D-Day Documentary

**Sierrasierra** · 05-31-2009, 10:21 PM

Hey all,

I am a documentary maker currently filming the 65th anniversary celebrations over in Normandy. There are still a few gaps in my knowledge base that i was wondering if anyone could assist me with.

I am looking for a few of the places that were significant to Australians, i.e. out of the 3,000 that served where were they mainly deployed or were they mainly all in the air with the 462 and 466 squadrons or more.

I am also hoping to interview any veterans that may be around on their experiences and memories.

Thanks for your help

SS

**Antipodean Andy** · 05-31-2009, 10:54 PM

Sierra, about the only places I can think of are crash sites and burial sites of aircrew.

You've posted this request a number of times on here. Rest-assured most us read all posts so we shall use this thread for your project.

**Kyt** · 06-01-2009, 03:27 AM

SS, your best route is to contact the local RSL(s). That is where (a) you will get better background on the Australians in Europe, and (b) the most likely place you will get to meet veterans.

**Kyt** · 06-01-2009, 03:34 AM

Anniversary talks: Australians and D-Day

**spidge** · 06-01-2009, 07:04 AM

SS,

I have not researched all of these deaths however I have included the day prior and after D-Day. Some may be disregarded however there may be an association.

I do know that Australian squadron aircraft were amongst the first to land on French soil after D-Day to continue the assault against the Germans from French soil. (Need to find the details)

These are the deaths and places of burial of which I have many of the headstones.

DUEL, ALLAN ROBERT Pilot Officer 425623 27 O T U 5/06/1944 20 CHESTER (BLACON) CEMETERY UK Cheshire

McSWEENEY, GERALD BEAUMONT Flight Sergeant 425346 3 AFU 5/06/1944 26 CHESTER (BLACON) CEMETERY UK Cheshire

GILES, RONALD LESLIE Pilot Officer 27937 1658 Conv Unit RAF 41 Base 5/06/1944 28 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

PUGH, JOHN HALSTEAD Warrant Officer 416998 175sq RAF 5/06/1944 24 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

BURGESS, MALCOLM ROBERT Flight Sergeant 423076 50sq 6/06/1944 21 BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

HOWARD, GEORGE JOHN Flight Sergeant 420883 181sq 6/06/1944 22 BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

WARD, ROLAND GILBERT Pilot Officer 422326 50sq 6/06/1944 28 BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

ROBERTS, ALFRED ERNEST Flying Officer 409775 164sq 6/06/1944 26 FRENOUVILLE CHURCHYARD France Calvados

OXLADE, ARTHUR GEOFFREY Squadron Leader 400733 464sq 6/06/1944 24 GUEURES COMMUNAL CEMETERY France Seine-Maritime

COATES, ALBERT LANCE Pilot Officer 418808 299sq 6/06/1944 20 LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES France Calvados

CONLEY, RONALD JOHN (DFC) Flight Lieutenant 425606 97sq RAF 6/06/1944 28 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

CROFT, BARRY ALAN Flight Sergeant 420920 299sq RAF 6/06/1944 20 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

GILBERT, LESLIE JOHN (DFM) Flight Sergeant 421012 299sq RAF 6/06/1944 30 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

MUNDAY, HARVEY FRANCIS Pilot Officer 418864 149sq RAF 6/06/1944 24 ST. MANVIEU WAR CEMETERY, CHEUX France Calvados

HOWE, GRAYDON RAYMOND Flying Officer 423743 42 O T U RAF 6/06/1944 24 ST. SYLVAIN CHURCHYARD France Seine-Maritime

POYZER, ARTHUR WALLACE Flight Sergeant 404468 83sq 7/06/1944 29 BANNEVILLE-LA-CAMPAGNE WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

KNIGHT, FREDERICK JAMES Pilot Officer 422801 460sq 7/06/1944 21 BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

WILSON, ALAN WILLIAM Pilot Officer 410510 630sq 7/06/1944 22 BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

ZINGELMANN, LEONARD WILLIAM Flight Sergeant 426944 103sq 7/06/1944 32 BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

BRENNAN, WILLIAM STANLEY Flying Officer 411427 512sq Broadwell 7/06/1944 32 HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

COOMBE, KEITH ANZAC Flying Officer 416829 512sq Broadwell 7/06/1944 24 HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

TOYNE, WILLIAM HENRY STACEY Pilot Officer 425075 512sq Broadwell 7/06/1944 27 HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY France Calvados

KNIGHT, GORDON HENRY Flight Sergeant 421601 44sq 7/06/1944 20 LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES France Calvados

STOKES, GORDON JEFFREY Warrant Officer 412747 198sq 7/06/1944 21 LES MOUTIERS-HUBERT CHURCHYARD France Calvados

RENDLE, GEORGE ERNEST Pilot Officer 410092 181sq 7/06/1944 24 PARKHURST MILITARY CEMETERY UK Isle of Wight

BUCHAN-HEPBURN, RONALD HENRY Flying Officer 414988 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 21 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

DICKENSON, MAX ELWIN Flight Sergeant 408388 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 32 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

EARL, HAROLD JOHN Flight Sergeant 422464 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 23 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

ESLER, WILLIAM JAMES Flight Lieutenant 401371 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 26 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

HANDS, BRUCE ALFRED Flight Sergeant 422512 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 20 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

HOGAN, PHILLIP WILLIAM Pilot Officer 420386 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 27 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

KENNEDY, ALBERT ALEXANDER Flight Sergeant 418506 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 23 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

ROBERTS, KIMBERLEY (DFC) Flight Lieutenant 415358 619sq RAF 7/06/1944 21 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

WHITBY, JOHN DOWNTON Flight Sergeant 422822 224sq RAF 7/06/1944 22 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

WOODEY, JACK EDWARD Warrant Officer 411625 131sq RAF 7/06/1944 24 RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey