World War II soldier honoured in The Netherlands

Discussion in 'Others' started by SSGMike.Ivy, Jun 17, 2006.

  1. SSGMike.Ivy

    SSGMike.Ivy Senior Member

    Sixty years after he was killed in action, Leeds soldier Lance Sergeant Edward Hartley of The Border Regiment, has been remembered in a re-dedication service at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery in The Netherlands today, Thursday 15 June 2006.

    LSgt Hartley joined the Border Regiment in 1940 and served in North Africa in 1943. He was reported missing, killed in action, on 20 September 1944, aged 31. He was buried as an unknown soldier in Oosterbeek Cemetery and was identified by the Dutch Army Recovery Team in 2005, using regimental dental records.

    Today's service was attended by LSgt Hartley’s daughter, Patricia Summers, and her family. The Honour Guard and Buglers were formed by The 1st Battalion, the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR), who accorded LSgt Hartley full military honours. The Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force provided the music at the ceremony.

    In July 2006 The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) will amalgamate with The King’s Regiment and The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment to form the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Also today 192 members of KORBR will travel in small groups to the sites of 44 Battle Honours borne on their Regimental Colours (Exercise GLOBAL DRAGON). The visits will take place concurrently, with a small Battlefield Tour and ceremony held at each site.

    Following the ceremony at Oosterbeek Cemetery LSgt Hartley's daughter Patricia was presented with a cygnet ring, which was found with her father's remains. She said:

    "I felt really honoured that so many people went to so much trouble to make this happen. It's a day I shall never forget."

    http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/WorldWarIiSoldierHonouredInTheNetherlands.htm
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    edit.picture didn't post.
     
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    What a great story.
     
  4. lancesergeant

    lancesergeant Senior Member

    Nice to see he has been remembered after all this time.
     
  5. Herakles

    Herakles Senior Member

    I am always moved to see the way the Dutch still commemorate the British graves there.
     

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