Historian facing Spanish tax bill for First World War hero
Terry Dean travelled to in San Sebastian, the capital city of the Basque Country, to pay his respects to Sir Gilbert Mackereth, who won the Military Cross for gallantry as a member of the 17th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.
Mr Dean left a note by the soldier’s resting place detailing his admiration for Sir Gilbert, who had died in retirement in Spain, and chronicling his heroics on the Western Front.
But, on Mr Dean’s return to his home in Preston, Lancs, the local historian received a letter and an email from Spanish authorities demanding that he pay 330 euros (£281)in unpaid taxes to maintain the upkeep of the grave.
The situation arose because under Spanish law local authorities have the right to exhume bodies to make space for others if families have not paid for the upkeep.
San Sebastian council has had no contact with Sir Gilbert’s family since his wife died in 1979 as the couple had no children.
Mr Dean became the council’s only port of call after he left his postal and email addresses on the graveside note....
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
Mr Dean left a note by the soldier’s resting place detailing his admiration for Sir Gilbert, who had died in retirement in Spain, and chronicling his heroics on the Western Front.
But, on Mr Dean’s return to his home in Preston, Lancs, the local historian received a letter and an email from Spanish authorities demanding that he pay 330 euros (£281)in unpaid taxes to maintain the upkeep of the grave.
The situation arose because under Spanish law local authorities have the right to exhume bodies to make space for others if families have not paid for the upkeep.
San Sebastian council has had no contact with Sir Gilbert’s family since his wife died in 1979 as the couple had no children.
Mr Dean became the council’s only port of call after he left his postal and email addresses on the graveside note....