We would like to bring to your attention a very noteworthy and emotional event in the remembrance of aircrews who died during WWII.
A Dutch lady has been tending a lone RAF war grave in Beesel, a small village in eastern Holland.
About 45 years ago, while tending her Fathers grave, her Mother asked her to promise to look after it when she wasn't around to do it.
When the young woman had promised, her Mother turned, pointed at the overgrown and neglected grave of Flt Sgt H. Hiscox and said to her "and do that one at the same time because he has no-one here to do it for him"!
That lady, Mrs Tiny Claessen, has been doing that every Saturday since she made her promise about 45 years or so ago.
We know that that is the responsibility of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission however we think that she should be allowed to continue what she has done so beautifully for so long, at least as long as she is capable and willing.
It would be cruel to take that away from her now. In her own words "Henry has become like a Brother to me".

Every year on the 4th of May, the Dutch remember the dead.
In Beesel the children in their last form in school have a project around Flt Sgt Hiscox where they piece together his story and why it happened, in itself a noteworthy event.
This culminates in a visit to the grave, the children being led by the local Mayor, where a verse is read out, flowers laid and a bugler blows the last post.
Then coffee and cakes are had in a local pub. In that pub in 2006, Mrs Claessen was presented with a plaque of thanks from the people of Beesel (see link with video clip below).
The first time anyone had thanked her !
Mrs Claessen was privately thanked by Flt Sgt Hiscox's Daughter (Thelma Lewis-Hiscox who passed away a month ago) at the remembrance event in 2006.
A very emotional moment, especially as Mrs Lewis had only just found out where her Father was buried and was making her first visit to it.
That is another story in itself.

Hoping to have your co-operation in our quest .................

Yours Sincerely

Mr Barrie R. Davies, Army Air Corps Ret. 1950 - 68. Mail to:  Barrie

Mr Charles M. Walbran, RAF Ret. 1974 - 86. MoD Oracle moderator-Mail to:  Charles

Mr. Wenting. Webmaster of the (Operation) Market Garden website-Mail to:   Ron