Achiet-le-Petit Communal Cemetery

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

It contains the graves of 7 Commonwealth 1939-45 war airmen. These will be found near the centre of the eastern boundary of the cemetery.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (5)
  • Canadian (2)

Served in

  • Air Force (7)

Lancaster MKI LL 836 BQ-E, 550 Squadron RAF

On  April 10th 1944, 15 four-engine  Lancaster MKI bombers  left their base of North Killingholme England. Among them  LL 836 BQ-E departing at 11 25 p.m.. Aboard the aircraft  7 crew : four are English, one is Australian and two are Canadian.On this occasion two different air gunners were flying with the crew (one of them, F/Lt Waycott DFM, being the Squadron Senior Gunnery Officer).

 

The target of this air force is the marshalling yard of Aulnoye Aymeries located in the north of France. This operation is part of  the Transportation Plan, which is due to destroy the  logistical rail centers used by the Germans in anticipation of future landing. The mission began badly :  one of the bombers is missing, it crashed on take-off, by  miraculously there were no casualties.

On  April 11th 1944, the bombers dropped their destructive cargo between 02 20 am and 02 46 am on the marshalling yard. A total of about 2000 bombs fell from the sky for a weight of around 800 tonnes. Only 287 projectiles hit their target, the other ordnance fell on the city of Aulnoye Aymeries and  surrounding.

 

Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) ESSAR, WILLIAM - J/90741

Died 11/04/1944

550 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force

 

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) GUEST, THOMAS HENRY - 1801227

Died 11/04/1944

550 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 

Flying Officer (Navigator) LOGAN, JOHN JAMES D F C - 135108

Died 11/04/1944  Aged 26

550 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) PICTON, RICHARD WILLIAM D F C - 129769

Died 11/04/1944

550 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 

Flying Officer (Air Bomber) POTTER, JOHN FOSTER -  J/23136

Died 11/04/1944

550 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

 

Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) WILLIAMS, KENNETH PERCY CHARLES D F M - 908406

Died 11/04/1944

550 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 

Flight Lieutenant (Air Gunner) WAYCOTT, WILLIAM HUGH D F M - 145708

Died 11/04/1944  Aged 22

550 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve