Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

In the centre of the village, 150 metres east of the main road to Roermond, stands the parish church of St. Amelberga; at the entrance to the churchyard (not to be confused with another Roman Catholic churchyard in the village) is the grave of 1 British airman.

Flight Lieutenant John Norman Payne ARKLE - 124908

263 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 26 November 1944 Age 22

Inscription: REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE AND LOVE BY HIS PARENTS, THIRSK, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

Typhoon IB PD566 HE

At 0845 hrs this day 8 Typhoon of 263 Sqn RAF took off from B70-Antwerp (Deurne) airbase to attack a road bridge over the River Worm just northeast of Heineberg, Germany but could only claim several near misses and the bridge was still intact when the aircraft left for base. There was moderate light and heavy Flak.

Typhoon IB PD566 of Flight Commander, Flt Lt John Norman Payne Arkle was hit by flak southeast of Roermond and he had to force land at approximately 1300 hrs near the frontline on the Linnerheide (Linner Heath).  Arkle evaded capture and went into hiding with the Dutch Underground. On the 26th he tried to reach the Allied lines near Stevensweert while wearing civilian clothes, despite the advice of the Dutch Underground, and was arrested and shot as a spy by the Germans at or near Susteren.