55 Squadron Burials at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery

Over the period that 55 Squadron was based at Mosul (20^th Mar 1921 to the 19^th May 1924) and also when the squadron was based at RAF Hinaidi (19^th May 1924 to 14^th September 1927), twenty-six men lost their lives and were buried at the Hinaidi RAF Peace Cemetery (name changed to Ma’Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery in 1961). Some of the men who died at Mosul were initially buried at Mosul but all were eventually buried at Ma’Asker since RAF Hinaidi was at that time the centre of operations for all British Forces in Mesopotamia. Considering the distance between Mosul and Baghdad, this was a significant and risky journey to make. The causes of death were varied; resulting from action against local tribesmen, flying accidents, illness and even suicide.

55 squadron is the most represented of all the Royal Air Forces squadrons with regards the number of men buried at the Ma’Asker cemetery, with almost 9 percent of the 300 burials. Out of the 77 identifiable headstones remaining at the long abandoned cemetery, 9 are for 55 Squadron men.

Details of death and grave location for all 26 men from 55 Squadron who were buried at the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Baghdad in the 1920s and 1930s.

Burial statistics for the 300 burials at the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery in Baghdad, Iraq

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry

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  One of 9 surviving headstones for 55 Squadron men who were buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemtry