Two Second World War soldiers killed in action in the Netherlands over 70 years ago have been buried at a military cemetery at Arnhem. Unfortunately, there were no surviving family who could attend.
The remains of Pte. Harold Lewis and L/Cpl. Donald Noble were discovered during excavation works in 2013.
They were killed in October 1944 on “The Island”, the low-lying land between Arnhem and Nijmegen and belonged to the Wiltshire Regiment.
The ceremony was attended by former soldiers from the regiment in which the men were given full military recognition. Pallbearers from 5th Battalion The Rifles carried the caskets.
Experts of the Defence Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre ministry couldn’t locate any surviving members of the Noble or Lewis families prior to the ceremony.
Louise Dorr, from the JCCC, said the day was a mixture of joy and sadness; happiness that names have been put to two brave soldiers and lay them to rest with distinction and respect, but sadness that they died so early and have no family present to share in this event.
Donald Noble was born on March 22, 1923, he joined the army straight from school, at 16-years-old.
Noble served in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and the Wiltshire Regiment. He died at age 21, BBC News reported.
Harold Lewis was born March 30, 1925. He joined the General Service Corps in 1943, aged 18 and subsequently served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire’s Regiments before transferring to the Wiltshire Regiment.
He died at age 19.
Video of the ceremony