Benfleet's Commonwealth War Graves

There are seven Commonwealth War Graves in St Marys Churchyard
By Phil Coley

St Marys Churchyard is a designated Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery with seven official graves. When visiting on the 10th November 2018 these graves were marked with a red ribbon by a member of the church ready for a ceremony of laying crosses on them by members of the Army Cadets and Air Cadets on Sunday 11th November.

The graves are for four members of the RAF and three members of the Army.

St Marys Church Commonwealth War Grave sign

Phil Coley

Flight Lieutenant Leonard Aubrey Crozier

A pilot in the RAF who died 14th October 1944 on active service. Age 26.

Phil Coley

Flight Sergeant Donald Kenneth Upperton

A navigator and wireless operator in the RAF died on 19th February 1943. Age 22.

Phil Coley

Sapper John Pratt

Of the Royal Engineers died on 17th October 1940. Age 22.

Phil Coley

Private Victor Samuel Ellen

Of the Essex Regiment died 5th December 1940. Age 28.

Phil Coley

Pilot Officer Arthur Robert Preston

Of the RAF died 1st July 1941. He was killed in Spitfire No. X4318 at 09.30 hours, in bad visibility when it crashed into a hill at Cloon Hill, near Craighead Farm, Kinross-shire. Age 21.

Phil Coley