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. Laplaigne Communal Cemetery contains the grave of one Commonwealth airman of the Second World War.

Lancaster I LL943 - 115 Sqdn

Took off 2228 18 July 1944 from RAF Witchford to bomb the railway junction in support of the Normandy Landings. Crashed on the Belgian-French border at Laplaigne 10 km SSE of Tournai on July 19 1944.

Crew

Sergeant Henry John William SIMMONDS (1605077) Air Gunner RAF