Grave Of WW2 Veteran Found After 74 Years

Cover picture: SWNS

An elderly woman has finally laid her late brother to rest – almost 74 years after he was killed in the D-Day landings in World War Two.

Private Lacey Anthony Tingle, an Army medic, was declared missing in action after he was parachuted into Normandy to help fallen comrades.

It was 6 June 1944, the first day of Operation Overlord, and his distraught family were left wondering what happened to him.

More than seven decades later, his sister Margaret Keighley was contacted by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) who confirmed he had been buried in an unmarked grave in France.

The MoD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) examined the grave of the unknown soldier in Ranville War Cemetery and tests confirmed the remains were that of Pte Tingle.

The retired secondary school teacher was accompanied by her daughter Zoe Smith and son Paul.

Mrs Keighley said: "It was just out of this world. It’s 74 years since my brother disappeared and then suddenly out of the blue I hear that they’ve found him... I couldn’t believe that this could be possible after 74 years.

"I suppose I always had a glimmer of hope he might be found or turn up alive but knowing exactly where he is buried is a great comfort.

"It was only after meeting members of the JCCC team that I realised I had never properly grieved for my brother as he was declared ‘missing in action’ with no known grave.

"So, it brings great comfort to be able to visit his grave for this rededication and finally say goodbye. I am extremely grateful to everyone for making it possible."

Pte Tingle, from Hornsey, Middlesex, was a conscientious objector and enlisted into the Non-Combatant Corps in February 1941.

He was part of the bomb disposal unit before being was transferred to the Royal Army Medical C.

On 7 June 1944, a group of British and Canadian Paratroopers were surrounded by the enemy in the village of Douville-en-Auge in Normandy.

Nine soldiers were lost, including Pte Tingle, and the men were buried in the village by locals before being moved to the Ranville War Cemetery after the war ended.

Pte Tingle had been commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial in France. 

Mrs Keighleigh’s son Paul, 50, a police constable, said he was brought up hearing stories about his uncle.

He said: "It is fantastic to get some closure of this part of my life - being brought up with the stories and never knowing him.

"I am very proud knowing that being a conscientious objector he went into battle unarmed and unable to defend himself but he was there to save lives.

"I was proud to wear his medals at the rededication."

Pte Tingle’s final resting place came to light when two researchers submitted evidence about his whereabouts to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.