IT is impossible for younger generations to fully appreciate what it was like to fight in the world wars.

Those dark, unimaginable days seem a world away, yet they are recent enough to mean that there are still those who remember the horror all too vividly.

All of those who served their country were heroes - some more heroic than others. Men like Captain Richard Annand, born in South Shields and now living near Durham, who was the first soldier in the Second World War to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

With heavy fire all around him during the retreat from Dunkirk in May 1940, he rescued his injured batman, Private Joseph Hunter, using a wheelbarrow.

He could so easily have died a young man on foreign soil, like so many of his comrades, but mercifully lived to grow old.

Last night, 88-year-old Captain Annand travelled to the Imperial War Museum in London to support a campaign aimed at ensuring that those who showed exceptional courage are not forgotten.

An appeal has been launched to raise £250,000 to pay for a national memorial to holders of the Victoria and George Cross. The fund will also be used to restore and maintain the graves of VC and GC heroes.

The Northern Echo, like other newspapers around the country, has been asked by The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association to do what it can to promote the appeal.

In an age when hardship is often blown out of proportion and the word "hero" is so overused, we have no hesitation in doing so.

Indeed, we cannot hide from the irony that details of the appeal are published on the same day that we produce a regular supplement, called Local Heroes, which is dedicated to those who participate in sport.

There can be little doubt that the people of this country will raise the required amount swiftly and we know our readers will play their part.

It is a splendid idea and we give it our wholehearted support. The only question is: How could it have taken us so long to recognise this debt of honour?