Hello,
I’m living in France (Pas de Calais), in a very small town named Haucourt. Here, on May 22nd 1940, a Mk IV Blenheim belonging to 57th squadron RAF was shot down in a field (on the french maps : Embuschate Field near the crossroad of hope), during the Arras Battle. The three airmen crew were killed and buried at Haucourt Communal Cemetery. The graves are today maintained by the commonwealth war graves commission located at Beaurains.

These three british soldiers were :

SAUNDERS Roi Leonard, Pilot Officer, 24 years old

PIRIE George Ross, Wireless operator and air gunner, 24 years old

SIMMONS Samuel Frank, Observator, 27 years old


With the town council, we are loocking for any informations about this crash, about these airmen and about this plane. We are trying to create an exhibition to commerate their sacrifice, in May 2010 and we hope to find many members or descendants of their families and we will enjoy to invite them in our locality for this opportunity. Roi Leonard SAUNDERS , the pilot of these blenheim was 24 years old and came from St Alban, Hertfordshire. He was the son of Frank and Beatrice Mary SAUNDERS. I can see in your blog that several members of your familly came from St Alban too. Do you know this person or can you help us to find informations about him or his family?


If you have any informations, precisions or if can help us, please answer to :


Mr THERY Fabrice

15 rue de la bruyère

62156 DURY

Mail : jokerft40 @ orange.fr


Or


Mr DUBUS Philippe (mayor)

Mairie de Haucourt

62156 HAUCOURT


Thanks for your attention,

very sincerely,


Fabrice THERY

Army retired non commissioned officer