Local war hero, Joseph A Pennington, was born in 1919 in Tudhoe. Joseph’s mother and father, Fred and Madeline moved to Kelvin Street, Ferryhill when he was young. Initially starting down the mines once leaving school, as the war broke out, he volunteered to fight for his country and joined the DLI. Based in Barnard Castle for his training, he was soon posted to Europe.
Joseph joined a ship in Cherbourg, France and was posted to both India and Burma. It was in Donbaik, Burma where he unfortunately got shot in the leg, spending a year convalescing.
At Donbaik, the Non-commissioned Officer went into attack with “C” Coy on to the Japanese positions where the Coy came under considerable enemy fire.
Joseph climbed repeatedly out of a nullah to bring in casualties which were lying outside. Joseph prevented these men from falling into Japanese hands.
As recognition for his valiant effort in protecting his comrades, Joseph was invited to Buckingham Palace for an award presentation with the King.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
