New Zealand War Graves in Sri Lanka

Discussion in 'New Zealand' started by Mozzertad, May 11, 2012.

Tags:
  1. Mozzertad

    Mozzertad Junior Member

    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.
     
  2. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    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.
     
  3. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    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
     
  4. Dave Gibson

    Dave Gibson Member

    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.
     
  5. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Hi Dave,

    I was under the impression that they were having all their requirements photographed professionally through Corporate and other donations.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  6. Dave Gibson

    Dave Gibson Member

    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.
     

Share This Page