VLISSEGEM CHURCHYARD
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 51.25514, Longitude: 3.05611
Location Information
Vlissegem Churchyard is located 10 Km east of Oostende on the Vijfwegestraat, a road leading from the N9 connecting Oostende to Brugge.
From Oostende the N9 begins at Sas Slijkens and continues for 8 km to the left hand junction with Vijfewegestraat. 2 km along Vijfewegestraat lies the village of Vlissegem. The churchyard itself is located on the Dorpsplaats in the centre of the village.
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.
Vlissegem Churchyard contains seven Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. 6 U. K. Airmen and 1 Canadian Airman.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
Vlissegem Churchyard is located 10 Km east of Oostende on the Vijfwegestraat, a road leading from the N9 connecting Oostende to Brugge.
From Oostende the N9 begins at Sas Slijkens and continues for 8 km to the left hand junction with Vijfewegestraat. 2 km along Vijfewegestraat lies the village of Vlissegem. The churchyard itself is located on the Dorpsplaats in the centre of the village.
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.
Vlissegem Churchyard contains seven Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. 6 U. K. Airmen and 1 Canadian Airman.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
J/15231 Pilot Officer
Allan George Griffith
Pilot in 156 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th April 1942.
Allan George Griffith
Pilot in 156 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th April 1942.
Other Burial Details
1181845 Sergeant Alexander Charles Frederick Digby, Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 20. Son of George Joseph and Mary Digby, of Snodland, Kent; husband of Joyce Mary Digby, of Derby
1180424 Sergeant Oliver Raymond East, Pilot in 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942.
6459647 Fusilier Austin Richard Langley, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, died between 10th May 1940 and the 4th June 1940, aged 19. Son of Richard L. and K. Garthwaite Langley, of Brixton Hill, London.
1170645 Sergeant Graham Donald Randall, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 20.
1377475 Sergeant Eric George Andrew Stevens, Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 31. Son of George and Trixy Stevens; husband of Betty Stevens, of Kilburn, Middlesex.
1281125 Sergeant Roy Charles Edgar Willingham, Observer in 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942.
1181845 Sergeant Alexander Charles Frederick Digby, Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 20. Son of George Joseph and Mary Digby, of Snodland, Kent; husband of Joyce Mary Digby, of Derby
1180424 Sergeant Oliver Raymond East, Pilot in 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942.
6459647 Fusilier Austin Richard Langley, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, died between 10th May 1940 and the 4th June 1940, aged 19. Son of Richard L. and K. Garthwaite Langley, of Brixton Hill, London.
1170645 Sergeant Graham Donald Randall, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 20.
1377475 Sergeant Eric George Andrew Stevens, Air Gunner in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942, aged 31. Son of George and Trixy Stevens; husband of Betty Stevens, of Kilburn, Middlesex.
1281125 Sergeant Roy Charles Edgar Willingham, Observer in 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th April 1942.
