Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Country: Netherlands
Historical Information: Following the Normandy landings of June 1944, the Allied advance through northern Europe was extraordinarily rapid and on 11 September 1944, the Second Army entered the Netherlands just south of Eindhoven, the first Allied troops to set foot in the country since its fall in May 1940. Their next aim was to cross the Rhine before the Germans had time to reorganise after their recent setbacks, securing crossings over the rivers and canals that stood in their path at Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem. 'Operation Market Garden' would involve the United States 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the Commonwealth 1st Airborne Division and the Polish Parachute Brigade. On 17 September 1944, the 1st Airborne Division began landing west of Arnhem, but German resistance, bad weather and problems with supplies and reinforcements led to heavy losses, and their objectives were not taken. They were forced to form a perimeter at Oosterbeek which they held stubbornly until 25 September, when it was decided to withdraw the remnants of the division across the lower Rhine. Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery contains the graves of most of those killed during the September landings, and many of those killed in later fighting in the area. There are now 1,680 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 245 of the burials are unidentified and two casualties are commemorated by special memorials. There are also 73 Polish, three Dutch and three non-war (former Commission employees) graves in the cemetery.
No. of Identified Casualties: 1514
In this cemetery there are two graves of unnamed Irish Guardsmen. The names of men who have no known grave, and who died during this part of the campaign, are commemorated at Groesbeek Memorial.
Guardsman BERNARD ROLAND APPERLEY 2719101, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20
on 22 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 9.
Guardsman BERNARD ARNOLD 2721989, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 24 on 22 September 1944
Son of Robert Herbert Arnold and of Alix Marie Arnold, of Northwood, Middlesex; nephew of Mrs. E. V. Jones, of Northwood.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 11.
“I THANK MY GOD
UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE
OF YOU”
Lance Serjeant KENNETH JOHN BALL 2721832, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 32 on 22 September 1944
Son of Herbert John and Elizabeth Agnes Ball, of Higher Blackley, Manchester; husband of Julia Ball.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 16.
“JESUS, MERCY
MARY, HELP
R.I.P.”
Lance Corporal HARRY EDWARD BENT 2719254, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 23 on 28 September 1944
Son of Harry and Elizebeth Bent, of Nottingham.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 6.
“HE GAVE
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL.
HIS OWN UNFINISHED LIFE
GOOD NIGHT DARLING”
Lance Corporal BASIL JOHN BOGGIS 14664830, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 29 on 02 October 1944
Son of John Sydney and Violet Edith Boggis; husband of Hilda Victoria Boggis of Hatfield Peverell, Essex.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 7.
“SADLY MISSED
BY ALL WHO LOVED HIM.
LOVING WIFE AND CHILDREN”
Guardsman FRANCIS JOSEPH BRODERICK 2718263, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 26
on 22 September 1944
Son of Michael Corcoran Broderick and Mary Broderick; nephew of Maud E. Cousins, of Edmonton, Middlesex.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 3.
“NOT JUST TO-DAY
BUT EVERY DAY
IN SILENCE WE REMEMBER
MAUD AND SYLVIA”
Guardsman JOHN CARRUTHERS 2722126, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 24 on 01 October 1944
Son of John and Janet Carruthers, of Bootle, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 13.
“KIND, UNSELFISH,
HONEST AND TRUE.
JOHN, THAT'S OUR LOVELIEST
MEMORY OF YOU”
Lance Serjeant CHARLES JOSEPH CASEY 2721182, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 30 on 22 September 1944
Son of John and Elizabeth Casey, of Wallasey, Cheshire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 8.
“ETERNAL REST
GIVE TO HIM O LORD
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON HIM. R.I.P.”
Guardsman JOHN STANLEY COLE 2723337, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 22 on 30 September 1944
Son of Stanley Charles and Florence Rose Cole, of Sutton, Surrey.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 15.
Lance Corporal JOHN CONNOR 2723341, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20 on 01 October 1944
Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Connor, of St. Helens, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 10.
“ETERNAL REST
GRANT UNTO HIM, O LORD,
MAY HE REST IN PEACE”
Guardsman FRANK ARTHUR DOBSON 2723804, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 19 on 28 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 11.
Lance Corporal JOHN DOYLE 2718840, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 27 on 22 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 6.
Guardsman MARCIAL FERNANDEZ 2719596, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 26 on 21 September 1944
Son of Juan and Mary Ellen Fernandez, of Liverpool.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 4.
“HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE
ON HIS SOUL
SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY
R.I.P.”
Guardsman JOHN FORRY 2724354, 3rd. Bn., Irish Guards who died age 18 on 01 October 1944
Son of Owen and Emily Forry, of Salford, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 15.
“WE HAVE LOVED HIM IN LIFE
LET US NOT FORGET HIM
IN DEATH
ETERNAL REST ON HIS SOUL”
Guardsman ROBERT OWEN FOX 2722593, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 31 on 01 October 1944
Son of William S. and Sarah C. Fox, of Warrington, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 8.
“GREATER LOVE
HATH NO MAN THAN THIS
THAT A MAN LAY DOWN
HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”
Guardsman ERIC GREEN 2722509, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 34 on 02 October 1944
Son of Leonard and Ada Green, of Bramhall, Cheshire. His brother Leonard Leslie also died on service.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 8.
-
+his brother
Gunner LEONARD LESLIE GREEN 1821040, 7 Coast Regt., Royal Artillery who died age 35 on 09 June 1944
Son of Leonard and Ada Green; husband of Edna Green, of Northenden, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 9. M. 9.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2650503
Guardsman ALBERT GREENHILL 2723975, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20 on 21 September 1944
Son of Florence Greenhill, of Redditch, Worcestershire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 14.
“ALL YOU HAD HOPED FOR,
ALL YOU HAD, YOU GAVE
TO SAVE MANKIND -
YOURSELF YOU SCORNED TO SAVE”
Guardsman Greenhill was also known in his training squad as ‘Sean’. He was born and lived in Worcestershire. He was with a vehicle in the Carrier Platoon which was bringing supplies and ammunition up to the frontline when he was killed by shell fire close to his destination. Guardsman Greenhill was initially buried by his comrades in a field grave next to members of the 2Armd Bn who were also killed that day during Operation Market Garden. His death is recorded in the Official Army list published in The Times on 21st March, 1945.
An account of what happened the day Albert was killed, from a 3rd Battalion veteran who had trained with Albert:
“Each company took turns to be up at the front, usually 3 days and then were pulled back for rest; the changeover was usually completed at night. Then they pulled us out and it was only a Company at a time, they couldn't get a whole Battalion up, not on that road. We tramped back in the dark at night time and another company took over and then we went down the road about five miles.
Then there was an orchard on the left. We got into the orchard and we dug trenches there. It was just at the side of the road. And the tanks had come back when another squadron took over and the tanks were lined up at the side of the road.
And eh, some carriers came up and stopped next to us you see. And I think I saw him first, but anyway Sean came over to me and we shook hands. I says, “I didn’t know you were with the Carriers.” And he says, “Aye, we’re heading up in a minute.” They were bringing up ammunition and stuff you know.
Anyway, he said he had no smokes and I’d just got some Gallaher Blues from my mother. So I had a hundred or so, and eh, I took out a packet and gave them to him and we had a smoke. Next thing they were told to get in and go. We shook hands and I told him to be careful, "Keep your head down". "Oh I will." he said. Last I saw was them heading up the road. I can’t eh, can’t remember if it was 5 or 10 minutes later, but it wasn’t very long afterwards. There was this big explosion, I could see the smoke coming up and I remember thinking to myself, “God I hope that wasn’t Sean.”
Later on some of the carriers came back and one of them stopped near me. So I went over and asked about Sean and the fella told me that he’d been killed and that hit me awful hard.
They were going to bury them in a field by the road. But eh, I said I’d do it and Henry and me dug graves for them all on the right of the road.”
Click here to see full squad photo
Lance Corporal WILLIAM GEORGE HALL 2719974, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 33 on 21 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 5.
Guardsman DAVID CHARLES HOLLAND 2723771, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 19 on 02 October 1944
Son of David C. and Marie E. Holland, of Gwespyr, Flintshire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 12.
“HE DIED FOR FREEDOM
THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN PEACE”
Guardsman WILFRED HUGHES 2723560, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20 on 04 October 1944
Son of William Robert and Mary Hughes, of Liverpool.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 11.
“SACRED HEART OF JESUS,
HAVE MERCY ON HIM.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES,
PRAY FOR HIM.”
Lance Corporal EDWARD RICHARD NOEL KENNY 2723969, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20 on 01 October 1944
Son of the Revd. William Edward Kenny, B.A., and of May Kenny, of Clonaslee Rectory, Leix Co., Irish Republic.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 14.
“FOR I KNOW
WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED
2 TIMOTHY, 1. 12”
Guardsman WILLIAM LE BER 2720484, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 23 on 28 September 1944
Son of Henry Charles and Delia Le Ber, of St Saviours, Jersey, Channel Islands.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 12.
“HIS DUTY DONE
REST IN PEACE
DEEPLY MISSED BY
ALL THE FAMILY IN JERSEY”
Lieutenant WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER MacFETRIDGE 268994, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 22 on 22 September 1944
Son of William Christopher and Loui Charlotte Frances MacFetridge, of Hove, Sussex.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 13.
See Times article Oct 14, 1944; FALLEN OFFICER, MACFETRIDGE
See Times article Sep 21, 1946; IN MEMORIAM, MACFETRIDGE
“UNTIL THE DAY BREAK
AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY”
Lance Serjeant ERNEST FRANCIS MATHER 2720350, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 31 on 22 September 1944
Son of Ernest and Mary Josephine Mather, of St. Helens, Lancashire; husband of Anne Mather, of St. Helens.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 2.
“SWEET JESUS, TAKE HIM
TO THY SACRED HEART
AND LET HIM REST THEREIN”
Guardsman THOMAS MATHER 2723405, 3rd. Bn, Irish Guards who died age 21 on 02 October 1944
Son of James and Maria Mather, of Liverpool.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 3.
Lance Serjeant MATTHEW McSORLEY 2722803, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 23 on 28 September 1944
Son of David and Margaret McSorley, of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 5.
“GONE FROM OUR HEARTH
DEAR SON
BUT NOT FROM OUR HEARTS
YOU LIVE STILL”
Lance Corporal SYDNEY JOHN MILLER 2722057, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 24 on 01 October 1944
Son of Frederick Allan and Lilian Miller, of Brighton, Sussex.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 9.
“REMEMBRANCE
HE GAVE HIS ALL
HIS UNFINISHED LIFE.
MUM, DAD, SYLVIA AND WIN”
Guardsman GEORGE MOORE 2719793, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 27 on 22 September 1944
Son of Arthur and Martha Ann Moore, of Birmingham; husband of Catherine Frances Moore, of Alum Rock, Birmingham.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 17.
“IN MEMORY OF
MY DARLING HUSBAND
? ? GEORGINA”
Guardsman AUSTIN MICHAEL MURPHY 2720055, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 28 on 21 September 1944
Son of Henry and Therese Murphy, of Oldham, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 2.
“WE HAVE LOVED HIM IN LIFE
LET US NOT FORGET HIM
IN DEATH”
Guardsman HARROLD EDWIN NEAL 2721598, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 26 on 21 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 1.
Lance Serjeant JOHN PERRY 2717309, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 31 on 02 October 1944
Son of Charles and Kate Elizabeth Perry; husband of Doris May Perry, of Radstock, Somerset.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 4.
“DEEP IN MY HEART
A MEMORY IS KEPT
OF ONE I LOVED
AND CAN NEVER FORGET. DORIS”
Guardsman VICTOR CLARENCE GEORGE RENDELL 2721321, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 27 on 28 September 1944
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 2.
Guardsman THOMAS RICE 2723711, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 19 on 22 September 1944
Son of George and Elizabeth Rice, of Liverpool.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 12.
Guardsman FRANK SINGLETON 2722516, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 28 on 28 September 1944
Son of Frank and Nellie Singleton, of Stockport, Cheshire; husband of Bessie Singleton, of Cheadle Heath, Stockport.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 14.
“SOME CORNER
OF A FOREIGN FIELD
THAT IS FOR EVER ENGLAND”
Guardsman MARK THISTLETON 14693730, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 19 on 22 September 1944
Son of Mark and Eliza Thistleton, of Firby, Whitwell, Yorkshire.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 1.
“ALL THE BRIGHT COMPANY
OF HEAVEN HOLD HIM
IN THEIR HIGH COMRADESHIP”
Guardsman CYRIL TODD 2721301, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 29 on 22 September 1944
Son of Albert Edward and Mary Todd, of York; husband of Elsie May Todd, of Heworth Green, York.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 7.
"HE LEAVES
A WHITE UNBROKEN GLORY
A SHINING PEACE
UNDER THE NIGHT"
Guardsman JAMES FREDERICK TOWERS 2724368, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 18 on 01 October 1944
Son of William James Towers and Mary Elizebeth Ellen Towers, of Liverpool.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 13.
Guardsman RONALD VARLEY 2616031, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 24 on 01 October 1944
Son of Ernest Arthur Varley and of Ethel Varley (nee Blake); husband of Peggy Varley, of South Norwood, Surrey.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. C. 7.
“TO LIVE IN HEARTS
WE LEAVE BEHIND
IS NOT TO DIE”
Guardsman WILLIAM JOHN WATTERS 2723656, 2nd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 20 on 22 September 1944
Son of Robert George and Catherine Watters, of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Remembered with honour ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. B. 10.
“FAR FROM HIS NATIVE LAND
HE SLEEPS
HE DIED FOR FREEDOM”
Quis Separabit
Sources: CWGC, WTB, WW2 Army Roll of Honour (N&P Press), The Times, Belfast Telegraph
Photographs courtesy of P. Reinders unless otherwise stated; L. Trim; MarkinBelfast; R. Roser; Greenhill/Belk family