Unknown British soldiers killed during WW2 are honoured as they are laid to rest

 

Two unknown British soldiers have finally been laid to rest after they lost their lives during World War 2. 

The 2 men were buried last week during a moving ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Salerno War Cemetery in Italy.

The service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), part of Defence Business Services, was conducted by the Reverend Iorwerth Price CF, reserve Chaplain to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (RANG). Members of the 2nd Battalion, The RANG carried the coffins to their final resting place.

The remains of the 2 soldiers were found by the 1943 Salerno Association, outside of Salerno, on a hill nicknamed “the Pimple” by Allied soldiers during World War 2. This hill was heavily guarded by the Germans and was the focus of intense fighting during September 1943. Despite extensive research and DNA testing, the JCCC were unable to identify these two men.

The 1943 Salerno Association also found the ID bracelet of Major Robert Brown DSO, who was attached to the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and was also killed during action on the Pimple on 16 September 1943. The bracelet was handed back to the JCCC, who will present it to Major Brown’s daughter.