War veteran, Bill Pendell, has been laid to rest in Stanford in the Vale in the United Kingdom.
Pendell is one of the soldiers who liberated Eindhoven during the Second World War. About 300 people attended his funeral, held yesterday (Thursday). “In the packed church with the sun streaming through the windows, we all felt as though Bill was right there with us”, says Frank van Dijk of the 18 September Foundation.
‘As Bill’s friends’
The foundation sent a delegation to the UK to provide Bill with a final service. “We did not go as members of the foundation, but as Bill’s friends”, explains Frank. This war veteran attended the torch relay at the Stadhuisplein every year. This came to an end at the age of 97. “If it was up to me, he should have reached 150. However, one has to be realistic. It is all good.”
Bill passed away on 1 December. A couple of weeks before, he received birthday and thank you cards from more than 700 well-wishers in Eindhoven. This touched the war veteran. “I could have this happen every day. It makes me happy”, he stammered when he received all these hundreds of cards.
Source: Studio040
Translator: Melinda Walraven
