CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE EAST COMMUNAL CEMETERY
&
LA NÉCROPOLE NATIONALE DE CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE
Marne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.95891, Longitude: 4.3719
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Châlons-en-Champagne is the chief town in the Department of the Marne. The East Communal Cemetery lies on the east side of the town approximately 1.5 kilometres east of the railway station. The Commonwealth graves from the First World War are in the French military section and the Second World War graves can be found in the civilian section of the cemetery.
History Information
When Germany invaded France early in May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force had already been established there for some time. Between their dramatic evacuation a few weeks later and the Normandy landings of June 1944, Commonwealth forces activity in France was limited to coastal raids and special operations. Most of the Second World War Commonwealth cemeteries are situated in the coastal areas of northern France, but graves will also be found in communal cemeteries and churchyards all over the country, many being those of Commonwealth airmen who failed to return from missions over northern Europe. Châlons-en-Champagne East Communal Cemetery contains the graves of 27 Commonwealth airmen of the Second World War and and four graves from the First World War.
Total Commonwealth Burials: 31.
World War One Commonwealth Casualties: United Kingdom 4.
World War Two Commonwealth Casualties: United Kingdom 24, Canada 2, Australia 1. Total 27.
Entrance and Commonwealth World War One Burials
Images © Johan Pauwels
Burial Details
92311 S. Bowker, "B" Battery, 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, died 1st June 1918.
Pantry Boy, G. P. Carter, S. S. Brussels, Mercantile Marine, died 19th February 1919, aged 22.
201126 Private C. H. Davies, 1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry, died 2nd June 1918. His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
38688 Serjeant A. J. Kite, 10th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died 31st May 1918. His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Devoted Son "Death Before Dishonour"
92311 S. Bowker, "B" Battery, 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, died 1st June 1918.
Pantry Boy, G. P. Carter, S. S. Brussels, Mercantile Marine, died 19th February 1919, aged 22.
201126 Private C. H. Davies, 1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry, died 2nd June 1918. His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
38688 Serjeant A. J. Kite, 10th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died 31st May 1918. His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Devoted Son "Death Before Dishonour"
Commonwealth World War Two Burials
Images © Johan Pauwels
129920 Pilot Officer
Michael Cyriates Anastassiades
Air Bomber in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
16th April 1943.
Of Cyprus
Michael Cyriates Anastassiades
Air Bomber in 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
16th April 1943.
Of Cyprus
J/16064 Pilot Officer
Alexander Carruthers
Pilot in 214 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
12th March 1943, aged 28.
Son of James D. Carruthers and Agnes D. Carruthers, of Tonawanda, New York, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesus Said: I Will Never Leave Thee, Nor Forsake Thee"
Died in the loss of Stirling III BF469 of 214 (R.A.F.) Squadron - aircraft took off 20:02 11th March 1943 from Chedburgh and was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Hans Autenrieth).
Alexander Carruthers
Pilot in 214 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
12th March 1943, aged 28.
Son of James D. Carruthers and Agnes D. Carruthers, of Tonawanda, New York, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesus Said: I Will Never Leave Thee, Nor Forsake Thee"
Died in the loss of Stirling III BF469 of 214 (R.A.F.) Squadron - aircraft took off 20:02 11th March 1943 from Chedburgh and was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Hans Autenrieth).
1583876 Sergeant
Dennis John Coldicott
103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
4th May 1944, aged 21.
Son of Leslie Arthur and Alice Elizabeth Coldicott, of Harborne, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Dennis John Coldicott
103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
4th May 1944, aged 21.
Son of Leslie Arthur and Alice Elizabeth Coldicott, of Harborne, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
146157 Pilot Officer
Hugh Bernard Gonce
156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
16th April 1943, aged 29.
Son of William T. Gonce and Ophelia E. Gonce, of Walters, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Hugh Bernard Gonce
156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
16th April 1943, aged 29.
Son of William T. Gonce and Ophelia E. Gonce, of Walters, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
655812 Sergeant
Eric Parker
214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
12th March 1943, aged 26.
Son of Arthur and Jane Parker, of Blackpool Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Died in the loss of Stirling III BF469 of 214 (R.A.F.) Squadron - aircraft took off 2002 11 March 1943 from Chedburgh and was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Hans Autenrieth)
Eric Parker
214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
12th March 1943, aged 26.
Son of Arthur and Jane Parker, of Blackpool Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Died in the loss of Stirling III BF469 of 214 (R.A.F.) Squadron - aircraft took off 2002 11 March 1943 from Chedburgh and was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Hans Autenrieth)
415830 Pilot Officer
Sydney Lawrence Rowe
Royal Australian Air Force
4th May 1944, aged 28.
Son of Harold Vipond Rowe and Ivy Lillian Rowe, of Gwalia, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Patria Mori"
Shot Down At Chalons-En-Champagne About 18 Miles North of the Target During A Raid on Barracks At Mailly-Le-Camp.
Sydney Lawrence Rowe
Royal Australian Air Force
4th May 1944, aged 28.
Son of Harold Vipond Rowe and Ivy Lillian Rowe, of Gwalia, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Patria Mori"
Shot Down At Chalons-En-Champagne About 18 Miles North of the Target During A Raid on Barracks At Mailly-Le-Camp.
World War Two Burials
Click on individual headstone for more details if applicable
Images © Johan Pauwels
The following images are two graves with six names inscribed. All were killed on 12th March 1943.
Images © Johan Pauwels
798585 Flight Sergeant Basil Carnell, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 21. Son of Harry and Eva Carnell; husband of Paula Carnell, of Newton Abbot, Devon. His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In The Hearts Of Those Who Love You, Our Brave Darling, Is Not To Die"
J/16064 Pilot OfficerAlexander Carruthers (Details and image above)
629071 Sergeant Edgar Louis Eaglen, Flight Engineer in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force, aged 23. Son of A. Eaglen and Dulcie Eaglen, of Saham Toney, Norfolk; husband of V. Eaglen, of Holme Hale, Norfolk. His headstone bears the inscription "Their Name Liveth For Evermore"
1215579 Sergeant Roland Jennings, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 19.
Son of Roland Bingham Jennings and Florence Amelia Jennings, of Hall Green, Birmingham. his headstone bears the inscription "His Dust With That Of Ancient Heroes Blends; ... His Glory Martial Fame Transcends"
1201575 Sergeant Percy Pugh Oakes, Air Bomber in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
655812 Sergeant Eric Parker (Details and Image above)
J/16064 Pilot OfficerAlexander Carruthers (Details and image above)
629071 Sergeant Edgar Louis Eaglen, Flight Engineer in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force, aged 23. Son of A. Eaglen and Dulcie Eaglen, of Saham Toney, Norfolk; husband of V. Eaglen, of Holme Hale, Norfolk. His headstone bears the inscription "Their Name Liveth For Evermore"
1215579 Sergeant Roland Jennings, 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 19.
Son of Roland Bingham Jennings and Florence Amelia Jennings, of Hall Green, Birmingham. his headstone bears the inscription "His Dust With That Of Ancient Heroes Blends; ... His Glory Martial Fame Transcends"
1201575 Sergeant Percy Pugh Oakes, Air Bomber in 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
655812 Sergeant Eric Parker (Details and Image above)
