graves

 

 

 

IN MEMORy by Pierre Vandervelden

The visit of Commonwealth graves in Communals Cemeteries & Churchyards in Belgium & France

pierre.vandervelden@pi.be

EQUENNES Churchyard (Somme France)

V. D. Purvis is 4th from left.
One of the men could be D. Graaff who was Rhodesian.
44 squadron was the Rhodesian Squadron.
Please help us to recognize the others members of the crew.
Photos courtesy Peter Bennett (UK)
F/O Victor Davenant Purvis DFC 07/07/1944 aged 22.
The 7 casualties in this churchyard are the crew of Lancaster ME859 KM-S which crashed during a raid on the V-1 storage depot at St Leu d'Esserent, possibly due to flak damage.
For his nephew Ian Hamilton and niece Susan Uren.
Sue visiting the old Dunholme Lodge airfield for 44 Sqdn. just a few miles north of Lincoln.
The owner has built a little memorial which visitors are able to attach their own plaques.

7 casualties

CRITCHLEY LAWRENCE ARCHIBALD
United Kingdom Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn. Age 20 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 1822207

GIBBERSON FRANK HUBERT
United Kingdom Flight Sergeant (Nav./Bomber) Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force) 44 Sqdn. Age 33 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 851417

GRAAFF DEWHURST
United Kingdom Flying Officer (Pilot) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn. Age 21 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 160154

GROVES ROBERT BRUCE
Australian Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) Royal Australian Air Force 44 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Age 23 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 409992

HODGE JOHN SYDNEY
United Kingdom Flying Officer (W.Op. Air) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn. Age 22 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 157045

HOLLAND ARTHUR
United Kingdom Warrant Officer (Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn. Age 29 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 1028124

PURVIS VICTOR DAVENANT
United Kingdom Flying Officer (Nav.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn. Age 22 Date of Death 07/07/1944 Service No 158090

IF You have a casualty picture, please send me a copy, I'll be glad to show it on this page.

IF You want a king size copy of this picture (300/900 ko - 2592/1944 pixels) please e-mail me.

IF You want picture of a particular grave, in this cemetery, please e-mail me.

Casualties informations come usualy from Commonwealth War Graves Commission, see links for more informations

Inmemories.com © Pierre Vandervelden - Belgium