British war hero’s remains found at Salerno

HISTORIANS in Italy believe they have found the remains of a British officer who was hailed a hero during the Second World War after holding off German troops single-handed, armed only with a pistol and hand grenades.

They have unearthed a skeleton close to a strategic point that was the focus of a fierce battle in September 1943 in the days following the Allied landings at Salerno, south of Naples. About 30 yards from the human remains they found a silver bracelet inscribed “R. Donald Brown”, bearing an army number, 121662.

The historians believe the bracelet – and probably the skeleton – belong to Capt Robert Donald Brown, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his role in the battle. Capt Brown, 28, who was born in Galashiels, 27 miles south of Edinburgh, was serving with The Leicestershire Regiment, when he led an attack against a German-held position known as White Cross Hill.

“He was last seen holding out by himself and being attacked on all sides,” an official regimental history recounts.

Luigi Fortunato, president of the historical group, said: “We hope that DNA tests will be able to identify the remains. We would be very happy to return the bracelet to the family in the UK.”