Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Grave Marker – Grave of Wilmer Alexander Foster - Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France. GRAVE: XXVIII.F.7

Aerial View of Cemetery – Aerial view of Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France. The grave of Sgt. Wilmer Alexander is hidden by the trees. When passing through the main cemetery entrance, go straight, past the Cross of Remambrance and turn right to the last grave section - his grave is in the 3rd row, on the far right. Initially buried at Saint Georges-des-Groseillers, Normandy. His body was reinterred at Bretteville-sur-Laize in April 1946, as per information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Sgt. Foster died on the night of June 11/12, 1944, when he succumbed to wounds suffered when the POW column in which he was marching, was strafed by allien Mustang aircraft. Father Labutte, a French priest stayed with him until he passed away.

Grave marker – The grave of Sergeant Wilmer Alexander FOSTER, at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France. Sgt. Foster was captured on June 8th, 1944 and when he and 250 Canadian POW's were being marched from Caen to a German prison in Rennes, Allied Mustang pilots strafed the column. Sgt. Foster was killed along with 9 other Canadian POW's and 38 were wounded. Of the wounded, five died. The strafing took place at 5 pm on June 11, 1944 in Saint Georges-des-Groseillers.

Photo of Wilmer Alexander Foster – Sergeant Wilmer Alexander FOSTER, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG).

Family photo – Sgt Wilmer Alexander with his parents, James and Christina.

Remember Wilmer Foster – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me