Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

The communal cemetery is on the north-eastern side of the village on the D.9 road to Remy. The collective grave of three British airmen is near the north-eastern corner of the cemetery.

Served with

• United Kingdom (3)

Served in

• Air Force (3)

Bristol Blenheim Mk IV L9184

Airborne from RAF Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent, for an armed Reconnaissance sortie over Arras. Cause of loss not established, but some unofficial sources attribute the loss to flak/AAA. Crashed near Haucourt (Pas-de-Calais), 12 km South East of Arras, France and to the North of the main road leading to Cambrai.  All three crew killed.

All three crew fatalities were buried at Haucourt Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. The crew was buried in a field grave adjacent to the crash site but re-interred together in the local cemetery in July 1942 along with the remains of P/O Roi Saunders' dog which he had taken with him on his last flight. Diligent post-war research by No. 1 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit, involving two exhumations, finally resulted in all three being formally identified in May 1949.

Aircraftman 1st Class (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) PIRIE, GEORGE ROSSE - Service Number 626070

Died 22/05/1940 - Aged 24

57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force

Pilot Officer (Pilot) SAUNDERS, ROI LEONARD - Service Number 70602

Died 22/05/1940 - Aged 24

57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force

Sergeant (Observer) SIMMONS, SAMUEL FRANK - Service Number 564409

Died 22/05/1940 - Aged 27

57 Sqdn. Royal Air Force