Grave of Dumbarton WWII soldier rededicated in France
He was recalled to the army at the outbreak of the Second World War and was attached to No. 13 Docks Labour Company.
Pte Falconer died on June 14, 1940, aged 28, while serving with the 4th Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps.
Read more:
Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours
Global superstar spotted in Glasgow ahead tonight's gig
The exact details of his death are unclear, but he is thought to have died of severe burns after a road traffic accident.
He left behind a widow and a young daughter.
Pte Falconer is one of four British servicemen who died during World War Two in France who have now been rededicated, more than 85 years after their deaths, after their graves were identified.
The services for Private Falconer, Gunner Joseph Humphries, Signalman Edmund Roberts, and Major Richard White-Cooper were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery near Le Mans in France.
The graves were identified after John Hawthorn, the husband of Signalman Roberts' granddaughter, submitted a case to the CWGC hoping to identify his final resting place.
This led to extensive research and all four graves were identified.
Mr Hawthorn said: "Words are not adequate to express the emotions I had when I got the email from Rosie Barron, telling me that the JCCC were happy to confirm they recognise Sig Edmund Roberts is buried in the CWGC cemetery at Le Grand Luce, France.
"We are eternally grateful to the tireless work of CWGC and the JCCC, especially Rosie for all she has done.'
The services were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the 'War Detectives'.
The CWGC has replaced the headstones over the graves and will care for them in perpetuity.
Polly Brewster, commemorations case officer at the CWGC, said: "It has been an honour to have been a part of the identification process for these four men, and to have helped their families in their choices for their Commission headstones.
"We owe particular gratitude to the family of Signalman Roberts because without his dedicated research, this would not have been possible.
"It also feels all the more poignant knowing that this rededication ceremony means all casualties at Le Grand-Lucé have now been identified, so can be commemorated by name at their final resting place."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
William and his family will live in Forest Lodge even when he is King, reveals REBECCA ENGLISH. So what will become of Buckingham Palace?
Almost exactly 85 years ago, German bombs struck Buckingham Palace. As the Queen Mother stood among the rubble and debris, she memorably remarked that she could finally 'look the East End in the face'. It became a point of national pride that she and her husband, King George VI, refused to leave their London residence during the Second World War. Yet, almost nine decades on from those devastating raids, the landmark faces an even more uncertain future – as a palace without a king. With the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to move to a new 'forever home' – Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park – the spotlight is being shone on the Royal Family 's huge portfolio of properties, and the ever-dwindling number of tenants to occupy them. The Daily Mail has been told that it is William's 'intention' to remain in their new Grade II-listed property even after he accedes to the throne. 'This is for the long term and it's their intention to stay in Forest Lodge once he becomes king,' a source said. Understandably this has prompted serious questions in royal circles about the long-term viability of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as other private royal estates such as Sandringham in Norfolk and Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands, which the prince is eventually set to inherit. Locals say the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge is a definite 'step up' from the family's current four-bedroom home, Adelaide Cottage, where they have lived since 2022 (after deciding to leave London and move to Berkshire while their children were still young). Once described as a 'very substantial house in one of the loveliest parts of the country', the Georgian mansion dates back to the 1770s. The three-storey home boasts elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, exquisite marble fireplaces and a half-barrel-vaulted ceiling. It also has six bathrooms, a long gallery and a tennis court, which will doubtless suit the sporty Princess of Wales. Since the lodge was acquired by the Crown in 1829, a number of equerries, private secretaries and other royal staff have lived there. It underwent a £1.5 million refurbishment in 2001 so that it could be rented out commercially. Although well beyond the means of most families, Forest Lodge is certainly not grand – particularly when it comes to an heir to the throne. William's decision to live there shows his determination to adopt a more 'relatable' way of living, in comparison with Prince Andrew's vast 30-room Royal Lodge just a short drive away in the Great Park, or Prince Edward's Bagshot Park, which is said to boast between 50 and 120 rooms. The Waleses will pay a market rent for Forest Lodge, which is never publicly disclosed for commercial reasons. (The freehold is owned by the Crown Estate which also owns the freehold to Prince Andrew's home.) Plans have already been approved by the local council for a limited amount of internal and external renovations, which William and Catherine are funding themselves. Building works have already begun, with the family hoping to move in by the end of the year. Sources close to the couple stress their initial decision to up-sticks from their apartment at Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in 2022 was 'designed to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family' – and it very much has. Currently, all three children attend Lambrook School, a short drive away in Bracknell, and are said to be 'thriving' in the new environment. William and Catherine remain determined to be as hands-on as possible with their children while continuing to work as senior members of the Royal Family. Living in Windsor, insiders say, offers them the opportunity to do just that. 'They want to continue to do the school run, even if they are king and queen,' adds a source. Friends also say the move to Forest Lodge will allow the family to start a new chapter after a 'challenging' few years which have seen both the Princess of Wales and King Charles diagnosed with cancer. While Catherine is now in remission, a source says of the move: 'It's a fresh start for them after three really tough years. 'They are looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home and leaving some of the unhappier ones behind.' There will be no live-in staff, butlers or valets for the Waleses at Forest Lodge – an illustration of just how fiercely they guard their privacy. The same applies currently at Adelaide Cottage. However, there are 'five or six' two- and three-bedroom cottages – currently occupied by estate staff – just a few hundred yards away from the Waleses' new home. Locals understand these will be occupied by the family's security detail, housekeeper and nanny after they move in. Extra security will also be needed as Forest Lodge is outside Windsor Castle's 'ring of steel'. One local tells me: 'The lodge is on a private road, close to a little village with a shop, a post office and a tea shop, which is mainly used by staff. 'It's about as isolated as you can get there, so you can see the attraction for them. 'It's situated in a huge private chunk of Windsor Great Park and the children can go out cycling for miles and not come anywhere near any of the local residents. 'There's a nearby fishing lake that's open only to staff, but that's it. It's also a lot closer – probably a 15-minute drive – to their current school.' The only concern for locals, I am told, is what will happen to their Christmas tree shop each year. 'It's run by the royal estate and is hugely popular,' says one local source. 'Thousands of people from the area come to buy home-grown Windsor trees each year over a glass of mulled wine. 'But it means people will be driving past their front door all day over the festive season and people think it will have to be moved. Generally, though, I think most are excited to see their new neighbours.' Interestingly, it seems the couple will continue to work out of Kensington Palace where their Royal Foundation and Catherine's Centre for Early Childhood are based, along with their household staff and press office. They will also retain their existing 20-room residence, Apartment 1A, at Kensington Palace, and Anmer Hall, their Norfolk retreat. However there are likely to be growing questions over the viability of their London base – not least because the Kensington apartment was refurbished in 2014 at a cost of £4.5 million to the public purse and is now used barely a handful of times a year. Might the Waleses be persuaded to use a suite of rooms in Buckingham Palace instead, allowing the Kensington apartment to be rented out commercially? It might make sense, say some. As for Windsor Castle, which was once earmarked for William and Catherine by the late Queen, the prospect of a full or even part-time royal resident after Charles also looks unlikely. But that is less concerning to many than the future of Buckingham Palace, the sovereign's official London residence, not least because £369 million of public funds is currently being invested in a top-to-toe refurbishment – including a complete redecoration of the late Queen's suite of rooms. At present, no members of the Royal Family reside at the Palace due to this mammoth ten-year re-servicing programme, which is required to bring the crumbling royal residence up to scratch. There is no doubt the works were overdue and badly needed. The Palace's pre-war electrics were verging on dangerous for such an historic building. But, without a king in situ – or even in proximity – will people really feel this is justified? One of the biggest attractions of Buckingham Palace, whether you are visiting it as a head of state, one of the 50,000 guests who attend garden parties, receptions and functions held there each year or even just as a paying punter in the summer months, is that it is the living, breathing heart of the institution. Will it have the same attraction as the nation's most-gilded museum when there is no monarch in residence? Palace aides have always carefully insisted that Charles 'intends' to take up residence in 'Monarchy HQ', as Buckingham Palace is dubbed. However, others think that is unlikely now he and the Queen are well established in the more private and homely surrounds of neighbouring Clarence House. It's worth noting that the building works are not due to be concluded until 2027, when King Charles will be 78 and William 45. A well-placed source tells me that William will be taking an even more 'pragmatic' approach to Buckingham Palace in the future, stressing that Forest Lodge will be his family's only 'long-term' home. To all intents and purposes, then, he will be the first monarch since medieval times not to live in a castle or a palace. Like his father, William is keen to open Buckingham Palace to a greater number of tourists each year than at present. This would generate funds for its future upkeep while lessening pressure on the public purse. The Prince of Wales also wants to see the amount of official entertaining that goes on at the Palace expanded, possibly even using it for government and charitable events. While Sandringham and Balmoral are very much private royal estates with no public funding, it seems that they, too, could undergo a subtle change of status, and be opened to visitors on more days than in the past. All of these are clearly sensible ideas. And yet concerns remain – particularly when it comes to Buckingham Palace. Those I have spoken to are choosing their words carefully, knowing how important it has been to William to ensure that family – rightly – comes first. As one insider says: 'The late Queen said she had to be seen to be believed. I just hope that the Prince of Wales can find the right balance between raising his family away from the public glare at Windsor with the presence required of him as a future, and eventual, head of state.'
ITV News
13 hours ago
- ITV News
Appeal for cards to mark Southend Royal Navy veteran's 100th birthday
A branch of the Royal Naval Association is appealing for well-wishers to send 100th birthday cards to a Second World War veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys to make his surprise celebration extra Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, served as a seaman gunner and said earlier this year: 'There's not many of us left.'The sailor, of Southend in Essex, was on a ship in Hong Kong when news came through of Germany's surrender, and said in a previous interview that it 'couldn't have been better'.'The war killed so many people it's unbelievable,' he said. 'All around, the Americans, Russians, all the Allies, the same with the Germans.'But you were doing a job, the same as they had to. It's either kill or be killed.'When we heard about victory in Europe, everybody got together and we all had a good old drink up and jolly up, and couldn't welcome it much better.'Mr Shelley, who has no known surviving family, will turn 100 on September Hawes, chairman of the Southend branch of the Royal Naval Association, is appealing for people to send birthday cards for Mr Shelley, which will be collated at the local branch and shown to him at a party on the day. The 76-year-old said Mr Shelley was the branch's 'last Arctic convoy veteran and also he was at D-Day'.Mr Shelley's carer Paul Bennett said Mr Shelley was on the HMS Milne on D-Day 'supporting the chaps going off to land in craft ashore in Normandy and he was a gunner keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft'.Mr Hawes said the veteran had previously been the local branch's chairman, secretary and treasurer but 'as he got older he had to stop some of those jobs'.'He's always been there, he's always got a smile, he always wants to chat,' he said.'He really deserves something, he has been one of our founder members way back in 1980 I think it was when the actual club opened.'He's always been with us on the Remembrance Sunday in his wheelchair and somebody's pushed him up to the cenotaph at Southend.'He is hoping to collate at least 100 birthday cards for Mr Shelley.'I think he's going to thoroughly enjoy it, he really will, he'll be over the moon,' said Mr Hawes.'Dougie always likes to let everybody know he's there and this will blow his socks off I think.'Mr Hawes, who was a chef and baker on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, is to make Mr Shelley's birthday cake – a Victoria said Mr Shelley 'does like his tot of rum' and that this would be offered to guests, with a bottle of Pusser's Rum presented to the Hawes asked for birthday cards for Mr Shelley to be sent to the Royal Naval Association club, 73-79 East Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6LQ.
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Daily Record
King Charles drives Queen Camilla to Sunday church service near Balmoral
King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen arriving by car at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, with the Queen waving to onlookers. King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, the Church of Scotland parish near their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire. The royal couple were seen arriving in a car, with the King at the wheel and the Queen waving to onlookers as they reached the small kirk, which has been the family's regular place of worship during summer stays at Balmoral. The late Queen Elizabeth II was also known to attend services here. The church outing comes shortly after King Charles delivered a poignant address marking VJ Day on 15 August, commemorating the end of World War II. In a powerful audio message recorded in the Morning Room at Clarence House earlier this month, Charles reflected on the sacrifices of the wartime generation and the enduring lessons for the present day. 'Those heroes of VJ Day gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected,' he said. 'Countries and communities that had never before fought together learned to coordinate their efforts across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides. "Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link. That remains a vital lesson for our times.' On the anniversary itself, the King donned his military uniform for a Service of Remembrance at The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, marking 80 years since VJ Day. He was seen speaking with Alfred Conway, who served alongside Prince Philip during the war. Queen Camilla joined her husband and was also observed conversing with war veterans, visibly moved at moments during the service and subtly wiping a tear from her eye. The event drew further attention as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended, accompanied by his wife, Victoria. The service offered a solemn opportunity to honour those who fought and sacrificed during World War II while reflecting on the importance of international unity in both war and peace. Crathie Kirk remains a significant location for the royal family during their summer stay at Balmoral. Visitors to the estate will often see the couple attending Sunday services, continuing a long-standing tradition of royal worship in the area. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The small parish church offers a quieter and more intimate setting compared to services held in London or other major cities, providing the royal family with the chance to attend without the usual public fanfare. The King's recent remarks on VJ Day emphasised the broader significance of collective action and international cooperation, noting that lessons from the wartime generation remain relevant today. 'Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link,' Charles stated, underlining the value of unity and collaboration across nations. Following the commemorations, the royal couple returned to Balmoral, where they continue their traditional summer residency.
