Family's pride at Wakenshaw gun's new home
A man has spoken of his pride at seeing the gun on which his grandfather sacrificed his life displayed in a new home.
Pte Adam Herbert Wakenshaw served in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) and was the last survivor of an anti-tank unit that came under fire in Mersa Matruh, Egypt, on 27 June 1942.
Newcastle-born Pte Wakenshaw dragged himself back to the anti-tank gun twice and managed to stave off the German attack, despite losing part of his arm. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Wakenshaw Gun has been displayed at The Story, a new culture and heritage venue on the outskirts of Durham.
Grandson Mark Wakenshaw said: "Mersa Matruh was a battle in the run-up to El Alamein, where my granddad is buried.
"We have visited, but now we have somewhere closer to home where we can come to remember him. It’s like a gravestone for us."
Pte Wakenshaw was fatally wounded in the battle, but his bravery prevented the enemy from attacking a nearby infantry company and allowed them to withdraw to safety.
After his death aged 28, he was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that British and Commonwealth forces can receive.
The Wakenshaw gun was moved from its former home at Sevenhills in Spennymoor to The Story, ahead of the venue opening on 14 June.
Mr Wakenshaw added: "This is where the gun should be, a place where the wider public can come to learn about the sacrifices of the lads of the DLI so we can prevent what happened then from ever happening again."
Col Ted Shields, chair of trustees of the DLI, added the Wakenshaw Gun helped people connect to those who served in the regiment.
Durham County Council's Elizabeth Scott called it "a great honour" to have the two-pounder gun displayed at the venue.
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