Heverlee War Cemetery

 

Country: Belgium

Locality: Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant

Identified Casualties: 981

Google Earth Link: 

Cemetery Location

Heverlee War Cemetery is located 30 kilometres from Brussels and 3 kilometres south of Leuven. Turn left out of Leuven railway station onto the Tiensevest (ring road R 23). Follow the Tiensevest through the junctions Tiensepoort and Parkpoort and along the Naamsepoort. Turn left at the Naamsepoort onto the Naamsesteenweg (N251), signposted Namen, Waver and Heverlee. Continue until you cross the railway line at Heverlee and take the first left turn into the Hertogstraat. Follow Hertogstraat to the end and turn right at the Sport Hall onto the Kerspelstraat. Continue down the Kerspelstraat until you come to a crossroads at which the cemetery is located.

Cemetery 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. The original burial ground at Heverlee was on the opposite side of the lane. It was used after the liberation for burials from the 101st British General Hospital, which was then housed in Heverlee Girl's School close by. In July 1946, the present cemetery was started and was used for burials brought in from a wide area round about. The cemetery now contains 977 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 37 of them unidentified. There are also 29 First World War burials which were brought into the cemetery from a number of communal cemeteries* in the area, where their security and maintenance could not be guaranteed. In addtion to the Commonwealth burials, the cemetery also contains the graves of one American and 11 Polish airmen. * Wetteren Communal Cemetery, Gouvy Churchyard, Linerle, Uccle Communal Cemetery, Boneffe Churchyard, Luttre Communal Cemetery, Anderlecht Communal Cemetery, Sclayn Communal Cemetery, Tubize Communal Cemetery, Gerozstein German Military Cemetery.

WW2 Graves

The graves here are largely from the fighting in the area in May 1940 and RAF crew shot down over Belgium.

There are 3 Second World War VC winners from the RAF buried in this cemetery (see below).

Photo Archive

 

F/O (Pilot) Leslie Thomas Manser VC
50 Sqdn RAF
31st May 1942, aged 20.

Son of Thomas James Stedman Manser and Rosaline Manser, of Radlett, Hertfordshire. (7-G-1)

The citation in the London Gazette of 20th October, 1942 gives the following details : 
Flying Officer Manser was captain and first pilot of an aircraft which took part in the mass raid on Cologne on the night of 30th May, 1942. Despite searchlights and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire he held his course and bombed the target successfully from 7,000 feet. Thereafter, although he took evasive action, the aircraft was badly damaged, for a time one engine and part of one wing were on fire, and in spite of all the efforts of pilot and crew, the machine became difficult to handle and lost height. Though he could still have parachuted to safety with his crew, he refused to do so and insisted on piloting the aircraft towards its base as long as he could hold it steady, to give his crew a better chance of safety when they jumped. While the crew were descending to safety, they saw the aircraft, still carrying the gallant captain, plunge to earth and burst into flames. In pressing home his attack in the face of strong opposition, in striving against heavy odds to bring back his aircraft and crew, and finally, when in extreme peril, thinking only of the safety of his comrades, Flying Officer Manser displayed determination and valour of the highest order.

 

F/O (Pilot) Donald Edward Garland VC
12th Squadron RAF
12th May 1940, aged 21.

Son of Patrick Joseph Garland, C.M.G., and of Winifred Irene Garland, of East Finchley, Middlesex. His brothers, Flt. Lieut. Patrick James Garland, Flt. Lieut. John Cuthbert Garland and Pilot Offr. Desmond William Garland, also died on service. (Coll. grave 6. F. 14-16)

The citation in "The London Gazette," for 11th June, 1940, gives the following details : 
Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading machine of a formation of five aircraft that were ordered to destroy at all costs a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been demolished by the land forces and was allowing the Germans to advance into Belgium. In spite of very heavy defence of the area surrounding the bridge, the formation made a successful dive-bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude, after releasing their bombs they were attacked by a large number of enemy fighters. Only one aircraft of the five returned to its base. Much of the success of the operation must be attributed to the formation leader, Flying Officer Garland, and to the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated the leading aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation, although it subsequently suffered heavy losses, was able successfully to attack the target.

 

Sergeant (Observer) Thomas Gray VC
12th Squadron RAF
12th May 1940, aged 26.

Son of Ernest Arthur and Susannah Mary Gray, of Odd Down, Bath, Somerset. (Coll. grave 6. F. 14-16)

The citation in "The London Gazette," for 11th June, 1940, gives the following details :

 Flying Officer Garland was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the observer of the leading machine of a formation of five aircraft that were ordered to destroy at all costs a bridge over the Albert Canal which had not been demolished by the land forces and was allowing the Germans to advance into Belgium. In spite of very heavy defence of the area surrounding the bridge, the formation made a successful dive-bombing attack from the lowest practicable altitude, after releasing their bombs they were attacked by a large number of enemy fighters. Only one aircraft of the five returned to its base. Much of the success of the operation must be attributed to the formation leader, Flying Officer Garland, and to the coolness and resource of Sergeant Gray, who navigated the leading aircraft under most difficult conditions in such a manner that the whole formation, although it subsequently suffered heavy losses, was able successfully to attack the target.

 

The Lord Frederick Charles Edward Cambridge
1st Bn Coldstream Guards
15th May 1940, aged 32.

Younger son of Lt.-Col. Adolphus Charles Alexander Albert Edward George Philip Louis Ladislaus Cambridge, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.M.G., 1st Marquess of Cambridge, and the Marchioness of Cambridge, of Shotton Hall, Shrewsbury. (11.D.3)

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 WW2 Cemeteries ŠPaul Reed 2006-2007                                                                    Email: info@ww2cemeteries.co.uk