Metz, France
Chambiere French National Cemetery

Comment by Don Norrie – In the early days of 1 Air Division – 1952 to mid 1954 – RCAF military personnel were not buried at Choloy.

All of the Air Division dead were buried at Chambiere French National Cemetery in Metz. This cemetery was located on the northern side of the city, some 3 kilometres from the Metz Central Station. Unfortunately, the number of RCAF burials outstripped the capacity to accommodate them at Chambiere, and as a result, the remains had to be moved to Choloy (circa 1954).

Choloy had not been ready for an influx of new bodies at the time. As I recall, there was an anticipated rate of some 5 or 6 deaths a year but that went by the boards quickly and in all, about 15 – 18 bodies had to be exhumed and moved. It was a gruesome task off-loaded on the French Army whose soldiers were kept on the job with a good supply of rum. The caskets were removed to Choloy on a flatbed trailer.

Additional Comments – Official records provided by the Veterans Affairs of Canada indicate that there were 8 military deaths in 1953 and 11 military deaths between 1 January 1954 and 31 August 1954. This total of "19" would indicate that the move of bodies from the Chambiere cemetery in Metz – to the RCAF military cemetery at Choloy – probably took place during late August – early September 1954.

Official records obtained from the National Archives of Canada indicate there were six RCAF personnel from 2 Wing Grostenquin France which were initially interned at Chambiere.