FARNHAM man was among veterans involved in the emotional ceremonies in Arnhem to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the dramatic second world war battle.

Ralph Sunley, 86, of Broomleaf Road, and his wife, Doreen, flew to Holland with the Lest We Forget Foundation to revisit the battlefields where he fought as a paratooper 60 years ago.

Mr Sunley spent four "smashing" days attending functions and visiting the now-reconstructed bridge that was the focus of one of the most daring assaults of World War II.

The operation was a failure. British soldiers were quickly confronted by two panzer divisions and Ralph, a member of 10 Battalion, who fought in North Africa, Italy and Palestine, and was decorated with seven medals, spent nine months in a Polish prison camp.

"It was awful. We were sent there in cattle trucks. When we left, I had to walk 400 miles only weighing six stone. I was one of the lucky ones, though," he reflected.

The visit was his 10th to Arnhem. He laid a wreath in front of 80,000 spectators at the memorial to his battalion and remembered old friends with great sadness.

He took place in a silent march and visited the graves of lost comrades. More than 7,000 men were reported missing, wounded or dead after the battle in 1944.

He appreciated the opportunity to meet up with old and new paratroopers, though there are only a few remaining veterans. The men's bravery was also celebrated by a magnificent parachute drop at Ginkel Heide.

There were further smiles for Ralph as he and Doreen were invited to stay with the Reijs, a "wonderful" Dutch family. Everyone involved was exceptionally welcoming and the Sunleys were delighted to see that children were given the honour of tending to the graves.

They are taught in school of the importance of the battle and are individually chosen to weed and put flowers on one particular grave.

"The children are wonderful and very proud of their responsibility", said Mrs Sunley, "they idolise the troops".

The children also attended the memorial service and made the experience all the more special.

Operation Market Garden was made famous by the 1997 Richard Attenborough film, A Bridge Too Far.

The film was shown at the one of the functions, and the Sunleys feel it is fantastic "if a little far-fetched".

After all, Mr Sunley had his own record of the events for reference. An old friend had left him a set of fascinating and unique tapes that document the battle. They feature live footage, BBC interviews with the soldiers, including Mr Sunley himself, as well as a report from Field Marshall Montgomery.

During his visit Mr Sunley was glad to be able to donate them to the Hartenstein Airborne Museum.

The curator was "more than delighted" to have the opportunity to play the tapes to visitors, and the presentation was televised on Dutch News.

There were mixed emotions for Ralph as he both remembered the horrors of the battle and appreciated his good fortune at being present at such a special and memorable occasion.

Doreen said: "I can't find a word to describe the whole experience because it was so magnificent."

The couple are planning to return to Arnhem soon with their daughter.