VC hero's tale one of many featured in war exhibition (From The Northern Echo)

VC hero's tale one of many featured in war exhibition

8:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Middlesbrough News By Graeme Hetherington

THE story of a war hero awarded the Victoria Cross for heroics in the face of enemy fire is taking centre stage at an exhibition celebrating the role of ethnic minorities in the Armed Forces.

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC suffered severe head injuries while serving in Al Amarah, in Iraq, only days after his actions saved the lives of comrades when their armoured vehicle came under attack in 2004.

His bravery in the face of a sustained attack meant that two colleagues survived the assault, and his decision to force his way through the ambush meant crews in other armoured vehicles were able to get to safety.

Yesterday, he was due to open the We Were There exhibition, which marks 250 years of military heritage from the late 18th Century onwards, but was forced to pull out.

He was the first person to receive the Victoria Cross since 1982 and the first member of the British Forces since the Sixties to be awarded the medal non-posthumously.

Army community liaison officer for the region, Warrant Officer Class Two Dave Sado said: “We Were There aims to provide surprising and interesting information on unique areas of Britain’s military history, as well as helping to promote a better understanding for people of all ages about their communities within the Armed Forces.

“Lance Cpl Beharry is a true inspiration to all and testament to the courage shown by our ethnic minority soldiers not only of today, but also those of the past.”

The story of the Lance Cpl Beharry, who is originally from Grenada, is only one of a number in the exhibition, and his experiences are recorded against such important historical figures as Noor Inayat Khan, a female secret agent who earned the George Cross, Walter Tull, a lieutenant who fought in the trenches and played professional football, and Mary Seacole, a frontline nurse in the Crimean War.

The exhibition is at The Acklam Green Centre, Middlesbrough, from 9am to 3pm.

Entry is free until the end of the week.