Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

[@bearlincs]

A simple but deeply moving and dignified video. I shed a few tears watching it. Let nature heal all the hurts of the world. I have a family relative buried there, one Lancelot Stanley Kennedy, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Flying Officer, Bomber Command/ Royal Canadian Air Force, Squadron 103. Died (along with the rest of his crew) on a bombing mission over Dortmund when the Lancaster crashed near Alhaus, 23/05/1944, aged 27. Always remembered. I thank him for his courage and sacrifice that we might live free and in peace. Thank you for posting it.

[@MennoVisual]

Thank you very much, John!! A greater compliment is hard to imagine for the maker of a video!! Thanks for sharing your personal connection with this cemetery! May your relative, Lancelot Stanley Kennedy, rest in peace!!

[@MennoVisual]

I was just wondering, have you ever visited Reichswald Cemetery and/or did you ever get to see the memorial stone of your relative?

[@bearlincs]

Menno Alberts I`ve never been to the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, but have requested a photograph of his grave from website volunteers who photograph and record such war cemeteries/graves. That hopefully will come soon. I also have one of a memorial to him in Toronto by his parents` grave. I would love to actually go to the Reichswald at some point. My sister visited First World War battle sites and cemeteries last year, including Vimy/Vimny Ridge(?)so maybe we will go together. I like the little touch of putting closer together the headstones of those who fell together. Stanley is with his colleagues.I will be going to the Bomber Command Memorial in London soon. Further off, Stanley`s also on the Canadian 'Wall of Remembrance' in a museum in Alberta, Canada. Stanley and I may be parted by a lifetime, an ocean, and a continent, but he is family still, and I appreciate what he did for us more with the years.

[@MennoVisual]

Hello John, Just visited Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Germany again and made a photo and some video footage of Lancelot S. Kennedy's headstone for you. If you're interested send an e-mail to me. Best regards

[@jamesatkinson7180]

A great tribute . My grandfather is buried here. James

[@MennoVisual]

Thank you, James! I appreciate your comment! May your grandfather rest in peace!

[@jamesatkinson7180]

I visited his grave on 29th December 2014 for the 70th anniversary of his death. My grandfather was Flight Lieutenant Malcolm F Edwards, he was killed at 11.30am on 29th December 1944 whist flying a Hawker Tempest V into Germany from his base in Holland. He was 27 years of age, and will never ever be forgotten.

[@lesterstenner9749]

My fathers crew all buried here -John Allan Worswick, Alfred George Bake, Robert Issac Hart, George Robson, Thomas Hodgson, and William Lewis Lambert. 1/2nd June 1942. Lancaster R5844, bombing

[@kimfitzpatrick6719]

Very beautiful video. My Grandfather Lambert Joseph Fitzpatrick (Canada) passed on November 29th, 1944, he was a belly gunner for the 153 RAF Squadron. He is buried at Reichswald. I have never been but hope to one day.

[@MennoVisual]

Jamie & Kim Fitzpatrick Fitness thanks! I appreciate your comment! I hope you will get the chance to one day visit your grandfather’s grave at Reichswald!

[@patgeorge1]

Visited in the mid 80s with my wife and kids,will always remember the graves of twin brothers ,about 18 year's old, members of the Parachute Regiment

[@bepolite6961]

I was stationed at RAF LAARBRUCH in the 80's. I was part of a Remembrance Sunday Parade standing Guard at the entrance to the Cemetery. I will never forget it, Number 1 uniform, no coat, frost on the ground, freezing cold, did not care though. Row after row after row of aircrew buried together there. Really solemn and sad occasion, proud to have been chosen to be there.

[@MennoVisual]

That is one special memory! Thank you for sharing! May their memory live on!

[@xTheZombieFileZ]

thank you for sharing this my uncle joe is buried here private joesph thomas hobbs died 10th april 1945 aged 24 always in our thoughts i would love to visit one day to pay my respect to him may we never forget what he like many others sacrificed so that we should live in peace 11/11/11 looks so peaceful and fitting thank you for posting it

[@MennoVisual]

Yes, may we never forget! I hope you will get the chance to visit! Thanks for sharing your comment! -Menno

[@shushdadstired]

A lovely video Menno. My Grandfather, Gilbert J Condick MM 6th Bn, Royal Welch Fusiliers is buried here after falling during the battle of Reichswald. A very moving tribute. Derrick Reid

[@MennoVisual]

Thank you, Derrick! I tried to make a simple visual impression of this place. It was a spontaneous idea when I got there and filmed it with my phone. Hoping to pay respect and make other people (like relatives and other loved ones of the fallen) be able to see what the place is like, no matter at what distance they live. -Menno

[@Bruce-1956]

I was there yesterday (29/7/2017) and was very impressed. Always amazed at the ages of the aircrews who are buried in CWGC sites throughout North West Europe. A number of 'Dambusters' are buried here. Take great care when crossing the road !!! Within 30 minutes driving there are a number of smaller CWGC sites in the Neteherlands. In MILSBEEK WAR CEMETERY are about 200 men who were all killed in 2 or 3 days of each other (many Scottish regiments) in February 1944. -Thanks to the CWGC for maintaining these sites large and small. -we will remember them

[@garymack4779]

I visited when i was in the army back in the 80's. My grandad was still alive then and had never seen the grave of his brother, John Thompson He was in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and died in February 1945 aged 19 years old. I managed to take some photographs for my grandad and the following year he went to see the grave for himself, along with other members of the family. It's a heartbreaking place to visit.

[@MennoVisual]

That's a very moving experience, Gary! I can imagine it puts a lot of extra emotional weight if there's family buried at this graveyard. I'm happy to hear, though, your grandfather got to see the grave of his very own brother. Very sad on one hand. On the other hand it possibly kind of completes a 'circle'. Very moving, thanks for sharing your story! -Menno

[@garymack4779]

+Menno Alberts And Thank You for making the video. Very well made

[@stevejohnson6111]

My dad was there with K.O.S.B Was badly wounded

[@ashokiimc]

that's such a heartbreaking story sir, can you tell us more about your granfather's brother? I'm sure people would love to hear about him.

[@gmack6459]

@@ashokiimc i dont know a lot about him, my friend. 'Just another' young life wasted, and we don't seem to have learned from it. My grandad, and his sister, have passed some years ago and i dont know what happened to the only photograph of him ( In his uniform). But i clearly remember his face, in the photo, and still think to myself "My God! Just a kid". We often, and too easily, forget the price that many had to pay, so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we have.

[@davidgillies5342]

I have seen the last resting place here of Flight Sergeant Neil Gillies an airman, who came from Raasay. An island of the Isle of Skye.He served with the Royal Air Force. I also know his niece. Who i used to work with. Neil lost his life on 23 /5/1943. Aged 27 years. The following words are written at the headstones base "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints". Words of hope from a grieving family.

[@Elmwood-ze3cr]

I visited it on a ww2 trip with my ex wife after we had spent the previous night in Arnhem ,it was so emotional, although i never knew anybodies grave i seen one with my surname on , think he was a New Zealander and it brought tears to my eyes , God bless all that lay here

[@jonweston9886]

This is the cemetery my great grandfather was buried. Who served in the RAF and was shot down in ww2

[@caltblake6112]

Been many times,thanks. Many of my late uncles comerades lay there the ox and bucks

[@susanwaugh3885]

Can anyone tell me where in Germany this cemetery is based please??? Where is the nearest Airport. I am flying from Uk this year to see my grandads brothers grave.

[@MennoVisual]

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Grunewaldstraße, 47533 Kleve, Duitsland [phone] maps.app.goo.gl/Fm1vCUqskWtpEvrZ7

[@MennoVisual]

I would think Düsseldorf, Germany is the nearest big airport and otherwise Maastricht-Aachen Airport (or a bit more distant Schiphol Airport) would get you there best. I would suggest renting a car. You can park across the cemetery for free. Be careful when you cross the road when you walk to the entrance since it can be busy and fast traffic.

[@susanwaugh3885]

Menno Alberts Thankyou for that information. That was very helpful. There’s a closer airport to Kleve I believe, Weeze Airport so I’m told on google.

[@ashokiimc]

ma'am did you get a chance to visit this place?

[@alterhase17]

..with Ryanair to Weeze (the former RAF Airport Laarbruch)

[@mennobartels933]

Hallo Menno...werkelijk een fantastische, ontroerende film over deze beroemde Britse oorlogsbegraafplaats. Een van de mooiste die ik heb gezien op You Tube. Ben altijd zeer onder de indruk als ik deze oorlogsbegraafplaatsen bezoek, en dat komt goed tot uiting in deze film. Ik ben er nu enkele keren geweest en vele foto's gemaakt. Ik heb vooral de graven van de Dambusters bemanningen gefotografeerd. Mijn vraag is of ik deze film op mijn eigen website mag plaatsen. Bij voorbaat dank Menno Bartels

[@MennoVisual]

Menno Bartels geen probleem! En dank voor het compliment!

[@susanwaugh3885]

Flight Lancaster PA997- Alec Puttock’s crew - 16th/17th June 1944 - Charles Philp I just found out last night for the first time that my grandads brother who was with the Royal Air Force and who’s aeroplane was shot down on 16th/17th June 1944 on its mission to Sterkrade Germany, is buried here. His name was Charles Philip and he was a Flight sergeant air gunner. He sadly died on his 21st birthday. He was Alec Puttock’s crew. I believe the other crew members were Lillicrap, Brown, Jefferson, Warr and Templeton. I am planning to go there this year to see his grave, which, if I am right, is C10. He was killed along with other brave men that night. If anyone lost a relative on this Lancaster 111 PA997 flight, and is reading this, please get in touch. I would like to know more about your relative, and to learn more about my grandads brother. I’ve never even seen a pic of him. Charles was from Pittencrief Street, Dunfermline Fife, Scotland and his service number was 1822774. My grandad did correspond with one of the relatives or survivors many years ago. My grandad has since passed away, but I would love to get in touch with the relatives/survivors. Email [e-mail]

[@MennoVisual]

See my reply at your other message.

[@dunc8543]

Superb video

[@MennoVisual]

thank you, Duncan! I appreciate it!!

[@dunc8543]

You are welcome

[@simonhellier7281]

It’s beautiful but so little in return for their sacrifice. The corner of a foreign field...

[@searchthetruth1981]

I once drove by...on the road nearby after almost 2 minutes of only seeing cross after cross i was getting a big harsh in my troath and tears were welling in my eyes.....those man boys died for my freedom today

[@OpaSann0]

What freedom lol

[@patgeorge1]

There are very few if non crosses on British Commonwealth war graves

[@igorswinarski]

SWINARSKI from Poland

[@thomaskelly9488]

ironic conceived in war time never seen her father she is also among the dead now, married an Edinburgh lawyer. Repent and trust Almighty GOD before time runs out for you. I visited the grave with my father in 1975 whilst a young soldier, with my father whilst based in Sennelager Germany. Only one life,twill soon be passed, only what’s done for CHRIST will last. YESHUA my sweet YESHUA.