Published Date:
22 June 2009
A NEW flag in honour of the Armed Forces was flown for the first time at Morpeth today.
Veteran servicemen and women gathered to watch the standard being raised during a parade at County Hall.
Among them was 89-year-old former paratrooper Raymond Wyard, of Bedlington, who was a prisoner-of war twice.
Mr Wyard, a medical orderly with the Parachute Regiment, was first captured in the Middle East and sent to an Italian prisoner-of war camp.
He was repatriated to England and captured a second time at Arnhem and sent to Stalag 4B in Germany. He was sent to a work hostel in Dresden and was there when the city came under a massive aerial bombardment.
"It has been marvellous to be here today and witness everything that has happened," he said after the parade.
The flag raising ceremony concluded with a flypast by two RAF jet trainers, but low cloud meant that although crowds could hear the aircraft they could not see them.
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Last Updated:
22 June 2009 1:23 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Morpeth
