THE son of a Stourbridge war veteran who died a hero under enemy fire is returning to his father’s final resting place thanks to the Big Lottery Fund’s Heroes Return 2 scheme.

Mick Smith, aged 72, from Wollaston, is making a commemorative trip to Germany later this year accompanied by two of his father’s World War Two comrades.

The pair, Alan George and Eric Tipping, were with Horace Smith during his war service and witnessed his selfless act of courage at the Battle of Vehlingen.

Mick was only seven when his father lost his life in March 1945 while bravely trying to save a fellow soldier who lay wounded on a stretch of open ground.

For many years, his family knew nothing of the gutsy soldier’s last moments - only that he was killed while serving with the 1st Battalion of The Worcester Regiment.

Mick said: “I’d given up hope of finding out the true fate of my father, so you can imagine my shock and surprise when I read a local newspaper article about a World War Two veteran who’d finally found the grave of his old pal in Germany.

“The story had a picture of a headstone printed alongside it and sure enough, after making contact with the veteran, Alan George, I discovered it was that of my late father.

“They’d served together in the very same regiment and had lived only six miles apart - I couldn’t quite believe it.”

Mick struck up a friendship with Mr George from Kingswinford and Mr Tipping from Worcester, now in their mid 80s, who confirmed they were either side of Horace in the moments before he rushed from the drainage trench in which they were crouched to rescue a soldier who had been shot.

Tragically he was hit in the neck by a German sniper and never returned to his pals alive.

The 1st Battalion of the Worcester Regiment were involved in the D-Day Landings in June 1944 and the allied push towards Berlin which ultimately brought about the end of war in Europe.

In September of this year, the group will visit Arnhem in the Netherlands to mark the 67th anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

They will also make the pilgrimage to the Vehlingen area of Germany where they saw conflict, and the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery where Horace is buried.

Mick added: “Making contact with Alan and Eric allowed me to finally get a picture of what my father went through in war and the sacrifice he made trying to save one of his fellow fighters.

“The three of them were of a similar age, were good friends and looked out for each other when they were out there on the front.

“It will be emotional to visit my dad’s grave again and I’m delighted to be able to journey with them to do so.

“The Big Lottery Fund’s support has been marvellous and I’m ever-so grateful for the grant that will allow us to make the trip.”

To date, 392 awards have been made to 1,245 Second World War veterans, widows, spouses and carers across the West Midlands to fund trips to revisit places they or their loved ones served in and to commemorate lost comrades.

Veterans who have not yet taken advantage of the chance to bid for a Heroes Return 2 grant to make pilgrimages in memory of fallen comrades are urged to apply now so they can make their trips before the December 31 travel deadline.

For details call 0845 00 00 121 or visit website biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn