Memorials
location and historical information
DENNIS
O'BEIRNE
Flight Sergeant
1052892
86 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Son of Henry and Gertrude O'Beirne; husband of Ellen O'Beirne, of Holywell,
Flintshire.
RUNNYMEDE
MEMORIAL, Surrey, England
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Panel 221.
This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield
Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.
EDWARD
O'BEIRNE
Guardsman
2718492
1st Bn., Irish Guards
who died on Friday, 4th February 1944. Age 29.
Son of William and Catherine O'Beirne.
ANZIO WAR
CEMETERY, Italy
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
IV, U, 7.
Anzio is a coastal town 70 kilometres south of Rome.The site
for Anzio War Cemetery was selected not long after the landings at Anzio
on 22nd January I944, and the burials here date from the period immediately
following the landings. Later burials, from the time when the Allied forces
were firmly established in the Anzio district until the time of their
breakout in May 1944, were made in the Beach Head War Cemetery. There
are 1056, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these,
19 are unidentified.
HENRY
O'BEIRNE
Assistant Cable Foreman
Merchant Navy
who died on Saturday, 24th February 1945. Age 58.
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Panel 5.
The Tower Hill Memorial commemorates men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing
Fleets who died in both World Wars and who have no known grave. It stands
on the south side of the garden of Trinity Square, London, close to The
Tower of London. The 1939-1945 Memorial takes the form of a semi-circular
sunken garden surrounded by walls. The internal face of the semi-circular
wall is cased in bronze which bears in relief the names of the men commemorated.
At regular intervals round this bronze casing are seven stone sculptured
allegorical figures representing the Seven Seas. From the 1914-1918 Memorial
stone steps lead down to the sunken garden and between the flights of
steps is the main dedicatory inscription, which reads: 1939 - 1945 THE
TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND OF THE MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEETS WHOSE NAMES
ARE HONOURED ON THE WALLS OF THIS GARDEN GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY
AND HAVE NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA
The Memorial consists of a vaulted corridor 21.5 meters long, 7 meters
wide and 7 to 10 meters high. It is open at each end. It has three wide
openings at the front and back, in which are placed pairs of columns.
It rises in the middle in rectangular blocks. It is built of Portland
stone finished with a circular treatment. The Names of the War Dead are
carried on bronze panels, covering the eight main masonry piers which
support the roof. They are arranged alphabetically under their ships of
the Merchant Service.
MICHAEL
O'BEIRNE
Driver
T/148238
Royal Army Service Corps
who died on Tuesday, 20th August 1940. Age 32.
Son of Edward and Catherine O'Beirne.
OXFORD
(BOTLEY) CEMETERY, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Plot I/1. Grave 92.
During the two world wars, the Great Britain became an island fortress
used for training troops and launching land, sea and air operations around
the globe. There are more than 170,000 Commonwealth war graves in Britain,
many being those of servicemen and women killed on active service, or
who later succumbed to wounds. Others died in training accidents, or because
of sickness or disease. The graves, many of them privately owned and marked
by private memorials, will be found in more than 12,000 cemeteries and
churchyards. During the First World War, the 3rd Southern General Hospital
(an Oxfordshire Territorial Unit) was housed in the Examination Schools
and a number of other buildings in Oxford. Oxford (Botley) Cemetery contains
156 burials from the First World War all in the war graves plot in section
I/1. The cemetery was designated a Royal Air Force regional cemetery during
the Second World War and was used by RAF stations in Berkshire and neighbouring
counties. Practically all of the 516 Second World War burials (one of
them unidentified) are in the war graves plot, which was extended from
the section used during the First World War. In addition to the Commonwealth
war graves, Oxford (Botley) Cemetery contains almost 70 war graves of
other nationalities.
MICHAEL
O'BEIRNE
Corporal
7019276
2nd Bn., Royal Ulster Rifles
who died on Sunday, 9th July 1944. Age 44.
Son of Peter J. and K. O'Beirne, of Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Republic
of Ireland.
RANVILLE
WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
IV. A. 2.
Ranville is best reached by taking the D513 northeastwards out of Caen,
and after about 9 kilometres turning left at Herouvillette. Go north for
one kilometre and then turn left into Ranville village. The War Cemetery
is on Rue des Airbornes.
WILLIAM
FREDERICK O'BEIRNE
Sergeant
1365181
38 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on Saturday, 23rd January 1943.
Son of Walter Percy O'Beirne and of Hannah Armstrong O'Beirne (nee Smith),
of Shawlands, Glasgow.
ALAMEIN
MEMORIAL, Egypt
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Column 271.
The Alamein
Memorial forms the entrance to the El Alamein War Cemetery. Alamein is
a village, bypassed by the main coast road, approximately 130 kilometres
west of Alexandria on the road to Mersa Matruh. The Alamein Memorial Land
Forces panels commemorate the soldiers of the British Commonwealth and
Empire who fell in the campaigns in Egypt and Libya, and in the operations
of the Eighth Army in Tunisia up to 19th February 1943, who have no known
grave. It also commemorates those who served and fell in Syria, Lebanon,
Iraq and Persia. The Alamein Memorial Air Forces panels commemorate the
airmen of the Commonwealth who fell in the campaigns in Egypt, Libya,
Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Greece, Crete and the Aegean, Ethiopia, Eritrea
and the Somalilands, the Sudan, East Africa, Aden and Madagascar, who
have no known grave. Those who served with the Rhodesian and South African
Air Training Scheme and have no known grave are also honored here.
ARTHUR DESMOND O'BEIRNE-RYAN
Captain
182997
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, R.A.C.
who died on Friday, 23rd March 1945.
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
20. G. 19.
Taukkyan War Cemetery is outside Yangon (formerly Rangoon), near the airport
and immediately adjoining the village of Taukkyan. It is on PY1 road (formerly
Prome Road), about 35 kilometres north of the city from which it is easily
accessible. In the centre of the Cemetery stands the Rangoon Memorial,
surrounded by the graves of more than 6,000 men who fought and died with
those whom it commemorates, whose remains were brought from the battlefield
cemeteries at Akyab, Mandalay, Meiktila and Sahmaw, and from scattered
jungle and roadside graves all over Burma. The Taukkyan Cremation Memorial,
situated at the far end of the Taukkyan War Cemetery, commemorates over
900 men of the forces of undivided India and 80 members of the army of
Burma who died during the 1939-1945 World War and whose remains were accorded
the last rite required by their religion - committal to fire.
Burma (now Myanmar), was formerly part of British India. It became a separate
state in April, 1937. During the Japanese occupation the civil Government
functioned in India from December 1941, returning to Burma in October
1945. After the war Burma broke away from British rule and became a soverign
independent republic called the Independent Union of Burma, consisting
of Burma proper, the Shan States and Karen States. Taukkyan War Cemetery
is the largest of the three war cemeteries in Burma. It was commenced
in 1951 for the reception of graves from four battlefield cemeteries which
were difficult to access and could not be maintained; Akyab, Mandalay,
Meiktila and Sahmaw Cemeteries. The last was an original "Chindit"
cemetery containing many of the casualties from the battle for Myitkyina.
The individuality of these battlefield cemeteries has been carefully preserved
by grouping together in this new cemetery the graves from each. Graves
were also transferred from civil and cantonment cemeteries, and a number
of jungle and roadside graves were brought in. Owing to prolonged post-war
unrest, considerable delay occured before the Army Graves Service were
able to complete their work, and in the meantime many such graves had
disappeared. However, when the task was resumed, several hundred more
graves were retrieved from scattered positions throughout the country
and brought together here. In addition, the graves of 52 Commonwealth
servicemen who died during the years 1914-1918 have also been moved into
this cemetery from Henzada Cemetery (1), Meiktila Cantonment Cemetery
(8), Thayetmyo New Cemetery (5), Thamakan Cemetery (4), Mandalay Military
Cemetery (12) and Maymyo Cantonment Cemetery (22), where permanent maintenance
was not possible. There are now 52 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918
war and 5,922 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-45 war commemorated in
this site (excluding the memorials). 867 of the 1939-45 casualties are
unidentified. There are also 2 non world war burials here.
J. BEIRNE
Private
6398893
2nd Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment
who died on Wednesday, 22nd May 1940. Age 31.
Son of Michael and Norah Beirne; husband of Elizabeth Beirne, of Salford,
Lancashire.
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
VI. A. 24.
"Esquelmes
War Cemetery is located 10 Km north of Tournai on the Chemin Garenne,
a road leading from the N50 road to Kortrijk (Courtrai), Belgium.
JAMES EDWARD
BEIRNE
Able Seaman
M. V. Empire Light (Liverpool), Merchant Navy
who died on Sunday, 7th March 1943. Age 25.
TOWER HILL
MEMORIAL
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Panel 43.
The Tower
Hill Memorial commemorates men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets
who died in both World Wars and who have no known grave. It stands on
the south side of the garden of Trinity Square, London, close to The Tower
of London. The names of the war dead are inscribed on bronze panels covering
the eight main masonry piers which support the roof, and are arranged
alphabetically under their ships, with the name of the Master or Skipper
(if it appears) first in each case. The Memorial is surmounted by a solid
pediment bearing the following dedicatory inscription reads: 1939 - 1945
THE TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND OF THE MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEETS WHOSE
NAMES ARE HONOURED ON THE WALLS OF THIS GARDEN GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR
COUNTRY AND HAVE NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA.
Private
4204985
2nd Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
who died on Sunday, 6th August 1944. Age 27.
Son of John Price Beirne and Margaret Beirne; husband of Ellen Beirne,
of Rixton, Lancashire.
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
XV.M.12.
The town
of Bayeux, in Normandy, lies 24 kilometres north-west of Caen. Bayeux
War Cemetery is situated in the southwestern outskirts of the town on
the by-pass, which is named Rue de Sir Fabian Ware. On the opposite side
of the road stands the Bayeux Memorial.
Bayeux was the first French
town of importance to be liberated from the Germans in June 1944. The
are now over 4,100, 1939-45 Commonwealth war casualties commemorated in
this site. Of these, 338 are unidentified casualties. Also commemorated
here are 7 non-world war and more than 500 Foreign National war casualties.
PATRICK
JOSEPH BEIRNE
Private
6204155
2nd Bn., Devonshire Regiment
who died on Wednesday, 21st July 1943. Age 22.
Son of Bridget Beirne, and stepson of Michael Keely, of Galway, Republic
of Ireland.
CATANIA
WAR CEMETERY, SICILY, Italy
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
III. K. 47.
Catania War Cemetery is 7 kilometres south-west of Catania.
Into Catania War Cemetery were brought burials from the later stages of
the campaign in Sicily, from Lentini northwards. Here are buried those
who lost their lives in the heavy fighting just short of Catania, and
the battle for the Simeto river bridgehead. There are now over 2,000,
1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 100 are
unidentified. On the Syracuse road, about 8 kilometres from Catania stand
two regimental memorials. The first was erected by The Royal Berkshire
Regiment; the second, was erected by The Durham Light Infantry. Both commemorate
the fallen in the fighting for the crossing of the River Simeto.
VINCENT
PATRICK BEIRNE
Private
QX21053
A.I.F. 2/15 Bn., Australian Infantry
who died on Sunday, 25th October 1942. Age 22.
Son of Michael John and Frances Mary Beirne, of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
A IV. D. 24.
Alamein is a village, bypassed by the main coast road, approximately 130
kilometres west of Alexandria on the road to Mersa Matruh.
DONALD
WOOD BEIRNES
Flight Sergeant
R/61113
Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on Sunday, 4th January 1942. Age 22.
Son of Arthur A. and Nellie M. Beirnes, of Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada.
ALAMEIN
MEMORIAL, Egypt
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Column 264.
For location and description of Alamein Memorial, see above under William
Frederick O’Beirne.
Squadron Leader
C/13458
Pilot
438 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on Friday, 1st June 1945. Age 30.
Son of Arthur Appleton Beirnes and Nellie Mellis Beirnes; husband of Gwendolyn
Beirnes, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
AABENRAA
CEMETERY, Denmark
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
Mil. Plot. Row 6. 14.
Aabenraa is a town on the south-east Jutland coast about 25 kilometres
north of the German border. Approaching the town from the E45 motorway,
take the second turn off to Aabenraa. Follow this road to the traffic
lights and turn right towards Aabenraa S into Vestvejen. Descend the hill
to the next traffic lights and turn left again into Forstalle. The entrance
to the cemetery is 150 meters along on the left side. From the main entrance
follow the central path to the 6th intersection. The World War Two plot
is approximately 40 meters to the left, the Cross of Sacrifice being easily
visible on approach to the junction. The World War One private memorial
is approximately 40 meters along the path to the right, when looking out
with the Cross of Sacrifice behind you, and is set back from the path
about 10 meters.
Within
the cemetery there are 2 Commonwealth burials of the 1914--1918 war and
a further 147 of the 1939--1945 war, 3 of which are unidentified. There
are 7 Polish burials.
Rifleman
B/42854
Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.
who died on Tuesday, 18th July 1944.
BENY-SUR-MER
CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS, Calvados, France
Grave Reference/Panel Number:
XIV. C. 9.
Reviers
is a village lying 18 kilometres east of Bayeux, 15 kilometres north west
of Caen and 4 kilometres south of Courseulles-sur-Mer. The cemetery lies
on the north side of the main road 1 kilometre east of Reviers.
It was on the coast just to the north that the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6th June 1944; on that day, 335 officers and men of that division were killed in action or died of wounds. In this cemetery are the graves of Canadians who gave their lives in the landings in Normandy and in the earlier stages of the subsequent campaign. Canadians who died during the final stages of the fighting in Normandy are buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. There are now 2,048 1939-45 Commonwealth war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these 1 casualty is unidentified. commemorated here is 1 Foreign National casualty Also.
http://www.cwgc.org/