VIROFLAY NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Yvelines
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.7962, Longitude: 2.17832
Location Information
Viroflay is a small town 4 kilometres east of Versailles. The cemetery is situated in the wood, south of the town, and about 880 metres from the church and town hall.
Historical Information
There are 74, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site.
Commonwealth Casualties: United Kingdom 40, Australia 16, Canada 15, New Zealand 3. Total 74.
Viroflay is a small town 4 kilometres east of Versailles. The cemetery is situated in the wood, south of the town, and about 880 metres from the church and town hall.
Historical Information
There are 74, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site.
Commonwealth Casualties: United Kingdom 40, Australia 16, Canada 15, New Zealand 3. Total 74.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
J/89952 Pilot Officer
Walter Lynwood Arksey
460 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 21.
Row B. 22.
Son of John and Maude Arksey, of Langruth, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Always Missed By His Family. God Bless Him Who Nobly Died"
Walter Lynwood Arksey
460 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 21.
Row B. 22.
Son of John and Maude Arksey, of Langruth, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Always Missed By His Family. God Bless Him Who Nobly Died"
J/6167 Pilot Officer
Eric Graham Cavaghan
419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 22.
Row A. Collective Grave 19-20.
Son of Stanley and Alice Cavaghan, of St. James, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In Morning We Remember"
Eric was born in Carlisle, England in December of 1919, moving to Canada as a five year old on 18 August 1925. The family ran a butcher shop-grocery store in Winnipeg where Eric's father, Stanley had lived prior to joining the CEF in June 1915. Along with his brother and cousins Eric attended St James Collegiate in the Winnipeg suburb, afterwards beginning a career with the Royal Bank. He was a motorcycle enthusiast participating in hill climbs and other events on his Triumph. Not surprisingly he opted to serve in the Air Force in WW II and became an RCAF pilot, qualifying for his wings December 1941. He was reputedly the first to fly the Wellington bomber.
Eric Graham Cavaghan
419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 22.
Row A. Collective Grave 19-20.
Son of Stanley and Alice Cavaghan, of St. James, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In Morning We Remember"
Eric was born in Carlisle, England in December of 1919, moving to Canada as a five year old on 18 August 1925. The family ran a butcher shop-grocery store in Winnipeg where Eric's father, Stanley had lived prior to joining the CEF in June 1915. Along with his brother and cousins Eric attended St James Collegiate in the Winnipeg suburb, afterwards beginning a career with the Royal Bank. He was a motorcycle enthusiast participating in hill climbs and other events on his Triumph. Not surprisingly he opted to serve in the Air Force in WW II and became an RCAF pilot, qualifying for his wings December 1941. He was reputedly the first to fly the Wellington bomber.
J/27275 Flying Officer
Alan Mackenzie Christie
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
Alan Mackenzie Christie
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
J/89954 Pilot Officer
Alfred John Collett
460 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. 23.
Alfred John Collett
460 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. 23.
J/87195 Pilot Officer
George James Talbot Dunlop
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
George James Talbot Dunlop
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
R/62650 Flight Sergeant
John Gordon Forbes
419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 23.
Row A. Collective Grave 19-20.
Son of James R. Forbes ad Bessie Forbes, of Mille Roches, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Christ Shall Be Magnified In My Body, Whether It Be By Life, Or By Death"
Click on image to enlarge
John Gordon Forbes
419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 23.
Row A. Collective Grave 19-20.
Son of James R. Forbes ad Bessie Forbes, of Mille Roches, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Christ Shall Be Magnified In My Body, Whether It Be By Life, Or By Death"
Click on image to enlarge
416038 Flight Sergeant
George Edward Gardner
622 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
8th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
George Edward Gardner
622 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
8th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
415247 Flight Lieutenant
Richard Gerard Godfrey
Royal Australian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 21.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
Son of Cecil Horace and Elsie Muriel Godfrey, of Queens Park, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Time Goes By But Memories Stay As Near And Dear As Yesterday"
Flt Lt Godfrey enlisted on 17 August 1941. On 8 June 1944 he was killed whilst serving with 622 Squadron RAF on operations over France. He was aged 21. Flt Lt Godfrey is wearing the ribbon of the 1939-1945 Star, the ribbon being issued from 1943 onwards.
Richard Gerard Godfrey
Royal Australian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 21.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
Son of Cecil Horace and Elsie Muriel Godfrey, of Queens Park, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Time Goes By But Memories Stay As Near And Dear As Yesterday"
Flt Lt Godfrey enlisted on 17 August 1941. On 8 June 1944 he was killed whilst serving with 622 Squadron RAF on operations over France. He was aged 21. Flt Lt Godfrey is wearing the ribbon of the 1939-1945 Star, the ribbon being issued from 1943 onwards.
Images in gallery below © André de Smet
J/88417 Pilot Officer
John H. Handzuk
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 20.
Row B. 9.
Son of Harry and Kathleen Handzuk, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "There Is Not A Day, Dear, That We Do Not Think Of You. Remembered. Mom, Dad And Family"
John H. Handzuk
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 20.
Row B. 9.
Son of Harry and Kathleen Handzuk, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "There Is Not A Day, Dear, That We Do Not Think Of You. Remembered. Mom, Dad And Family"
R/176528 Flight Sergeant
Harold Elburn Isles
90 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th May 1944, aged 21.
Row B. 4.
Son of Arthur Max and Mary Myrtle Isles, of Bear River, Digby Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus"
Harold Elburn Isles
90 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
9th May 1944, aged 21.
Row B. 4.
Son of Arthur Max and Mary Myrtle Isles, of Bear River, Digby Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus"
404353 Flying Officer
William Martin Murphy
Royal Australian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 23.
Row A. 7.
Son of Martin and Lillian May Murphy, of Virginia, Queensland, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Gallant Son Of Australia. Proudly Remembered"
William Martin Murphy
Royal Australian Air Force
30th May 1942, aged 23.
Row A. 7.
Son of Martin and Lillian May Murphy, of Virginia, Queensland, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Gallant Son Of Australia. Proudly Remembered"
417220 Pilot Officer
Ronald Laing Nicholson
Royal Australian Air Force
10th June 1944, aged 22.
Row B. 24.
Son of James Laing Nicholson and Jessie Maude Nicholson, of Port Augusta, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died That We Might Live In Peace"
Ronald Laing Nicholson
Royal Australian Air Force
10th June 1944, aged 22.
Row B. 24.
Son of James Laing Nicholson and Jessie Maude Nicholson, of Port Augusta, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died That We Might Live In Peace"
Cemetery, probably at Elancourt, France. This image relates to the service of 417220 Pilot Officer Ronald Laing (Ron) Nicholson, RAAF, killed during operations over France on 10 June 1944. PO Nicholson was originally buried at Elancourt Cemetery along with other members of his flight crew. They were later reburied at Viroflay New Communal Cemetery.
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Members of the community attend a memorial service at Elancourt, France on V E Day. This image relates to the service of 417220 Pilot Officer (PO) Ronald Laing (Ron) Nicholson, RAAF, killed during operations over France on 10 June 1944. PO Nicholson was originally buried at Elancourt Cemetery along with other members of his flight crew. They were later reburied at Viroflay New Communal Cemetery.
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J/87120 Pilot Officer
Joseph Henry Yvon Nowlan
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 24.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
Son of Joseph and Barbara Nowlan, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Joseph Henry Yvon Nowlan
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944, aged 24.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
Son of Joseph and Barbara Nowlan, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
412265 Flying Officer
Gibson Philp
Royal New Zealand Air Force
14th January 1944, aged 23.
Row A. 21.
Son of Ralph and Maud Philp, of Wellington City New Zealand, husband of Nancy Jean Philp, of Wellington City.
Gibson Philp
Royal New Zealand Air Force
14th January 1944, aged 23.
Row A. 21.
Son of Ralph and Maud Philp, of Wellington City New Zealand, husband of Nancy Jean Philp, of Wellington City.
421993 Pilot Officer
Francis Sylvester Sewell
622 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 26.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
Son of Frank and Florence Jane Sewell, husband of Ada Catherine Sewell, o Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand.
Francis Sylvester Sewell
622 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 26.
Row B. Collective Grave 26-32.
Son of Frank and Florence Jane Sewell, husband of Ada Catherine Sewell, o Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand.
J/25041 Flying Officer
Roy Edward Warren
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
Roy Edward Warren
434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th June 1944.
Row B. Collective Grave 12-15.
C/21286 Flying Officer
Charles David Woodley
15 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 24.
Row A. Collective Grave 38-42.
Son of Arthur T. Woodley and Margaret H. Woodley, of Knowlton, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bars the inscription "Younger Son Of Arthur T. And Margaret H. Woodley, Knowlton, Quebec, Canada"
Charles David Woodley
15 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
8th June 1944, aged 24.
Row A. Collective Grave 38-42.
Son of Arthur T. Woodley and Margaret H. Woodley, of Knowlton, Province of Quebec, Canada.
His headstone bars the inscription "Younger Son Of Arthur T. And Margaret H. Woodley, Knowlton, Quebec, Canada"
