World War Two Soldiers’ Photographs Affixed to Graves Following Archival Search

Photographs of four soldiers from Leeds, who perished in the Netherlands during World War Two, have been located in library archives and subsequently affixed to their graves. Librarians in Leeds unearthed newspaper photographs of the soldiers, which were subsequently sent to the cemetery near Eindhoven. This initiative formed part of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Venray’s liberation on October 13. Rhian Isaac, from Leeds Central Library, stated it had been “wonderful” to assist the research team. She affirmed, “Each of these soldiers had their own life back home before they went off to war and they deserve to have their stories and their faces remembered in their final resting place.” Isaac additionally commented, “It’s very moving and poignant to think that, thanks to the archives kept in their home city, people in Venray will now be able to see what they looked like and be more connected to them when they visit their graves.” L/Cpl Herbert Alan Young, 23, served with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry before his death on November 21, 1944. Sapper Walter Marshall, 32, was attached to the 613 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, and died on November 30, 1944. Pte John Keddie, 18, a member of the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, died from his injuries on March 29, 1945. Gunner William Bastow, 36, served with the Royal Artillery 75 Anti-Tank Regiment and died on November 17, 1944. The Stichting Adoptiegraven Foundation, which organized the October commemoration event, encourages Venray residents to adopt a soldier, placing candles, flowers, and photographs to represent UK families who are unable to visit. Members of the foundation contacted the Local and Family History Library in Leeds to find images of the men. The images were printed on metal and placed at each soldier’s grave. The library also located a newspaper report concerning the death of a fourth soldier, William Bastow, from Gildersome. The Netherlands was occupied by the German army in May 1940, and Allied troops liberated the town of Venray in October 1944. Burials in the cemetery range from October 1944 to March 1945, comprising 692 Commonwealth interments, 30 of which remain unidentified, along with one Polish burial.