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.

Webbekom Churchyard contains the graves of seven Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War. The Commonwealth War Graves Plot is to the rear of the church.

Served with

• Canadian (6)
• United Kingdom (1)

Served in

• Air Force (7)

Seven crew members of the Lancaster III JA976 "S for Sugar" that crashed on April 28, 1944 are resting in Webbekom. Six died in the crash, a seventh died on May 1, 1944. Pilot Blenkinsop remained alive and was able to go into hiding with the resistance, but was later arrested in a raid in Meensel-Kiezegem. He died on January 23, 1945 in Neuengamme and has a memorial on the field of honor in Meensel-Kiezegem.

Flight Lieutenant ALLEN, LAWRENCE - J/14769

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 28 April 1944 Age 26

Distinguished Flying Cross

Pilot Officer BOOTH, ROBERT ALEXANDER - C/19795

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 28 April 1944 Age 26

Flight Sergeant BRADLEY, JAMES SYDNEY - 1314683

405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 28 April 1944 Age 21

Pilot Officer CLIFFORD, NICHOLAS HUGH - J/87453

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 28 April 1944 Age 35

Pilot Officer FOSTER, LESLIE ARTHUR - J/87480

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 28 April 1944 Age 26

Flight Lieutenant RAMSAY, DAVID - J/12973

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 28 April 1944

Flight Lieutenant SMITH, GEORGE JOHN -  J/21564

405 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 01 May 1944