Witton Cemetery, 7th November 2008

Popped across to Witton Cemetery in Birmingham as I usually do at this time of year. I took a few general photographs first. I was surprised to find that there are almost 700 burials of service Personnel from the two World Wars.

One of the two gatehouses flanking the entrance.

The view to the church from the area where 31 of the World War Two casualties are gathered.

The Church.

The view up to the Cross of Sacrifice.

The initial reason for the return visit is to visit the grave of Sergeant Crabtree. This thread covers the research which uncovered his whereabouts as part of a crew. http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=66&highlight=percy+leslie+moxey

The next two shots are of the area in which Sgt. Crabtree’s grave is located and the grave itself.

I had a little wander around some of the other graves nearby and while all have a tale to tell, it is easier to tell the tales of some than others.

This is the grave of Flight Sergeant Douglas Charles Godfrey. He was serving as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner with 77 Squadron. The Halifax in which he was flying, DT631, crashed and burst into flames at Elvington while trying to land on returning from a cross country exercise. All seven crew perished.

Warrant Officer Ronald Dean was serving with 285 Squadron at Honiley at the time of his death. The Squadron was operating Defiant and Martinet aircraft in the target towing role.

Sometimes, a grave jumps out at you because of a date or an inscription, In this case, both gave an obvious clue.

Sergeant Leonard Arthur Garvey was flying Spitfire II P7375 of 41 Squadron when he was shot down during an engagement with Bf109’s over Ashford, at 4.10 pm on the 30th October 1940.

These two young lads serving with the Home Guard were killed by enemy action on 30th July 1942. I believe there was an air raid on Birmingham that night and I suspect it was during the course of this raid that they were killed. Somehow seems even more poignant that two young men who were almost certainly friends should die and be laid to rest together.

Regards,

kev35