BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY
Noord-Brabant
Netherlands
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.50209 Longitude: 4.33289
Location Information
Bergen-op-Zoom is a town in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, 40 kilometres north-west of Antwerp (Belgium). Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery and Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery are almost next to one another, 3 kilometres east of the town centre, on a road named Ruytershoveweg, which runs parallel with the A58 Bergen-op-Zoom to Roosendaal motorway.
The cemeteries can be reached from the motorway by taking the Bergen-op-Zoom exit, which leads on to Rooseveltlaan. At the first crossroads the cemeteries are signposted to the right. There is a further signposted right turn after 1 kilometre, and the cemeteries are 2 kilometres along this road on the left-hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery contains 1,284 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the Second World War. 116 of the burials are unidentified. Many of the casualties are as a result of the Battle for Walcheren (Operation Infatuate), at the beginning of November 1944. Walcheren was an island that dominated the the entrance to the River Scheldt, which the Germans fortified to prevent the allies gaining access to the vital deep water port at Antwerp. After a hard fought battle, that principally involved units from the 52nd (Lowland) Division, the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 4th Special Service Brigade, the island was secured on the 8th November 1944.
There are also seven First World War burials (one airman and six unknown sailors) and 21 war graves of other nationalities.
Total Burials: 1,318.
World War One Identified Casualty: United Kingdom 1. Total 1.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 6.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,091, Canada 46, New Zealand 23, Poland 20, Australia 12, Belgium 2, South Africa 1. Total 1,195.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 116.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Crash site at Anna Paulowna
Crash information on LW343 Anna Paulowna click here
Four of the Seven crew members who were killed on this spot are buried in this cemetery
(Pictures © Frits Leenders)
R/116753 Warrant Officer Class II
John Andrew Whitmore McKenzie
35 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th December 1943, aged 22.
Collective grave 10. A. 20-22.
Son of John Andrew and Helen Marguerite Whitmore McKenzie, of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada; husband of Rosalind Virginia McKenzie, of St. Thomas.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of John And Helen McKenzie, And Husband Of Virginia. St Thomas, Canada"
John Andrew Whitmore McKenzie
35 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th December 1943, aged 22.
Collective grave 10. A. 20-22.
Son of John Andrew and Helen Marguerite Whitmore McKenzie, of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada; husband of Rosalind Virginia McKenzie, of St. Thomas.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of John And Helen McKenzie, And Husband Of Virginia. St Thomas, Canada"
Other Crash Victims
144047 Flying Officer Eric Austin Alliston, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 4th December 1942, aged 20. Collective grave 10. A. 20-22. Son of William H. and Flora Maude Alliston, of Ralston, Renfrewshire. His headstone bears the inscription "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
1850638 Sergeant Francis John Dimond, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 4th December 1943, aged 19.
31. A. 1. Son of Robert and Gladys Dimond, of Melksham, Wiltshire.
1279234 Sergeant Kenneth Holt, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 4th December 1943, aged 23.
Collective grave 10. A. 20-22. Son of Fred and Lily Holt, of Liverpool. His headstone bears the inscription "Our Loss Is Great We'll Not Complain But Hope, In Heaven, To Meet Again"
144047 Flying Officer Eric Austin Alliston, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 4th December 1942, aged 20. Collective grave 10. A. 20-22. Son of William H. and Flora Maude Alliston, of Ralston, Renfrewshire. His headstone bears the inscription "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
1850638 Sergeant Francis John Dimond, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 4th December 1943, aged 19.
31. A. 1. Son of Robert and Gladys Dimond, of Melksham, Wiltshire.
1279234 Sergeant Kenneth Holt, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 4th December 1943, aged 23.
Collective grave 10. A. 20-22. Son of Fred and Lily Holt, of Liverpool. His headstone bears the inscription "Our Loss Is Great We'll Not Complain But Hope, In Heaven, To Meet Again"
Location of Crash Site
Crash Site at Breezand
Crash information on R1226 Breezand click here
The six crew members who were killed on this spot are buried in this cemetery
(Pictures © Frits Leenders)
39377 Squadron Leader
Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison, D. F. C.
Pilot in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9th May 1941, aged 30.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of W. H. and Marion Eddison; husband of Jill Eddison.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ultor in Umbris"
Studio portrait of 39377 Acting Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison RAF, DFC, 214 Squadron RAF. Frank Eddison attended Canberra Grammar School before training with the RAF in England. Along with the five members of his crew, Sqn Ldr Eddison was killed in action on 9 May 1941 when shot down over the Netherlands by a German nightfighter; he was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The DFC citation mentions his enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and ability to encourage others, the excellent example he set others and his readiness to assist his unit commander, plus the fact that he 'particularly distinguished himself in raids on Brest, Eindhoven airfield and Hamburg'. The scattered remains of Sqn Ldr Eddison and his crew were buried after the Liberation in Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery in the Netherlands.
Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison, D. F. C.
Pilot in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9th May 1941, aged 30.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of W. H. and Marion Eddison; husband of Jill Eddison.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ultor in Umbris"
Studio portrait of 39377 Acting Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison RAF, DFC, 214 Squadron RAF. Frank Eddison attended Canberra Grammar School before training with the RAF in England. Along with the five members of his crew, Sqn Ldr Eddison was killed in action on 9 May 1941 when shot down over the Netherlands by a German nightfighter; he was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The DFC citation mentions his enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and ability to encourage others, the excellent example he set others and his readiness to assist his unit commander, plus the fact that he 'particularly distinguished himself in raids on Brest, Eindhoven airfield and Hamburg'. The scattered remains of Sqn Ldr Eddison and his crew were buried after the Liberation in Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery in the Netherlands.
401315 Pilot Officer
Norman Mervyn Kebbell Kirkcaldie
Royal New Zealand Air Force
9th May 1941, aged 23.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of Norman Kirkcaldie and of Marjorie Grace Kirkcaldie (nee Kebbell), of Ohau, Wellington, New Zealand.
Norman Mervyn Kebbell Kirkcaldie
Royal New Zealand Air Force
9th May 1941, aged 23.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of Norman Kirkcaldie and of Marjorie Grace Kirkcaldie (nee Kebbell), of Ohau, Wellington, New Zealand.
974125 Sergeant
Kennedy Tait
214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9th May 1941, aged 20.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of John James Tait, and of Blanche Tait, of Dunshelt, Fife. His brother Joseph also died on service and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in England.
Kennedy Tait
214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9th May 1941, aged 20.
32. C. 2. (Collective)
Son of John James Tait, and of Blanche Tait, of Dunshelt, Fife. His brother Joseph also died on service and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in England.
Other Crash Victims
749319 Sergeant John Holt, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941.
904673 Sergeant Cyril Paton, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941, aged 22. Son of Thomas and Edith Maude Paton, of South Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. His headstone bears the inscription "Not Gone From Memory Nor From Love, But Called To His Heavenly Home Above"
935907 Sergeant Arnot Flaws Wilson, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941, aged 19. Son of Ruth Wilson, of Workington, Cumberland. His headstone bears the inscription "A Wonderful Son And Dear Brother Of Derek And Reeve. Mother"
749319 Sergeant John Holt, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941.
904673 Sergeant Cyril Paton, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941, aged 22. Son of Thomas and Edith Maude Paton, of South Willesborough, Ashford, Kent. His headstone bears the inscription "Not Gone From Memory Nor From Love, But Called To His Heavenly Home Above"
935907 Sergeant Arnot Flaws Wilson, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 9th May 1941, aged 19. Son of Ruth Wilson, of Workington, Cumberland. His headstone bears the inscription "A Wonderful Son And Dear Brother Of Derek And Reeve. Mother"
Crash Location
Crash Site at Den Helder
The two crew members who were killed on this spot are buried in this cemetery
This Memorial commemorates the crash at this location of a British Beaufighter which was shot down during an attack on the harbour, on 18 July 1943.
(Pictures © Frits Leenders)
148792 Pilot Officer
Ernest Frederick Victor Kidd
Pilot in 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force
18th July 1943, aged 24.
Joint grave 29. A. 1-2.
Son of Ernest and Catherine Emily Kidd, of Canvey Island, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Our Treasured Son Always In Our Thoughts. Mum And Dad"
Ernest Frederick Victor Kidd
Pilot in 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force
18th July 1943, aged 24.
Joint grave 29. A. 1-2.
Son of Ernest and Catherine Emily Kidd, of Canvey Island, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Our Treasured Son Always In Our Thoughts. Mum And Dad"
149154 Pilot Officer
Harold Cuthbert Stevenson
Navigator in 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
18th July 1943, aged 22.
Joint grave 29. A. 1-2.
Son of William and Dorothy Spours Stevenson; husband of Audrey Dorothy Stevenson, of Dursley, Gloucestershire.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die"
Harold Cuthbert Stevenson
Navigator in 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
18th July 1943, aged 22.
Joint grave 29. A. 1-2.
Son of William and Dorothy Spours Stevenson; husband of Audrey Dorothy Stevenson, of Dursley, Gloucestershire.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die"
Location of Crash Site
Crash Site at Slootdorp
Crash information on Z1467 Slootdorp click here
The six crew members who were killed on this spot are buried in this cemetery
Pictures © Frits Leenders
P/794118 Plutonowy
Jan Danik
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 29.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
Jan Danik
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 29.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
P/1662 Porucznik
Andrzej Kulakowski
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 28.
Plot XXXII Row A Grave 2.
Andrzej Kulakowski
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 28.
Plot XXXII Row A Grave 2.
P/783107 Kapral
Sykstus Marian Lewkowicz
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
26th June 1942, aged 30.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
Sykstus Marian Lewkowicz
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
26th June 1942, aged 30.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
P/1054 Kapitan
Fidelis Jozef Lukasik
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 37.
Plot XXXII Row A Grave 1.
Fidelis Jozef Lukasik
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 37.
Plot XXXII Row A Grave 1.
P/794000 Plutonowy
Zygmunt Nogaj
310 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 28.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
Zygmunt Nogaj
310 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 28.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
P/1273 Kapitan
Franciszek Andrzei Witakowski
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 42.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
Franciszek Andrzei Witakowski
301 Squadron, Polish Air Force
6th June 1942, aged 42.
Plot XXXII Row B Coll Grave 6-8.
