WHEN Burley Woodhead man George Greaves died recently at the age of 82 many were surprised to hear at his funeral service of his heroism in the last world war.

They were even more surprised to learn of a rather unusual meeting he had in Holland three years ago with a man who, as a boy, had had his photograph taken with George as the British Army liberated the Dutch city of Utrecht.

His neighbour Jonny Brown had arranged for the newspaper clipping George had been sent from Holland to be translated.

He told those attending the service at SS John Fisher and Thomas More RC Church in Burley-in-Wharfedale, that Geo-rge had been involved at the forefront of fighting in Holland and Normandy.

He went on to mention how after all the intervening years when George returned to Holland for a re-union he was approached by a man who recognised him.

A man who, as a young boy, had travelled into Utrecht sat alongside George in his Army jeep.

George, who had got his first job at the age of 14 in a local mill, went on to be mentioned in despatches in World War Two.

George's part in the war only came to light when Mr Brown received the translation of the Dutch newspaper report published in 2000 following a re-union of George's 49th Reconnaissance Regiment - better known as the Polar Bears.

The report from Utrecht, told of how the old soldiers who had liberated the area back in 1945 were received by thousands of cheering and applauding Dutch folk.

Just as they had done 55 years earlier the Polar Bears entered the city via Berekuil in a convoy of army vehicles, and as then, thousands applauded them.

The translation told of how veteran Edwin Anderson was almost lost for words as he sat in an old jeep in Oorsprung Park.

"Today is something special," he said. "So many young people have come to see us".

Children waved flags and many people handed bouquets to the Polar Bears.

At the monument the Mayor of Utrecht made a speech and Major Henderson replied: "I prepared a speech but I'll say something else. This is really unforgettable.

"Such a warm welcome is very, very impressive; especially to see so many youngsters is fantastic.

"It is important that their parents and grandparents tell them stories about the war and all the awful times.

"War is a dirty game and it is important to remember that young people live in a free world thanks to the courage of many men and women."

Following the anthems there was an unofficial party in the Park for the British and Dutch and it was here that the 55 year gap was bridged for George Greaves.

Henk Pouw, a local from Utrecht, could not believe his eyes when he saw George and recognised him from an old photograph. He had the picture with him.

It showed himself and George Greaves sitting together on a jeep entering the city in 1945.

"I was only a boy of 16 at that time but I recognised the British soldier straight away," he said.

The 80 year-old George looked at the photograph for a long time before saying: "It is incredible. It's me."

The veteran had enjoyed the whole re-union week enormously and thought it very impressive.

"It is only such a shame", he said at the time, "that this is the last time that this event will be organised. I have made so many friends."

The Dutch newspaper went on to explain that within a few weeks all the wreaths and flowers at the monument would have wilted but with the flowers was a poem, written by Rupert Dorgan.

It read:

Some were not too old to cry

None of them too young to die

They knew silent fears alone

They knew death, far from home.

How can we not remember them

They were brave unflinching men