Silsden soldier's grave lovingly tended in the Netherlands

Above: the grave of a Silsden soldier who was killed in action in the Netherlands in the Second World War has been lovingly adopted for the last nine years by an ex-pat.

Signalman Harry Farrar, pictured above, was 27 when he died on December 18th, 1944. His widow, Agnes, and four-year-old son lived in Albert Square. Before the war Harry had worked for Messrs John Woodrow and Sons and at Becks Mill, Silsden.

Harry is buried at Brunssum Cemetery, pictured above, where there are more than 300 graves of British soldiers. Harry's grave was adopted nine years ago by Rob Ash, who lives near Maastricht. He chose to adopt Harry's grave as Rob, like Harry, had served in the Royal Corps of Signals (1990-2000).

Remembrance Day in the Netherlands is held on May 4th, the day before the anniversary of Liberation Day. The service at the Brunssum Cemetery is always well attended, as can be seen in the above photograph. Last year there was a Lancaster bomber flyover. United States forces liberated Brunssum in 1944 and were followed soon after by the 43rd Division of the Royal Corps of Signals, which made its HQ in the town. Harry Farrar, the son of Harry and Mary Farrar, is commemorated on the Silsden War Memorial. The Keighley News report of his death described Harry as a despatch rider.