The Durhams at Passchendaele where the first few hours turned into a mud and blood bath
ONE hundred years ago, the telegram boys in the North-East were beginning one of their busiest periods of the First World War, delivering dreadful news to the families of young men out fighting in Flanders fields.
Horrific deaths of seven North-East sailors, murdered by German who became Himmler’s henchman, remembered on 100th anniversary
THE deaths of seven North-East sailors 100 years ago today in one of the most heinous crimes of the First World War will be marked during a poignant ceremony.
Special status for war memorial to Arthur “Patch” Watson who lost his life at Battle of Passchendaele
A WAR memorial dedicated to a soldier tragically killed as he waited to be transferred back to England carrying his comrades’ letters from the front has been given protected status.
Parade to be held in Stanley to mark centenary of Michael Heaviside coming home with Victoria Cross
THE homecoming of a miner who won a Victoria Cross while serving as a Western Front stretcher bearer is set to be re-enacted in a pit town.
David Young journeys to Belgium ahead of the centenary of the Passchendaele battle
This summer will mark the centenary of one of World War One’s most infamous battles – Passchendaele. Ahead of the anniversary, David Young journeys to Belgium to explore a still scarred landscape where 100 years ago his grandfather was wounded …
Great Ayton villagers mark exact moment their First World War soldiers died
A VILLAGE intent on marking the exact time of death of each of its villagers killed fighting during the First World War has just held its 27th memorial service.
Durham war hero’s battlefield bravery marked 100 years on
THE centenary of a North-East miner’s gallantry on a First World War battlefield was marked with the unveiling of a commemorative stone heralding the act of valour.
Village history project will focus on the Fighting Bradfords
A £50,000 project is being launched to explore the story of the only two brothers to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War and the village in which they live.
The courage of Roland Boys Bradford enshrined in history
A VICTORIA CROSS winner is to be permanently commemorated as part of a day of events in the County Durham village of Witton Park, where he was born.
Man learns more of mum and dad’s romance after Echo publishes First World War love letters
THE Remembrance Sunday special edition of The Northern Echo provided an enormous shock for Arnold Stewart.
Whistles were blown to start one of the Somme’s bloodiest days… at home the wait for news was torturous
WHAT time are you reading this? At 9.10am this very day 100 years ago, hundreds of Durham men slithered up out of their rain-lashed trenches on the Somme and tried to wade through waist-deep sticky mud to attack a heavily …
Durham and Bishop Auckland suffered some of most losses in First World War, new research reveals
ON the day the nation remembers our brave fallen, it has emerged two North-East towns suffered greater losses than most.
More than 50 war memorials given listed status as part of centenary drive to protect future of commemorative sites
MORE than 50 memorials commemorating fallen soldiers across the region have been listed to mark the centenary of the First World War.
Postcards home from an Easington miner to his Chilton wife
Romantic, caring, both brave and afraid… the wartime experiences of a County Durham soldier are revealed through a series of treasured postcards – many sent home from the Somme. Chris Lloyd tells Private Abraham Stewart’s story.
Never before seen artifacts of the Durham Light Infantry to go on show
THOUGH the year of Durham Remembers events is coming to an end, the opportunities to discover the story of the Durham Light Infantry and the county’s brave servicemen is far from over.
How Durham remembered the sacrifice of the brave men who fought for our freedom
THIS month sees the end of this year’s series of events and activities across the country marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
Family’s pride at memorial honouring VC winner Archie White
THE family of a soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for leading a counter-attack, against greatly superior numbers, during a key part of the Battle of the Somme have spoken of their pride after a memorial to honour him was unveiled …
DLI paid heavily for infamous assault to take ugly mound dubbed ‘that miniature Gibraltar’
The battalions of the Durham Light Infantry paid heavily for its infamous assault on the Butte de Warlencourt, an ugly mound of land dubbed ‘that miniature Gibraltar’. Chris Lloyd counts the cost.
Angels of their patients
A Lottery-funded project has documented the story of the community hospitals of the First World War. Ashley Barnard reports.
Stories behind the names enshrined on a Darlington plaque to the fallen
A Darlington historian has found the stories behind the names on a plaque to fallen First World War soldiers in one of the town’s churches. Chris Webber talked to him.
