By Gemma Collins, PA News
The
body of a soldier killed in battle nearly 60 years ago
was today being re-interred at a Dutch cemetery.
Sergeant Major Evan Davies was 27 when he died on
November 30, 1944, during an attack on the German-held
village of Brockhuizen, Holland.
His remains were discovered near the town’s castle in
February 2003 by the Dutch Army Recovery Team
responsible for recovering the remains of service
personnel killed in the two World Wars.
Today Sgt Major Davies’s nieces and nephews were set to
gather at Venray Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, east
of Eindhoven, where he was to be buried with full
military honours.
The soldier’s family, from Abersychan, Gwent, was traced
last November and told by the Ministry of Defence of the
discovery of his body.
His widow, Grace Young, 86, had waited almost 60 years
for news of her husband, who she met at a dance hall.
Family members described the match as “love at first
sight”.
Mrs Young remarried shortly after the war ended but was
widowed again about 10 years ago.
Her nephew, Gethin Jones, 66, told in April of the
family’s feelings after hearing that Sgt Major Davies
had been found.
“It was tremendously emotional,” he said.
“It now means that nephews and nieces can go and feel
that sense of pride.”
Sgt Major Davies served with the 3rd Battalion the
Monmouthshire Regiment. Of the 300 soldiers in his
battalion at Brockhuizen, almost half were killed,
including 10 officers.
The bearers and the honour guard at today’s service were
being provided by the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment
of Wales. The Brigade of Gurkhas’ Band was playing the
music at the ceremony.
Source: http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3038122
|