WERKEN CHURCHYARD
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 51.02887, Longitude: 2.963
Location Information
The village of Werken is located 9 kilometres east of the town of Diksmuide (Dixmude), off the N35 road, which runs between Diksmuide and Lichtervelde.
Driving from Diksmuide follow the N35 to the village of Zarren. In the village turn left into Zarenstraat direction Werken. In Werken you come to a T junction, turn left into Werkenstraat and first left, this will take you to the church. The graves are located at the rear of the church.
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.
Werken Churchyard contains the graves of six Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
World War Two Casualties: United Kingdom 4, Australia 1, New Zealand 1. Total 6.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
The village of Werken is located 9 kilometres east of the town of Diksmuide (Dixmude), off the N35 road, which runs between Diksmuide and Lichtervelde.
Driving from Diksmuide follow the N35 to the village of Zarren. In the village turn left into Zarenstraat direction Werken. In Werken you come to a T junction, turn left into Werkenstraat and first left, this will take you to the church. The graves are located at the rear of the church.
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.
Werken Churchyard contains the graves of six Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War.
World War Two Casualties: United Kingdom 4, Australia 1, New Zealand 1. Total 6.
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
401415 Sergeant
Frederick Alexander Spark
Pilot in 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
22nd October 1941, aged 26.
Son of William and Elizabeth Maria Spark, of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; husband of Effie A. Spark, of Dunedin.
Frederick Alexander Spark
Pilot in 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
22nd October 1941, aged 26.
Son of William and Elizabeth Maria Spark, of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand; husband of Effie A. Spark, of Dunedin.
Other Burial Details
971231 Sergeant Sidney Joseph Lawrence Levack, Observer in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941. Son of Maud Levack, of Edinburgh.
400310 Sergeant James Roberts, Royal Australian Air Force, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21. Son of James and Gladys Roberts, of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia.
1051619 Sergeant William Reid Steele, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21. Son of James and Marion Steele, of Cumnock, Ayrshire.
1381172 Sergeant Robert Holtby Tasker, Air Gunner in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 27. Son of William Dickinson Tasker and Mabel Tasker; husband of Marie Barstow Tasker, of Spofforth, Yorkshire.
1100661 Sergeant Cyril Taylor, Pilot in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21.
Son of John Brookes Taylor and Mary Taylor, of Middleton, Manchester.
971231 Sergeant Sidney Joseph Lawrence Levack, Observer in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941. Son of Maud Levack, of Edinburgh.
400310 Sergeant James Roberts, Royal Australian Air Force, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21. Son of James and Gladys Roberts, of Sandringham, Victoria, Australia.
1051619 Sergeant William Reid Steele, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21. Son of James and Marion Steele, of Cumnock, Ayrshire.
1381172 Sergeant Robert Holtby Tasker, Air Gunner in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 27. Son of William Dickinson Tasker and Mabel Tasker; husband of Marie Barstow Tasker, of Spofforth, Yorkshire.
1100661 Sergeant Cyril Taylor, Pilot in 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 22nd October 1941, aged 21.
Son of John Brookes Taylor and Mary Taylor, of Middleton, Manchester.
