TracesOfWar.com
Commonwealth War Cemetery Kasterlee
(Belgium - Antwerp - Kasterlee)
The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany. Kasterlee War Cemetery contains the graves of men killed in the fierce fighting associated with the crossing of the Meuse-Escaut Canal during the first three weeks of September 1944. The regiments represented by the largest numbers are The Royal Scots, The King's Own Scottish Borderers and The Royal Scots Fusiliers. The cemetery contains 100 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Kasterlee War Cemetery is located 54 kilometres north of Leuven and 53 Kilometres east of Antwerpen. From the front entrance of St Willibrordus Kerk in the centre of Kasterlee, drive 850 metres down Geelsebaan (N 19) (in the direction of Geel) and turn off to the right on to the 'Venheide' (opposite the Windmill), following the Commission sign. The cemetery is situated at this right turn.
Source
- Text: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Photos: Paul Moerenhout (1,5), Nico van Hullebusch (3,4) & Fedor de Vries (2)
Address and contactinformation
- Address:
- Geelsebaan
Kasterlee - WWII grade:
- 100%
- Rating:
- 60%
Where is it?
Visitor reactions
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Reactions
- I have been trying to piece together my grandad and his brothers life, he is here (john mceuan) killed at 19.
Because his personal stuff was never sent home, my nan before she died said he might have drowned.My grandad who survived ww2 never spoke about it ever.
He was Royal Scotts but a Englishman. this site has helped thankx - By: Tony collins
- City: workington cumbria
- Date and time: 16-10-2010 08:42:53
- My great Uncle - James Boardman is buried there, who died on the 15th September 1944 aged 30.
My grandfather Jack Boardman (james's brother) visited his resting place not long after his death and when he arrived it was already dark at the cemetery and my grandfather struck a match and said 'where are you brother?' and there he was in front of him.
My Grandfather said it was like looking at his own grave as they shared the same initial.
In the New Year i hope to visit his grave for the 1st time with my mother and pay our respects to a great man and all the brave men around him. - By: Amanda Atkinson
- City: Cornwall,UK
- Date and time: 08-12-2009 14:48:01
- I lived in Kasterlee for 3 years and visited this peaceful spot on many occasions. I pop in when I'm back in Belgium. We can never thank those young men enough for their ultimate sacrifice. The job needed to be done and they paid with their lives.
- By: Mike Turner
- City: Tarrant Monkton
- Date and time: 06-10-2008 06:54:31
- Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars
- Kasterlee is a beautiful resting place for these brave men. I live fifteen kilometres from the cemetery and have for the past four years visited the cemetery with my children every rememberance day. I think it is important that my childen should be aware of the sacrifice that these men gave for our freedom. It is a well kept, peaceful haven in a beautiful Belgian town.
- By: Andrea Potter
- City: Turnhout
- Date and time: 08-07-2008 13:07:45
- Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars
