hello,
    Hoping that some kind soul will be able to help me get a few photos from here or there. Here's the full list for Belgium.

    Thanks
    Diane

    ===============

    Completed:
    AUDERGHEM (OUDERGEM) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    BRAINE-L'ALLEUD COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY
    HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY
    ST. STEVENS-WOLUWE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    GEEL WAR CEMETERY
    NEERPELT COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    ===============


    Cemetery: LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY
    http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=2009300&mode=1

    HOULAHAN, JOHN, Serjeant 2719554, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards died age 31 on 09 September 1944
    Grave/Memorial Reference: V. D. 6.
    MOGEY, JAMES Guardsman 2718447, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards died age 26 on 09 September 1944
    Grave/Memorial Reference: V. D. 10.
    [Known to my father]
    SHAW, STANLEY Guardsman 2723125, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards died on 08 September 1944
    Grave/Memorial Reference: V. D. 20.
    RICHARDSON, CYRIL JOSEPH, Lance Serjeant 2720044, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards died age 27 on 18 September 1944
    Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. C. 2.
    PEEL, DAVID ARTHUR Major M C 132247, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 33 on 12 September 1944
    Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. C. 3.
    Hi Diane, I live in Overpelt Belgium, I can get you photo,s from this ares if you like, we have war cemetry's here in Overpelt, Neerpelt, Valkenswaard, Lommel ect, ect
    let me know
    Dave
     
  19. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thanks for the kind offer Dave, I may take you up on some other outstanding matters once I get myself organised and I am sure that other members here would very much appreciate any help in your area.

    [Somewhat embarrassed as I forgot to update the request page. I received images for those quoted in your post. Now fixed.]

    This might be of interest, War Diary for 3Bn Irish Guards:

    1944 September 10 - EAST OF HECHTEL
    As is often the case, the 1/50000 scale map bore no resemblance to the ground and after one coy and one sqn had been launched on the chosen axis it was proved that the going was entirely unsuitable to tks. Luckily, No 4 Coy, which had been sent forward for this task of ground recce were able to disengage from the enemy with very light cas and the Bn group followed up the C.L. of the GREN GDS group who had discovered a bridge by means of which tks could cross the otherwise impassable ground. Having reached the main rd to the ESCAUT Canal, the I.G. group were ordered to hook right and make for the bridge over the ESCAUT at de GROOT BARRIER. During the approach march we met no opposition and civilians and elements of H.C.R infmd us that there were no enemy SOUTH of the Canal. We reached the area of the bridge as light was failing and the Commanding Officer, after a rapid recce, decided to try and rush it. No. 2 Coy and one sqn of tanks were detailed for the job. The tks put down a hail of fire on the area of the bridge itself and succeeded in knocking out several un-armed 88 mm AA/A. Tk guns. Lt. STANLEY-CLARKE’s pl. preceded by a tp of tks then rushed the bridge itself and succeeded in reaching the opposite side. The remainder of No. 2 Coy and No. 3 Coy were quickly pushed across to join them and the posn was rapidly consolidated. The RE Offr with the Bn succeeded in disconnecting all the charges which were in position to blow the bridge, and the crossing of the ESCAUT had been successfully achieved. [4 Gdsmn H. Trimble, C. Mollard, E. Colethorpe K. Fielding assisted Sapper officer, Captain Hutton, in removing charges and received MMs; Mollard was killed later - 4 March 1945] Total cas for the day were one OR killed and 5 Ors wounded.

    1944 September 11 - de GROOT
    At about 09:00 hrs, the posn S.W. of the Bridge was counter-attacked by a mixed group of S.P. guns and inf who were trying to get back across the canal. At one time, one of the S.P. guns was within 100 yds of Bn. HQ but the posn was quickly restored and the enemy driven off with heavy losses. During the attack, Capt. E.E. RAWLENCE (M.T. Offr) was unfortunately killed whilst trying to stalk a S.P. gun with a PIAT. The RSM also was evacuated suffering from blast and burns about the face and eyes. The C.O.’s staff car and several other vehicles were wrecked by enemy shell fire. The total O.R. cas were three killed and 10 wounded.

    1944 September 12 - de GROOT
    A quiet day was spent by the Bn in rest and maintenance, and received a visit from the Corps Comd (Lt. Gen. HORROCKS) to congratulate those concerned in the capture of the bridge over the ESCAUT Canal, which had already been christened and signposted “JOE‘s BRIDGE” in honour of the C.O. The only cas suffered today was one OR wounded.

    1944 September 13 - de GROOT
    The Bn was ordered to move into the Woods N.W. of the bridge head to enlarge it and took up a defensive position in this area during the afternoon.

    1944 September 14 de GROOT
    An enemy counter-attack was launched in some strength against the bridge head. A number of the enemy with spandaus and bazookas succeeded in infiltrating into the area held by No 3 Coy on the left, and the whole Bn and the bridge itself were subjected to fairly heavy mortar and shell fire throughout the day. During the evening , although the attack had by then been halted, we were compelled to re-organise to closer dispositions that those we had previously held. At nightfall, the shell and mortar fire intensified and was subsequently proved to be a cover for the enemy’s withdrawal, as there were no signs of them the following morning. During the day, Lt. KENNARD and six ORs were killed, 23 ORs wounded and five ORs missing, but on the whole, casualties were lighter than might have been expected as the result of a two Bn co-ordinated attack.

    1944 September 15 - OVERPELT
    A Bn of the HAMPSHIRE REGT took over our posn during the morning and the Bn moved SOUTH of the Canal to the area of OVERPELT for a short rest and an opportunity to maintain the vehs, which after the long advances of the past few days were badly in need of attention. Today’s casualties were one OR wounded and five ORs missing.

    1944 September 16 - OVERPELT
    A quiet day in the concentration area. It was decided as result of casualties and lack of reinforcements, to re-organise the Bn temporarily on a three coy basis and to this end, Major M.V. DUDLEY and his Coy HQ were for the time being L.O.B. During the evening an O Gp was held at 5 BDE HQ, under whose command the I.G. group now came, and orders were issued for a break-out of the bridge head on the following day and an advance NORTH to the ZUYDER ZEE. Today’s casualties were one OR killed and one OR wounded.

    1944 September 17 OVERPELT
    The I.G. group was to lead the 5 BDE and effect the initial break-out of the bridge head. We had in support of us, 10 Fd Regts RA, 2 Med Regts RA and one heavy battery RA, and the call on a cabrank of 11 Sqns of TYPHOONS. The Bn Group crossed the Div S.L. behind a rolling barrage, but we had not gone far before the leading sqn was halted by enemy battle groups with 88 mm guns and spandaus in the woods which flanked the roads. Progress was then slow, but the Typhoons who made 200 sorties during the afternoon, were able to overcome the enemy opposition, and after taking approx 100 PWs we crossed a small bridge just SOUTH of VALKENSWAARD in the evening and entered the town just as night fell. During the day, Lt. RUSSELL was wounded by an enemy sniper, and seven ORs were killed and 18 wounded.

    1944 September 18 - VALKENSWAARD
    After a quiet night, we were due to resume the advance early, but were delayed by the inf Bn of 50 DIV which was to take over form us and did not arrive until about 09:00 hrs. However, we got under way again and advanced along the C.L. as far as AALST where again we encountered a nest of A Tk and MG posts in concrete emplacements supported by inf. Unfortunately, owing to bad weather, we were unable to obtain air support but the gunners did good work and at 17:00 hours the enemy decided to withdraw after destroying their weapons, and we were able to have a clear run through EINDHOVEN 4219 to the WILHELMINA Canal. Here we found tps of a U.S. AIRBORNE DIV who were guarding the canal where the Germans had blown the bridge. The Bn group accordingly harboured the night SOUTH of the canal, during which time an excellent bridge was constructed by the REs.
     
  20. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    All Recce Complete. Thank you to all those who have given their time and effort to assist me in my project.

    Cheers
    Paul
     

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