Press releases

11 May 2007

Honouring Borough's Famous Sons

Two of South Tyneside's most famous sons have been honoured with permanent memorials to them in South Shields Town Hall.

Victoria Cross holders Private Thomas Young and Captain Richard Annand have been immortalised in beautiful bronze statues and set in place of honour on the Town Hall's magnificent staircase.

Both men were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for their bravery in the first and second world wars.  In March 1918, after an offensive near Arras, Pte Young returned time and again to no-man's-land to rescue nine men lying wounded in shell craters.  Capt Annand, who died in 2004, ignored enemy fire to rescue his batman, using a wheelbarrow, during the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.

Old and young alike turned out to honour the pair at a special ceremony when the statues were unveiled. The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Ed Malcolm, said it was important to remember the men and their comrades, and the tragedy of war. He said: "We now have an extra bit of history in the building, which will not only tell of South Tyneside's famous sons, but keep alive the history and link with the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) regiment, one of the most famous regiments in the British Army."

Pte Young, of Boldon Colliery, and Capt Annand, of South Shields, both served with the DLI, and it was the South Shields branch of the DLI Association that approached the Mayor with the idea for the statues.

As well as the sculptures by Roger Andrews, an education project has been developed around the statues, including a DVD, website and heritage trail which will pick out local sites connected to the DLI.

Branch president Lieutenant Colonel John Davis said: "Everybody in the branch is absolutely delighted with how well the ceremony went. "It is the end of an almost two and a half year journey from the original concept. The ceremony was really an opportunity once again to say a very big thank you to an awful lot of people."

John Welsh, 86, of West Boldon, unveiled the statue of his "favourite uncle Tommy". He said he was honoured that the people of South Tyneside had come together to see the statue commissioned and was especially proud to see the statues erected in the Town Hall, a building he has always admired. His uncle would be equally proud, he said, adding: "That would be his greatest accolade."

Sir David Chapman unveiled the bronze statue of Capt Annand and described the 6ft-tall creation as "quite magnificent". He said: "It is a great honour for the family to have Dick recognised in this way for his home town. The family are very grateful for all the support that has been given to make this dream come true."

Lieutenant-General Robin Brims, who knew Capt Annand and spoke at his memorial service in Durham Cathedral, presented the statues on behalf of the DLI Association. He said: "The example set by these two fine people is one to which we should all aspire."

Smaller replica statues were presented to Lt Gen Brims, Sir David and Mr Welsh. During the unveiling ceremony, a prayer was read by the Rev Raymond Burr, of St Hilda's Church, and a minute's silence was held, followed by The Last Post.

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