BREST (KERFAUTRAS) CEMETERY
Finistère
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.39986, Longitude: -4.47499
Image above © Thierry Grier
Location Information
Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery is in the suburb of St Martin which is approximately 2 kilometres north-east of the centre of Brest.
The main cemetery entrance is in Rue Massillon, off Rue Jules Ferry, which is a turning off the main road, Rue Jean Jaures. The Commonwealth war graves are located in the French Military Plot on the west side of the cemetery.
Historical Information
During the 1914-18 War, Brest was United States Naval Headquarters in France, and the main port of debarkation from United States transports.
During the 1939-45 War it was the disembarkation port for the stores and vehicles of the first British Expeditionary Force, and temporary maintenance depots were formed there until an Advanced Base was established near Le Havre. In 1940, after the German entry into Paris on 14th June, the first contingent of the Canadian forces, which had only just reached France, were re-embarked from Brest, as were the last of the United Kingdom forces remaining in France - our Line of Communication troops and material. A Fighter Squadron of the Royal Air Force Component operated from Brest to give close protection to the port during re-embarkation.
There are 114 Commonwealth war casualties commemorated in this site.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 32.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 1.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 61, Canada 7, Australia 4, Poland 3, New Zealand 1. Total 76.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 5.
Cemetery images below © Thierry Grier
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72446 Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, V. C.
Pilot in 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
6th April 1941, aged 23.
Plot 40. 1. 10.
Son of James Campbell and of Jane Campbell (nee Highet), of Stevenston, Ayrshire. B.A.(Cantab.).
His headstone bears the inscription "Youngest Son Of James Campbell, Kerelaw, Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland"
On April 6, 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was a pilot of a Beaufort aircraft which was detailed to attack the German battle cruiser Gneisenau at Brest Harbor, France. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbor protected by a stone mole, batteries of guns and three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships. Knowing the heavy odds, he ran the gauntlet of the defenses, coming in at almost sea level, passed the anti-aircraft ships under extreme fire and launched a torpedo at point-blank range as the battle cruiser was trying to leave dock. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and had to return to the dock out of action. Because of rising ground surrounding the harbor Flying Officer Campbell was forced into a steep banking turn, was met by heavy enemy anti-aircraft flak and crashed into the harbor, killing him and his other three crew mates. For valor of the highest order, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on March 13, 1942.
Citation:
The following details are given in "The London Gazette," of 13th March, 1942: Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of the 6th April, 1941. The ship was in a position protected by a stone mole bending round it, and rising ground behind on which stood batteries of guns. Other batteries clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircled the outer harbour, while three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships moored nearby guarded the cruiser. Even if an aircraft penetrated these formidable defences it would be almost impossible, after attacking at low level, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. Knowing all this, Flying Officer Campbell ran the gauntlet of the defences and launched a torpedo at point-blank range, severely damaging the battle cruiser below water-line, so that she was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home the attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire, on a course fraught with extreme peril, this officer displayed valour of the highest order.
Pilot in 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
6th April 1941, aged 23.
Plot 40. 1. 10.
Son of James Campbell and of Jane Campbell (nee Highet), of Stevenston, Ayrshire. B.A.(Cantab.).
His headstone bears the inscription "Youngest Son Of James Campbell, Kerelaw, Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland"
On April 6, 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was a pilot of a Beaufort aircraft which was detailed to attack the German battle cruiser Gneisenau at Brest Harbor, France. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbor protected by a stone mole, batteries of guns and three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships. Knowing the heavy odds, he ran the gauntlet of the defenses, coming in at almost sea level, passed the anti-aircraft ships under extreme fire and launched a torpedo at point-blank range as the battle cruiser was trying to leave dock. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and had to return to the dock out of action. Because of rising ground surrounding the harbor Flying Officer Campbell was forced into a steep banking turn, was met by heavy enemy anti-aircraft flak and crashed into the harbor, killing him and his other three crew mates. For valor of the highest order, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on March 13, 1942.
Citation:
The following details are given in "The London Gazette," of 13th March, 1942: Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of the 6th April, 1941. The ship was in a position protected by a stone mole bending round it, and rising ground behind on which stood batteries of guns. Other batteries clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircled the outer harbour, while three heavily armed anti-aircraft ships moored nearby guarded the cruiser. Even if an aircraft penetrated these formidable defences it would be almost impossible, after attacking at low level, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. Knowing all this, Flying Officer Campbell ran the gauntlet of the defences and launched a torpedo at point-blank range, severely damaging the battle cruiser below water-line, so that she was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home the attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire, on a course fraught with extreme peril, this officer displayed valour of the highest order.
Headstone images © Thierry Grier
R/54533 Flight Sergeant
Robert Edward Venning Anderson
218 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
10th April 1941, aged 24.
Plot 40. 1. 9.
Robert Edward Venning Anderson
218 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
10th April 1941, aged 24.
Plot 40. 1. 9.
J/12838 Flight Lieutenant
Elliott Adams Armstrong
502 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd June 1944, aged 25.
Plot 47. 2. 13.
Son of Joseph Henry and Eliza Jane Armstrong, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "So Dearly Loved. No Distance Can Sever"
Elliott Adams Armstrong
502 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
23rd June 1944, aged 25.
Plot 47. 2. 13.
Son of Joseph Henry and Eliza Jane Armstrong, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "So Dearly Loved. No Distance Can Sever"
108115 Pilot Officer
Ivor Owen Davies
50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
25th March 1942, aged 22.
Plot 46. 10. 15.
Son of John and Annie Davies, of Stockton Heath, Warrington, Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Life Was Gentle"
Ivor Owen Davies
50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
25th March 1942, aged 22.
Plot 46. 10. 15.
Son of John and Annie Davies, of Stockton Heath, Warrington, Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Life Was Gentle"
68739 Pilot Officer
Leslie Percival Foster
35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
30th December 1941, aged 24.
Plot 40. 1. 12.
Son of Capt. Percy Allen Foster and Gertrude Elizabeth Foster, of Little Bardfield, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "With His Comrades Wing To Wing, Leading The Way To Victory"
Leslie Percival Foster
35 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
30th December 1941, aged 24.
Plot 40. 1. 12.
Son of Capt. Percy Allen Foster and Gertrude Elizabeth Foster, of Little Bardfield, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "With His Comrades Wing To Wing, Leading The Way To Victory"
J/89053 Pilot Officer
Howard William George Fox
149 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
24th June 1944, aged 19.
Plot 47. 3. 13.
Son of George F. Fox and Kate Fox, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Son Of Mr. And Mrs. Fox. Deeply Missed By Mum Dad And Sisters"
Howard William George Fox
149 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
24th June 1944, aged 19.
Plot 47. 3. 13.
Son of George F. Fox and Kate Fox, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Son Of Mr. And Mrs. Fox. Deeply Missed By Mum Dad And Sisters"
570897 Sergeant
Arthur Stanley Greenwood
35 Squadron, Royal Air Force
30th December 1941, aged 20.
Plot 40. 1. 11.
Son of Arthur Joseph and Emily Greenwood, of Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Memories Of Our Beloved Son And Brother. Resting In God's Haven Of Peace"
Arthur Stanley Greenwood
35 Squadron, Royal Air Force
30th December 1941, aged 20.
Plot 40. 1. 11.
Son of Arthur Joseph and Emily Greenwood, of Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Memories Of Our Beloved Son And Brother. Resting In God's Haven Of Peace"
643257 Flight Sergeant
Ralph Walter Hillman
22 Squadron, Royal Air Force
6th April 1941.
Plot 40. 9. 14.
Born in 1918 in Edmonton, London, Ralph was the son of Walter John Hillman and Grace Elizabeth Hillman (née Sutton). They had married in Edmonton in October 1913. Ralph attended Latymer Secondary School in Edmonton. He had an older sister Elizabeth Getrude Maud born in 1914.
Sadly, Ralph never knew his father. His father Walter, served in the Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1. Returning from leave on the 9th October 1917, his transport detonated a mine and he was killed. His name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
In 1921, Ralph lived with his mother and sister at 21, Bounces Road in Edmonton. His mother was self- employed and worked from home as a dressmaker.
In June 1935, after leaving school, Ralph went to work in the accounts department of the Kodak Company in Kingsway, London. In May 1939 he left his job and enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft hand.
When war broke out in September 1939 he re-mustered as a Wireless Operator/Air gunner and was posted to Coastal Command and 22 Squadron who operated Bristol Beaufort planes. On the 1st August 1940, during the Battle of Britain, he was attached to 235 Squadron, flying in Blenheims. He served with them for the whole of August before returning to 22 Squadron.
In late March 1941 two German capital ships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau, arrived at the French port of Brest. RAF bombing raids left them undamaged but in order to remove an unexploded bomb from a dry dock the Gneisenau was re-berthed in a more exposed position. This vulnerability was spotted by a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire on the 5th April and orders were immediately issued for an attack to be carried out the following morning.
22 Squadron was briefed for the first attack and at 0420 in the on 6th April three torpedo-armed Beauforts flown by F/O K Campbell, F/O J Hyde DFC and Sgt. H Camp took off independently from St. Eval in Cornwall. They intended to rendezvous near Brest.
Very poor weather resulted in the aircraft flown by F/O Campbell arriving alone. Ralph was the aircraft's gunner, the other crew being the observer Sgt. JP Scott RCAF and the wireless operator Sgt. WC Mulliss. Just after 0600 the Beaufort flew through the entrance of Brest harbour, descending to 50 feet to line up the Gneisenau, 500 yards ahead within the inner harbour.
Dropping the torpedo at minimal operating distance, the Beaufort was seen to make a climbing turn in order to clear the surrounding hills and reach low cloud. However the extensive harbour defences were fully awake by then and the aircraft suffered multiple hits, went out of control and came down into the waters of the harbour. There were no survivors from the crew, whose bodies were recovered from the wreckage by the Germans who buried them with full military honours at Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery.
The torpedo struck home below the waterline. The Gneisenau may well have sunk if not for the proximity of a dry dock to which it was rapidly moved. It was under repair and out of action for the rest of 1941.
F/O Campbell was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross (gazetted 13th March 1942).
Tragically Ralph's mother Grace, who had now lost her husband and son to war, died from stomach cancer later in 1942.
Ralph is commemorated on the Battle of Britain Memorials in London and at Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone.
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Battle of Britain Monument, Men of the Battle of Britain by KG Wynn, Aircrew Remembered, Victoria Cross Online)
(Bio: Woose)
Ralph Walter Hillman
22 Squadron, Royal Air Force
6th April 1941.
Plot 40. 9. 14.
Born in 1918 in Edmonton, London, Ralph was the son of Walter John Hillman and Grace Elizabeth Hillman (née Sutton). They had married in Edmonton in October 1913. Ralph attended Latymer Secondary School in Edmonton. He had an older sister Elizabeth Getrude Maud born in 1914.
Sadly, Ralph never knew his father. His father Walter, served in the Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1. Returning from leave on the 9th October 1917, his transport detonated a mine and he was killed. His name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
In 1921, Ralph lived with his mother and sister at 21, Bounces Road in Edmonton. His mother was self- employed and worked from home as a dressmaker.
In June 1935, after leaving school, Ralph went to work in the accounts department of the Kodak Company in Kingsway, London. In May 1939 he left his job and enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft hand.
When war broke out in September 1939 he re-mustered as a Wireless Operator/Air gunner and was posted to Coastal Command and 22 Squadron who operated Bristol Beaufort planes. On the 1st August 1940, during the Battle of Britain, he was attached to 235 Squadron, flying in Blenheims. He served with them for the whole of August before returning to 22 Squadron.
In late March 1941 two German capital ships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau, arrived at the French port of Brest. RAF bombing raids left them undamaged but in order to remove an unexploded bomb from a dry dock the Gneisenau was re-berthed in a more exposed position. This vulnerability was spotted by a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire on the 5th April and orders were immediately issued for an attack to be carried out the following morning.
22 Squadron was briefed for the first attack and at 0420 in the on 6th April three torpedo-armed Beauforts flown by F/O K Campbell, F/O J Hyde DFC and Sgt. H Camp took off independently from St. Eval in Cornwall. They intended to rendezvous near Brest.
Very poor weather resulted in the aircraft flown by F/O Campbell arriving alone. Ralph was the aircraft's gunner, the other crew being the observer Sgt. JP Scott RCAF and the wireless operator Sgt. WC Mulliss. Just after 0600 the Beaufort flew through the entrance of Brest harbour, descending to 50 feet to line up the Gneisenau, 500 yards ahead within the inner harbour.
Dropping the torpedo at minimal operating distance, the Beaufort was seen to make a climbing turn in order to clear the surrounding hills and reach low cloud. However the extensive harbour defences were fully awake by then and the aircraft suffered multiple hits, went out of control and came down into the waters of the harbour. There were no survivors from the crew, whose bodies were recovered from the wreckage by the Germans who buried them with full military honours at Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery.
The torpedo struck home below the waterline. The Gneisenau may well have sunk if not for the proximity of a dry dock to which it was rapidly moved. It was under repair and out of action for the rest of 1941.
F/O Campbell was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross (gazetted 13th March 1942).
Tragically Ralph's mother Grace, who had now lost her husband and son to war, died from stomach cancer later in 1942.
Ralph is commemorated on the Battle of Britain Memorials in London and at Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone.
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Battle of Britain Monument, Men of the Battle of Britain by KG Wynn, Aircrew Remembered, Victoria Cross Online)
(Bio: Woose)
966959 Sergeant
Kenneth Albert King
51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
5th July 1941, aged 21.
Plot 40. 1. 14. (Joint grave)
Son of Albert Edgar and May King, of Ruislip, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance Of You. Philippians 1.3. Mum, Dad, Con. And Doff"
Kenneth Albert King
51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
5th July 1941, aged 21.
Plot 40. 1. 14. (Joint grave)
Son of Albert Edgar and May King, of Ruislip, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance Of You. Philippians 1.3. Mum, Dad, Con. And Doff"
R/63912 Sergeant
James Philip Scott
22 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
6th April 1941, aged 19.
Plot 40. 4. 6.
Son of Robert Bruce Scott and Mary Gertrude (nee Herdman) Scott, of Toronto, Ontario.
James died when his Beaufort N1016 crashed near Brest, France.
James Philip Scott
22 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
6th April 1941, aged 19.
Plot 40. 4. 6.
Son of Robert Bruce Scott and Mary Gertrude (nee Herdman) Scott, of Toronto, Ontario.
James died when his Beaufort N1016 crashed near Brest, France.
