Three soldiers killed in Normandy rededicated after 80 years

The Rev Georgina Anson CF conducts the rededication service for Trooper Kelly. (Crown copyright)

Rededication services took place on 26 June 2025 at CWGC Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery in Normandy for Trooper Francis Dominic Kelly, Trooper Victor Terrence Little and Private John Aneurin Protheroe, all died in August 1944.

Family members including Trooper Little's nephew, David Little, and Private Protheroe's grandson, Robert Gore, attended the moving ceremonies to pay their respects.

David Little, the nephew of Tpr Little said:
"We were so wonderfully surprised when JCCC contacted us regarding our Uncle Vic as there has always been a sadness that Victor’s remains had never been found. We’ll always be grateful for the work of the JCCC War Detectives in enabling us to attend the rededication service of dear Victor on behalf of his parents and siblings."

Robert Gore, the grandson of Pte Protheroe said:
"My Grandfather was posted missing believed killed in 1944 when my mother was 13 and my aunt 3 years old. My mother has kept his memory very much alive with her stories to me and my four siblings. When I was about 10 I read a novel where a soldier goes missing but eventually comes home alive. As a 10 year old that was always my fantastic hope that my grandfather would reappear. The identification of his grave at Banneville is the culmination of that dream even though he never came back alive and my mother is now also dead. I, my siblings and cousins are all grateful for the efforts of the MoD in this regard and we offer our heartfelt thanks."

The identifications came after a researcher submitted cases to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission suggesting possible locations for their graves. Following further investigation by CWGC, the National Army Museum and the JCCC, the identities of the three soldiers were confirmed.

The services were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) with representatives from The Royal Corps of Signals, The Royal Regiment of Artillery and The Royal Welsh in attendance. 

David Little, the nephew of Trooper Little stands at the graveside of his uncle with his wife, daughter and the military party. (Crown copyright)

Rosie Barron, JCCC Caseworker, said:
"It has been a pleasure to work with the military party to organise these services and to have had the families of Trooper Little and Private Protheroe present. It is important that the memory of these men is honoured and a strong reminder that the fighting in Normandy did not end on D-Day, but that the Battle of Normandy lasted until the end of August 1944 and was hard won by the Allies." 

Reverend Georgina Anson CF, Chaplain to 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, conducted the services.

Reverend Georgina Anson said:
“No death is unworthy of notice, and every life given by our people when serving is due utmost respect when they lie in their final resting place. It is a beautiful part of my calling to serve our personnel, living and departed, and their families, in officiating these important rituals that hold us in our shared mortality. I am awe-inspired by the histories of these men that have finally been identified and deeply moved at the opportunity to be a small part of the story.” 

All three men had previously been commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial for those with no known grave. The CWGC has now replaced their headstones with named markers and will care for them in perpetuity.

Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said: 
"It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of these men. It is a privilege to play a part in establishing where these casualties of the battles in Normandy are buried. This now allows the Commission to care for their named graves, in perpetuity."

Tpr Francis Dominic Kelly (courtesy of the Kelly family), Pte John Aneurin Protheroe (courtesy of the Protheroe family).

Trooper Francis Dominic Kelly

Dominic was born in South Shields, County Durham. He enlisted into the Army on 5 February 1942 and joined The Royal Armoured Corps, later joining 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. He was killed on 15 August 1944 during an advance towards Escures-sur-Favieres. He was 20 years old.

Trooper Victor Terrence Little

Victor from Southwark, London, enlisted on 16 July 1942. After training, he joined The Northamptonshire Yeomanry and embarked for Normandy on 13 June 1944. He was killed near Secqueville-la-Campagne on 8 August 1944 during Operation Totalise. He was 20 years old.

Private John Aneurin Protheroe

John, a Welsh speaker from Rhymney, Monmouthshire, enlisted on 20 May 1943. He joined 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment and arrived in Normandy on 25 June 1944. He was killed on 15 August 1944 during an advance near Martainville. Aged 39, he left behind a widow and two daughters.