Grave of unknown Scots soldier killed in WWII identified after 83 years

An unknown Scottish soldier who was killed in Sicily during the Second World War has been identified thanks to research carried out by his great-grand-nephew.

Corporal Gilbert Nay Hamilton, from Lanarkshire, died near Gerbini on July 21, 1943 while serving with the 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

The 22-year-old received a hasty burial and, though a cross was erected showing his rank and regiment, all details of his identity were subsequently lost.

In March 1944, the remains of an unidentified Corporal of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were exhumed from a field grave near Gerbini and moved to the Catania War Cemetery.

Corporal Gilbert Nay Hamilton, from Lanarkshire, died near Gerbini on July 21 1943 while serving with the 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Crown Copyright/PA

A named identification proved impossible and so the man was buried as an unknown corporal.

83 years on, he was identified thanks to research by one of his descendants and, on Tuesday, his grave was rededicated in his name, with a newly inscribed headstone making a permanent and personal memorial to his sacrifice.

The rededication was organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) – also known as the “war detectives” – who also confirmed the accuracy of the researcher’s findings.

JCCC caseworker Alexia Clark said: “This case was unusual in that the researcher who originally produced evidence suggesting where Cpl Hamilton was buried is actually his great-grand-nephew.

“A lot of time and effort has gone into discovering Gilbert’s story, which has ultimately led us to recognise his final resting place.

“Today, we have finally been able to restore Gilbert’s name to him and his military family have been here to honour his sacrifice.

“It has been a privilege for me to have contributed to this case and to have organised the service of rededication today.”

Corporal Gilbert Hamilton’s grave was rededicated in a ceremony on Tuesday. Crown Copyright/PA

Born on February 18 1921, Corporal Hamilton was 20 when he joined the army on January 15 1942, signing for service with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders under service number 2993180.

His service record reveals he was a little over 5ft 10in tall, with hazel eyes and dark brown hair.

After completing his training, he was sent to join the war in the Middle East in June 1942.

He soon made the rank of corporal, transferred to the North Africa campaign, and later took part in the invasion of Sicily, where he was killed in action during the Battle for Gerbini in July 1943.

Tuesday’s service was supported by serving soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the headstone was replaced by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Dr Daniel Seaton, commemorations case officer at the CWGC, said: “I am very thankful to Corporal Hamilton’s relative, who proposed the case for his identification to the Commission for further research.

“It is very gratifying to see the case now having reached a successful conclusion, meaning that we are able to mark Gilbert’s final resting place with a CWGC headstone bearing his name and details.”