WWII soldier buried 62 years on

Private Venn will be buried at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery

A British World War II soldier has been laid to rest with full military honours more than 60 years after he was reported missing in action.

Private Thomas Venn, of Lovedean, near Portsmouth, died when his battalion came under attack from enemy fire at Nijmegen in the Netherlands in 1944.

It was not until 2001 that the 19-year-old's remains were discovered at a house in De Laar, south of Arnhem.

The ceremony was held at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on Wednesday.

Private Venn had enlisted with the Fifth Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, just nine months before he died, in February 1944.

He was reported missing in action after the battle on 2 October, 1944.

When his remains were found, regimental dental records had to be used to identify him and his family were informed.

It's good for them to know what happened to their brother and to finally lay him to rest British Army spokeswoman

Three of his brothers, Ron, Jim and Roy Venn, and their families attended the service, in which private Venn received full military honours as he was re-interred alongside his fallen comrades.

The Guard of Honour and buglers was provided by the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and music by the Band of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

A British Army spokeswoman said: "It's very important for the family because it does give them closure.

"It's good for them to know what happened to their brother and to finally lay him to rest."