Giverny, Normandy, France

 [visited 30 September 2016]

Most people come to Giverny to pay homage to Claude Monet, to see where he lived and worked for so many years. But just on the other side of the village, a short 10-minute walk from the museum and Monet's house is the village cemetery. The local church burial ground in Giverny may be small but it's full of surprises. 

First, it is final resting place for Claude Monet and his wife Alice:

It is also the final resting place for seven British airmen who were killed when their  Lancaster bomber crashed on 8 June 1944 in a nearby field. The propeller from the wreck sits as a memorial at the cemetery entrance while their remains are interred together in a common tomb.

Sergeant A. H. Anderson flight engineer

Our beloved son gave the supreme sacrifice. In God’s own time we shall meet again.

Pilot officer H. A. Foster air bomber

They shall mount up with wings as eagles.

J. L. Fyfe wireless operator age 22

May he rest in perfect peace.

Pilot Officer R. P. Maude pilot age 21

May he live evermore in the joy of his resurrection.

K. Penton air gunner age 20

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him.

R. D. J. Sutherland air gunner age 20

In Loving memory of our dear Robert.” Till the day’s dawn and the shadows flee away.” 

Flying Officer R. W. Tovey navigator

My beloved husband Ron. Love ones pass beyond our sight, God called him and he could not stay.

Just outside the cemetery itself is a French memorial to the local boys who died in World Wars 1 and 2:

And next to that is a dolmen, an ancient tomb, that had been in the same spot since 2,000 BC.

Lastly, there is a very nice portrait medallion of Gerald Van Der Kemp (1912-2001).