War Graves Photos of RAAF Headstones Required in France

Post 100 has now been edited to reflect a number of photos that were sent to me by Peter Bennett Robert Pike.

I now require:

54 Headstones in 26 Cemeteries in 15 Departments As at 11/10/2013

 

I have been to Champignol-lez-Mondeville yesterday. I will post the photo tomorrow.

 

Thank you Pieter.

I have that edited from my requirements however I would welcome another copy.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Geoff

Plans are well underway to visit Choloy War Cemetery before Christmas. Have someone organising it all right now! But Addis first, fingers crossed etc!

Cheers
Judy

 

Hi Judy,

That is great news. Should be getting a bit chilly in that area by then. I tried to get there in 2011 however it was just a "Bridge too Far"! Good luck with the Addis trip.

Busy organising my youngest's 21st birthday at home. She just received her British Passport (her mum was a cockney) off on a Contiki Tour to Europe on the 4th of December with two girlfriends which finishes in Austria where her friends fly home and she will be travelling and following the great music festivals in Europe/Working/sightseeing etc. My nephew lives in Essex so she has a base.

Very difficult time when they leave the nest!

Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff

I've just seen that Essey-les-Nancy is close by so will go there too. We are going to spend Christmas with our good friend in Ypres and he is organising it all for us and driving us there (I chose it from your list and asked if there was any way he could take us and he is very pleased to do so). We will have Christmas somewhere around there - Nancy perhaps. Just a bit different this year! If I can, I do like to go to places where the casualties don't get too many visitors - not always easy as we don't drive! (we did in Oz naturally but find it easy - and much cheaper - to do without a car living in London).

It is indeed very difficult when they leave the nest. Our daughter took off to work overseas when she was 19 and much as we want them to have these amazing experiences and learn so much, it is hard to watch that plane take off!!

Will be in touch when I get back

Cheers
Judy

 

Hi Judy,

Forgot to say re Choloy that there were originally 38 requirements there however a friend had taken 23 on one of his walks a few years ago not realising there were 38 and which now leaves 15 of which one was Flying Officer Leslie Redford Clisby DFC who was another Australian in the RAF with 1 Sqn and 8 victories who was shot down on 14/05/1940. (Just in case you saw a lot more than those on the list)


(With respect to Ashley leaving, Airlie was 16 when my wife died however Ashley was only 8 and I have been both father and mother seeing her grow into a young and "very" independant young lady. I can assure you it will be tough not having her around) Airlie and her partner live nearby but I will still have the two labradors to keep me company)

Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff

Thanks for letting me know re the numbers at Choloy. Train now booked to Ypres 18-31 Dec so will see what our friend comes up with for our few days away. I've taken note that you have mentioned a couple of others in that area but not sure how far we'll be going. Choloy is definitely in the plans however. It will indeed be cold!

best regards
Judy

 

Hi Geoff

Much has happened! Our specialist guide to Ethiopia has had to pull out (he was actually the main reason we booked but of course unforeseen events occur). For a brief moment it seemed we might not go - luckily brief. The highly regarded replacement will be excellent, albeit with a somewhat different area of expertise. He is getting all the talks etc from the first guide so it will mainly be the interaction and background knowledge in oriental orthodoxy that we will miss.

However ... we are now going to spend more time at the CWGC cemetery (the guide is experienced in this area) and he is keen to have a small commemoration at the grave of Sgt Bull. I have told the new guide what I know of Sgt Bull from your post. His service record is not yet digitised but there is quite a full accident report on NAA (which you would know). I have read it and know the background re his mother not being notified etc but I am wondering if there is any more information at all that you have about Sgt Bull as I expect we may be asked to say just a few words. I am very new in WW2 research so know little (nothing!) of what he would have been doing. I've had a quick wiki browse this morning.

My goodness, how things have unfolded since we asked if the hotel or guide could help us arrange a taxi to the cemetery on our 'rest morning' and for the taxi to wait while we took the photo! But all this is truly wonderful and I'm so pleased we can remember him in this small way.

If you don't have any more info, that's fine. Just thought it was worth an enquiry. Must get on with packing!

Cheers
Judy

 

Hi Geoff

I'm so sorry that I was not able to go to Choloy. Trevor and I did go to Ypres but things did not work out as we had thought and we are back in London.

I've emailed you but wanted to post here in the hope someone might be planning a visit to Choloy War Cemetery in the near future.

All good wishes for the coming year

Cheers
Judy

 

Hi Judy,

That is not a problem - They will come eventually.

Thank you for the intial offer and thinking of me.


Cheers

Geoff

 

ALL REQUIREMENTS IN FRANCE HAVE NOW BEEN COMLETED!

Thanks to all who have assisted with these photos!


Ceers


Geoff

 

ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOS IN FRANCE ARE NOW COMPLETE!

Thank you to all!

Cheers

Geoff

 

Good evening Adam
I am living in France/Normandy not far from the crash site of MZ651.
We have decided to make some research about this event to honor these young men killed on our soil.
I have already collected a lot of information available on australian RAAF files, specially about your great uncle P.A Robson.
I am looking for more personal information about the other members.
We will visit schools and population to tell the story of this event.
Mayors of surounded villages are interested.

I hope that you will get this message.
Cheers
Gerard

 

Bonjour Gérard.Je suis à l'origine du monument d'Auteuil en 1994 des cérémonies qui ont permis à l'époque de réunir les familles des aviateurs du MZ 651 , en particulier le frère du pilote et la veuve de Lishman un des mitrailleurs.
J'avais remis à la mairie de l'époque le dossier des correspondances et des recherches ainsi qu'une maquette du Halifax, ces documents ont été manifestement égarés.Je me ferai un plaisir de vous faire des copies des documents en ma possession.
Vous pouvez me contacter à Evreux si vous le souhaitez.