POIX-DE-PICARDIE CHURCHYARD
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.77658, Longitude: 1.98195
Location Information
Poix is a small town 28 kilometres south-west of Amiens. The 16th century church of St. Denis with its surrounding churchyard is on the Amiens-Rouen road, about 200 metres north of the centre of the town. The Commonwealth War Graves Plot is opposite the west door of the church.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair Access to this churchyard is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Poix, or Poix-de-la-Somme as it was known prior to 1965, suffered considerable damage during the war. A main operational aerodrome of Air Component was at Poix until on May 18th, 1940, it was moved to Abbeville. On May 19th enemy action necessitated the evacuating of this aerodrome also. The Officer Commanding Air Component then moved his headquarters to England, maintaining an advance landing ground at Merville (Nord), between Abbeville and the coast, until May 22nd. All the burials in the British plot in this churchyard are of airmen who crashed, or were shot down, in the country around Poix during the war years.
There are 149, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Three British airmen and one Canadian whose graves could not be precisely located are commemorated by special memorials inscribed "Buried near this spot".
Casualties by Nationality: United Kingdom 96, Canada 29, Australia 15, New Zealand 8, Poland 1. Total 149.
Images in gallery below Thierry Grier
J/22452 Flying Officer
John Lees Darrell Armstrong, Mentioned in Despatches
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th November 1943, aged 26.
Row D. 16.
Son of John and Elizabeth Armstrong, of Westmount, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest, Valiant Heart, For God Is Just And Somewhere Meet Again We Must"
Mission:
Mosquito HJ830: Took off at 19:02 hrs for a night intruder mission to Poix area.
Crashed near Poix-de-Picardie, Somme on 9th November 1943. He died with fellow crew member Arthur James Brown (Details below)
John Lees Darrell Armstrong, Mentioned in Despatches
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th November 1943, aged 26.
Row D. 16.
Son of John and Elizabeth Armstrong, of Westmount, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest, Valiant Heart, For God Is Just And Somewhere Meet Again We Must"
Mission:
Mosquito HJ830: Took off at 19:02 hrs for a night intruder mission to Poix area.
Crashed near Poix-de-Picardie, Somme on 9th November 1943. He died with fellow crew member Arthur James Brown (Details below)
R/157097 Warrant Officer Class II
Murray Richard Bell
218 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
2nd May 1944, aged 21.
Row A. Collective Grave 12-14.
Son of Archibald Willoughby Bell and Jennie Ellen (nee Rome) Bell, of Port Arthur, Ontario.
Murray Richard Bell
218 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
2nd May 1944, aged 21.
Row A. Collective Grave 12-14.
Son of Archibald Willoughby Bell and Jennie Ellen (nee Rome) Bell, of Port Arthur, Ontario.
J/14164 Flying Officer
Arthur John (Brownie) Brown
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th November 1943, aged 26.
Row D. 17.
Son of Arthur and Nellie Brown, of Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.
Mission:
Mosquito HJ830: Took off at 19:02 hrs for a night intruder mission to Poix area. Crashed near Poix-de-Picardie, Somme on 9th November 1943. He died with fellow crew member John Lees Darrell Armstrong (Details above)
Arthur John (Brownie) Brown
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th November 1943, aged 26.
Row D. 17.
Son of Arthur and Nellie Brown, of Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.
Mission:
Mosquito HJ830: Took off at 19:02 hrs for a night intruder mission to Poix area. Crashed near Poix-de-Picardie, Somme on 9th November 1943. He died with fellow crew member John Lees Darrell Armstrong (Details above)
J/90923 Pilot Officer
Francis Samuel Brydon
625 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st June 1944, aged 22.
Row C. Collective Grave 6-8.
Son of Franklin Augustine and Hilda Madeline Brydon, of Berwick, King's County, Nova Scotia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Hope To Meet Again, To Clasp His Hand In The Better Land, Never To Part Again"
Francis Samuel Brydon
625 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st June 1944, aged 22.
Row C. Collective Grave 6-8.
Son of Franklin Augustine and Hilda Madeline Brydon, of Berwick, King's County, Nova Scotia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Hope To Meet Again, To Clasp His Hand In The Better Land, Never To Part Again"
J/89890 Pilot Officer
Douglas Idris Davies
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 21.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Douglas died when his aircraft was shot down by a night fighter when returning from a raid on the Amiens-Longueau Railway Yards.
Douglas Idris Davies
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 21.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Douglas died when his aircraft was shot down by a night fighter when returning from a raid on the Amiens-Longueau Railway Yards.
Image above © Thierry Grier
J/27133 Flying Officer
Henry Milton Elliott
158 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 25.
Row B. 25.
Son of Jesse and Grace Penman Elliott, of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Only Son Harry"
Henry Milton Elliott
158 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 25.
Row B. 25.
Son of Jesse and Grace Penman Elliott, of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Only Son Harry"
J/22793 Flying Officer
Arthur Baker Foster
408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th July 1943, aged 27.
Row E. 9.
Son of Alexander Ledgerwood and Janet Foster of Port Hammond Canada.
Arthur Baker Foster
408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th July 1943, aged 27.
Row E. 9.
Son of Alexander Ledgerwood and Janet Foster of Port Hammond Canada.
J/18189 Pilot Officer
Albert Edward Kelly
408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th July 1943, aged 22.
Row E. 6.
Son of Roy Jay Kelly and Myrtle Luella Kelly, of Thornton, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than He Who Gave His Life For His Brother"
Albert Edward Kelly
408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th July 1943, aged 22.
Row E. 6.
Son of Roy Jay Kelly and Myrtle Luella Kelly, of Thornton, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than He Who Gave His Life For His Brother"
J/23972 Flying Officer
George Kenneth Lancaster
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 26.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Son of Charles and Ellen Lancaster, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of A Wonderful Son And Brother. With Us In Memory Always"
George Kenneth Lancaster
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 26.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Son of Charles and Ellen Lancaster, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of A Wonderful Son And Brother. With Us In Memory Always"
J/18187 Flying Officer
James ArthurMacdonald
198 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th February 1944, aged 25.
Row D. 11.
Son of Harold Anthony and Constance (nee Wilson) MacDonald of Vancouver, British Columbia. Husband of Jessie Bosworth (nee Proctor) and father of Susan Elizabeth MacDonald of Vancouver, British Columbia.
A flight of Typhoon aircraft were on a Ranger operation and crossed the coast at 5,000 feet making a gentle dive to get clear of the cloud. At 1,000 feet the Flight Leader gave r/t instructions to gain height and return to base. F/O MacDonald was flying aircraft #JR 242 and was not seen again.
James ArthurMacdonald
198 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th February 1944, aged 25.
Row D. 11.
Son of Harold Anthony and Constance (nee Wilson) MacDonald of Vancouver, British Columbia. Husband of Jessie Bosworth (nee Proctor) and father of Susan Elizabeth MacDonald of Vancouver, British Columbia.
A flight of Typhoon aircraft were on a Ranger operation and crossed the coast at 5,000 feet making a gentle dive to get clear of the cloud. At 1,000 feet the Flight Leader gave r/t instructions to gain height and return to base. F/O MacDonald was flying aircraft #JR 242 and was not seen again.
Some of the Original Grave Markers
J/4555 Flight Lieutenant
Lyn Bertram Madden
Royal Canadian Air Force
15th May 1943, aged 23.
Row E. 11.
Son of Harold Madden and Una (nee Brewer) Madden, of St Laurent, Quebec.
Lyn Bertram Madden
Royal Canadian Air Force
15th May 1943, aged 23.
Row E. 11.
Son of Harold Madden and Una (nee Brewer) Madden, of St Laurent, Quebec.
J/26934 Flying Officer
Donald Blair Norton
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 23.
Row D. 6.
Donald Blair Norton
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 23.
Row D. 6.
R/128171 Flight Sergeant
William John Poulin
158 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1943, aged 22.
Row D. Collective Grave 21-29.
William John Poulin
158 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1943, aged 22.
Row D. Collective Grave 21-29.
J/25867 Flying Officer
John Samuel Ritchie
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 27.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
John Samuel Ritchie
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 27.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
J/90290 Pilot Officer
Douglas Wilfred Sammon
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 19.
Row D. 31.
Son of Wilfred and Eunice Sammon, of Pembroke, Ontario, Canada; grandson of Eva Tichbourn, of Pembroke.
His headstone bears the inscription "Hush, Blessed Are The Dead In Jesus' Arms Who Rest"
Douglas Wilfred Sammon
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 19.
Row D. 31.
Son of Wilfred and Eunice Sammon, of Pembroke, Ontario, Canada; grandson of Eva Tichbourn, of Pembroke.
His headstone bears the inscription "Hush, Blessed Are The Dead In Jesus' Arms Who Rest"
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
J/22697 Flying Officer
Francis Gorman Tilt
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 33.
Row D. 3.
Son of Edward G. Tilt and Annie Tilt; husband of Beatrice W. Spencer Tilt, of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory. Bea, Ron, Fran, Ruth"
Francis Gorman Tilt
420 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 33.
Row D. 3.
Son of Edward G. Tilt and Annie Tilt; husband of Beatrice W. Spencer Tilt, of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory. Bea, Ron, Fran, Ruth"
J/23964 Flying Officer
Edmund Thomas Tinker
619 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
21st April 1944, aged 29.
Row B. Collective Grave 29-30.
Son of Arthur Leopold and Elizabeth Daisy Tinker, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; husband of Ruth Elizabeth Tinker, of Toronto.
Edmund Thomas Tinker
619 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
21st April 1944, aged 29.
Row B. Collective Grave 29-30.
Son of Arthur Leopold and Elizabeth Daisy Tinker, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; husband of Ruth Elizabeth Tinker, of Toronto.
J/14398 Flying Officer
Robert James Tomlinson
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
3rd June 1944, aged 29.
Row C. 4.
Son of Robert Thompson Tomlinson and Sarah Jane Tomlinson, of Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, Canada; husband of Mary Margaret Tomlinson.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beautiful Memories Are All We Have Left. Always Remembered By Mother And Dad"
Robert James Tomlinson
418 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
3rd June 1944, aged 29.
Row C. 4.
Son of Robert Thompson Tomlinson and Sarah Jane Tomlinson, of Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, Canada; husband of Mary Margaret Tomlinson.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beautiful Memories Are All We Have Left. Always Remembered By Mother And Dad"
R/130225 Warrant Officer Class II
Charles Lewis Weatherby
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 24.
Row B. 15.
Son of Lewis and Ida Weatherby, of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
Charles Lewis Weatherby
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 24.
Row B. 15.
Son of Lewis and Ida Weatherby, of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
J/88677 Pilot Officer
James William Weyers
57 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
5th July 1944, aged 32.
Row C. 32.
Son of Antonius and Wilhelmina Weyers, of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada.
James William Weyers
57 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
5th July 1944, aged 32.
Row C. 32.
Son of Antonius and Wilhelmina Weyers, of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada.
Poix-de-Picardie Churchyard
R/151070 Warrant Officer Class II
Gordon Walter Wildfong
100 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th March 1944.
Special Memorial Row B. 4.
Gordon Walter Wildfong
100 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th March 1944.
Special Memorial Row B. 4.
J25814 Flying Officer
John Frederick Wyllie
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 28.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Son of Robert and Jessie Wyllie, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Dearly Beloved Son John Of Prince Albert, Sask, Canada. Mother"
John Frederick Wyllie
78 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
13th June 1944, aged 28.
Row A. Collective Grave 1-5.
Son of Robert and Jessie Wyllie, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Dearly Beloved Son John Of Prince Albert, Sask, Canada. Mother"
