War heroes honoured after 74 years
FAMILIES of two Second World War soldiers have at last been able to pay their respects 74 years after they were killed in battle.
Coldstream Guardsmen Joseph Goulden, 31, and Raymond Rose, 19, were cut down during heavy fighting south of Naples during the Allied invasion of Italy.
They were listed as missing and were buried as unknown soldiers after their remains were found alongside a third guardsman.
However, battlefield historians identified the guardsman as Lance Corporal Ronald Blackham, 22, from Weaverham in Cheshire, using DNA tests and he was buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Salerno, Italy, in March.
The two then unknown soldiers were buried alongside him with full military honours. But after carrying out DNA tests on potential relatives, the Ministry of Defence was able to identify the two men.
And last week their second cousins attended a moving rededication service alongside serving members of the Coldstream Guards.
The three men died attacking Hill 270 in a bid to clear German troops who were well dug in at the top. They succeeded, but at a cost of 120 dead and wounded, scythed down in a hail of machine gun, sniper and mortar fire. In March the commanding officer of the Coldstream Guards, Lieutenant Colonel James Thurstan, said: “It was like hell, it really was. Let it not be forgotten that the Coldstream won the Victoria Cross at Salerno on those actions.”
Guardsman Rose, from Gloucester, was an only child and when his parents were told he was dead they filled in a form stating what they wanted carved on his gravestone. Though now dead, their request has been honoured and the gravestone carries the message: “Loving memories of darling Ray. God keep him safe. We’ll meet again.”
The rededication was attended by second cousins Chris and Mike Rose.
Chris said: “The Italian metal detectorists who found him have given us a ring and buttons from his tunic plus a photo. We have immense pride in him.”
Guardsman Goulden, from Pontefract, West Yorks, had joined up in 1940. Second cousins Susan Henry and Ann Clark attended the ceremony.
Ann said: “I would not have missed it for the world. When the bugler played it was absolutely wonderful. The most poignant part was when the Italians who had found his remains gave us a jar with some soil from close by and a plaque. It was very emotional.”