Stele F/O Ernest George BOUCHER

Stele text:

OFFICIER PILOTE ERNEST GEORGE BOUCHER, ESCADRON 174, ROYAL AIR FORCE

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE BOUCHER AND THE FRENCH CITIZENS WHO HELPED HIM IN LIFE, THEN IN DEATH.

A remarkable story of courage, respect and human dignity.

George Boucher was the pilot of a Typhoon fighter-bomber. In October 1943, his damaged aircraft engine forced him to crash in the Pas-de-Calais. Thanks to the help of the Résistance, he was not captured and returned safely to England. Having resumed the fight to liberate Europe, 21-year-old George Boucher lost his life in the skies over Normandy less than a year later. He was shot down near here on August 5, 1944. George ejected by parachute from his plane. He died on reaching the ground.

The following night, a resident of Caligny named Claude Pailleux recovered George's body abandoned by the Germans, and took it back to his parents' home. The next day, in the midst of the Battle of Normandy, Caligny residents respectfully buried the British pilot, risking violent German reprisals.

After the war, Claude Pailleux wrote to George's parents promising that his family would care for the grave and perpetuate the memory of his sacrifice. It was George's mother's wish that he remain at the chapel rather than be moved to a military cemetery.

LA COMMUNE DE CALIGNY

- Reaffirms the promise made by Claude Pailleux in 1946 to care for George Boucher's grave: "With all due respect to a man who fell far from his own country."
- Recalls his commitment to never forget the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers and French citizens for our freedom.

"WHEN THE TIME OF THE CREPUSCULE COMES, AND THAT OF THE AURORA, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" (Laurence Binyon) June 6, 2015

Stele text:OFFICIER PILOTE ERNEST GEORGE BOUCHER, ESCADRON 174, ROYAL AIR FORCE IN MEMORY OF GEORGE BOUCHER AND THE FRENCH CITIZENS WHO HELPED HIM IN LIFE, THEN IN DEATH. A remarkable story of courage, respect and human dignity. George Boucher was the pilot of a Typhoon fighter-bomber. In October 1943, his damaged aircraft engine forced him to crash in the Pas-de-Calais. Thanks to the help of the Résistance, he was not captured and returned safely to England. Having resumed the fight to liberate Europe, 21-year-old George Boucher lost his life in the skies over Normandy less than a year later. He was shot down near here on August 5, 1944. George ejected by parachute from his plane. He died on reaching the ground. The following night, a resident of Caligny named Claude Pailleux recovered George's body abandoned by the Germans, and took it back to his parents' home. The next day, in the midst of the Battle of Normandy, Caligny residents respectfully buried the British pilot, risking violent German reprisals. After the war, Claude Pailleux wrote to George's parents promising that his family would care for the grave and perpetuate the memory of his sacrifice. It was George's mother's wish that he remain at the chapel rather than be moved to a military cemetery. LA COMMUNE DE CALIGNY - Reaffirms the promise made by Claude Pailleux in 1946 to care for George Boucher's grave: With all due respect to a man who fell far from his own country. - Recalls his commitment to never forget the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers and French citizens for our freedom. WHEN THE TIME OF THE CREPUSCULE COMES, AND THAT OF THE AURORA, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM (Laurence Binyon) June 6, 2015