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.

Geraardsbergen Communal Cemetery contains the graves of 21 Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War. The graves are located towards the centre of the cemetery.

Served with

• United Kingdom (10)
• Canadian (7)
• Australian (4)

Served in

• Air Force (21)

Halifax III LW682 - 426 Sqdn – 13 May 1944

Took off 2211 12 May 1944 from Linton-on-Ouse tasked to bomb the railway yards. Shot down by a night-fighter

Crew

Pilot Officer JOSEPH EDWARD JEAN GUY ARBOUR - J/87413 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944

Pilot Officer WILBUR BOYD BENTZ - J/87378 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944 Age 23

Sergeant ROY ELLERSLIE – 1818990 - 426 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 13 May 1944

Pilot Officer JACK EDWIN McINTYRE -  J/88626 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944

Flying Officer CLIFFORD STANLEY PHILLIPS -  J/28259 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944

Pilot Officer FRED ROACH - J/90063 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944 Age 25

Pilot Officer JOHN WILSON SUMMERHAYES -  J/89358 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944 Age 23

Flying Officer THOMAS WESSEL TAYLOR - J/24251 - 426 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force - Died 13 May 1944

Lancaster II LL652 - 514 Sqdn - 28 May 44

Took off 0031 28 May 1944 from Waterbeach. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Ophasselt

Crew

Sergeant RICHARD GILL – 2210653 - 514 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 28 May 1944 Age 35

Flying Officer FREDERICK BREARLEY HILL – 158285 - 514 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 28 May 1944 Age 26

Pilot Officer STANLEY WILLIAM NEWMAN – 422083 - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 28 May 1944 Age 20

Sergeant ALAN RODERICK – 568729 - 514 Sqdn. Royal Air Force - Died 28 May 1944 Age 24

Flight Lieutenant LLOYD CHARLES ALEXANDER TAYLOR – 425812 - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 28 May 1944 Age 28

Pilot Officer CECIL KEITH THOMAS – 426708 - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 28 May 1944 Age 23

Sergeant JAMES FREDERICK VINCENT – 1483346 - 514 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 28 May 1944 Age 24

Lancaster I W4234 - 57 Sqdn – 21 December 1942

Took off 1737 21 Dec 1942 from Scampton. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 2330 22 Dec 1942

Crew

Sergeant ARTHUR LESLIE ABRAHAM – 1177690 - 57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 21 December 1942 Age 22

Flying Officer RONALD ALFRED BOWLES – 110640 - 57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 21 December 1942 Age 22

Sergeant JOHN ARTHUR DRAIN – 1394720 - 57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 21 December 1942 Age 20

Flying Officer ALEXANDER ERIC MULHOLLAND – 119205 - 57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 21 December 1942 Age 28

Sergeant MAURICE CHARLES PEARMAN – 1067033 - 57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 21 December 1942 Age  20

Sergeant CECIL RAYMOND STUBBS – 21315 - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 21 December 1942 Age 28