Paying respect

Looking at your photograph of the burial 68 years after his death of Private Lewis Curtis in the Military Cemetery at Oosterbeek in the Netherlands (5 October), I was struck by the large number of civil and military dignitaries and local residents in attendance.

This is because the cemetery is the last resting place of some 1,800 soldiers who fought in 
the battle of Arnhem (16-27 September 1944), which was the last 
episode of Operation Market Garden.

In spite of this being the biggest British military defeat in Europe in the Second World War, there is a unique and lasting bond between the people of Arnhem and the Allied troops who attempted to liberate them.

Troops from the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade, which had been formed at Leven in Fife, were among the 10,000 airborne troops dropped to capture the river bridge at Arnhem, but failed, and only 2,300 men were evacuated. Civilians were then forcibly evacuated from the area, all houses looted and all doors and windows removed.

In spite of the death and destruction resulting from the battle, the emotion of the Dutch people has always been one of gratitude and celebration, as well as remembrance of sacrifice as they say: “You came and gave us hope.” This is why the returning veterans of this disaster, British and Polish, are so warmly received and the body of Pte Lewis, 68 years late, is given the full turnout of military honours.

John Carder

East Forth Street

Cellardyke, Anstruther