This memorial page is dedicated to Robert Westfield Petch, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Robert Westfield Petch

Name: Petch
First names: Robert Westfield
Nickname: Bob
Date of birth: 31 December 1920
Place of birth: –
Residence: in Lyddington, Rutland
Rank / Occupation: Sapper
Identity tag: 2157060
Unit: Royal Engineers, 278 Field Company
Date of death: 5 November 1944
Place of death: Liessel
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Mierlo War Cemetery
Memorial site: St Andrew’s Church War Memorial in Lyddington


Additional information

Grave location: VI. F. 10.

Son of Reuben Stephen and Caroline Petch; widow Ethel Joan Petch-Ellingworth, of Uppingham, Rutland.

Killed by an exploding piece of artillery whilst loading it onto a lorry, on his way back to camp after a day’s fighting.

Robert Westfield Petch was buried in a temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) at Loon in Liessel. This cemetery was established opposite L.247 (Johannes Damen) by the 15th Division, 87th Group, Scottish Grenadiers, who had set up a hospital in Johannes Damen’s barn. On 14 July 1945, there were still 31 graves at this Cemetery; Bertram S. Butz’s grave was the first one in the front row (counting from left to right).Robert’s grave was looked after by the Damen family, whose residence was Loon L. 247.

Robert Westfield Petch with his wife Ethel Joan Petch-Ellingworth
Robert Westfield Petch met zijn vrouw Ethel Joan Petch-Ellingworth

Temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) on the Loon in Liessel
Tijdelijke begraafplaats (genaamd 87TH GP) aan het Loon te Liessel

The following victims were also buried at this cemetery: click here for an overview

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action