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.

Oudenaarde Communal Cemetery contains 18 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, one of which is unidentified. There are also seven First World War burials in the cemetery, mostly of men who died as prisoners of war. The graves are located in the Belgian Military plot which is just inside the main gate.

Served with

• United Kingdom (18)
• Canadian (5)
• Australian (1)

Served in

• Army (14)
• Air Force (10)

Halifax BIII LW415 – 429 Sqdn – 2 May 1944

Took off 2212 1 May 1944 from Leeming to attack the railway yards. Attacked by a night-fighter whose cannon-fire caused the Halifax to explode throwing out F/O Leslie and showering debris over the village of Bevere-Meerschaert.

Crew

Sergeant Earl Freiman BALDRY (R/195726) Air Gunner RCAF

Sergeant George Algernon ELLIOTT (1860419) Flight Engineer RAF

Flying Officer John Elie Fredrick HAWKE (J/28926) Air Bomber RCAF

Warrant Officer Garnet Edward McCANN (R/51930) Wireless Operator RCAF

Pilot Officer George Graham VIPOND (J/38130) Air Gunner RCAF

Flying Officer Robert James WEBSTER (J/127175) Navigator RCAF

Evader

Fg Officer S M LESLIE

Memorial stone from the former German Cemetery inside the Communal Cemetery of Oudenaarde.

Niemand hatt grössere Liebe denn die, dass er sein Leben lässet für seine Freunde.

Es starben für Ihr Vaterland

Karl Brocker. Richard Mohr. Max Korbmacher.

Ein Unbekannter Krieger. Andreas Reimers.

Hugo Hertel. Hermann Brandt. Walter Gunther.