PONTCHÂTEAU COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Loire-Atlantique
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 47.43868, Longitude: -2.0878
Location Information
Pontchâteau is a town and commune 28 miles (46 kilometres) north-west of Nantes and about 12 miles (19 kilometres) north-east of St. Nazaire. It is situated at the junction of the main roads from Nantes to Vannes and St. Nazaire to Redon, and is on the Paris-Nantes-Quimper railway line. The communal cemetery is behind the cathedral. In the far corner, right and north of the entrance is the collective grave of 2 airmen of the Royal Air Force and 5 airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Identified Casualties: Canada 5, United Kingdom 2. Total 7.
Pontchâteau is a town and commune 28 miles (46 kilometres) north-west of Nantes and about 12 miles (19 kilometres) north-east of St. Nazaire. It is situated at the junction of the main roads from Nantes to Vannes and St. Nazaire to Redon, and is on the Paris-Nantes-Quimper railway line. The communal cemetery is behind the cathedral. In the far corner, right and north of the entrance is the collective grave of 2 airmen of the Royal Air Force and 5 airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Identified Casualties: Canada 5, United Kingdom 2. Total 7.
Cemetery images in gallery below © Christine Da Costa
R/200704 Sergeant
Gordon Frank Finch
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 21.
Son of Frank and Bessie Finch, of Belmont, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For Us"
Gordon Frank Finch
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 21.
Son of Frank and Bessie Finch, of Belmont, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For Us"
R/251698 Sergeant
Norman Gronbeck
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son of Anders and Olive Gronbeck, of Hudson, Ontario. Canada.
Norman Gronbeck
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son of Anders and Olive Gronbeck, of Hudson, Ontario. Canada.
J/87464 Pilot Officer
Clement Burton Haaland
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son of Boruf and Ingeborg Haaland, of South Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "
Clement Burton Haaland
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944.
Son of Boruf and Ingeborg Haaland, of South Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "
R/170588 Flight Sergeant
Joseph Nelson
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 28.
Son of Joseph and Alberta Nelson, of Sprucedale, Ontario, Canada; husband of Elma Nelson, of Orangeville, Ontario.
Joseph Nelson
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 28.
Son of Joseph and Alberta Nelson, of Sprucedale, Ontario, Canada; husband of Elma Nelson, of Orangeville, Ontario.
J/29382 Flying Officer
Stafford John Sullivan
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 27.
Son of John and Laura Sullivan, of Peterboro, Ontario, Canada; husband of Josephine E. Sullivan, (nee Cooper), of Peterboro.
Stafford John Sullivan
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th July 1944, aged 27.
Son of John and Laura Sullivan, of Peterboro, Ontario, Canada; husband of Josephine E. Sullivan, (nee Cooper), of Peterboro.
The Other Two Burials
1823190 Sergeant Robert Craig, 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944.
1670363 Walter James Bernard Doughty, 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944.
1823190 Sergeant Robert Craig, 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944.
1670363 Walter James Bernard Doughty, 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 25th July 1944.
