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.

Perwez Churchyard contains the graves of eight Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War. The graves are located directly behind the church in the old plot.

Served with

• Canadian (6)
• United Kingdom (2)

Served in

• Air Force (8)

Lancaster BX KB8 – 431 Sqdn

Took off 1621 15 Mar 1945 from Croft. Crashed at Perwez (Brabant) some 29 km SSE from the centre of Leuven.

Crew

Flying Officer George Henry DAVIS (J/35097) Air Bomber RCAF           

Flight Lieutenant Albert Gordon EDWARDS (J/13417) Navigator RCAF

Pilot Officer Alfred Charles HARRIS (187961) Flight Engineer RAF

Flight Lieutenant Robert Roy HAW (J/85451) Pilot RCAF

Pilot Officer Robert Ernest HORNE (J/195283) Air Gunner RCAF          

Flying Officer Joseph Lucien Viateur MORIN (J/37326) Wireless Operator  RCAF

Pilot Officer Peter Paul REPSYS (J/93258) Air Gunner RCAF

Hurricane I N2424

crashed at Perwez, Belgium, 14 May 1940.

Flight Lieutenant John Lewis SULLIVAN (37643) Pilot RAF