DUTCH experts have traced the grave of a Keighley airborne soldier who died during the famous Arnhem offensive during the Second World War.

Cpl Jack Carr was recorded as missing during the failed mission to take bridges on the Dutch-German border in 1944 and speed up the end of the war.

But recent research by the Dutch Netherlands Army proved that he was in an unmarked grave at the Arnhem Oosterbeek Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.

Cpl Carr was one of six soldiers from the battle who this month (September) received a rededication service following their identification.

The ceremony, attended by family members, past and present soldiers and dignitaries, saw the ‘band of brothers’ finally honoured after 72 years.

Ministry of Defence spokesman Nicola Nash said: “We are very happy to be able to finally give these men a named grave. The service will be a fitting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.”

All six men served with the Border Regiment and were dropped behind enemy lines in gliders during Operation Market Garden.

They were killed during bitter fighting in Oosterbeek as part of a seven-day operation that involved more than 30,000 men tried to take an eight key bridges spanning the network of canals and rivers on the Dutch/German border.

Poor communication, heavy resistance by German tanks and lack of supplies to the British paratroopers led to evacuation by the Allies.

The rededication service organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and presided over by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regimental Chaplain, The Reverend Simon Bloxam-Rose.

The identity of the graves was discovered when the Dutch Recovery and Identification Service, part of the Royal Netherlands Army, began looking at a list of missing soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment to attempt to identify their final resting places.

Exhumation reports from 1946 were scrutinised for clues to the identities of six unknown soldiers at Oosterbeek cemetery, then the Ministry of Defence confirmed their identities using genealogy and media appeals to trace surviving family members.

Following the discovery of the remains of British service personnel from historic conflicts, the Ministry of Defence attempts to identify any living relatives so that they can be involved in the subsequent re-interment and memorial service.

Where clear and convincing evidence can be provided to prove the identity of a previously ‘unknown’ grave, a new, named headstone will be provided.

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