They both served Canada.
During a recent vacation to Morocco, I made a side trip to the Carres Militaires du Cimetiere Europeen de Ben M’Sick, in Casablanca. The final resting place for thousands of French, Allied and German soldiers. Including, seven airmen of the RCAF and a Canadian war correspondent, in the employ of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Seen here are the headstones for Sergeant Edward Bowery, RCAF; and Edouard Baudry a war correspondent for the CBC.
Canadian flags and RCAF Ensigns were placed at the graves of the seven airmen/officers of the RCAF. Prior to departing Canada I approached a friend at the CBC, also retired CAF, to see if they had a small corporate flag I could place on the headstone for the CBC journalist. Given it was only a few days notice before my departure for Morocco I didn’t expect much. I underestimated them, they did one better, they provided a plaque to be placed at Baudry’s gravesite, on behalf of the CBC and in memory of his sacrifice for all Canadians. In doing some quick research, I believe Baudry is the only Canadian war correspondent buried overseas, and almost certainly, the only one buried in an overseas military cemetery.
Edouard Baudry was killed in January 1943 while enroute to Morocco to cover a summit between Roosevelt, Churchill and De Gaulle. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Spanish Morocco and Baudry was mortally wounded. His death was mentioned by Roosevelt during his opening remarks and he, and Churchill, directed that Baudry receive a funeral with full military honours. He sent a General officer to represent the United States.
Prior to his immigrating to Canada he was a soldier in the Belgian Army. His headstone also reads, at the bottom, and roughly translated from the french, “falls in battle for his native country and his adopted homeland.” It is hoped that we can get this plaque from the CBC to his surviving family members, if they so choose.
….the above story was submitted by Jamie McCaffrey Jamie thank you so much for doing this sir your country thanks you.
