MECHELEN COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Antwerpen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.03872 Longitude: 4.48726
Location Information
The Cemetery is located north-east of the town off the N14 which runs between Mechelen and Lier. Driving out of Mechelen follow the N14 over the river to the 1st junction on the right, Caputsteenstraat. Turn right here past the prison and take the 1st turning on the left, Ziekebeemdenstraat. The cemetery is along this road on the right. From the main entrance walk along the path and around the chapel. Take the first path on the right after the chapel, then the first left. The war graves are at the end of a short path amongst other graves.
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.
Mechelen Communal Cemetery contains three Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Burial Details
2069615 Sapper Charles Clunes Gordon, H.Q. 51st Div. Royal Engineers, died 8th July 1940, aged 34. Son of Charles C. and Jemima Gordon, of Aberdeen; husband of Barbara Gordon, of Aberdeen.
1514742 Gunner Percy Ronald Hayter, 226 Bty. 57 (1/5th Bn. The East Surrey Regt.) Anti-Tank Regt. Royal Artillery, died 12th July 1940, aged 21.
63972 Lieutenant Derek St. George Martin, (Mentioned in Despatches), "C" Sqn. 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 19th May 1940, aged 26. Son of Ernest Sydney and Fanny Martin, husband of Pamela Martin.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
The Cemetery is located north-east of the town off the N14 which runs between Mechelen and Lier. Driving out of Mechelen follow the N14 over the river to the 1st junction on the right, Caputsteenstraat. Turn right here past the prison and take the 1st turning on the left, Ziekebeemdenstraat. The cemetery is along this road on the right. From the main entrance walk along the path and around the chapel. Take the first path on the right after the chapel, then the first left. The war graves are at the end of a short path amongst other graves.
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.
Mechelen Communal Cemetery contains three Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Burial Details
2069615 Sapper Charles Clunes Gordon, H.Q. 51st Div. Royal Engineers, died 8th July 1940, aged 34. Son of Charles C. and Jemima Gordon, of Aberdeen; husband of Barbara Gordon, of Aberdeen.
1514742 Gunner Percy Ronald Hayter, 226 Bty. 57 (1/5th Bn. The East Surrey Regt.) Anti-Tank Regt. Royal Artillery, died 12th July 1940, aged 21.
63972 Lieutenant Derek St. George Martin, (Mentioned in Despatches), "C" Sqn. 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, died 19th May 1940, aged 26. Son of Ernest Sydney and Fanny Martin, husband of Pamela Martin.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
