KERSBEEK-MISKOM CHURCHYARD
Vlaams-Brabant
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.88657 Longitude: 4.99484
Location Information
The village of Kersbeek-Miskom is a village is situated to the east of Leuven on the N29 which runs between Diest and Tienen. From the A2 motorway turn off at junction 24 Bekkevoort and then turn onto the N29. Follow the N29 to the village of Glabbeek-Zuurbemde. In the village turn left in the direction of Zuurbemde. Drive through the village of Zuurbemde and Kersbeek is the next village. On entering Kersbeek, turn left into Kersbeek-Dorp and the church is just past the first turning on the left.The Commonwealth graves are located at the rear of the church.
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.
Kersbeek-Miskom Churchyard contains the graves of three Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
Burial Details
403189 Sergeant Neville Charles Holdaway, Royal Australian Air Force, died 25th August 1942, aged 24. Son of Charles Edwin and Lena Millie Holdaway, of Darling Point, New South Wales, Australia.
778843 Sergeant Keith Lash Matthews, Air Gunner in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th August 1942, aged 20. Son of Gordon Paxton Lash Matthews and Margaret May Matthews (nee Shone) of S. Rhodesia. His brother Sergeant Gordon William Lash Matthews also fell.
402912 Flight Sergeant Harry Malfroy Thompson, Pilot in 150 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, died 25th August 1942, aged 28. Son of Leonie Avis Thompson, of Ashburton, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Pictures © Johan Pauwels
The village of Kersbeek-Miskom is a village is situated to the east of Leuven on the N29 which runs between Diest and Tienen. From the A2 motorway turn off at junction 24 Bekkevoort and then turn onto the N29. Follow the N29 to the village of Glabbeek-Zuurbemde. In the village turn left in the direction of Zuurbemde. Drive through the village of Zuurbemde and Kersbeek is the next village. On entering Kersbeek, turn left into Kersbeek-Dorp and the church is just past the first turning on the left.The Commonwealth graves are located at the rear of the church.
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.
Kersbeek-Miskom Churchyard contains the graves of three Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
Burial Details
403189 Sergeant Neville Charles Holdaway, Royal Australian Air Force, died 25th August 1942, aged 24. Son of Charles Edwin and Lena Millie Holdaway, of Darling Point, New South Wales, Australia.
778843 Sergeant Keith Lash Matthews, Air Gunner in 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th August 1942, aged 20. Son of Gordon Paxton Lash Matthews and Margaret May Matthews (nee Shone) of S. Rhodesia. His brother Sergeant Gordon William Lash Matthews also fell.
402912 Flight Sergeant Harry Malfroy Thompson, Pilot in 150 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, died 25th August 1942, aged 28. Son of Leonie Avis Thompson, of Ashburton, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Pictures © Johan Pauwels
