Local Heroes

1. Why do we remember? What are we remembering? Local Heroes

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCUFw-EnNw

3. The North East and War 78 men from Tyneside were killed on July 1st 1916 at the start of the Battle of the Somme For hundreds of families in Tyneside the First World war brought unimaginable tragedy The Tyneside Scottish Brigade saw 917 men killed and 1,368 wounded The Tyneside Irish Brigade saw 596 men killed and 1,575 wounded. Men serving with their friends meant many areas were hit hard by death. Within one Tyneside battalion 178 men were killed . Pal’s battalions were formed all around the North East where men could fight with their friends and workmates

4. The North East and War Peter Atkinson from North Shields was killed at the Battle of the Somme. A memorial plate recognising his effort in the battle was found in a scrap yard The plate was known as the Dead Man’s Penny It was issued to families who had lost their loved ones to be attached to the outside of their homes No one knows how the plate ended up in a scrap yard but Peter Atkinson is now seen as a local hero who gave his life in the First World War

5. North Tyneside not only played an active role in the First World War but also in the Second World War

6. Dennis Donnini Dennis was a 19 year old soldier from North Tyneside On 18th January 1945 whilst fighting Dennis was hit in the head by a bullet He kept going, forced the enemy out and continued to shoot despite being wounded a second time Dennis was killed in action. A bullet hit a grenade he was carrying causing it to explode Dennis’ bravery earned him the Victoria Cross, the youngest soldier to receive this honour

7. Stanley Hollis Stanley was a lorry driver from the North East On the 6th June 1944, Stanley attacked a German defence. He took 31 German soldiers prisoner Later that day Stanley discovered 2 men had been left behind and declared “ I took them in. I will try to get them out” Stanley was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery Stanley threw a grenade at enemy troops but forgot to pull the pin. When the enemy realised it had not exploded, Stanley had rescued the 2 men, despite being shot in the leg

8. War affects everyone 3 men won the George Medal and British Empire Medal for their volunteering In 1941, an air raid shelter in North Shields was hit by a bomb dropped from an enemy aircraft 107 were killed and many injured with some families completely wiped out The shelter underneath Wilkinson’s lemonade Factory had 192 people inside It was the worst bomb disaster outside of London

9. War at Sea They protected British colonies and the coastline, and supplying Russia, who was holding out alone in Europe against the Nazis, with essential goods. The North East has always had an important link to the sea. Both the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy played an important role during WW2. Many men from the North East played their part in the Arctic convoys, dangerous and difficult work that cost some their lives. Tommy Brown, from North Shields, took part in the rescue of the Enigma code books from a sinking German U boat, along with two other men. Only Tommy survived the mission.

10. War is always in our lives

11. The North East and Armed Services Thousands of men and women have volunteered, or been called up, from the North East, to fight in wars, in the past, and those going on today. The British Army sees the North East as being one of the greatest contributors of men and women to their ranks. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, there are soldiers and support staff from this region taking part in efforts to keep the peace and protect civilians. 70 officers and soldiers based at Albemarle barracks in Northumberland from 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, returned from Afghanistan last week after spending six months in Helmand Province. One soldier talked of keeping in touch with his daughters on Skype but how he also loves the handwritten letters from his wife.

12. The British Legion, who supply the red poppies we buy, use the money for a variety of purposes. They support veterans of previous wars, such as WW2 and even, though less frequently now, WW1. So buying your poppy for Remembrance Sunday helps us to remember the bravery of those men and women not only from our region, but from the rest of the British Isles, and from all around the world, who have fought for peace and to protect civilians. They also help soldiers from current wars with rehabilitation for injuries, with retraining, with support for families who have lost loved ones, or who see loved ones changed forever It also brings much needed support and aid to those who were, in their turn, prepared to give support and aid to those who needed it and who paid a great price for doing so.

13. - A Field of Remembrance has been created in Saltwell Park, Gateshead this year. 10,000 crosses were put up to commemorate the fallen. It will remain there until November 11th • - The Legion provides residential places in six Care Homes across the country as well as thousands of sessions of short term respite and day care. • - The Legion gave holiday breaks to over 8,800 people last year, so Armed Forces families could get away from it all and spend quality time together. • - External grants were awarded to 57 organisations totalling £8 million. • - The Legion has opened and maintains The Battle Back Centre and Personnel Recovery Centres that provide support to wounded, injured and sick in-Service personnel. • - The Legion spends £1.6 million a week, or £84 million a year on vital welfare work, providing social, emotional and financial care and support to serving and ex-Service people and their families. • - The Legion works to ensure commemoration of the bravery and sacrifice of men and women in war continues to be marked. • - Approximately 9.5 million people in the UK are eligible for the Legion’s support and they are “proud to serve those in need, today and for the rest of their lives.”

14. 11th November Remembrance Day We will remember them