On the morning of 28th September 2022, the crew of Stirling BK716 were buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.
The crew were lost on 29th March 1943 when their plane crashed into Lake Markermeer, near the town of Almere. In 2020 a recovery operation was completed and after confirmation of the crew they were finally laid to rest 79 years later. The ceremony was held with full military honours and in attendance of family and relatives.
The crew included local man Leonard Richard Shrubsall.
The town of Almere have taken the crew to heart and commissioned a memorial to them, which was installed in teh Anne Frank Memorial Park, with family in attendance, together with Princess Margriet and the major. The unveiling ceremony is available on YouTube.
The Dutch reported on the ceremony. and their report can be read here.
Almere’s report can be seen on their website.
The Aircrew Remembered site includes pictures of the recovery operation and more information.
HRGS have published articles about Leonard in our magazine The Archive, issues March 2021, November 2021 and December 2021. All available to download for £1 each from our online shop.
