This Cemetery was set up in '52, by the CWGC , maintained mutually with the Local Gov,to receive War 2 graves of many cemeteries of south and east of India . About 860 war graves are here in this cemetery of which 659 served for the forces of UK; 110 for who served for the forces of West Africa; 17 for Canada; 14 for Australia; 5 for New Zealand; 1 for Poland etc.. The Madras '14-'18 Memorial is situated at the rear of the Madras War Cemetery, bears the name of 1040 men who died in the War 1, of which 936 are from the forces of UK . But this wasn't the fact which I'm going to say. A gloomy and windy morning of the July 26th '45, a mid air collision drew a line between life and death for 14 air crews, over Amarda Road, a countryside of Odissa State. Official visit was only possible after a week by Sq Ldr Stanley Bennett[Padre of RAF/Amarda Rd] on a trek to the crash site due to remoteness of the area along with bad weather. They collected the human remains and buried at the higher ground.Not only this, two large wooden memorial crosses erected which bear the names/ranks etc. of the 14 casualties. Had the crew remains not been found there then the half marshy land,there would have been no collective grave reinterment in Madras. Instead THE MEN would have been individually listed or inscribed as missing in the far east at the Singapore Memorial[far east Commonwealth airmen]. The Incident : *1* *3* *2* *4* *6* *5* The G7 formation during the clash at about 1500 ft by 9:40 am local time, in heavy cloudy and windy condition. Where *3* collided by port wing to *1* tail unit and cut it off instantly. No 3 piloted by A Herbert.Total 14 were killed in the two craft. A memorial service was held at the abandoned Air Strip-Amarda Road. Anil Dhir, a local researcher of the incident , other local residents and school children laid Wreaths to each of the dead airmen. This gentleman requested local government to erect small memorials at the crash site. ''..........This is the least we can do for these brave men who gave up their lives for the defense .....'' ..... Anil Dhir ... A few of them ...... ** Sq Ldr F P A Heynert,DFC ~ Britain/Netherland [149322-Consolidated B24 Liberator EW225] :: Inscription on Madras Cemetery grave marker ~ IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY ** F Off R S Manson,WO/AG [191889] :: Inscription on Madras Cemetery grave marker ~ GOD TAKES THE BEST FOR REASONS DIVINE BUT MEMORIES LIVE ON TILL THE END OF TIME ** F Off P Ettlinger /Flight Engg [187482] :: Inscription on Madras Cemetery grave marker ~ ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS. MUM , DAD AND DAUGHTER YVONNE .. Our tribute to them who gave everything of their lives to restore others peace ........
