VIRE NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Calvados
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.84384, Longitude: -0.8932
Location Information
Vire is a small town and sub-prefecture in the department of the Calvados. It is 37 miles (59 kilometres) south-west of Caen, 32 miles (52 kilometres) south of Bayeux, and 53 kilometres east of Granville, which is a town on the Atlantic coast in the department of the Manche. The old and new communal cemeteries are adjacent, and are situated on the north side of the town. The new cemetery is north of the old, access being through the old cemetery.
There are 4 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here, in the north-east part of the new cemetery.
Vire is a small town and sub-prefecture in the department of the Calvados. It is 37 miles (59 kilometres) south-west of Caen, 32 miles (52 kilometres) south of Bayeux, and 53 kilometres east of Granville, which is a town on the Atlantic coast in the department of the Manche. The old and new communal cemeteries are adjacent, and are situated on the north side of the town. The new cemetery is north of the old, access being through the old cemetery.
There are 4 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here, in the north-east part of the new cemetery.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
649532 Flight Sergeant
William George Rock
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force
26th July 1942, aged 23.
Son of George and Elizabeth Mary Rock, of Broughshane, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart: For They Shall See God St. Matthew V.8"
William George Rock
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force
26th July 1942, aged 23.
Son of George and Elizabeth Mary Rock, of Broughshane, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart: For They Shall See God St. Matthew V.8"
Other Burial Details
116741 Flight Sergeant John Owen, Mentioned in Despatches, Pilot in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 21. Son of John and Louisa Owen, of Wolverhampton. His headstone bears the inscription "To A Beautiful Life Came A Sudden End; He Died As He Lived, Everyone's Friend"
1055021 Sergeant Douglas Thornton, Pilot in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 23. Son of Thomas and Margaret Thornton; husband of Elsie Thornton, of Bradford, Yorkshire. His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved"
1072964 Sergeant James Whalley, Observer in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 28. Son of Thomas and Jane Whalley, of Preston, Lancashire; husband of Edith Whalley, of Preston. His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want"
116741 Flight Sergeant John Owen, Mentioned in Despatches, Pilot in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 21. Son of John and Louisa Owen, of Wolverhampton. His headstone bears the inscription "To A Beautiful Life Came A Sudden End; He Died As He Lived, Everyone's Friend"
1055021 Sergeant Douglas Thornton, Pilot in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 23. Son of Thomas and Margaret Thornton; husband of Elsie Thornton, of Bradford, Yorkshire. His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved"
1072964 Sergeant James Whalley, Observer in 138 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 26th July 1942, aged 28. Son of Thomas and Jane Whalley, of Preston, Lancashire; husband of Edith Whalley, of Preston. His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want"
