World War II

Grandson of WW2 hero speaks of 'pride' as Durham attraction honours 'Wakenshaw gun'

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Grandson of WW2 hero speaks of 'pride' as Durham attraction honours 'Wakenshaw gun'

Left: Dennis Smith, 97, from Eston and right: Dennis during his active army days

Left: Dennis Smith, 97, from Eston and right: Dennis during his active army days

Second World War

Blind World War Two veteran, 97, to march at the Cenotaph for Remembrance

Eric Maville served and protected his country throughout his life.

Eric Maville served and protected his country throughout his life.

Northumbria Police

Police force pays tribute to one of their oldest officers following his death at 102

A man has fulfilled his grandmother's dying wish after travelling abroad and reuniting her in spirit with her veteran son who fell in World War Two Credit: MICHAEL FLOUNDERS

A man has fulfilled his grandmother's dying wish after travelling abroad and reuniting her in spirit with her veteran son who fell in World War Two Credit: MICHAEL FLOUNDERS

Royal British Legion

North East woman's dying wish fulfilled after grandson honours uncle

Morgan took the medal and life savings of the World War II veteran (SWNS.com)

Morgan took the medal and life savings of the World War II veteran (SWNS.com)

Second World War

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Man jailed for stealing Battle of Britain medal from 102-year-old Dunkirk veteran

Queen Elizabeth II pictured during a previous National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London.

Queen Elizabeth II pictured during a previous National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London.

First World War

The Queen will be attending Remembrance Sunday - but miss General Synod visit

Armistice centenary

List of services for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in the North East

Transcriber and editor Effie Cadwallader with copies of her father's memoirs

Transcriber and editor Effie Cadwallader with copies of her father's memoirs

Second World War

Wartime memoirs of ex-North-East teacher now published

Philip Moore, right, of Boldon Camp Heritage Group with Stephen Carr and his Second World War jeep near the site in East Boldon

Philip Moore, right, of Boldon Camp Heritage Group with Stephen Carr and his Second World War jeep near the site in East Boldon

Second World War

Campaigners continue mission to turn former Second World War site into a military museum

the Croft airfield bunker

the Croft airfield bunker

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The dark concrete chambers of a Second World War bunker on the outskirts of Darlington

An Edwardian postcard of Durham cathedral

An Edwardian postcard of Durham cathedral

Second World War

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The strange tale of how Durham Cathedral was saved from the Luftwaffe by the mist – and St Cuthbert

Overhauling the engine of a Lockheed Hudson plane at RAF Thornaby in September 1941

Overhauling the engine of a Lockheed Hudson plane at RAF Thornaby in September 1941

Richmond and the Dales

The V for Victory painted on VE Day that can still be seen in a North Yorkshire village today

Fred Willans Dunkirk veteran from Darlington is celebrating his 100th birthday Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Fred Willans Dunkirk veteran from Darlington is celebrating his 100th birthday Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

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Delve into the diary of Darlington's Fred Willans: the great survivor

Captain John Oldfield

Captain John Oldfield

Richmond and the Dales

Museum staff work on letters from soldiers

Geoff Hill with part of the propeller from Pilot Officer William McMullen’s Lancaster which crashed on the edge of Darlington 75 years ago this eveningPicture: CHRIS BOOTH

Geoff Hill with part of the propeller from Pilot Officer William McMullen’s Lancaster which crashed on the edge of Darlington 75 years ago this eveningPicture: CHRIS BOOTH

Second World War

Second World War propeller returns to site of sacrifice

A collect picture of the crew of the Lancaster bomber. Pilot Officer William McMullen crash landed in a field near Darlington after it caught fire during a training flight, saving the lives of his six crew members and countless residents living below.

A collect picture of the crew of the Lancaster bomber. Pilot Officer William McMullen crash landed in a field near Darlington after it caught fire during a training flight, saving the lives of his six crew members and countless residents living below.

Monday marks 75 years since Second World War hero sacrificed his own life to save lives in Darlington

Second World War

How did Parliamentary rubble destroyed in Nazi air raid land in the North-East?

The crew of Lancaster KB726, code named VR-A, from left to right: Flying Officer Pat Brophy (rear gunner), Pilot Officer Jim Kelly (wireless operator), Flight Sergeant Roy Vigars (flight engineer), Flying Officer Art de Breyne (pilot), Pilot Officer

The crew of Lancaster KB726, code named VR-A, from left to right: Flying Officer Pat Brophy (rear gunner), Pilot Officer Jim Kelly (wireless operator), Flight Sergeant Roy Vigars (flight engineer), Flying Officer Art de Breyne (pilot), Pilot Officer

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Andrew Mynarski - the airman who covered in flames fought to save his friend's life aboard their stricken bomber

CHARLES EAGLES.

CHARLES EAGLES.

A Durhams' D-Day Diary: There were snipers everywhere picking us off and booby traps at every corner

RESTING PLACE: The five Commonwealth airmen who died when their bomber crashed near Crook in 1942 are buried in Darlington’s West Cemetery

RESTING PLACE: The five Commonwealth airmen who died when their bomber crashed near Crook in 1942 are buried in Darlington’s West Cemetery

Buried in a Darlington cemetery, the bodies of five airmen pulled from a fiery wreckage in 1942

COASTAL COLLIERY: A dramatic picture of Easington Colliery in 1994 before the dominant pithead was demolished

COASTAL COLLIERY: A dramatic picture of Easington Colliery in 1994 before the dominant pithead was demolished

Second World War

The day the Luftwaffe targeted Easington Colliery

SINISTER FLAT-FOOTED MONSTER: A Mark 1 tank prepares to advance on Flers on September 15, 1916

SINISTER FLAT-FOOTED MONSTER: A Mark 1 tank prepares to advance on Flers on September 15, 1916

Second World War

March of steel monsters at the Somme

HELL & BACK: Eddie Straight, a Teesside war hero, now 94, whose military service took him from Saltburn into the blitz, Buckingham Palace, Belsen and the Burmese jungle Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

HELL & BACK: Eddie Straight, a Teesside war hero, now 94, whose military service took him from Saltburn into the blitz, Buckingham Palace, Belsen and the Burmese jungle Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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Eyes that have seen the horrors of Belsen and changed a man forever

IN MEMORY: The plaque at St Herbert’s Church, Yarm Road, Darlington, carrying the names of 15 men from Darlington who died in the First World War

IN MEMORY: The plaque at St Herbert’s Church, Yarm Road, Darlington, carrying the names of 15 men from Darlington who died in the First World War

Second World War

Plaque in Darlington church recalls town's victims

WAR MEDAL:Copy of photograph of George Anderson of Spennymoor who has been posthumously awarded the Arctic Star. Picture: ANDY LAMB

WAR MEDAL:Copy of photograph of George Anderson of Spennymoor who has been posthumously awarded the Arctic Star. Picture: ANDY LAMB

Second World War

Medal for seaman killed so close to safe return after war

RESTING PLACE: Flying Officer Pigg's gravestone

RESTING PLACE: Flying Officer Pigg's gravestone

Second World War

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War hero pilot's Durham grave hidden and unloved

SHARING MEMORIES: Survivors Syd Wears, 80, and Joyce Nichol, 83, talk about the day Beamish was bombed by the Germans at a memorial service over the weekend

SHARING MEMORIES: Survivors Syd Wears, 80, and Joyce Nichol, 83, talk about the day Beamish was bombed by the Germans at a memorial service over the weekend

Second World War

Survivors mark 70th anniversary of Nazi bombing raid that devastated mining community

EXERCISE TIME: Prisoners play hockey at a German prison camp. Tom Crandell is thought to be the player on the extreme left

EXERCISE TIME: Prisoners play hockey at a German prison camp. Tom Crandell is thought to be the player on the extreme left

Second World War

The Luft gangster and the wedding ring puzzle

REMEMBER THE PILOT: John Dodds and Howard Wilson will commemorate the anniverasry of RAF Pilot Officer William McMullen, who crash landed near Lingfield Way, Darlington

REMEMBER THE PILOT: John Dodds and Howard Wilson will commemorate the anniverasry of RAF Pilot Officer William McMullen, who crash landed near Lingfield Way, Darlington

Second World War

Invitation to join memorial service for heroic Second World War pilot

EVACUEES: Joy and husband Len (better known as Johnnie)

EVACUEES: Joy and husband Len (better known as Johnnie)

Second World War

My letter from Mrs Churchill

CLOSE LOOK: Richard Softley, left, and Keith Straughier view the statue

CLOSE LOOK: Richard Softley, left, and Keith Straughier view the statue

Second World War

First glimpse of DLI memorial statue

CAREFUL SEARCH: Bomb disposal experts at work on the Castle Howard estate.

CAREFUL SEARCH: Bomb disposal experts at work on the Castle Howard estate.

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Hundreds of mortars are found buried in woodland

LEST WE FORGET: The remaining veterans take part in a silent tribute during the ceremony.

LEST WE FORGET: The remaining veterans take part in a silent tribute during the ceremony.

Second World War

Survivors pay tribute to sacrifice of airmen

DARLINGTON HERO: Pilot Officer William McMullen

DARLINGTON HERO: Pilot Officer William McMullen

A time and a place

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Second World War

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Amazing response to DLI appeal

TRENCH TACTICS: A DLI soldier and a Korean attached to the regiment, in Korea, 1953. Pictures courtesy of the Trustees of the former DLI and Durham County Record Office

TRENCH TACTICS: A DLI soldier and a Korean attached to the regiment, in Korea, 1953. Pictures courtesy of the Trustees of the former DLI and Durham County Record Office

First World War

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Old soldiers to raise funds for memorial

BOYS FROM THE NORTH: A DLI Eighth Battalion personnel carrier in action in North Africa

BOYS FROM THE NORTH: A DLI Eighth Battalion personnel carrier in action in North Africa

The soldiers’ tale

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Sitting down to a Christmas dinner during another time of austerity

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Sitting down to a Christmas dinner during another time of austerity

Second World War

Homefront cooking

CITY HONOUR: The DLI men march over Elvet Bridge.

CITY HONOUR: The DLI men march over Elvet Bridge.

Second World War

Bayonets fixed for city tribute

SCHOOL REMEMBERS: Evergreen Primary School pupils at their Remembrance Service

SCHOOL REMEMBERS: Evergreen Primary School pupils at their Remembrance Service

Second World War

In memory of heroes

EXCHANGING VOWS: Lord and Lady Mountbatten on their wedding day in 1922. With them as best man is the then Prince of Wales – later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor

EXCHANGING VOWS: Lord and Lady Mountbatten on their wedding day in 1922. With them as best man is the then Prince of Wales – later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor

Second World War

Day the U-boat Killer was lost

FIGHTER BASE: RAF Usworth, on Wearside, the home of 607 (County of Durham) Squadron.

FIGHTER BASE: RAF Usworth, on Wearside, the home of 607 (County of Durham) Squadron.

Second World War

The Black Thursday battle for the North-East's skies

LOST SIBLING: Hazel Pritchard holds a treasured photograph of her brother, Tommy Newton, also pictured above during his service years

LOST SIBLING: Hazel Pritchard holds a treasured photograph of her brother, Tommy Newton, also pictured above during his service years

Second World War

War hero brother I never had the chance to meet

WAR DIARY: Corporal Harry Jones during his Army days

WAR DIARY: Corporal Harry Jones during his Army days

Second World War

Ex-soldier’s diaries tell of Himmler suicide

WARTIME HISTORY: Part of Alex Hamilton’s painting Stick to me like Glue, inspired by an incident in September 1940 when two Spitfires collided in mid-air

WARTIME HISTORY: Part of Alex Hamilton’s painting Stick to me like Glue, inspired by an incident in September 1940 when two Spitfires collided in mid-air

Second World War

World war icon aims to reach for skies – again

SACRIFICE REMEMBERED: A wreath is laid during the memorial service near the statue to Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski at Durham Tees Valley Airport on Saturday

SACRIFICE REMEMBERED: A wreath is laid during the memorial service near the statue to Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski at Durham Tees Valley Airport on Saturday

Second World War

Service honours the memory of Canadian air force heroes

discovery: museum assistant Susan Langridge with the carpet fragment from Hitler’s Berlin bunker

discovery: museum assistant Susan Langridge with the carpet fragment from Hitler’s Berlin bunker

Richmond and the Dales

Pile Hitler!

DIARIES: Private Stanley Harrison, who was eventually promoted to sergeant

DIARIES: Private Stanley Harrison, who was eventually promoted to sergeant

Richmond and the Dales

Diaries of the ‘Secret War’

MAKING CONTACT: Ray Thornton, who saved the life of ambulance driver Peggy Kitchen after she rushed to the scene of a plane crash in a field just outside Richmond, in December 1942. She now lives in Australia with her daughter

MAKING CONTACT: Ray Thornton, who saved the life of ambulance driver Peggy Kitchen after she rushed to the scene of a plane crash in a field just outside Richmond, in December 1942. She now lives in Australia with her daughter

Richmond and the Dales

Back in touch – 67 years after wartime heroics

JOB WELL DONE: Joan Sandford has received a medal, below, for working as a code-breaker

JOB WELL DONE: Joan Sandford has received a medal, below, for working as a code-breaker

Second World War

Medal honour for wartime code-breaker

POIGNANT CEREMONY: Richmond honors the fallen soldiers at the Green Howards memorial

POIGNANT CEREMONY: Richmond honors the fallen soldiers at the Green Howards memorial

Second World War

A region remembers

TEA TREAT: Dorothy Etherington, of Trimdon Grange, who is going to Buckingham Palace

TEA TREAT: Dorothy Etherington, of Trimdon Grange, who is going to Buckingham Palace

Second World War

Land girl Dorothy off to meet the Queen

IN AIR: An RAF bomber on a mission during the Second World War

IN AIR: An RAF bomber on a mission during the Second World War

Second World War

Tributes are paid to one of area’s last ‘Tail-end Charlies’

Frances Demain wanders along the railway station at Malton 70 years after arriving there to be billeted with a family during the war

Frances Demain wanders along the railway station at Malton 70 years after arriving there to be billeted with a family during the war

Second World War

Back to where I escaped the war