PRESLES-ET-THIERNEY CHURCHYARD
Aisne
France
Location Information
Presles-et-Thierney is a village and commune in the Department of the Aisne, 8 kilometres south of Laon and 4 kilometres of the Laon-Soissons road (N2).
History Information
In the churchyard, a few yards from the north-western corner of the church, is the collective grave of three airmen of the Royal Air Force.
Flight Details:
Base: R.A.F. Watton, Norfolk
Unit: 82 Sqdn. Bomber Command
Aircraft: Blenheim Mk IV serial L9213
Target: Gembloux, Wallon, Belgium
Incident: The aircraft was shot down near Presles-et-Thierney. There were no survivors.
Burial Details
521263 Leading Aircraftman Alfred George Sims, Wireless Operator in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 25. Son of Percy George and Ella May Sims, of Farnborough, Kent; husband of May Sims.
37218 Flight Lieutenant George William Campbell Watson, Pilot in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 26. Son of Henry George and Susan Williams Watson; husband of June Isoult Watson, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
581025 Sergeant Francis Charles Wootten, Observer in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 26. Son of William Charles Wootten, and of Annie Wootten, of Penylan, Cardiff.
Pictures © Barry Cuttell
Presles-et-Thierney is a village and commune in the Department of the Aisne, 8 kilometres south of Laon and 4 kilometres of the Laon-Soissons road (N2).
History Information
In the churchyard, a few yards from the north-western corner of the church, is the collective grave of three airmen of the Royal Air Force.
Flight Details:
Base: R.A.F. Watton, Norfolk
Unit: 82 Sqdn. Bomber Command
Aircraft: Blenheim Mk IV serial L9213
Target: Gembloux, Wallon, Belgium
Incident: The aircraft was shot down near Presles-et-Thierney. There were no survivors.
Burial Details
521263 Leading Aircraftman Alfred George Sims, Wireless Operator in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 25. Son of Percy George and Ella May Sims, of Farnborough, Kent; husband of May Sims.
37218 Flight Lieutenant George William Campbell Watson, Pilot in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 26. Son of Henry George and Susan Williams Watson; husband of June Isoult Watson, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
581025 Sergeant Francis Charles Wootten, Observer in 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force, died 17th May 1940, aged 26. Son of William Charles Wootten, and of Annie Wootten, of Penylan, Cardiff.
Pictures © Barry Cuttell