RCAF/RAF graves at Brillac Cemetery, France - a long shot

**CZ_RAF** · 23rd February 2023, 11:23

Hi all, there are 6 RCAF/RAF graves at BRILLAC COMMUNAL CEMETERY in France - crew of No. 620 Squadron led by F/O Oke.
I have all details about the loss and the crew.
I have seen grave photos on this site:
https://www.ww2cemeteries.com/brilla...-cemetery.html
Those photos showing brand new gravestones (I think) and I am interested if anyone has by chance photo showing the overview of all graves with the former gravestones please? Possibly before 2019 or earlier.

TIA

Pavel

**wwrsimon** · 23rd February 2023, 11:37

Hello Pavel

There's a photo of the two graves at the right-hand end (Oke and Higgins?) on the Aircrew Remembered website, which is dated September 2010:

https://aircrewremembered.com/oke-ernest-cameron.html

Regards

Simon

**CZ_RAF** · 23rd February 2023, 11:54

Hi Simon, thank you!
As the gravestones photographed in 2010 looks the same as on photos from 2019 it means I need to move even futher do the past and dig before 2010...

Pavel

**wwrsimon** · 23rd February 2023, 12:07

No problem Pavel.

Do you know why the headstones were replaced?

Regards

Simon

**Lyffe** · 23rd February 2023, 13:24

Pavel

Have you tried The War Graves Photographic Project? There is a photo of Oke's headstone at https://www.twgpp.org/photograph/view/3141061 which I believe could be the original version. TWGPP often adds a general view of a cemetery and, in this case this might be the group of the 6 headstones. Definitely worth a try.

The TWGPP website is at https://www.twgpp.org/

Brian

**CZ_RAF** · 23rd February 2023, 14:36

Simon - unfortunately I have not idea when the headstones has been replaced.
Brian - thank you, yes I have tried to contact them today as I came to the same conclusion as you the Oke's headstone looks like the original one on their site.

Pavel

**wwrsimon** · 23rd February 2023, 15:51

Pavel

If you don't have any luck with TWGPP, you could perhaps try a local history website:

https://inventaire.nouvelle-aquitain...6-baf9bb2310ed

If you run the link through Google translate, it's quite informative, and maybe worth an e-mail to them.

Regards

Simon

**vrajm** · 23rd February 2023, 16:25

Hi Pavel,

https://recherche-collection-search....Number=J25965&

photo 99/105

The files of the other three Canadians: nothing

Regards

Mojmir

**Lyffe** · 23rd February 2023, 16:28

I've always been very impressed with the service given by TWGPP, Pavel. Very quick response by email and the cost ridiculously cheap - at least it was when I last sought help.

Brian