Understand
Grave of missing Cornish WW2 soldier Private Sidney Allen discovered in Germany
Overview
The Ministry of Defence has identified the previously unnamed grave of World War Two soldier Private Sidney Allen in Germany, 81 years after his death. Pte Allen, from Cornwall, served with the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, and died in service aged 19 during fighting near Cleve and the Reichswald in February 1945. A rededication service was organised by the MOD's war detectives at the CWGC Reichswald Forest War Cemetery after a member of the public helped establish his original burial details.
Key points
- The grave of World War Two soldier Private Sidney Allen from Cornwall has been identified in Germany 81 years after his death.
- Pte Allen served in the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, and died aged 19 on 15 February 1945 during Operation Veritable.
- He grew up in Saltash, worked in HM Dockyard as a shell fitter, and was previously officially recorded as missing.
- A service was organised by the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) at the CWGC Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
- His grave was identified after a member of the public established he had originally been buried in Materborn.