A Dutch man is looking for the family of a fallen World War Two soldier from Wigan
A man is searching for the family of a Wigan soldier who sadly died during the Second World War to speak with them about his life.
Frank Loonstra, 36, from the Netherlands has been searching for the family of Sgt John Bimson who was laid to rest at the Groningen (Esserveld) Cemetery in 1941.
Frank has always had a fascination with WWII and decided to go through the process of adopting a grave.
He said: “In the Netherlands there is the ability to adopt a war grave to honour the people who gave their life for freedom and people who would not have direct family anymore.”
Frank has adopted the grave of Sgt Bill Norway and Sgt Bimson, the latter of whom Frank later found was originally from Wigan.
The 32-year-old (service number 970880) was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in the RAF (105 Squadron).
Tragically on March 1, 1941, his Bristol Blenheim bomber was shot down over the Netherlands after a raid on Wilhelmshaven.
Despite searching widely, Frank has been unable so far to find any relatives of John’s.
When John died he was with Sgt S Jones whose family has been traced but for John, nothing has shown up.
Frank said: “As the caretaker and adopter of his grave, my goal is to keep his memory alive and to learn more about the life he lived before the war.
"I am deeply hoping to connect with his living relatives or descendants who might still live in the Wigan area.
"It would mean the world to show his family that John is still honoured and remembered over here in the Netherlands and that we are very grateful for what he did.”
Frank also hopes that if he can make contact with John’s relatives then that they might be interested in coming to the Netherlands to see his grave in Groningen.
Though Frank sincerely hopes to find John’s descendants through his adoption work, he makes sure to visit the graves once or twice a year to lay down some fresh flowers and remove the old ones, especially on Liberation Day in the Netherlands and also on the day of the crash of the airplane.
If you are related to Sgt John Bimson, please contact Frank through his email: [email protected]