Lost Hampshire Regiment soldier killed in Second World War identified 81 years after his death
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The grave of Private Sidney Allen was rededicated to make sure his service is never forgotten
The grave of a brave soldier who was killed aged 19 in the Second World War has been discovered years after his death.
Private (Pte) Sidney Allen, who served in 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, has finally had his service commemorated 81 years after he was killed. The previously unnamed grave of the soldier, from Saltash in Cornwall, was discovered by the Ministry of Defence’s War Detectives at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
A rededication ceremony took place to honour his service. JCCC Caseworker, Nicola Nash, said: “It is a great privilege to be here to honour Pte Sidney Allen, who gave his life in service to his country at just 19 years of age.
“For more than 80 years his family did not know exactly where he lay, making this identification especially significant. Today we remember his sacrifice and ensure that his name, service and story are never forgotten.”
Pte Allen worked in the Cornwall HM Dockyard alongside his father. He enlisted in the Army in February 1944 and arrived in France that August, joining the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, during the Allied advance through Normandy.
He took part in several operations including of Mont Picon and St-Denis-de-Mere, the advance across the River Seine, the liberation of Brussels, Operation Market Garden, and fighting in the Netherlands and Germany.
The Battalion joined Operation Veritable in February 1945. In the offensive to clear the Reichswald Forest, soldiers faced fierce resistance, deep mud and flooded terrain. Pte Allen was killed during heavy fighting near Cleve and the Reichswald. He died aged 19 on February 15, 1945.
Research submitted by a member of the public established that he had originally been buried in Materborn alongside other soldiers killed in the same action. As the only member of the battalion from that engagement still listed as missing, the grave was finally identified as belonging to Pte Sidney Allen. The headstone was replaced by CWGC.
Commemorations case officer Fergus Reid said: “It is deeply fitting that Private Sidney Allen is now commemorated by name at his final resting place. The evidence for the grave identification was compelling, and Private Allen, who was previously commemorated on a memorial, now has a known grave, which the Commission will care for in perpetuity.”