St. Johns church and village cemetery, Kirkby Wharfe. Part 1.

The church of St. John is located in the out of the way, quiet hamlet of Kirkby Wharfe, and by the recurrence of surnames and headstone styles reveals itself to be very much the church of the local hall.

There are two war graves withing the church yard -

3411 Pte  Lacy, A.B.,
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry,
29th September 1918. Age 41

 24024 1st Air Mechanic Copperwheat, J.,
Royal Flying Corps,
31st January 1918. Age 36

However, located some way from the church and almost out of sight beside the narrow road, the cemetery contains a real surprise

A very large number of RAF graves. Mostly pilots, lost from nearby RAF Church Fenton. Many of the dates are surprising, and interesting. There are also some commonwealth headstones but of retired senior officers.

First and Second World War -

2nd Lt Waterhouse, R.B.M.,
West Yorkshire Regiment
26th March 1919. Age 30

Pilot Officer, Niccolls, H.L.
(Canadian) Pilot, Royal Air Force
3rd March 1940. Age 20

Flying Officer, Coe, R.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
10th January 1940. Age 28

Pilot Officer, Carter, D.C.R.,
(New Zealand) Pilot, Royal Air Force
8th November 1939. Age 27

Pilot Officer, Thomas, J.E.
(Southern Rhodesia) Pilot, Royal Air Force
30th January 1939. Age 22

Pilot Officer, Robinson, S.J.D.,
(South Africa) Pilot, Royal Air Force
30th January 1939. Age 22

Pilot Officer, MC Coll, J.D.L.,
Observer, Royal Air Force
13th March 1942. Age 20

Flying Officer, Ievers, E.O.,
Royal Air Force
29th April 1942. Age 38

334167 Cpl Hall, J.E.
Royal Air Force
9th May 1940

Pilot Officer, Cameron, A.S.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
22nd February 1941

Pilot Officer, Buley, G.R.M.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
28th february 1941

623219 Cpl Proudlove, H.R.,
Royal Air Force
28th February 1941

1181630 Sgt Hanson, W.F.M,
Air Gunner, Royal Air Force
28th February 1941. Age 19

Pilot Officer, McDonnell, A.J.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
13th February 1942. Age 19

1021123 Sgt Woolgar, C.W.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
8th September 1941

Pilot Officer, Okell, J.L.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
24th August 1941. Age 22

402238 Sgt Neighbour, C.J.,
Pilot, Royal New Zealand Air Force
18th July 1941. Age 24

402908, Pilot Officer, Mc Murtrie, A.D.,
Pilot, Royal New Zealand Air Force
18th July 1941. Age 21

Flight Lieutenant, Jenkins, P.R.E.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
6th August 1942

741920 Flight Sergeant Pearce, L.H.B.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
9th April 1941. Age 27

1160948 Sgt Smeaton, B.W.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
10th May 1941. Age 22

1053585 Sgt Heggie, D.A.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
29th May 1941. Age 26

Pilot Officer, Oxley, M.R.P.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
3rd July 1941. Age 24

1057420 Sgt Woodward, C.C.,
Pilot, Royal Air Force
30th July 1941. Age 21

P82503 Flt Sgt Meers, F.E.,
Observer, Royal Canadian Air Force
4th September 1942. Age 24

778629 Sgt Green, D.A.,
(South Africa) Pilot, Royal Air Force
4th September 1942. Age 22