NEWPORT woman Thelma Lewis always wanted to visit the grave of her war casualty father who was buried in the Netherlands after being shot down in 1944.
And her wish is finally set to come true later this year when she makes the trip to the last resting place of Henry Hiscox.
Last year, the Argus brought you the touching story of how the villagers of Beesel still honoured Flight Sergeant Hiscox who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving as a tail gunner in a Lancaster bomber.
Retired British pilot Barrie Davies, who lives in the area, appealed to readers to help him trace the airman's family, who was buried in the only Commonwealth War Grave in the cemetery.
We were put in contact with his daughter, Thelma Lewis, who lived in Maesglas and she told of her emotion when she read that the Dutch people had never forgotten her much-loved father.
"I didn't know exactly where he was buried and it was such a shock but I was thrilled. I was so proud," the 73-year-old widow told us at the time. "It was my one wish all my life to go to my father's grave."
Now Mrs Lewis, her son Paul and daughter-in-law Sandra are due to attend this spring's annual memorial on Dutch Liberation Day in a visit hosted by the Burgemeester (the mayor) and the Foundation for Beesel and its Future.
A standard bearer will be provided by the Royal British Legion and two of Mr Davies's Scottish friends will play the pipes. Children from the local school will also attend.
"I am looking forward to it," said Mrs Lewis, whose only brother Ted died in 2004. "I thought I would never see it, it was my one dream."
Mr Davies explained he became interested after spotting a plaque at the cemetery gates in Beesel with the words Commonwealth War Grave.
Mr Hiscox's family are also likely to meet the 75-year-old woman who has voluntarily tended the grave for 40 years and was given a plaque of thanks by Mr Davies during last year's memorial service.
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