Researchers identify grave of missing WW2 officer

A World War Two grave in northern France has been rededicated after researchers discovered the identity of the soldier buried there.

The grave at Warhem Communal Cemetery was recorded as belonging to an unknown second lieutenant until Friday, when it was marked for 2nd Lt Ronald Douglas Elmer Speed.

Researchers found the Army officer, from Goodnestone in Kent, was the only officer of his rank and regiment still missing from action at the site, near Dunkirk.

Speed's nephew, Hugh Sturges, said: "It was such a nice surprise to find out about Ronnie's final resting place, whose portrait has been sitting above the dining room table for years."

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Speed was part of the Coldstream Guards regiment, which was deployed to France in WW2 as part of the British Expeditionary Force.

In fighting near Warhem on 1 June, 1940, Speed was seen by his men lying fatally wounded after a shell exploded near where he had been standing.

Members of his company were reportedly unable to get to him and he was subsequently listed as missing.

Speed had grown up on his family's estate before he attended St Aubyn's Preparatory School in Rottingdean, East Sussex, then Eton College.

Nicola Nash, a case worker at the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, said she was grateful to the researcher who originally submitted evidence suggesting the location of the grave.

She added: "It was wonderful to see the descendants of 2nd Lt Speed attend the service in the place of his parents and siblings, who were devastated when Ronald was lost.

"We will remember them."

The service on Friday was supported by serving soldiers from the Coldstream Guards.

Sturges said he was "so grateful for the lovely service and all the effort put in by everyone".

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission director of the commemorations, Richard Hills, said the organisation would care for the new headstone "in perpetuity".

He added: "His newly engraved named headstone ensures he is appropriately commemorated, now and for generations to come."

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