WE’RE well and truly into the second half of our 200th anniversary year and it’s been both a time of celebration and a time to reflect, writes James Ramsbotham, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive.

As we continue to champion the needs of our members on key political debates, including our involvement in the Northern Powerhouse and our requirement for devolved powers, I can’t help but feel incredibly proud of our region and its people.

I recently attended the unveiling of a plaque and commemorative bench in France to remember The Commercials, formerly known as the 16th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers.

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Army needed to bolster numbers and the Government looked for businesses, organisations or areas to pull together and sponsor battalions, which often led to what are called the pals battalions.

Organisers were asked to take responsibility for recruiting, equipping, training and feeding men to bolster the regular army.

This represented a financial undertaking that few individual organisations could afford.

The Chamber raised troops from its membership and were called the Commercial Battalions, often referred to as the Quaysiders, and enough men were recruited for three Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

The Chamber was not just providing soldiers, it also provided a benevolent fund for widows, orphans and wounded men.

It is clear the cost in lives was great by the ever mounting cost of the benevolent fund.

It is only right that we recognise the great debt we owe these men who gave so much for so many.

As part of its support for the Northumberland Fusiliers, the Chamber of Commerce raised, equipped, paid for and established a Widows and Orphans Fund for three Battalions of Northumberland Fusiliers The Commercials.

This eventually cost the Chamber £50,000, the equivalent of £2,153,000 in today's money.

They were just ordinary people who did normal jobs in the North-East who answered the call and off they went.

A lot of them never came back.

It was a poignant trip, and really brought home to me the importance of our 200th year celebrations and remembering the people, past and present, who have been part of it.

Of course, we still have lots to look forward to, notwithstanding our Gala Dinner at Durham Cathedral in September.

This prestigious event will combine a programme of world firsts; including the largest reception ever to be held within the Cloisters of Durham Cathedral, engaging speakers and an exciting locally focused menu. It will be a perfect way to round off a year of celebrations.