15^th June 2024

80^th anniversary of the crash of Lancaster HK559

RAF 115 Squadron

Gannes (Oise)

                                                                                                                In French

     On the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the crash of Lancaster HK559, RAF 115 Squadron, a ceremony was held in memory of the 7 Australian and British airmen who tragically lost their lives during a bombing mission on the night of 17 to 18 June 1944 in the village of Gannes.

     We were honoured to have with us Daryl and John Van Cooten, nephews of F/S John W. Van Cooten, accompanied by their wives and friends from Australia, and Ian Duff, nephew of W/O Peter Duff, accompanied by his son and grandson from Scotland.

Both families were meeting for the first time.

     The families of the airmen, numerous flag bearers from the patriotic associations, elected representatives and all those present gathered in the cemetery, next to the graves of the seven airmen, in front of which their portraits were affixed.

     On behalf of the municipality, a plaque commemorating this 80^th anniversary was placed in front of the graves.

Daryl and John Van Cooten, their wives, Ian Duff, his son Mike and grandson Alex.

     After welcoming the members of the airmen's families, the mayor Olivier De Beule and our Association laid wreaths of flowers at the foot of the graves. After the Last Post and a minute's silence, the national anthems of Australia, Great Britain and France were played.

     Mr Olivier De Beule then retraced the history of this mission on the night of 17 to 18 June 1944, which took place just a few days after the long-awaited Landing of Allied troops in Normandy. He recalled the circumstances of the crash that took the lives of the seven young occupants of the Lancaster, who sacrificed their lives on French soil for our Freedom. Three days later, after a mass in the church, the seven airmen were laid to rest in the local cemetery with great respect and compassion by the people of the village, of the neighbouring villages and many anonymous people, despite the presence of the occupying Germans.  

     The ASAA-Oise then associated the other families of these airmen who had not been able to make the trip for this 80^th anniversary but who were present in their hearts and minds. Among them was Christine Dawson, niece of Sgt. Douglas Dawson, who had written a message that was read out for the occasion.

     “I have attended many other commemoration ceremonies in the past and I am saddened not to be able to be with you today but I am thinking of you all. I hope to be able to come back again in the future. I am writing my family history so that my uncle Douglas, whom I never met, will be remembered. His story needs to be told to my grandchildren and other cousins of the younger generation. I have learned so much by going to Gannes, and I must thank you all for the work of remembrance that brings us together, assuring our loved ones that their story will never be forgotten”.

     Ian Duff took then the floor, mentioning that this was his 6^th visit to Gannes. His first visit was in 1964. Working temporarily in Paris at the time, he travelled to Gannes by train. When he arrived, he asked for directions to the cemetery. An employee suggested that he wait while he went to make a phone call. Soon a car arrived with two young men, one being the son of the mayor. They drove to the town hall, where he met Pierre Naquet, then mayor of the village. The mayor welcomed him for a meal before taking him to the cemetery to pay his respects at the grave of his uncle and the other members of the crew. The visit and the welcome he received that day overwhelmed him with emotion.

     Ian Duff also thanked and expressed his gratitude to the municipality and the people of the village for looking after the graves and ensuring that they were well kept and flowered. He was particularly delighted by the presence of his grandson Alex, aged 11, who was visiting Gannes for the first time. This intergenerational presence helps to pass on and preserve the family memory.   

     The ceremony continued near the crash site. In tribute to the airmen who lost their lives there, flowers were laid at the foot of the small memorial to this tragic event.

This moving day ended at the town hall with a reception offered by the municipality.