Oostelbeers Roman Catholic Churchyard
Historical Information (Source: CWGC)
There are now seven 1939-1945 War casualties commemorated in this site.
Served with
- Australian (6)
- United Kingdom (1)
Served in
- Air Force (7)
Lancaster lll PB255 – 460 Sqdn
On December 24th 1944 the Avro Lancaster Mk III PB255 from the 460 Squadron RAAF, departed at 1450 from RAF Binbrook, England, on board a crew of seven Australian airmen, bomb load was 1 x 4000lb, 1 x 1000lb and 8 x 500lb bombs. Their mission was a raid over the city of Cologne (Nippes railway yards) in Germany. On the way, the Lancaster was shot down by a German nightfighter, the pilot tried to return to England but crashed in Oostelbeers, The Netherlands, all are buried in the churchyard.
Crew
Flying Officer (FO) Michael Carleton Skarratt 420763 (Pilot) RAAF - age 22
Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Robert John Dickie 430773 (Navigator) RAAF - age 20
FO John Michael Ward 437237 (Bomb Aimer) RAAF - age 21
Flt Sgt Cyril Keith Deed 30953 (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF - age 25
Flt Sgt Graham Fowler Day 433717 (Rear Gunner) RAAF - age 20
Flt Sgt Russell Ian Stewart 434335 (Wireless Operator, Air) RAAF - age 21
Sergeant Thomas Charles Newman 923554 (Flight Engineer), RAF
Flying Officer Michael Carleton SKARRATT - 420763
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 22
Son of Charles Sydney and Ethel Victoria Skarratt, of Riverstone, Victoria, Australia.
Personal Inscription: "ABIDE WITH ME"
Flight Sergeant Robert John DICKIE - 430773
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 20
Son of Thomas William and Elizabeth Mary Dickie, of Dunkeld, Victoria, Australia.
Personal Inscription: HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE. IN SILENCE WE REMEMBER
Flying Officer John Michael WARD - 437237
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 21
Son of Cyril Michael and Kathleen Hayes Ward, of Clarence Park, South Australia.
Personal Inscription: MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. AMEN
Fight Sergeant Cyril Keith DEED - 30953
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 25
Son of Herbert and Ellen Wynne Deed, of Dingee, Victoria, Australia.
Personal Inscription: HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE. EVER REMEMBERED
Flight Sergeant Grahan Fowler DAY - 433717
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 20
Son of Donald Fowler Day and Annie Hilda Day, of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Personal Inscription: "I BARE YOU ON EAGLES' WINGS, AND BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF"
Flight Sergeant Russell Ian STEWART - 434335
Royal Australian Air Force
Died 24 December 1944 Age 21
Son of Percy David and Violet Stewart, of East Camberwell, Victoria, Australia.
Personal Inscription: AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE REMEMBER
