War hero gets a special portrait
A FORMER war hero has been presented with his portrait after telling fascinating stories from his army life.
James Wilkinson has been attending Age Concern North Tyneside's Longbenton Day Centre twice a week for six months.
And after hearing one of James' stories, volunteer Martin Hine, who leads regular art mornings with the members, decided to paint a portrait of 83-year-old James in his Durham Light Infantry regimental jacket, tie and medals.
Martin said: "James is a lovely gentleman and has settled in really well.
"When he gets talking about his experiences in the Durham Light Infantry during the war, everyone is fascinated.
"He joined up at 16, lying about his age, and was involved in many of the famous moments of the war – Dunkirk, the D-Day landings, and going right through to liberate Berlin.
"The medals show his brave service on many occasions but on his way through Holland he also stopped to deliver a baby – and has kept in touch with, and been back to visit, this family."
Chairman of Age Concern North Tyneside, David Luke, who was himself at captain in the infantry, was delighted to present the portrait to James.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
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