world reviewer
The remains in this cemetery are mostly British: 2,151 in number, joined by 76 Canadians, five French, and one each from Australia, New Zealand and Belgium. There are also 322 German war graves. The 6th Airborne Division are most represented here; Ranville was their D-Day objective, and they started buying men here from the outset, first using the churchyard next door to bury the first man to die in the invasion Lt. Botheridge. Later it was decided that this would become one of the main Commonwealth cemeteries and bodies were moved from temporary internment to final resting places here.
Look out for the grave of 19 year old Private E.S. Corteil of the 9th Parachute Regiment who was killed on D-Day with his dog, 9 Para's mascot Glenn. Major John Jarmain the war poet and Private R.J. Johns, 16, possibly the youngest soldier to die in the Second World War, are also buried here.
Written by 
Toby Bright.
Comments, reviews and questions
Visiting looking for a specific grave.
I only know last name Sparks??? He was with 6th airborne and I'd like to visit him in my husband's honour. He was also with the 6th airborne, and just past away. Thanks
Also buried here is Regimental Sergeant Major Wendell Clark of the 1st Canadian Airborne Battalion. RSM Clark was the first RSM of the 1st Can Para and was killed in the early hours of June 6th.
Ranville is beautifully serene and peaceful cemetery.
I have just returned from visiting this site where my two brothers in law, Ronnie and Terry Jepp the 9th battalion parachute reg,landed.
what brave young men we breed in England!!! If only our politicians had half their guts and commitment England could really be called Great again.From an ex Royal Marine
The picture shown is not of Ranville Cemertery, this photograph shows the memorials to where the three Horsa gliders landed @ 00.16, 00.17 & 00.18 hrs 6th June 1944 in the first action of D-Day by the 6th Airbourne Division that secured Pegasus Bridge.
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