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.

Genk Communal Cemetery contains the graves of eight airmen of the Second World War.  The graves are located in plot T, through the entrance and straight on to the mortuary, turn right here and follow the path to the second plot on the left; this is plot T.

Served with

• Canadian (1)
• United Kingdom (7)

Served in

• Air Force (8)

Lancaster III ME804 – 44 Sqdn – 22 June 1944

Took off 2326 21 June 1944 from Dunholme Lodge. Shot down by a night- fighter and crashed in the vicinity of Lutselus (Limburg)

Crew

Flight Sergeant John Alan BUCKBY (1398205) Air Bomber RAF

Flight Sergeant Raymond FAZACKERLEY (1230376) Navigator RAF

Sergeant Harry Moxon GREENFIELD (710171) Air Gunner RAF

Sergeant Henry Robert PURSGLOVE (1238611) Wireless Operator RAF

Pilot Officer Thomas Bryan RICHARDS (160150) Pilot RAF

Flight Sergeant Willis Eugene SPINKS (R/183116) Air Gunner RCAF

Sergeant Harold Vincent Dick THOMPSON (1795515) Flight Engineer RAF

Flight Sergeant George Leonard WRIGHT (1578552) Navigator RAF