We have had an enquiry from Frans Van Humbeek, a Belgian aviation journalist who, for a database on Belgian Aviation Heritage, has made an enquiry regarding Eton (St John) Cemetery, upon which Dr Sarah Rutherford compiled a report (please see attached). Brian Hoare, retired Bursar to Eton College, also wrote a article on memorials to both World Wars in Eton (St John) Cemetery; this was published on our website – please see link below.
https://bucksgardenstrust.org.uk/research-news/remembrance-at-eton-cemetary/ .
Briefly, Count Guy de Baillet Latour, scion of the aristocratic de Baillet Latour family, died in a BOAC B-24 Liberator crash south of Campbeltown, Scotland, on 1 September 1941. According to a memorial plaque in the village of Latour (Belgium) – with which the de Baillet Latour family had close historic links – Guy was buried in Eton (please see the attached photo). His memorial stands next to that of his father who died in the following year.
Frans Van Humbeek’s query is: does Guy’s grave still exist in Eton (St John) Cemetery?
Despite considerable research by Frans at the Foreign Affairs archive in Brussels, the Oxford Diocese, the Maidenhead Register Office regarding burial records, nothing has been forthcoming.
Considerable research has also been done by Brian Hoare, contacting the Royal County of Berkshire online Archive – and Sarah Warren, Librarian at Eton College.
On Friday 12 September 1941 a Requiem Mass was sung for Count Guy de Baillet Latour at Brompton Oratory (please see attached press cutting); this states that the funeral was held at Eton Cemetery on the following Wednesday.
The present incumbent, the Rev Carole Gooding, is content that a search in the Eton Cemetery be made, on the understanding that only graves over 50 years old be cleared as tenure exists for that length of time. This has to be the next step in the search for Guy’s resting place, so a fitting headstone may be erected and Frans’ database on Belgian Aviation Heritage completed.
A further message from Frans asks if anyone livings near the Eton Cemetery could perhaps check if the grave still exist, with possibly the correct location of the grave and some pictures?
Many thanks in advance!
If you have information or are able to take part in the search please contact Rosemary Jury through enquiries@bucksgardenstrust.org.uk
More information: https://eton-cemetary-Dossier-BGT-RR-24JUL-20
