THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
A very kind man called Frank East who was visiting Germany took the following photographs for me. Just seeing them is very emotional to me as I have not yet had the opportunity to go myself to pay my respects to this man, my uncle, and his crew who gave their lives for our country. His sister is still living at 90 years old and she is delighted to have the chance to see these pictures as she can't manage to visit the cemetery herself.
Below are Frank's descriptions of the photographs he took.
Photograph of the entrance to the Rheinberg CWGC Cemetery.
Rheinberg Cemetery is at end of a rubble track about 600-700 yards long, open on both sides and can be seen from the road. The cemetery juts into a forest and I would think that a clearing was made into the forest when the cemetery was first constructed in 1946. Since then the Arnhem/Duisberg motorway cuts close by and No 7exit is within a 1000 yards of the cemetery which is on the Kamp Linford road to the right.
The cemetery car park appears to be used extensively by German visitors for car parking whilst they walk the woods.The tracks into the woods have been named "Englisch". The cemetery is not within walking distance of any inhabited area being equidistant from Rheinberg and Kamp Linford
As ever the cemetery was in good order and everything was immaculate. I was able to photograph Harry's entry in the CWGC Register but unfortunately No 3 Register, (from O to Z) was missing.
(a) F/O H W Larkins's grave.
Wellington Mark 111, Serial No BJ 898, KO C. Collective photograph of crew.
Plot 8 is immediately behind the shelter to the left .
We took these photographs of Harry's grave and those of his crew on the peaceful Sunday morning of 16 April, 2006, when the grass was full of dew.
From Left to Right, Plot 8, Row C, Graves 18-22 inclusive
Sergeant R E Hayman. Air bomber
Flying Officer H W Larkins Pilot
Flight Sergeant E F Stammers RCAF Air Gunner
Flying Officer J S Abel Navigator
Flight Sergeant D G Williams RCAF Air Gunner
This is the Stone of Remembrance and the Cross of Sacrifice photographed slightly offset to allow a full view of both.
The Cross of Sacrifice with a shelter in the background at the rear of the cemetery.
Harry's CWGC Register entry at Rheinberg.
Frank was also kind enough to send me pictures of the graves of the other Crewmen and I'm sure he won't mind me passing a copy of these on if anybody is related to these brave men.