THE last surviving member of the Durham Light Infantry to hold the Victoria Cross celebrated his 86th birthday yesterday.

Captain Richard Annand, of Whitesmocks, Durham City, got a fitting tribute from friends and former DLI soldiers when two buglers gave him a moving reminder of his Army days.

It is 60 years since he received the military honour - the first handed out during the Second World War - for rescuing his wounded batman from behind enemy lines, using a wheelbarrow.

His heroics were apparent even before this incident. He had earlier launched three attacks on German soldiers on a bridge over the River Dyle in France.

He is one of 11 men in the Durham Light Infantry to receive the Victoria Cross.