WW2 soldier's dog tag home 80 years after crash

Donald Madar (right) reunited the dog tags with Joseph Gray's great niece Bridgette Daily

The dog tag of a World War Two soldier who was one of 31 United States service personnel killed in a plane crash on a Manx hillside has been reunited with his family 80 years on.

Joseph L Gray was travelling from Essex to Northern Ireland on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber when it crashed on North Barrule on 23 April 1945.

The tag had been in the care of the Manx Aviation and Military Museum since being found 15 years ago, until a relative of another victim of the tragedy visited the island and revealed he was in touch with the other family.

Donald Madar, the great nephew Pt Andy Piter, was then able to return the item to to Joseph Gray's great niece.

Just weeks before the end of World War Two, the servicemen were to have a short break from the base at Ridgewell in Essex where they repaired bombers.

They were due to visit Belfast for a few days of rest but never reached their destination.

The dog tag was spotted on the hillside by a passer-by about 15 years ago

Mr Madar visited the crash site on the 80th anniversary of the tragedy last month, at which point Manx Aviation and Military Museum historian Ivor Ramsden gave him the dog tag.

He had been in touch with Joseph Gray's family in Pennsylvania via a Facebook group he manages about the event.

Ivor Ramsden (left) passed the dog tag to Don Madar at the crash site

Mr Madar said meeting the technical sergeant's great niece, Bridgette Daily, was "incredibly emotional" and a "special moment".

He said Ms Daily shared many photos of her great uncle with him, and he thought that "the moment was right to pass her the dog tag".

he said she was "almost trembling" when he handed the item over before "tears came to her eyes" as she held it in her hand.

Joseph Gray was a technical sergeant bound for a few days leave in Belfast

Mr Madar, who is a family history enthusiast, said he was proud to have been able to reunite the family with the special item.

"I got to know Joseph Gray through them," he said.

Mr Madar has been learning about the crash and the many families affected by it for more than 20 years.

He said he was grateful for Mr Ramsden and the Manx Aviation and Military Museum who had enabled the transfer to take place.