THE HISTORY OF THE COMMEMARATION

In spite of an intensive quest it was only in 1993 that the family of Sgt Robertson of New Zealand found the location of his grave.
His niece Vivienne Saunders – Robertson came in 1997 for the first time to the European continent in order to visit the tomb of her nephew.

Family Robertson - Westkerke, October 2008

At this occasion the former pastor of Westkerke, E.H. Philippe Vindevogel visited with them the surroundings of Ypres. They were able to collect some ‘poppy’s’ from Flanders fields were some of their relatives have been fighting during the First World War.

E.H. Philippe Vindevogel

In 2004 an appeal was launched to the patriotic associations with the question what their intentions were to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Belgium.
Having in Westkerke the graves of military killed in action during the Second World War, we (the local national veteran association of Westkerke - N.S.B. [Nationale Strijders Bond]) decided to organize a commemoration ceremony.

Until then (2004) the four allied service men killed in action were never commemorated in any ceremony or memorial service.
In 2006, 65 years have been passed since they were killed, representatives of the embassies of Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom participated in the commemoration of their fellow-countrymen killed in the air crash of 1941.
The Province Governor was also present during the ceremony.
We intend and hope to be able to repeat this commemoration every year. Westkerke will honor their little military cemetery. A cemetery that will be recognized by history as one of the smallest military cemeteries of the Second World War.

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