NEASHAM Parish Council has managed to buy two ceramic poppies that were part of the display at the Tower of London which caused such a stir when it was unveiled to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

A special evening of dedication is being held in the village hall tonight (NOVEMBER 14), starting at 7pm, with the Memories illustrated talk, Heroes and a Villain: Darlington and the First World War.

Last weekend's wet weather enabled us to add a little bit to the talk on each of the nine Neasham men named on the village memorial board as having given their lives in the conflict.

Researcher Stephen Nicholson assisted, and unearthed an unsettling line concerning Sapper Raymond Towers, the son of the Neasham village blacksmith.

Raymond worked as a fireman on the North Eastern Railway before the war, which was why he was posted to the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers and despatched to Egypt to work on a light railway built by the British.

His boat struck a mine at the entrance to Alexandria harbour on December 31, 1917, and sank within seven minutes. As 198 people drowned, Raymond was one of the lucky ones plucked from the water, but he was hospitalised with pneumonia from which he never recovered.

He died on January 10, 1919, and was buried beside the Suez Canal. His personal effects included letters, a broken Rosary, a metal ring, a safety razor and blade in a case, photos, a wallet and a mirror, which were sent back to England.

But Stephen has uncovered a letter sent by Raymond's father in March 1919 to the War Office saying how distressed the family was that "a lady’s watch and Egyptian cigarette case, which he intended for his wounded brother and sister, are missing".

The implication is that the dead lad's most valuable items had disappeared while in the possession of the army. Mr Towers, who was then living in Falmer Road, Darlington, asked for their immediate return – did they ever arrive?

Admission tonight is £4, to include refreshments. Call 01325-720366 for further information.