BEN M'SIK EUROPEAN CEMETERY
Casablanca
Morocco
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 33.57474, Longitude: -7.57856
Picture © André De Smet
Location Information
This is a very large civilian cemetery. It is approximately 6 kilometres from Casablanca town centre and lies between the main road to Marrakech and the road known as Oulad Zianc. It is best reached by taxi.
The Commission plot is located amongst the other nationalities military plots. It is found on the right handside at the far end of the main road coming from the Cemetery entrance.
Isolated Grave of Chief Steward H K V NIELSEN: To reach this grave one walks up the main alley to the circular intersection, turn left there and walk 12 paces. The grave is then found 17 metres from the road and at right angles to the left.
Visiting Information
Opening times:
The cemetery gates are open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm, during which time the local caretaker is present. Please note that the French speaking local caretaker does not work between 12.30pm to 2.30pm, however he does remain on site should visitors require assistance.
Please note that there have been reported attacks in the vicinity of the cemetery therefore all visitors are strongly advised to take care and not carry any valuables when visiting the site.
Historical Information
American troops landed at Casablanca at the beginning of the Allied campaign in north-west Africa.
Ben M'Sik European Cemetery contains 38 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. The Commonwealth plot also contains two war graves of other nationalities and seven non-war burials. Among the latter is the grave of Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck who held a number of commands during the Second World War. He died in 1981 at the age of 96, and is buried alongside Galley Boy Raymond Steed, who at 14 years of age was the second youngest known Commonwealth casualty of the Second World War.
Total Burials: 47.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 26, Canada 8, South Africa 2, Australia 1. Total 37.
Non Commonwealth Casualty: Netherlands 1.
Non War Burials: 7.
Commonwealth War Graves
Reporter
Edouard Baudry
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian War Correspondent
22nd January 1943, aged 38.
Plot 59A. 1. 29.
Son of Fernand and Delinah Baudry; husband of Melvin P. Baudry, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tombé Au Champ D'Honneur Pour Sa Patrie Native Et Sa Patrie Adoptive"
Edouard Baudry
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian War Correspondent
22nd January 1943, aged 38.
Plot 59A. 1. 29.
Son of Fernand and Delinah Baudry; husband of Melvin P. Baudry, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tombé Au Champ D'Honneur Pour Sa Patrie Native Et Sa Patrie Adoptive"
R/130288 Flight Sergeant
Irwin James Clark
295 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
22nd August 1943.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 13.
Irwin James Clark
295 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
22nd August 1943.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 13.
R/91244 Warrant Officer Class II
Thomas Hugh Currie
233 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 23.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 2.
Son of Hugh and Mary Currie; husband of Jane Gwladys Currie, of High River, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For King And Country. Greatly Missed By His Loving Wife Cherry"
Thomas Hugh Currie
233 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 23.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 2.
Son of Hugh and Mary Currie; husband of Jane Gwladys Currie, of High River, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For King And Country. Greatly Missed By His Loving Wife Cherry"
R/97027 Warrant Officer Class II
George Raymond Grant
Royal Canadian Air Force
7th May 1943.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 3.
George Raymond Grant
Royal Canadian Air Force
7th May 1943.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 3.
Malta. c. July 1943. Group portrait of members of No. 3 Squadron RAAF in front of their Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft.
Identified in the back row standing, sixth from the left is 411321 Flying Officer George Hardiman, Royal Australian Air force who was accidentally killed in Morocco on 30th November 1944, aged 22. Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 24. Son of Leo and Annie Mildred Hardiman, of Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia. His headstone bears the inscription "His Duty Fearlessly And Nobly Done. Ever Remembered"
J/10505 Flying Officer
Alexander Currie McCrady
86 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 28.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 3.
Son of Robert Rufus and Elsie Susan McCrady, of Milestone, Saskatchewan. Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Memory Hallowed In The Land You Loved, Canada"
Alexander Currie McCrady
86 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 28.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 3.
Son of Robert Rufus and Elsie Susan McCrady, of Milestone, Saskatchewan. Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Memory Hallowed In The Land You Loved, Canada"
R/105634 Sergeant
Kenneth Dean Rawson
233 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 21.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 4.
Son of Thomas and Minnie Rawson. of Ohaton, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto The Hills, From Whence Cometh My Help Psalm CXXI."
Kenneth Dean Rawson
233 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th November 1942, aged 21.
Plot 59A. Row 2. Grave 4.
Son of Thomas and Minnie Rawson. of Ohaton, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto The Hills, From Whence Cometh My Help Psalm CXXI."
Galley Boy
Raymond Victor Steed
S.S. "Empire Morn" (Barrow-in-Furness)
Merchant Navy
26th April 1943, aged 14.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 1.
He was previously described by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as "the youngest known British services death," but this was revised in February 2010, when it was confirmed Reginald Earnshaw was actually younger, at 14 years and 151 days. Reginald is buried in Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.
Raymond Victor Steed
S.S. "Empire Morn" (Barrow-in-Furness)
Merchant Navy
26th April 1943, aged 14.
Plot 59A. Row 1. Grave 1.
He was previously described by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as "the youngest known British services death," but this was revised in February 2010, when it was confirmed Reginald Earnshaw was actually younger, at 14 years and 151 days. Reginald is buried in Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.
