The graves of five soldiers who went missing during the Battle of Normandy in World War 2 have been identified and rededicated in ceremonies held between 29 September and 1 October 2026. A commemorative service for all five men also took place at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer on 30 September 2026.
The identified soldiers are Private George Chapman of 1st Battalion The Herefordshire Regiment, Private Vincent Coia of 7th Battalion The Seaforth Highlanders, Lance Corporal Reginald Cyril Dewey of 4th Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment, Serjeant Frederick Albert Harrison of 1st Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment, and Corporal Henry Thomas Read of 8th Battalion The Rifle Brigade.
Rededication services were held at CWGC St Charles-de-Percy War Cemetery, CWGC Bayeux War Cemetery, CWGC Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery, and CWGC Ranville War Cemetery. Members of the Chapman, Dewey, and Read families attended their relatives' services. A message from Reg Harrison, the 95-year-old younger brother of Sjt Harrison, was read at his graveside.
The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) organised the services, with support from serving soldiers. Rosie Barron, JCCC Caseworker, stated that the work to identify more graves in Normandy will continue. Reverend Paul Collins CF, Chaplain to 5th Battalion The Rifles, conducted the services.