I recently visited Colombo in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and took pictures of almost 400 war graves (1914-58 but majority WW2). This included a number of New Zealand servicemen in the official Borella memorial garden. I would like to share these with people with an interest - and better still have them reach the descendants - and also invite people t add details of the person, the date/battle they lost their life in and anything else of interest. These are uploaded to: Log In | Facebook Thank you.
Flight Lieutenant LEAHY, Ian Stewart (Navigator Bomb Aimer) 404031 RNZAF / Flying Officer SMITH, Basil Le Breton (Pilot) 412525 RNZAF Beaufort W6543 Colombo, Ceylon 13-Feb-43 22 Squadron RAF - aircraft took off from RAF Colombo and struck the roof of a house approx 400 yards from the west end on the runway, and crashed. Crew: MUTIMER, Stanley Charles (Flying Officer) 400153 RAAF (Captain / Pilot) / Flight Lieutenant LEAHY, Ian Stewart (Navigator Bomb Aimer) 404031 RNZAF / RAF Sgt J H Sheriston (Wireless Air Gunner) / RAF Sgt R Simons (Wireless Air Gunner) / Flying Officer SMITH, Basil Le Breton (Pilot) 412525 RNZAF (Pax – 30 Sqn RAF). FO Mutimer and Flt Lt Leahy were killed in the crash and FO Smith died shortly after. Sgt’s Sheriston and Simons were seriously injured in the crash.
Just having a quick look at the RNZAF casualties - besides the two in the post above another two were covered in the Aussie thread: McDONALD, James Laurence Flight Sergeant RNZAF 412892 & SANDERS, Leslie William Pilot Officer 3895 217sq RAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF) 413895 - 30APR43 - http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/australian/44864-australian-war-graves-sri-lanka.html That just leaves Sergeant Archie McNAE RNZAF 411082 (W.Op./Air Gnr of 217 (R.A.F.) SQN) 29JAN43
Hi Mozzertad, There is a New Zealand trust operated website at www.nzwargraves.org.nz whose goal is to photographically document all NZ wargraves tombstones. They might appreciate the shots you have. Cheers.
Hi Dave, I was under the impression that they were having all their requirements photographed professionally through Corporate and other donations. Cheers Geoff
Ah, I was unaware of that. In that case, belay my last. My involvement with them has only been occasional info from our service records.