New film to retell of Victoria Cross
THE end of the First World War meant the guns fell silent, but the effects of the conflict reverberated throughout the following years.
Men returning from the battlefields continued suffering physically and mentally, while bereaved families struggled with their loss.
Now, as Remembrance Sunday nears, the legacy of the war will be explored when South and North Tyneside join to commemorate the 100th anniversary next year of the end of the conflict.
Work to build a picture of post-war life is now under way after the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £40,600 to the South and North Tyneside World War One Community Heritage Project.
And next Wednesday, a film on miner Thomas Kenny, the first Durham Light Infantry soldier to win the Victoria Cross in the war, will be premiered to an invited audience at Durham’s Gala Theatre.
But after the war and the heroics which saw him presented with the VC by the King, Thomas went back to the pit to work underground until the age of 62.
The film’s title ‘Beyond Praise –
Thomas Kenny VC’ will receive its first public screening at St Mary’s Heritage Centre in Gateshead on November 14 with further dates to be announced.
The words of the title were taken from Thomas’ VC citation which ended: “Private Kenny’s pluck, endurance and devotion to duty were beyond praise.”
On the cross-Tyneside project, Coun Ed Malcolm, chairman of South Tyneside Armed Forces Forum, said: “The war was fought on a geographical scale never seen before.
“What happened is welldocumented. But what it less wellknown is the post-war period and life in the home communities.
“The war not only devastated a nation economically, it left society with widowed women, fatherless children and countless soldiers returning home physically and psychologically wounded.
“This new project will help us to understand the challenges faced by ordinary people in everyday life, from dealing with death and disability to changing industries, unemployment and the roles of women.” The project involves schools, community groups and residents working with library staff and local history groups to research the experiences of families and individuals whose lives changed following the homecoming of those who served. Communities will use the research to produce displays, reports, film, poetry, artwork and exhibitions with support from venues such as South Shields Museum and Art Gallery and Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend. A website will also be created. Coun Gary Bell, North Tyneside Council Armed Forces Champion, said: “Whole communities were devastated by the war and it’s important that we continue to reflect on the terrible impact it had on people’s everyday lives in the North East. “I’m very proud to see how the two councils have worked together to secure these funds and pay tribute to the fallen of 1914-1918, while also
It’s important that we continue to reflect on the terrible impact it had on people’s everyday lives Coun Gary Bell