Gefreiter Wilhelm Thoene served in the Wehrmacht, the German infantry during World War Two. The rank of Gefrieter was comparable to a Lance Corporal in the British ranks.
Thoene was born on 22nd June 1903 and during the Second World War, he served in the 101st Jaeger/Leichte Infanterie. During the course of the conflict, he became a prisoner of war taken to Northern Ireland and given the number B24399. In 1942, he had received the German Gold Cross for bravery.
Wilhelm Thoene died on 7th March 1945 aged 42 years old. His place of death was Campbell College, Military Hospital, Belfast, Co. Down. His grave is in Plot 4, Row 3, Grave 29 of Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery, Penkridge Bank, Staffordshire, England.
The German infantryman was first buried on 10th March 1945 in Glenalina Section AS, Grave 158, Belfast City Cemetery, Co. Antrim. On 26th February 1948, reinterment to Glenalina Section ES, Grave 206 occurred. Final repatriation took place on 17th July 1962.