ASSE (MOLLEMSEBAAN) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Vlaams-Brabant
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.91833Longitude: 4.19961
Image above © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
The village of Asse is situated to the north-west of Brussels on the N9 which runs between Brussels and Aalst.
From the E40 motorway turn off at junction 20 (Ternat), turn right on the N285 direction Asse. Drive into the town to the crossroads with the N47, turn left on the N47 in the direction of Dendermonde. Take the second turning on the right into Kelestraat and then turn left into Prieelstraat. Follow this road until the junction with Mollemseweg. The communal cemetery is along on the right. The Commonwealth war graves are located in the southern corner of the cemetery. From the entrance follow the right hand path to the far boundary. The Commonwealth war graves are located in a small enclosure and are surrounded by a Yew hedge.
Historical Information
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.
Asse (Mollemsebaan) Communal Cemetery contains nine burials of the Second World War.
Burial Details
401702 Trooper Joseph Henry Blake, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 31.
838594 Bombardier Ernest Clarkson, 38 Bty., 14 Anti-Tank Regt. Royal Artillery, died 18th May 1940, aged 24. Husband of Isabella Clarkson. His headstone bears the inscription "Goodnight, Beloved, For Love Knows No Farewell"
20521 Major Colin Cokayne-Frith, Mentioned in Despatches, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 40. Son of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Cokayne-Frith, 15th The Kings Roya 1 Hussars, and of Pauline Cokayne-Frith, of Sandford St. Martin, Oxfordshire; husband of Eileen Cokayne-Frith, of Northampton. His headstone bears the inscription "O Valiant Heart Tranquil You Lie Your Knightly Virtue Proved"
7899146 Trooper Donald Kelly Craig, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 21.
549100 Trooper Arthur James Philp, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 29. Son of Walter James Philp and Elizabeth Ellen Philp; husband of Mabel Mary Philp, of Hammersmith, London.
556119 Serjeant Arthur William Relf, 5th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 21.
556837 Corporal Kenneth Percival Smith, 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 21. Son of Albert Edward and Alice Maud Smith, of Millbrook, Southampton. His headstone bears the inscription "Although The Years May Pass Memories Of You Will Always Stay"
4856515 Corporal Bernard Aubrey Victor Turland, 4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, died 18th May 1940, aged 26. Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Turland, of Lubenham, Leicestershire. His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P".
6343904 Trooper Peter Edward Wilkins, 5th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 18th May 1940, aged 20. Son of Joseph George and Lilian Wilkins, of Green Street Green, Kent. His headstone bears the inscription "Stretch Your Arms Across The Gulf Of Death, Walk With Us To The End Of Time"
