Ecaussinnes d'Enghien Communal Cemetery
History Information (Source: CWGC)
The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany. Ecaussinnes d'Enghien Communal Cemetery contains the graves of six Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
The graves are located to the left of the entrance in the old part of the cemetery.
Served with
- United Kingdom (6)
Served in
- Air Force (6)
On May 15, 1940, two Bristol Blenheim planes were shot down by the German air force over Ecaussinnes. They crashed, one in the meadows on the rue St Roch side, the other was found at a place called "Croisettes", in the middle of a cornfield. In each of the two planes was a crew of three. All died in the "crash". The six bodies, five English and one New Zealander, were buried in Ecaussinnes-Enghien cemetery.
Blenheim IV N6217
Took off 0930 from RAF Wyton. Shot down near Ecaussinnes d'Enghien (Hainaut) 18 km NE of Mons Belgium together with P4913.
- Wing Commander Ernest Cecil BARLOW – 15181 - Royal Air Force Cdg. 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940 - Mentioned in Despatches
- Sergeant Edward CLARKE - 580485 - Royal Air Force 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940 Age 20
- Leading Aircraftman Albert Ernest MILLARD - 615087 - Royal Air Force 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940
Blenheim IV P4913
- Took off 0930 from RAF Wyton. Shot down near Ecaussinnes d'Enghien (Hainaut) 18 km NE of Mons; together with N6217.
- Flying Officer John Ernest EDWARDS - 36151 - Royal Air Force 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940 Age 26
- Leading Aircraftman Stanley JOHNSON - 541085 - Royal Air Force 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940
- Sergeant Charles Thomas WHITE - 580429 - Royal Air Force 40 Sqdn. - Died 15 May 1940 Age 23
Source: Site Ecausinnes
3. Henri Cuvelier
He was born on September 23, 1904. He was the husband of Marguerite DEPREZ. Prisoner of the Germans in Magdeburg during an Allied bombardment, having to flee with several companions in the countryside, he died of exhaustion on September 24, 1944. His remains were repatriated to the cemetery of Ecaussinnesd'Enghien where he received a solemn and official funeral on Saturday April 30, 1949. Henri Cuvelier was an industrialist, and a former municipal councilor in Ecaussinnes-d'Enghien.
4. Armand Daubioul
He was born in Ittre on November 10, 1901, was married to Fernande DUMEUNIER and from this union were born two children, Rosée and Serge DAUBIOUL. Armand DAUBIOUL was a glass blower in Manage. He was 43 years old when he was arrested by a German soldier in front of his home in "Tout Vent" while he was in the company of a refractory he was sheltering and hiding in the fields. On June 9, 1944, he was deported to a camp in Germany and will stay there for two months. He died on August 5, 1944 in a bombing raid in Magdeburg. His remains were repatriated on February 12, 1949.
5. Odénat and Edmond Bouton
Odénat Bouton is Edmond's father. Odénat Bouton, born April 23, 1898, died during his captivity in Germany on May 6, 1945. His body has never been found. He was the director of the former municipal boys' school in Ecaussinnes-d'Enghien. The current school bears his name Edmond Bouton, born February 12, 1921, was a baker. He died of diphtheria during his captivity at the Regensburg camp (Regensburg) on March 24, 1943.
6. Gilberte and Albert Mottrie
Albert and Gilberte were brother and sister, both in their twenties. Albert, born February 18, 1922, was single and worked as a worker at the S.N.C.B Gilberte, born May 18, 1924, was single and held a post in Brussels at the Ministry of Finance. During the day of the hostages, June 9, 1944, they were coldly shot, on the public highway, by a German soldier. Their official funeral took place on April 14, 1945.
7. Raymond Brisme
He was born in Ecaussinnes-d'Enghien on December 5, 1919, an electrician by profession. A political prisoner, he was interned in the Wausin or Wansen camp in Poland and died there on February 5, 1945, during an Allied bombardment. His remains were repatriated and buried in Ecaussinnesd’Enghien.
8. René Rousseau
He was born on August 7, 1912, in Ecaussinnes-d'Enghien, married to Rose Bastenier. He was a member of the Secret Army. He was shot on the public highway by the Germans on hostage day, June 9, 1944. His funeral was officially celebrated on April 13, 1945.
9. René Gondry
He was born on September 15, 1887 in Ecaussinnes-d'Enghien, husband of Ida Rousseau. He was a professional stone cutter. He was a veteran of the First World War 1914-1918. On the dramatic day of June 9, 1944, he was shot in the head by a German who was ambushed in front of his house.
10. Anselme Mary
He was born on April 25, 1913. He was a member of the Secret Army and Group G. It was during an action against the German army that he was shot dead in Ronquières on September 3, 1944.
11. Camille Bouyere
He was born on September 26, 1919 in Mignault, a turner by profession, was single. A member of the Secret Army and Group G., he was shot dead in front of his home on June 30, 1944, in Mignault by a member of the "Duquesne" brigade.
12. Maurice Potvin
He was born on March 7, 1901, husband of Gilberte Rosalie CASTERMANT, accountant by profession. He was a municipal employee in the service of civil status and then the population. Head of the Secret Army. On February 19, 1944, presumed guilty of supporting refractories, he was arrested by the Gestapo Rexist, "the Duquesne gang" of Louvière. He was released on March 23, 1944 after a bombardment. He died on April 30, 1988.
