Historical 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.
All of the men buried in Geel (Stelen) Churchyard died in the period 9-11 September 1944, during the fighting to establish a bridgehead across the Albert Canal.
The churchyard contains 34 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.