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'Unknown' Battle of Arnhem soldier identified after 73 years | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A British paratrooper killed in the World War Two battle for Arnhem and buried in an unmarked grave is to be given a headstone bearing his name. | A British paratrooper killed in the World War Two battle for Arnhem and buried in an unmarked grave is to be given a headstone bearing his name. |
L/Cpl William 'Ginger' Loney from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire has been in an unmarked grave for almost 73 years. | L/Cpl William 'Ginger' Loney from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire has been in an unmarked grave for almost 73 years. |
But he has finally been indentified, by Dutch historians, and will get his own gravestone in a ceremony in September. | But he has finally been indentified, by Dutch historians, and will get his own gravestone in a ceremony in September. |
It is hoped a new appeal for living relatives could allow any to attend after an initial search was in vain. | It is hoped a new appeal for living relatives could allow any to attend after an initial search was in vain. |
L/Cpl Loney enlisted in the Royal Artillery but volunteered for the airborne forces. | L/Cpl Loney enlisted in the Royal Artillery but volunteered for the airborne forces. |
He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy before he jumped into Arnhem, Netherlands, on 17 September 1944. | He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy before he jumped into Arnhem, Netherlands, on 17 September 1944. |
The 26 year old was killed the same day by machine gun fire as he entered the town. | The 26 year old was killed the same day by machine gun fire as he entered the town. |
Marcel Anker, a Dutch historian who has written a book on the battle, found L/Cpl Loney died in heavy fighting on the doorstep of the house at 65 Utrechtseweg. | Marcel Anker, a Dutch historian who has written a book on the battle, found L/Cpl Loney died in heavy fighting on the doorstep of the house at 65 Utrechtseweg. |
He identified the paratrooper as the grave's occupant in 2008, using records describing the remains of soldiers killed in action. | He identified the paratrooper as the grave's occupant in 2008, using records describing the remains of soldiers killed in action. |
A report was sent to UK authorities but it was not until 2015 that they confirmed the discovery. | A report was sent to UK authorities but it was not until 2015 that they confirmed the discovery. |
Battle of Arnhem (operation Market Garden) 1944 | Battle of Arnhem (operation Market Garden) 1944 |
The re-dedication is to be held at the main cemetery in Arnhem on 13 September. | The re-dedication is to be held at the main cemetery in Arnhem on 13 September. |
His grave is currently engraved "A Lance Corporal from the Parachute Regiment Army Air Corps... A Soldier of the 1939-1945 War". | His grave is currently engraved "A Lance Corporal from the Parachute Regiment Army Air Corps... A Soldier of the 1939-1945 War". |
British historian, Peter Bennett, is leading the search for living relatives, which has so far been fruitless. | British historian, Peter Bennett, is leading the search for living relatives, which has so far been fruitless. |
He believes a final appeal may lead to someone coming forward. | He believes a final appeal may lead to someone coming forward. |
"My hope is that descendants of the Oates family on William's mother's side might come forward as there are quite a number of people with this surname in the local phone directory," he said. | "My hope is that descendants of the Oates family on William's mother's side might come forward as there are quite a number of people with this surname in the local phone directory," he said. |
The Ministry of Defence said it had found no surviving relatives, up to second cousin, but had invited a more distant relative (by marriage) to the service. | The Ministry of Defence said it had found no surviving relatives, up to second cousin, but had invited a more distant relative (by marriage) to the service. |
L/Cpl Loney's name is engraved on the memorial wall of the cemetery in nearby Groesbeek and at his home town of Dewsbury. | L/Cpl Loney's name is engraved on the memorial wall of the cemetery in nearby Groesbeek and at his home town of Dewsbury. |