Adoption of T/Sgt. Bill Wicken's Grave
at Margraten Cemetery, The Netherlands
by Jean-Paul Wyers
June 25, 2006
The 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association attempts to gather all information possible about its history as a combat force that served in the 8th AF during World War II. We have had great success in doing just that - using the many resources and facilities that are available.
None of these methods have been more productive than that of our 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association web site. The site is read around the world and sometimes amazing situations are reported. Without the web site, so much 398th human history would never be known.
Recently I received the following e-mail. There can be no event more
heart warming than the one recorded below
Wally Blackwell
President
398th Bomb Group Memorial Association
Subject: adoption grave Bill Wickens, Margraten cemetery, The Netherlands
Hello, my name is Jean-Paul Wyers, I live in Noorbeek The Netherlands. I want to tell you that my family and I, have "adopted" the grave of Bill Wickens, T/Sgt. 600 Squadron 398th Bomb Group - ser. no. 35255387.
He died on April 8, 1945 on the Derben (Germany) mission.
We found your site on the web. Are there any pictures of Mr. Wickens or his plane B-17 serial number 44-83276 N? Maybe some of you know some one who knew Mr. Bill Wickens.
If so, would you be so kind to let them know that we "take care of him" and that we will honor him, and his grave. Certainly on special days, like Memorial Day, Christmas etc.
Thank You,
Family of. JP Wyers
Noorbeek
The Netherlands
The following e-mail was the response to Jean-Paul Wyers by Wally Blackwell, President, 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association regarding his inquiry above.
Re: adoption grave Bill Wickens Margraten cemetery, The Netherlands
My hello to Jean-Paul Wyers. I have contacted Gertrude Wells Neff, the wife of Bill Wells, the pilot of the B-17 crew that included Bill Wickens. Gertrude visited the grave of Wickens and the others of Bill's crew that are there in Margraten a few years ago. This happened during one of our 398th returns to our English base that included visits to various cemeteries on the continent where 398ers rest.
Gertrude has pictures of Bill's crew members taken at different times, but no picture of Bill Wickens. She does have pictures of the others from Bill's crew that are nearby Wickens grave near a flagpole. Gertrude now has your address and will write you and send thepictures she has of the others. Gertrude has a daughter, Karen Neff that has also been a devoted and staunch member of our 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association. I will include Karen's e-mail address by sending this e-mail to her also. Gertrude is most interested in corresponding with you and knowing more about the loving care that you give Bill Wickens grave.
As the President of the 398th BGMA, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your devotion to our lost 398er members. I would like to continue to hear from you about your visits to Margraten and about your family.
With sincere thanks,
Wally Blackwell
President
398th Bomb Group Memorial Association
The following e-mail was the response to Wally Blackwell, President, 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association by Jean-Paul Wyers regarding his e-mail above.
Subject: RE: adoption grave Bill Wickens, Margraten cemetery, The Netherlands
Hello Mr. Blackwell, How nice to hear from you. My family and I adopted the grave of Mr. Bill Wickens about half a year ago. In our region it is a sort of a tradition, as you maybe know. My wife's family adopted a grave right after the war. They had contact with the family in America, during the years the contact faded. My grandfather and grandmother were at the cemetery the first time they had a memorial. They visited many years. Only my mother never went any more. She told me that the
only thing she remembered was that her mother (my grandmother) wept and cried from grief. That had made such an impact on her (she was very little). But after we adopted the grave of Mr. Wickens, my mother did visit the cemetery with my father and they also adopted a grave of a fallen American soldier.(paratrooper, killed in operation varsity).
We live in a little town called "Noorbeek" (just as my parents, and brother). Noorbeek is near Margraten, and right at the Belgian border. It is about 20 miles from Aachen. Noorbeek is the first place that was liberated by the Americans in 1944. On September 12th, by the 30th infantry division ("Old Hickory's).
Last Memorial Day, we made some video pictures. I am trying to put them on line. Then I will send them to you of course! I have a question, maybe you can help /clear me? Is it correct to presume that Mr. Wickens was the "substitute" engineer on the Derben mission?
I hope to hear more from you, and of your friends. If there is anything that I can do to help you or your friends from the 398th BGMA, please let me know.
Sincerely yours,
JP Wyers.
Epilog
The 398th records show that Bill Wickens was the engineer on the Bill Wells crew that mission when all but the waist gunner of the B-17 perished. It is also noted that Bill Wickens was a substitute engineer that day, filling in for another Well's crew member who evidently was ill.
I am pleased to report that Gertrude Wells and the Wyers family have found each other and their friendship will endure.
Thanks,
Wally Blackwell
President
398th Bomb Group Memorial Association
Links of interest:
- 398th Killed in Action Index
- 398th B-17 Photo Collection: As of 20 April 2007, there are no photos on the 398th site of Aircraft 44-83276 3O-N; however, one may materialize in the future.
- 398th Mission: 8 April 1945 - Derben
