GEEL (STELEN) CHURCHYARD
Antwerpen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.12436 Longitude: 4.97696
Location Information
Geel is located midway between Antwerpen (46 km), Hasselt (38 km) and Leuven.
From St Amandskerk on the Grote Markt in Geel follow the one way system for 15 metres and turn right into 'Pas'. Follow this road for 500 metres to the traffic lights. Go straight across this junction onto the Stelenseweg and follow this road for 4.25 km then turn right into a road called 'Stelen'.
The Church is situated 400 metres on the right and the Commission plot can be found to the rear of the church.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
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. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany.
All of the men buried in Geel (Stelen) Churchyard died in the period 9-11 September 1944, during the fighting to establish a bridgehead across the Albert Canal.
Geel (Stelen) Churchyard contains 34 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 33, Canada 1. Total 34.
Pictures © Johan Pauwels
Geel is located midway between Antwerpen (46 km), Hasselt (38 km) and Leuven.
From St Amandskerk on the Grote Markt in Geel follow the one way system for 15 metres and turn right into 'Pas'. Follow this road for 500 metres to the traffic lights. Go straight across this junction onto the Stelenseweg and follow this road for 4.25 km then turn right into a road called 'Stelen'.
The Church is situated 400 metres on the right and the Commission plot can be found to the rear of the church.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
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. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany.
All of the men buried in Geel (Stelen) Churchyard died in the period 9-11 September 1944, during the fighting to establish a bridgehead across the Albert Canal.
Geel (Stelen) Churchyard contains 34 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 33, Canada 1. Total 34.
Pictures © Johan Pauwels
5675938 Lance Corporal
Albert Ambrosino
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 26.
Son of Domenico and Maddalena Ambrosino, of Stokes Croft, Bristol.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Mornig We Will Remember You"
Albert Ambrosino
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 26.
Son of Domenico and Maddalena Ambrosino, of Stokes Croft, Bristol.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Mornig We Will Remember You"
4452553 Private
George Thomas Etherington
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 23.
Son of George and Gladys Etherington; husband of Kathleen Etherington, of Durham.
His headstone bears the inscription "Years Shall Not Darken Nor Shadows Dim The Beautiful Memories I Have Of Him"
George Thomas Etherington
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 23.
Son of George and Gladys Etherington; husband of Kathleen Etherington, of Durham.
His headstone bears the inscription "Years Shall Not Darken Nor Shadows Dim The Beautiful Memories I Have Of Him"
4615266 Trooper
Thomas Fothergill
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944.
Son of Albert and Mary Anne Fothergill; husband of Ada Fothergill, of Belle Isle, Leeds, Yorkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Those Who Have Lost Can Tell The Pain Of Parting Without Farewell"
Thomas Fothergill
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944.
Son of Albert and Mary Anne Fothergill; husband of Ada Fothergill, of Belle Isle, Leeds, Yorkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Those Who Have Lost Can Tell The Pain Of Parting Without Farewell"
4799746 Serjeant
Leslie William Hazel
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 34.
Son of James William and M. S. Hazel; husband of Dorothy Hazel, of Ashby, Lincolnshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Bless Thee. The Lord Make His Face To Shine Upon Thee And Give Thee Peace"
Leslie William Hazel
8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
9th September 1944, aged 34.
Son of James William and M. S. Hazel; husband of Dorothy Hazel, of Ashby, Lincolnshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Bless Thee. The Lord Make His Face To Shine Upon Thee And Give Thee Peace"
259275 Captain
John Emory Mann, M. C.
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944, aged 30.
Son of Charles and Ada Mann, of Coventry; husband of Jean Kathleen Mann, of Coventry.
His headstone bears the inscription "Requiescat in Pace"
John Emory Mann, M. C.
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944, aged 30.
Son of Charles and Ada Mann, of Coventry; husband of Jean Kathleen Mann, of Coventry.
His headstone bears the inscription "Requiescat in Pace"
CDN/426 Lieutenant
Harry Niznick Royal Canadian Infantry Corps attached to "C" Company, 8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry 9th September 1944. |
Click on image to enlarge
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14427894 Trooper
William Anthony Reid
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944, aged 21.
Son of John and Annie Reid; husband of Kathleen Reid, of Inchicore, Dublin, Irish Republic.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Sad Memory Of My Dear Husband William. Sadly Missed"
William Anthony Reid
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
10th September 1944, aged 21.
Son of John and Annie Reid; husband of Kathleen Reid, of Inchicore, Dublin, Irish Republic.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Sad Memory Of My Dear Husband William. Sadly Missed"
