Son of John and Constance Rees of Cardiff, husband of Doreen May Rees of Cardiff.

Edward Herbert Rees served in the 246 Field Coy, as a serjeant and commanded two platoons. In June 1944, “rookie” Sgt Rees was a member of one of the three small, well-trained teams tasked with quickly and smoothly clearing a path in Normandy so that the tanks and infantry, could leave the beach as quickly as possible. They made an important contribution to the successful invasion of Normandy. 

What happened to the already slightly more experienced Sgt Rees on 14 October 1944?

Bryan Guy, platoon member explains several decades later, “It happened at the time we were first introduced to a new type of German anti-tank mine, which we called ‘Riegel’ mine.” An oblong, sand-coloured box with enormous power. In this corner of Overloon, hundreds of these mines had been dug up and were piled everywhere in the trenches and even on the ground. 

As we stood there, enemy artillery descended upon us. It was very dangerous as the place was littered with these mines. An officer ordered us to wait for a reliable mine expert, who would try to dismantle this mine. We did not know if the mines were manipulated, or how to dismantle them.

After talking about it for a while, the officer and I left on my motorbike. A few seconds after we left, we heard a huge explosion behind us. Immediately we turned the motorbike and rode back to the group where we found that all the mines had exploded, including everyone standing around. 

We don’t know whether Sgt Rees and Sgt Watts had decided to go and investigate the mines themselves, or whether, which is more likely, a mortar impact detonated the pile of mines. 
Guy: “When we arrived, they were all found to have been killed instantly by the huge blast,” he says.

“Death often comes quickly and unexpectedly,” he says.
“Our friends, who we had stood talking to just minutes before, were no longer there.” 

Edward Herbert Rees was temporarily buried with family Steeghs on Hazenbroekscheweg in Vierlingsbeek. He was reburied in Overloon War Cemetery in May 1947. 

It is very likely that, according to the war diary of the 14th and because of which was described decades later by veteran and platoon member Bryan Guy, apart from Thomas Watts and Herbert Rees, also Lt Jack Barnard died. 

They are buried next to each other at Overloon War Cemetery. 

Poem by Bryan Guy

Dedicated to all those young men that never came home. From the Fields of Normandy I bring back many memories. I leave many friends, which include Jack Barnard, Edward Rees and Thomas Watts

Les Fleurs de Normandie.

On Norman soil, they fought and died.
Now young men’s graves in rows abound.
In Mother Earth’s arms, now sanctified,
The fragrant flowers of our youth are found.
And yet, to rise again, as in a distant song.
Small voices that call, in dead of night.
Fleeting figures only in our dreams belong.
Alas, they fade, in dawn’s bright light.
I see them yet, a sad, forgotten throng.
Shadowed, lost faces, marching on.
Over dusty roads, and high golden corn.
The call of long lost friends are borne.
We must not forget, the flowers of our days,
Lest they lay unquiet, in numbered graves.
For we lived, and loved, and life was sweet.
Still yet, for us, awaits our last retreat.

Flowers of our youth, now long since past.
Our sweet autumn days are fading fast.
We, who are left, flowered in our prime.
Enjoyed golden moments, on borrowed time.
Remember our friends, who passed this way.
For all our tomorrow’s, they gave their today’s,
On Utah and Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold.
Oh! Dear Lord! See that they grow not old.
Brian Guy.
June 1944/2010 

Noy family from Overloon, Alun and Judith Lewis (relatives), Bryan Guy (WWII veteran, died 2019) and Leo Janssen.

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/for-all-my-lost-friends.25274/

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/BrianGuy.htm