This is a good one spicey,
My old pal;s have a club membership known as 'The Ferrets'. We travel all over Europe paying homage on the sites of our fallen. Next May (2020) we revisit Arnhem.
Our Colonel i/c has his step brother buried there.
Although a member of the Air Landing Brigade, his surname, as is mine, is German. His burial site is in the back garden of a Dutch family.
The house has been in the same family for years and the latest generation are more than happy to be the guardians of a Tommy's Remains in their back yard. Bless the Dutch.
I recall our Met Police Commandant of Hendon Police Driving School. called Noddy Newton. Mad as hatter ,nerves of steel and iced water running through his veins. He feared nought.
He wanted to jump over Normandy on the 50th commeration of D Day, He was deemed too old. He was part of the stick that was to go down in history in the Merville Battery capture. A very brave gentleman.
The Prince of Wales, Colonel I/c The Parachute Regiment made some pathetic excuse why he wasn't attending this iconic occasion so, Noddy, as President of the Veteran's Association fired off a message from the survivors telling Prince Charles what they thought of their Colonel in no uncertain terms.
This old gentleman,at least, was allowed to do what Noddy Newton,alas,was denied.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49771180
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49771180