BYGLAND CHURCHYARD
Otra Valley
Norway
Location Information
Bygland is in south-west Norway, in the Otra Valley, just over 96 kilometres north of Kristiansand. From the E18/39 in Kristiansand follow the 9 in the direction of Evja. Go through Evja and follow the 9 to Bygland. The churchyard lies beside the lake opposite a garage and the small Commonwealth War Graves Plot is on the south-eastern side of the church.
Historical Information
During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards.
Bygland Churchyard contains the collective grave of seven Commonwealth airmen.
Burial Details
527756 Sergeant Robert Henry Beattie, Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 29. Son of Robert William and Pauline Beattie of New Brighton, Wallasey, Cheshire.
759281 Sergeant John Brown, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941.
910665 Sergeant Peter Barnard Corbett, Observer in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941.
102970 Pilot Officer Frank Gordon Hart, Pilot in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 21. Son of Frank and Mildred Eleanor Hart of Sheffield.
1150620 Sergeant Walter George Honey, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941, aged 28. Son of Arthur George and Lizzie Honey; husband of Louisa Maud Honey, of Hoxton, London.
R/54891 Sergeant Henry Merrill, Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, died 8th September 1941.
42265 Flying Officer David Albert Alton Romans, D. F. C., Pilot in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 21. Son of David James and Rachel Louisa Ley Romans, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Pictures © Åge Jakobsen
Bygland is in south-west Norway, in the Otra Valley, just over 96 kilometres north of Kristiansand. From the E18/39 in Kristiansand follow the 9 in the direction of Evja. Go through Evja and follow the 9 to Bygland. The churchyard lies beside the lake opposite a garage and the small Commonwealth War Graves Plot is on the south-eastern side of the church.
Historical Information
During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards.
Bygland Churchyard contains the collective grave of seven Commonwealth airmen.
Burial Details
527756 Sergeant Robert Henry Beattie, Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 29. Son of Robert William and Pauline Beattie of New Brighton, Wallasey, Cheshire.
759281 Sergeant John Brown, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941.
910665 Sergeant Peter Barnard Corbett, Observer in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941.
102970 Pilot Officer Frank Gordon Hart, Pilot in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 21. Son of Frank and Mildred Eleanor Hart of Sheffield.
1150620 Sergeant Walter George Honey, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 8th September 1941, aged 28. Son of Arthur George and Lizzie Honey; husband of Louisa Maud Honey, of Hoxton, London.
R/54891 Sergeant Henry Merrill, Air Gunner in 90 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, died 8th September 1941.
42265 Flying Officer David Albert Alton Romans, D. F. C., Pilot in 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 8th September 1941, aged 21. Son of David James and Rachel Louisa Ley Romans, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Pictures © Åge Jakobsen
