A SECOND World War veteran has been reunited with the helmet he wore when he was shot down over Norway 58 years ago.
John Morrison, 78, was a wireless operator on a Halifax bomber which took part in the attack on the Tirpitz in the Norwegian fjords in 1942. He was hit by German fire and crash landed in a field near Trondheim. All three crew were badly injured, but they were taken in and cared for by a farmer and his wife whose field they crashed in.
The crew were given some food and patched up and Mr Morrison never forgot the kindness they showed.
A month ago, Mr Morrison, who lives in Woodham Village, Newton Aycliffe, went back to Norway to show his daughter, son-in-law and grandsons where he had crashed. He was directed to a farm where he was introduced to a man called Torbjorn Hellan.
Mr Morrison said: "I couldn't believe it - he was the grandson of the couple who had helped us. He fetched out the same helmet I'd worn 58 years ago."
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