0 poppies laid on this site
In memory of:

Pilot Officer Wilbur Boyd Bentz

Profile image
Poppy image

Military service

Service number: J/87378
Age: 23
Rank: Pilot Officer
Force: Air Force
Unit/Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Division: 426 Squadron
Birth: July 7, 1920 North Bend, British Columbia
Enlistment: December 16, 1941 British Columbia
Death: May 13, 1944 Geraardsbergen, Belgium

Burial/memorial information

Grave reference: Coll. Grave 1.
Additional information

Son of Guy Boyd and Edith, both were United States citizens who had immigrated to Canada. Wilbur had one sibling, a sister, Romaine. He graduated from high school in Nelson, British Columbia in 1940, and then began working as a telegraph operator for the Canadian Pacific Railway in Penticton. His father was the Chief Train Despatcher. Afterwards, his parents moved from their home on Winnipeg Street in Penticton to 2nd Street in Medicine Hat, Alberta. At 6 feet tall and weighing 179 pounds, Wilbur was very active in sports, particularly baseball, hockey, tennis and badminton. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Single, he disembarked for the United Kingdom on June 4, 1943.

He was the pilot of LW 682/M. He was posthumously awarded the Croix du Guerre 1940 with Palm (Belgium) in recognition for his contribution toward the liberation of Belgium.

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 248 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page Download this page

GERAARDSBERGEN (GRAMMONT) COMMUNAL CEMETERY Belgium

The town of Geraardsbergen is located south of the town of Aalst on the N42. From the motorway E40/A10, which runs between Oostende and Brussels, turn off at junction 17 onto the N42, direction Geraardsbergen. Follow this road to the town of Geraardsbergen and the junction with the N493. Turn right onto the N493, direction Parike, and the cemetery is along here on the right. The graves are located towards the centre of the cemetery.

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.

Did we miss something?

Contribute information to this commemorative page

Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.