RACHECOURT-SUR-BLAISE CHURCHYARD
Haute-Marne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.45623, Longitude: 4.96449
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
The small village of Rachecourt-Suzémont is in the Department of Haute-Marne, south-east of Paris, and lies 42 kilometres north-west of the Chaumont, and 13 kilometres west of Joinville on the D2 road between Dommartin-le-Franc and Wassy.
In the churchyard, south of the church and near to the boundary wall, are the graves of three British and three Canadian airmen.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
R/123716 Flight Sergeant
Francis John Neal
Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 21.
Son of William Merton Neal and Frances Jean Scott Neal, of St. Vital, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Proudly And Lovingly Cherish His Memory, Mother Dad, Scott, Betty"
Francis John Neal
Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 21.
Son of William Merton Neal and Frances Jean Scott Neal, of St. Vital, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Proudly And Lovingly Cherish His Memory, Mother Dad, Scott, Betty"
53012 Pilot Officer
Peter Edward Newland
Air Gunner in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 22.
Son of George Douglas and Annie Elizabeth Newland; husband of Joyce Newland, of Loddon Norfolk.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved, Missed, Always Remembered. Loving Wife, Joy"
Peter Edward Newland
Air Gunner in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 22.
Son of George Douglas and Annie Elizabeth Newland; husband of Joyce Newland, of Loddon Norfolk.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved, Missed, Always Remembered. Loving Wife, Joy"
J/18532 Pilot Officer
Malcolm Barnes Summers
Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 20.
Son of Waldo D. Summers and Ethel B. Summers, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Malcolm Barnes Summers
Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943, aged 20.
Son of Waldo D. Summers and Ethel B. Summers, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
J/18537 Pilot Officer
James Wilde
Air Bomber in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilde 2353 Orleans Avenue, Montreal.
James Wilde
Air Bomber in 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
7th October 1943.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilde 2353 Orleans Avenue, Montreal.
Other Airmen's Details
1527318 Sergeant George Edward Aldous, Air Gunner in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 7th October 1943, aged 22. Son of William and Ann Aldous, of Salford, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Your Duty Nobly Done Your Sacrifice Will Live For Ever. Sadly Missed"
158798 Pilot Officer Glyndwyr Davies, Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 7th October 1943, aged 27. Husband of Vera Mary Davies, of Bridgend Glamorgan. His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Glyn, Eternal Rest Give Unto Him, O Lord"
1527318 Sergeant George Edward Aldous, Air Gunner in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 7th October 1943, aged 22. Son of William and Ann Aldous, of Salford, Lancashire. His headstone bears the inscription "Your Duty Nobly Done Your Sacrifice Will Live For Ever. Sadly Missed"
158798 Pilot Officer Glyndwyr Davies, Pilot in 426 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 7th October 1943, aged 27. Husband of Vera Mary Davies, of Bridgend Glamorgan. His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Glyn, Eternal Rest Give Unto Him, O Lord"
