BASSU COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Marne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.83246, Longitude: 4.69645
Location Information
Bassu is a village and commune 28 kilometres south-east of Châlons-sur-Marne and 16 kilometres north-east of Vitry-le-François. The communal cemetery is located about 150 yards down a local road leading off the road from Vitry-le-François where it passes through the village. The Commonwealth graves are in the north-west corner of the cemetery.
History Information
When Germany invaded France early in May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force had already been established there for some time. Between their dramatic evacuation a few weeks later and the Normandy landings of June 1944, Commonwealth forces activity in France was limited to coastal raids and special operations. Most of the Second World War Commonwealth cemeteries and memorials are situated in the coastal areas of northern France, but graves will also be found in communal cemeteries and churchyards all over the country, many being those of Commonwealth airmen who failed to return from missions over northern Europe. Bassu Communal Cemetery contains the graves of four Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
Bassu is a village and commune 28 kilometres south-east of Châlons-sur-Marne and 16 kilometres north-east of Vitry-le-François. The communal cemetery is located about 150 yards down a local road leading off the road from Vitry-le-François where it passes through the village. The Commonwealth graves are in the north-west corner of the cemetery.
History Information
When Germany invaded France early in May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force had already been established there for some time. Between their dramatic evacuation a few weeks later and the Normandy landings of June 1944, Commonwealth forces activity in France was limited to coastal raids and special operations. Most of the Second World War Commonwealth cemeteries and memorials are situated in the coastal areas of northern France, but graves will also be found in communal cemeteries and churchyards all over the country, many being those of Commonwealth airmen who failed to return from missions over northern Europe. Bassu Communal Cemetery contains the graves of four Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
First two images in the gallery below used with the permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The third image of the grave marker is taken from the project "Operation Picture Me"
J/95162 Pilot Officer
John Ellard Searson
Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 19.
Son of Joseph Daniel and Bridget Searson, of Douglas, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord; And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
John Ellard Searson was known as "Johnny" to his crew mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
John Ellard Searson
Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 19.
Son of Joseph Daniel and Bridget Searson, of Douglas, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord; And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
John Ellard Searson was known as "Johnny" to his crew mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
J/92352 Pilot Officer
John Patrick Shortt
Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 20.
Son of John Falkner Shortt and Margaret Frances Shortt, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
John Patrick Shortt was known as "Shorty" to his mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
John Patrick Shortt
Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 20.
Son of John Falkner Shortt and Margaret Frances Shortt, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
John Patrick Shortt was known as "Shorty" to his mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
J/92572 Pilot Officer
Jack Spevak
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son to Samuel Spevak at 400 Friel Street, Ottawa.
Jack Spevak known as "Spev" to his mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
Jack Spevak
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son to Samuel Spevak at 400 Friel Street, Ottawa.
Jack Spevak known as "Spev" to his mates in the Phillis Crew, No. 419 "Moose" Squadron.
Other Airman's Details
1868905 Sergeant James Norman, D. F. M. Flight Engineer in 419 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944. His headstone bears the inscription "Not Forgotten By Mum, Dad, Annie And Albert"
1868905 Sergeant James Norman, D. F. M. Flight Engineer in 419 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944. His headstone bears the inscription "Not Forgotten By Mum, Dad, Annie And Albert"
