BEJA WAR CEMETERY
Beja
Tunisia
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 36.72744, Longitude: 9.18648
Image above used with the permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Location Information
Beja is a market town approximately 100 kilometres west of Tunis.
Beja War Cemetery is located approximately 100 metres north west of the railway station and is next to the derelict Christian civil cemetery.
Visiting Information
Arriving
Routes to the cemetery are signposted.
Parking
There is a small parking area with space for 2 to 3 vehicles in front of the cemetery off to the side of the main road.
The road is flat and concrete.
Access, Layout and Main Entrance
The cemetery is a rectangular shape and is long. It is now close to buildings, as a residential area has developed around the cemetery.
All the internal paths are grass and level, there are also several stepped level changes with stone steps around the burial area.
The main entrance gate is approximately 1.5 metres wide, with a small level change between parking and entrance. Another two steps lead up into the cemetery. The upper level to the rear of the cemetery is accessed via three steps on either side of the Cross of Sacrifice, located in the centre of the cemetery.
Stone benches are built into alcoves in the two corners of the cemetery close to main entrance. single stone bench is located at the rear of the cemetery in line with the Cross of Sacrifice.
There is a Register Box with Register and Visitors book. However, this is only available to view during the gardener’s working hours, please see Additional Information. The Register Box is located in the wall on the left side of the cemetery, adjacent to the seating Area.
A stone pillar with metal memorial plaque stands to the right of the main entrance, inside the cemetery walls.
The cemetery is permanently open. The cemetery Register and Visitors book are only available during the gardener’s working hours as follows
SUMMER
July to August Mon to Thu 0630 to 1430, Fri 0630 to 1330
WINTER
September to June Mon to Thu 0700 to 1200 1300 to 1700
RAMADAN Mon to Fri 0700 to 1400
Historical Information
In May 1943, the war in North Africa came to an end in Tunisia with the defeat of the Axis powers by a combined Allied force.
On 8 November 1942, Commonwealth and American troops made a series of landings in Algeria and Morocco. The Germans responded immediately by sending a force from Sicily to northern Tunisia, which checked the Allied advance east in early December. Beja was just behind the limit of the advance that winter.
Total Commonwealth Burials: 396
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 307, Canada 1, New Zealand 1. Total 309.
Unidentified Casualties: 87.
Images in the gallery below used with the permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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33322 Wing Commander Hugh Gordon Malcolm, V. C. (Mentioned in Despatches)
18 Squadron, Royal Air Force
4th Decmeber 1942, aged 26.
Coll. Plot 2. E. 6.
Son of Kenneth Sinclair Malcolm and Marjorie Malcolm; husband of Helen Catherine Malcolm (nee Don Swan) of Worth, Sussex.
Citation:
The citation in the London Gazette of 28th April, 1943 gives the following details: On 17th November, 1942, Wing-Comdr. Malcolm was ordered to carry out with his light bomber squadron a low-level formation attack on Bizerta airfield. In spite of fierce opposition, all the squadron's bombs were dropped on the airfield. Two enemy machines were shot down and others damaged on the ground. On 28th November, 1942, he again led his squadron against Bizerta airfield and though it was heavily defended he successfully attacked it with bombs and machine-gun fire. On 4th December, 1942, Wing-Comdr. Malcolm, while giving close support to the First Army, received an urgent request to attack an enemy fighter airfield. The attack, made without fighter escort, was successful, but the squadron was intercepted by an overwhelming force of enemy fighters. Although Wing-Comdr. Malcolm fought back the aircraft in his formation were shot down one by one, in the end his own machine was shot down in flames. Throughout his service in command of a light bomber squadron in North Africa Wing-Comdr. Malcolm's leadership, skill and daring were of the highest order. His last exploit was the finest example of the valour and unswerving devotion to duty which he constantly displayed.
18 Squadron, Royal Air Force
4th Decmeber 1942, aged 26.
Coll. Plot 2. E. 6.
Son of Kenneth Sinclair Malcolm and Marjorie Malcolm; husband of Helen Catherine Malcolm (nee Don Swan) of Worth, Sussex.
Citation:
The citation in the London Gazette of 28th April, 1943 gives the following details: On 17th November, 1942, Wing-Comdr. Malcolm was ordered to carry out with his light bomber squadron a low-level formation attack on Bizerta airfield. In spite of fierce opposition, all the squadron's bombs were dropped on the airfield. Two enemy machines were shot down and others damaged on the ground. On 28th November, 1942, he again led his squadron against Bizerta airfield and though it was heavily defended he successfully attacked it with bombs and machine-gun fire. On 4th December, 1942, Wing-Comdr. Malcolm, while giving close support to the First Army, received an urgent request to attack an enemy fighter airfield. The attack, made without fighter escort, was successful, but the squadron was intercepted by an overwhelming force of enemy fighters. Although Wing-Comdr. Malcolm fought back the aircraft in his formation were shot down one by one, in the end his own machine was shot down in flames. Throughout his service in command of a light bomber squadron in North Africa Wing-Comdr. Malcolm's leadership, skill and daring were of the highest order. His last exploit was the finest example of the valour and unswerving devotion to duty which he constantly displayed.
Image above taken by Ralph McLean from the South Africa War Graves Project
Biography by Iain McFarlaine
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, Scotland, during the Second World War he served in the 18th Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and was put in command of a squadron of light bombers in North Africa. On November 17, 1942, he took advantage of cloud cover to attack a German air base at Bizerte, the most Northerly town in Africa. Twenty miles from the target, the sky cleared, but he continued, without a fighter escort. Two of the British aircraft collided with each other, and a third was shot down by enemy fighters, but the Squadron succeeded in unloading all their bombs on the airfield. On November 27, 1842 he led another attack, at low altitude, on the same airfield. It was met with very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire; but, after having completed the attack, Wing Commander Malcolm led his men back to attack the airfield repeatedly with their machine guns. On December 4, 1942 the Squadron was detailed to give support to the British First Army by attacking a fighter airfield near Chouigui, Tunisia. There was no time to arrange a fighter escort, but the Squadron reached their target and attacked it. They were intercepted by a strong force of enemy fighters, and fought back, but all aircraft were lost, with Hugh Malcolm being the last to be shot down.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, Scotland, during the Second World War he served in the 18th Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and was put in command of a squadron of light bombers in North Africa. On November 17, 1942, he took advantage of cloud cover to attack a German air base at Bizerte, the most Northerly town in Africa. Twenty miles from the target, the sky cleared, but he continued, without a fighter escort. Two of the British aircraft collided with each other, and a third was shot down by enemy fighters, but the Squadron succeeded in unloading all their bombs on the airfield. On November 27, 1842 he led another attack, at low altitude, on the same airfield. It was met with very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire; but, after having completed the attack, Wing Commander Malcolm led his men back to attack the airfield repeatedly with their machine guns. On December 4, 1942 the Squadron was detailed to give support to the British First Army by attacking a fighter airfield near Chouigui, Tunisia. There was no time to arrange a fighter escort, but the Squadron reached their target and attacked it. They were intercepted by a strong force of enemy fighters, and fought back, but all aircraft were lost, with Hugh Malcolm being the last to be shot down.
4399852 Private
John William Bousfield
5th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
6th April 1943, aged 19.
Plot 2. O. 11.
Son of William and Annie Bousfield, of Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. Sp. Memorial. 'C'.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tho'Your Grave Is Far Away Our RThoughts Are With You Night And Day. Mother"
John William Bousfield
5th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
6th April 1943, aged 19.
Plot 2. O. 11.
Son of William and Annie Bousfield, of Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. Sp. Memorial. 'C'.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tho'Your Grave Is Far Away Our RThoughts Are With You Night And Day. Mother"
108023 Lieutenant Colonel
Colin Keppel Davidson, Companion of the Indian Empire, Officer Of The Order Of The British Empire
77 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
2nd March 1943, aged 47.
Plot 1. D. 5.
Son of Colonel Leslie Davidson, C.B., Royal Artillery, and of Lady Theodora Davidson (nee Keppel); husband of Lady Rachel Davidson (ee Fitzalan Howard), of Crosshurst, Arundel, Sussex. Clerk of the House of Lords from 1919.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eternal Rest Grant To Him, O Lord; And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
Colin Keppel Davidson, Companion of the Indian Empire, Officer Of The Order Of The British Empire
77 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
2nd March 1943, aged 47.
Plot 1. D. 5.
Son of Colonel Leslie Davidson, C.B., Royal Artillery, and of Lady Theodora Davidson (nee Keppel); husband of Lady Rachel Davidson (ee Fitzalan Howard), of Crosshurst, Arundel, Sussex. Clerk of the House of Lords from 1919.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eternal Rest Grant To Him, O Lord; And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
4861905 Private
Richard Hand
2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
2nd March 1943.
Plot 1. J. 12
Richard Hand
2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
2nd March 1943.
Plot 1. J. 12
5506689 Private
Thomas William Heard
2/4th Bn. Hampshire Regiment
4th March 1943, aged 29.
Plot 1. A. 1.
Son of Ernest and Alice Heard, of Portsmouth; husband of Hilda N. Heard, of Stamshaw, Portsmouth.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sleeping Where No Shadows Fall"
Thomas William Heard
2/4th Bn. Hampshire Regiment
4th March 1943, aged 29.
Plot 1. A. 1.
Son of Ernest and Alice Heard, of Portsmouth; husband of Hilda N. Heard, of Stamshaw, Portsmouth.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sleeping Where No Shadows Fall"
7378439 Corporal
Frank Edward Jarrett
Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1st Bn. The Parachute Regiment, A. A. C.
28th March 1943, aged 27.
Plot 2. H. 8.
Son of Reginald Francis and Annie Lavinia Jarrett, of West Worthing, Sussex.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Arduis Fidelis In Adversity Faithful"
Frank Edward Jarrett
Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1st Bn. The Parachute Regiment, A. A. C.
28th March 1943, aged 27.
Plot 2. H. 8.
Son of Reginald Francis and Annie Lavinia Jarrett, of West Worthing, Sussex.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Arduis Fidelis In Adversity Faithful"
970698 Lance Bombardier
Francis Douglas Snow
166 (Newfoundland) Field Regiement, Royal Artillery
12th April 1943, aged 23.
PLot 2. G. 2.
Francis Douglas Snow
166 (Newfoundland) Field Regiement, Royal Artillery
12th April 1943, aged 23.
PLot 2. G. 2.
The following were all soldiers in 257 Coast Battery, Royal Artillery who were killed in a railway accident on 25th September 1943
They are buried in Plot 2. Row D. Plots 1-6
1471141 Lance Bombardier
George Edgar Valentine
257 Coast Battery, Royal Artillery
25th September 1943.
Plot 2. D. 2.
Husband of Lily Valentine, of Krkcaldy, Fife.
His headstone bears the inscription "Treasured Memories. Rest In Peace"
Image courtesy and © John Crawford
George Edgar Valentine
257 Coast Battery, Royal Artillery
25th September 1943.
Plot 2. D. 2.
Husband of Lily Valentine, of Krkcaldy, Fife.
His headstone bears the inscription "Treasured Memories. Rest In Peace"
Image courtesy and © John Crawford
All images above in galley © John Crawford
Other Burial Details
874528 Sergeant Robert Alexander Best, aged 22. Son of William G. and Annie Best, of Burntisland, Fife. His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
3449690 Gunner Norman Hulme
952422 Gunner Owen Owen, aged 26. Son of John Richard and Margaret Owen, of Llanfechell, Anglesey. His headstone bears the inscription Our Dear Beloved Son, Owen Never Forgotten By His Parents, Sisters And Brothers. "Until We Meet Again"
258408 Lieutenant Albert Purnell, aged 29. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Purnell; husband of Rebecca Purnell, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. His headstone bears the inscription "The Dearest And The Best, Stars Keeping Watch On His Lonely Place Of Rest"
916850 Gunner Alexander Wilson, aged 21. Son of James Alexander Wilson and Margaret Florence Wilson, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. His headstone bears the inscription "The Blow War Hard The Shock Severe To Part This Way With One So Dear"
874528 Sergeant Robert Alexander Best, aged 22. Son of William G. and Annie Best, of Burntisland, Fife. His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
3449690 Gunner Norman Hulme
952422 Gunner Owen Owen, aged 26. Son of John Richard and Margaret Owen, of Llanfechell, Anglesey. His headstone bears the inscription Our Dear Beloved Son, Owen Never Forgotten By His Parents, Sisters And Brothers. "Until We Meet Again"
258408 Lieutenant Albert Purnell, aged 29. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Purnell; husband of Rebecca Purnell, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. His headstone bears the inscription "The Dearest And The Best, Stars Keeping Watch On His Lonely Place Of Rest"
916850 Gunner Alexander Wilson, aged 21. Son of James Alexander Wilson and Margaret Florence Wilson, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. His headstone bears the inscription "The Blow War Hard The Shock Severe To Part This Way With One So Dear"
