Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it was designated officially as a military cemetery on 15 June 1864 by the then US Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers Home National Cemetery are administered by the US Department of the Army, whilst Arlington House is administered by the US National Park Service.
There are 24 UK service personnel buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
GEORGE HENRY BORROW
228394 Captain George Henry Borrow (Royal Sussex Regiment) was born in London SW, the son of Edward and Alys Mable Constance Borrow. The family later moved to Diss, Norfolk. After serving with the British Chindit force, he became Wingate’s ADC. During his World War Two service, Borrow has been awarded the Military Cross.
He died in the same airplane crash as Orde Wingate in the Burmese jungle on 24 March 1944, and is buried in the grave together with the remains of the other crash victims: Sec. 12. Collective Grave 288.
ROY ALBERT ARTHUR CANNON
142064 Flying Officer Roy Albert Arthur Cannon was the son of Frederick Henry and Mary Cannon. At the time of his death, he was a member of 548 Squadron. Flying Officer Cannon died on 26 February 1945 and is buried in Sec. 34 Collective Grave 2084.
THOMAS JOHN DONALD COOK
124854 Flight Lieutenant Thomas John Donald Cook was the son of Donald Walter and Kathleen Gertrude Cook of Leatherhead (Surrey). At the time of his death, he was a member of 548 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Cook died on 26 February 1945 and is buried in Sec. 34 Collective Grave 2084.
ELMER ROBERT DARROCK
PLY/15645 E.R. Darrock served as a Private in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was born on 19 December 1894 in the Roath area of Cardiff, where he also resided.
Private Darrock died on 19 October 1918 from pneumonia as a result of influenza.
His Arlington Cemetery grave reference is 19325. Arlington Sect.
MONICA MADELINE DAVENTRY
3263 Section Officer Monica Madeline Daventry was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She was the daughter of Doris May Alice Fry and step-daughter of Arthur Fry, from Bewdley Worcestershire.
While a member of the RAF contribution to the British Military Legation at the British Embassy in Washington DC, Section Officer Daventry was involved in a motor accident. She was taken to the Georgetown Emergency Hospital, where she died of her injuries on 16 November 1943.
It is believed that Section Officer Daventry was involved in the same motor accident as Ruth Patricia Watson.
Her grave reference is Fort Myer Section, South half, Grave 88.
HAROLD GURNEY DAVIS
Engine Room Artificer (2nd class) H.G. Davis was a member of the Mercantile Marine Reserve who served aboard H.M Yacht Warrior. He was married to Mrs. Davis, and lived at St. Helens on the Isle of Wright.
After being taken to the USN Hospital on 13 September 1918, he died on 16 September 1918; cause of death being thrombosis of the mesentary vein.
He is buried in the Fort Myer Section Grave 84.
JOHN GREER DILL
Field Marshall Sir John Greer Dill was the son of John and Jane Dill (nee Greer). He later married Lady Dill (nee Charrington) of Donerailein in County Cork. He later moved to Kent.
Dill commanded British Forces in Palestine (1936-7) and 1st Army Corps in France (1939-40). After returning to the UK, Dill became Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Later in 1940, Dill became ADC General to King George VI. Meanwhile Dill also served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS).
Dill arrived in the USA during 1941 as Chief of the British Joint Staff Mission, before becoming the Senior British Representative on the Combined Chiefs of Staff. He also became a close friend of the US General George C. Marshall.
During his career, Dill was awarded the the following honours: Companion of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG), Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Knight Grand Cross of The Order of the Bath (GCB), Officer de la Legion d’Honnoeur, Croix de Guerre, Croix de Couronne, Croix de Guerre (Belgian) and the United States Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).
On 4 November 1944, Sir John Dill died of aplastic anaemia in Walter Reed Hospital, Washington D.C.
Sir John Dill’s grave is located in Section 2, Lots 5-29.
STUART EMENY
Stuart Emeny was the husband of Constance J. Emeny and they lived in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.
Stuart Emeny worked as a War Correspondent, and was part of Wingate’s party who died in the same plane crash in the Burmese jungle on 24 March 1944.
He is buried in the grave together with the remains of the other crash victims: Section. 12. Collective Grave 288.
WALTER FREDERICK FITCH
Walter Frederick Fitch was a Captain in the 7th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment. He had previously been award the Military Cross. At the time of his death, he was attached to the British Military Mission.
Captain Fitch caught pneumonia, from which he died on 1 November 1918, at American Lake, Washington, USA.
Captain Fitch is buried in grave reference L.4139, Southern Div., Officers Section.
CLIFFORD ROY FORBES-HARRISS
151767 Major Clifford Roy Forbes-Harriss was an officer in the Corps of Royal Engineers. He was born in Devon, the son of Henry John and Elizabeth Harris. He was married to Joan Iris Forbes-Harriss, and lived in Exmouth (Devon).
He died on 9 September 1944, and is buried in Section 2, Collective Grave 3435F.
Major Forbes-Harriss was part of a group who died as the result of a plane crash in Greece during the night of 9-10 September 1944. Due to the resultant fire it was not possible to identify which remains were which person. Therefore the collective remains were dealt with according to the country of the nationality of the majority of the crash casualties; as with the case of the Wingate crash.
The other members of this group, who also died in this incident and are also buried in this collective grave are Lieutenant Colonel Hiscocks, Corporal Thomas and Captain Watson.
EDGAR HERBERT HISCOCKS
162576 Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar Herbert Hiscocks was an officer in the Royal Armoured Corps. He was born and resided in north-west London.
He died on 9 September 1944, and is buried in Section 2, Collective Grave 3435F.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hiscocks was part of a group who died as the result of a plane crash in Greece during the night of 9-10 September 1944. Due to the resultant fire it was not possible to identify which remains were which person. Therefore the collective remains were dealt with according to the country of the nationality of the majority of the crash casualties; as with the case of the Wingate crash.
The other members of this group, who also died in this incident and are also buried in this collective grave are Major Forbes-Harriss, Corporal Thomas and Captain Watson.
BASIL BALFOUR WALLIS HOWE
44175 Squadron Leader Basil Balfour Wallis Howe was an officer in the Royal Air Force. He was born in India, and later married Joy Gwendoline Howe, and resided in Selsdon (Surrey).
Squadron Leader Howe was on-board a plane that crashed in the Ohio River on 14 January 1944. He was drowned as a result of the aircraft’s crash.
Squadron Leader Howe is buried in the Fort Myer Section, Grave 98.
WILLIAM KELLY
Deck Hand William Kelly served on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was the son of Richard Kelly, from Poplar (London).
He died on 13 October 1918 from pneumonia as a result of influenza.
William Kelly’s Grave Reference is 19399. Arlington Section.
CHARLES HENRY LYELL
The Honourable Charles Henry Lyell was the only son of the 1st Baron Lyell of Kinnordy. He lived with his wife in Cardogan Gardens (London). He was also a former pupil at Eton and New College, Oxford. In 1917, Lyell resigned his seat as a Member of Parliament for South Edinburgh.
Major Lyell was an officer in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Lyell died on 18 October 1918 at his apartment located at The Brighton Apartments, Washington DC. He is buried in Grave Reference L.4140, Southern Division Officer’s Section.
Major Lyell’s death was notified by a family friend, Colin W.E. Gibson, to Arthur H. King, the Acting British High Consul in Washington DC on 24 October 1918.
ANGUS ALEXANDER MACKINTOSH
Captain Angus Alexander Mackintosh was a member of the Royal Horse Guards. On 25 October 1916, Captain Mackintosh was made an Esquire in the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England. While based at the British Embassy in Washington, DC, he died on 13 October 1918 and is buried in L4140 (Southern Division Officer’s Section). His widow was Lady Maud Lousia Emma Mackintosh.
HARRY JAMES MAXTED
35106 Wing Commander Harry James Maxted was an officer in the Royal Air Force. He was the son of James William and Lucille Ray Maxted of Folkstone (Kent). He later married Winifred Hilda Maxted and moved to Ruskington (Lincolnshire).
Wing Commander Maxted was involved in a motor accident near Takoma Park, Maryland, USA on 21 November 1943. He died at the scene, from injuries sustained in the motor accident.
ALOJZ POBERAJ
722157 Aircraftsman 2nd Class Alojz Poberaj was a member of the RAF. He died on 09 September 1944 and is buried in Section 2 Collective Grave 3435F.
J. PROWSE
Deck Hand J. Prowse was a member of the Mercantile Marine Reserve, serving on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was the son of J. Prowse in Queenferry (Scotland).
Deck Hand Prowse died on 6 January 1919, and is buried in Grave Reference 19515. Arlington Section.
J. SCHOFIELD
PO/11561 Private J. Schofield was a Royal Marine Light Infantryman serving on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was the son of Mrs. M.A. Schofield from Manchester.
Private Schofield died on 23 December 1918 from pneumonia and is buried in Grave Reference 19518 Arlington Section.
T. H. SYMONS
M/18229 Writer 3rd Class T.H. Symons was a member of the Royal Navy, serving on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was the son of Mr. G.W. Symons of Liskeard (Cornwell).
Writer (3Cl) Symons died on 21 December 1918 from pneumonia and is buried in Grave Reference 19519 Arlington Section.
HERBERT THOMAS
Deck Hand Herbert Thomas was a member of the Mercantile Marine Reserve, serving on H.M Yacht Warrior. He was the son of Mrs. F.A. Morgan of Liverpool.
Deck Hand Thomas died on 22 October 1918 from pneumonia and is buried in Grave Reference 19400 Arlington Section.
KENNETH WILLIAM CLARENCE THOMAS
3970816 Corporal Kenneth William Clarence Thomas was a soldier in the Royal Corps of Signals. He was born in Somerset, before residing in Cardiff.
He died on 9 September 1944, and is buried in Section 2, Collective Grave 3435F.
Corporal Thomas was part of a group who died as the result of a plane crash in Greece during the night of 9-10 September 1944. Due to the resultant fire it was not possible to identify which remains were which person. Therefore the collective remains were dealt with according to the country of the nationality of the majority of the crash casualties.
The other members of this group, who also died in this incident and are also buried in this collective grave are Major Forbes-Harriss, Lieutenant Colonel Hiscocks and Captain Watson.
GEOFFREY WATSON
160667 Captain Geoffery Watson was an officer in the Royal Artillery. He was born in Darlington, and resided in Yorkshire.
He died on 9 September 1944, and is buried in Section 2, Collective Grave 3435F.
Captain Watson was part of a group who died as the result of a plane crash in Greece during the night of 9-10 September 1944. Due to the resultant fire it was not possible to identify which remains were which person. Therefore the collective remains were dealt with according to the country of the nationality of the majority of the crash casualties; as with the case of the Wingate crash.
The other members of this group, who also died in this incident and are also buried in this collective grave are Major Forbes-Harriss, Lieutenant Colonel Hiscocks and Corporal Thomas.
RUTH PATRICIA WATSON
517 Section Officer Ruth Patricia Watson was an officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She was the daughter of Captain E.C. Watson (Royal Navy) and Philippa Watson of Hampstead (London).
While working in the signals section of the RAF contribution to the British Military Legation at the British Embassy in Washington DC, Section Officer Watson was involved in a motor accident. She was later taken to Washington Emergency Hospital, District of Colombia. She later died of her injuries on 16 November 1943.
It is believed that Section Officer Watson was involved in the same motor accident as Monica Madeline Daventry.
Her grave reference is Fort Myer Section, North half, Grave 88.
STANLEY WILLS
Stanley Wills (aged 38 years’ old) worked as a War Correspondent with the Daily Herald newspaper, and was part of Wingate’s party who all died in the same plane crash in the Burmese jungle on 24 March 1944.
He is buried in the grave together with the remains of the other crash victims: Section. 12. Collective Grave 288.
ORDE CHARLES WINGATE
Major General Orde Charles Wingate was born in India, the son of Colonel George Wingate and Mary Ethel Stanley Wingate. He married Lorna E.M. Wingate (nee Moncrieff Paterson). He later resided in Aberdeenshire.
Wingate established a form of Special Forces Unit called the Chindits. Their role was to operate behind Japanese lines in Burma and disrupt their communications and operations.
In 1943, Wingate was awarded The Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal by the Royal Central Asian Society. He had also been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and two bars; the equivalent of being awarded the DSO three times.
While on an airplane flight, Wingate’s Boeing B25 Mitchell plane crashed into the Burmese jungle. He and all his party were killed in the crash on 24 March 1944.
The events surrounding the passage of Wingate’s and the other crash victims’ remains to Arlington Cemetery aroused some controversy in the UK. In 1947 the remains of the crash victims was disinterred from their original burial place, and moved to the British War Cemetery at Imphal. As the crash prevented establishing which remains were which person, the policy of the time were for the remains to be buried in the nation from which the majority of the victims originated. In this case, the country was the USA.
In November 1950 the intermingled remains were disinterred from the British War Cemetery at Imphal and buried at Arlington Cemetery. The grave reference is Sec. 12. Collective Grave 288.