THE families of two North-East soldiers killed during the ill-fated military operation immortalised by the film A Bridge Too Far are being sought after their final resting places were confirmed.

Private Harry Vasey and Lance Corporal Raymond Halliday, who enlisted in the Border Regiment, died during the last few days of Operation Market Garden in Oosterbeck, in the Netherlands.

Pt Vasey was born in May 1916 to Harry Vasey and Annie Young and was living in Bowburn, County Durham, when he enlisted, while L Cpl Halliday of Stockton was born in 1918 to Henry and Nancy Halliday.

He married Lily Hunter in 1934 and they are believed to have had a son, also also called Raymond.

The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) is appealing for their respective families to get in touch after their grave sites were finally identified over 70 years after they were killed in action.

They were both part of the 1st (Airborne) Battalion, The Border Regiment and fought in one of the most controversial Allied operations of the Second World War.

Operation Market Garden was conceived by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery as an attempt to end the war early.

The operation began on September 17, 1944, lasted for seven days and involved more than 30,000 men.

The aim was to take the eight key bridges that span the network of canals and rivers on the Dutch/German border.

Once the Airborne troops had landed, they began to advance towards Arnhem but only one British Battalion managed to find its way through the German perimeter.

A corps meant to be supporting the paratroopers were delayed on their journey and facing fierce resistance from the German Panzers.

By this point the paratroopers had barely any supplies left and had lost huge amounts of men and were forced to abandon their positions to try to fight their way out.

Three miles from Arnhem, British paratroopers were holding a pocket of land at Oosterbeek. It was decided to evacuate the Allied troops and the operation failed.

Since the Second World War, the Recovery and Identification Service of the Royal Netherlands Army has been working to identify the graves of unknown soldiers killed in the battle at Arnhem.

The exhumation reports from 1946 were scrutinised for clues to the identities of these unknown soldiers and the research was presented to the MOD. Six Border Regiment soldiers have now been identified.

Plans are in place to change the headstones and perform a rededication service to honour their sacrifice and bravery.

The MOD is now launching an appeal to track down any surviving relatives so that they can be invited to attend the service, which will take place at Oosterbeek Cemetery on September 14.

Anyone who can help should contact Nicola Nash on 01452 712612 extension 6063 or email her on: DBS-JCCCCommem3SO3@mod.uk.