DONCHERY COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Ardennes
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.69716, Longitude: 4.87761
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Donchery is a village and commune 16 kilometres south-east of Mezières and 5 kilometres west of Sedan, on the N.64 between the two towns.
The communal cemetery is about 250 metres north-east of the church. The cemetery contains six airmen from World War Two. There are also 21 French burials from World War One.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Battle L4946 was airborne at 15:20 hrs from Ecury-sur-Coole on 14th May 1940 to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan. Shot down 1.5 km south of Douchery (Ardennes), 4 km WSW of Sedan, France attacking bridge at Wadelincourt. All Three crew members were killed.
39987 Flying Officer
John Ing,
Pilot in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
14th May 1940, aged 25.
Educated Highbury & Cordwalles primary schools then Michael-house, Balgowan. Michaelhouse & the Technical High School Durban in 1933 ( the THS changed its name to Glenwood High School in 1934) .
After leaving school he was employed with Messrs. Corrugated Containers Ltd. for a short time, after which he left to take up training for flying at Baragwanath. In 1936 he sailed to England to join the RAF, having first received his pilots certificate at Robert Heights.
Son of the late Mr. F. J. Ing. of Messrs. Ing and Jackson architects.
John Ing,
Pilot in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
14th May 1940, aged 25.
Educated Highbury & Cordwalles primary schools then Michael-house, Balgowan. Michaelhouse & the Technical High School Durban in 1933 ( the THS changed its name to Glenwood High School in 1934) .
After leaving school he was employed with Messrs. Corrugated Containers Ltd. for a short time, after which he left to take up training for flying at Baragwanath. In 1936 he sailed to England to join the RAF, having first received his pilots certificate at Robert Heights.
Son of the late Mr. F. J. Ing. of Messrs. Ing and Jackson architects.
613363 Aircraftman 1st Class
William Joseph Nolan
Wireless Operator in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
4th May 1940, aged 20.
Son of Joseph and Mary Nolan, of Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Irish Republic.
His headstone bears the inscription "Crucified Lord Jesus Have Mercy On Him"
William Joseph Nolan
Wireless Operator in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
4th May 1940, aged 20.
Son of Joseph and Mary Nolan, of Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Irish Republic.
His headstone bears the inscription "Crucified Lord Jesus Have Mercy On Him"
564992 Sergeant
John Daniel Turner
Observer in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
14th May 1940, aged 25.
Son of Thomas and Ruth Turner nee Heaton of Fairholme, Carlton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England.
Sgt. Turner was educated at Worksop Central School and after winning an R.A.F scholarship joined the force in 1930. He was boy entrant, part of 22th entry of apprentices at RAF Halton graduating in 1932/3 (the apprenticeship was for three years). Apprenticeships at Halton were in engineering (trade based – fitters, riggers etc.).
He arrived in 150 squadron on 29/11/39 as a replacement along with John Ing. Turner is first listed in the duty rota on 4/12/39 as NCO i/c A Flight. and several times after as Orderly Sgt.
John Daniel Turner
Observer in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
14th May 1940, aged 25.
Son of Thomas and Ruth Turner nee Heaton of Fairholme, Carlton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England.
Sgt. Turner was educated at Worksop Central School and after winning an R.A.F scholarship joined the force in 1930. He was boy entrant, part of 22th entry of apprentices at RAF Halton graduating in 1932/3 (the apprenticeship was for three years). Apprenticeships at Halton were in engineering (trade based – fitters, riggers etc.).
He arrived in 150 squadron on 29/11/39 as a replacement along with John Ing. Turner is first listed in the duty rota on 4/12/39 as NCO i/c A Flight. and several times after as Orderly Sgt.
Battle I K9189 and its three crew members took off at 15.40 on 14th May 1940 from Villeneuve-les-Virtues to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan, The plane was shot down at Donchery (Ardennes) 4km WSW of Sedan France. All three crew members were killed
Burial Details
580557 Sergeant Gordon Atkinson, Observer in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940, aged 19. Son of William and Doris Atkinson, of Bolton, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
41208 Pilot Officer Frederick Heward Ridley, Pilot in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940.
613420 Aircraftman 1st Class James Samuel Thomson, Wireless Operator in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940. Son of James Paul and Sadie Thomson, of Blackpool, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Be Thine. Forever In Our Thoughts, Darling. Mum, Toni, Kit And Binnie"
580557 Sergeant Gordon Atkinson, Observer in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940, aged 19. Son of William and Doris Atkinson, of Bolton, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
41208 Pilot Officer Frederick Heward Ridley, Pilot in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940.
613420 Aircraftman 1st Class James Samuel Thomson, Wireless Operator in 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 14th May 1940. Son of James Paul and Sadie Thomson, of Blackpool, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Be Thine. Forever In Our Thoughts, Darling. Mum, Toni, Kit And Binnie"
