Brother's plea to bring executed former East Huntspill landlord's body home (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Brother's plea to bring executed former East Huntspill landlord's body home

4:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Matthew Colledge

THE brother of a former publican murdered in Iraq has said he is hoping to bring his body home to bury near Burnham.

Ken Bigley, 62, who ran The Crown Inn in East Huntspill for three years in the 1980s, was executed in October 2004, three weeks after being taken hostage by militants in Baghdad.

He was a civil engineer on a reconstruction project when he was kidnapped with two American colleagues.

Friends and family had made frantic pleas for his release, but were left heartbroken when video footage of his brutal execution emerged online.

Mr Bigley’s brother, Paul, has now contacted The Crown Inn in the hope of tracing some of his brother’s friends.

In a letter which has been posted on the pub’s Facebook page, Mr Bigley wrote: “I have been trying to trace Ken’s remains in Iraq. I am pretty close to solving the task, however I still need certain information which at least two people have – Mel Watts and her daughter Michelle Watts (now married surname not known).

“Mel was then married to Noddy Watts, whom I am led to believe is no longer with us.

“They were all good locals of your pub back in the 80s.

“Can you or any of your good customers please try to help me as it is my goal to have Ken repatriated and given a Christian burial while my 94-year-old dear mum is still with us.

“Ken will be laid to rest with his son, Paul, in the beautiful little church just down the road from your pub.

“Ken was in a car accident with Mic-helle and injured one of his legs. I cannot recall which leg – Michelle knows.

“Ken had an operation in hospital – which hospital? – and had titanium supports fitted to the damaged leg.

“I need to obtain the x-ray photo taken at the hospital – this will enable me to possibly identify dear Ken.”

After Mr Bigley's capture in Iraq in 2004, friends in East Huntspill told the Weekly News he had been a “happy go lucky chap who was liked by everyone” during his time in Somerset.

The Weekly News was unable to contact anybody from The Crown Inn at the time of going to press.

If you are able to help Paul Bigley you can contact him via The Crown Inn, East Huntspill, Facebook page.