PRIMARY school pupils were today reunited with a clock and statues their forebears presented to a war hero 100 years ago - after he was awarded the highest award for gallantry.

Private Thomas Kenny was a 33-year-old in the Durham Light Infantry when he carried a wounded officer through No Man’s Land under fire in November 1915. The officer died shortly after the rescue.

But the following March, King George V presented him with the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace and days later the soldier visited his former school, St Mary’s RC Primary School in Wingate, east Durham.

Having read him a poem the children presented him with a marble clock, two statues, two silver vases, a pipe and some tobacco.

At the presentation the miner mumbled: “All I can say is that I did my duty in France to the best of my ability.”

The gifts disappeared from view until it recently emerged they were stored in the garage of the hero’s grandson, Terence Kenny, who has now given them on permanent loan to the Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre.

Margaret Hedley of the Wheatley Hill Local History Society, said: "We were researching the life of Pte Kenny when we found mention in a newspaper article of these items.

“Everyone presumed they were in the DLI museum, but they were not. So we went looking for them and were delighted to be told told his grandson still had them.

“It is fantastic he has given to us on permanent loan. Just goes to show what organised research does.”

Children from St Mary’s RC Primary School today (Thursday) attended a poignant event at the Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre – before visiting his grave in the adjoining cemetery.

Teacher Joanne Walton said: “We have researched how the school saved up to for the gifts. Seeing them back here brings it all back to life and makes it more real.”

Megan Banks, ten, said “I think that it is really amazing how the school children back then saved up to give him all these things. They must have been so proud of him.”

William Burton, 11, who co-wrote and performed in a school play re-enacting Pte Kenny’s heroic act, said: “We do like to celebrate things connected to our school.

“It has been lovely seeing what our school bought 100 years ago. This brings history alive. It has been a special day for all of us.”

Born in South Wingate, east Durham, Pte Kenny was working as a miner when he enlisted in the Army in 1914.

After the war he resumed his occupation underground and in 1927 moved to Darlington Street, Wheatley Hill. He died in 1948 aged 66.