SCHAFFEN COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Vlaams-Brabant
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.99809, Longitude: 5.08421
Location Information
Diest is 65 kilometres east-north-east of Brussels. From the Grote Markt in the centre of Diest turn left from the stadhuis into the Oscar Nihoulstraat and drive for 50 metres. Take the second left onto Refugiestraat and follow this road for 500 metres. Turn right into Demerstraat and right again into Valleilaan. Carry straight on for 500 metres to a 'T' junction and turn left onto the N29 (Beringen).
Continue along the N29 for 2.6 kilometres and then turn right into Molenstraat. 100 metres further on you will see the Communal Cemetery in front of you at the 'T' junction with Postbaan.
Historical Information
The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany.
Schaffen Communal Cemetery contains the graves of 20 Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 15, Canada 4, Australia 1. Total 20.
Diest is 65 kilometres east-north-east of Brussels. From the Grote Markt in the centre of Diest turn left from the stadhuis into the Oscar Nihoulstraat and drive for 50 metres. Take the second left onto Refugiestraat and follow this road for 500 metres. Turn right into Demerstraat and right again into Valleilaan. Carry straight on for 500 metres to a 'T' junction and turn left onto the N29 (Beringen).
Continue along the N29 for 2.6 kilometres and then turn right into Molenstraat. 100 metres further on you will see the Communal Cemetery in front of you at the 'T' junction with Postbaan.
Historical Information
The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany.
Schaffen Communal Cemetery contains the graves of 20 Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 15, Canada 4, Australia 1. Total 20.
Pictures in this gallery © Marcel Rosvelds
Click on Individual Headstone for Details
(Pictures © Marcel Rosvelds)
J/4252 Pilot Officer
Graham Milton Anderson
102 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1941.
Graham Milton Anderson
102 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1941.
40878 Flight Sergeant
William Arthur Mathias Davis
Royal Australian Air Force
30th May 1943, aged 31.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sweet Memories"
Son of Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Davis; husband of Meryl Florence Davis, of Essendon, Victoria, Australia. Pharmaceutical Chemist.
Portrait of 408278 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) William Arthur Mathias Davis RAAF, a pilot of 218 Squadron RAF, of Launceston, Tas. Flt Sgt Davis was killed on 30 May 1943, along with all the crew, when the Stirling aircraft he was flying was shot down over the village of Schaffen Diest in Belgium by Lt Heinz-Wolfgang Schnauffer and his crew of one flying a Messerschmitt BF110 Night Fighter.
William Arthur Mathias Davis
Royal Australian Air Force
30th May 1943, aged 31.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sweet Memories"
Son of Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Davis; husband of Meryl Florence Davis, of Essendon, Victoria, Australia. Pharmaceutical Chemist.
Portrait of 408278 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) William Arthur Mathias Davis RAAF, a pilot of 218 Squadron RAF, of Launceston, Tas. Flt Sgt Davis was killed on 30 May 1943, along with all the crew, when the Stirling aircraft he was flying was shot down over the village of Schaffen Diest in Belgium by Lt Heinz-Wolfgang Schnauffer and his crew of one flying a Messerschmitt BF110 Night Fighter.
1284892 Sergeant
William Robert Howes
218 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
30th May 1943, aged 29.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved And Remembered"
William Robert Howes
218 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
30th May 1943, aged 29.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved And Remembered"
R/51666 Sergeant
Sidney Humphrey Morley
102 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1941, aged 20.
Son of S. G. and Eva Humphrey, of Fort William, Ontario, Canada.
Sidney Humphrey Morley
102 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
1st September 1941, aged 20.
Son of S. G. and Eva Humphrey, of Fort William, Ontario, Canada.
