THE lives of residents involved in the First World War are being showcased as part of an exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum.

Travelling exhibit, Remembering Our War, looks at residents of the Tees Valley a century ago and recreates their war thanks to research involving local libraries, archives and museums.

A small selection of the exhibits on display includes a look at Thornaby’s Victoria Cross winner Edward Cooper.

The sergeant in the 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps charged down a German machine gun blockhouse with four other men causing the 45 German troops inside to throw down their weapons and surrender. He only knew of his Victoria Cross reading a newspaper at King’s Cross Station in January 1918.

Councillor Steven Goldswain, cabinet member for community protection, said: “Having the opportunity for the museum’s visitors to learn more about the sacrifices made by Tees Valley residents 100 years ago is excellent. Many don’t realise just how big a part our region played in the Great War so the opportunity to educate the younger generations was not one to be missed.”

Other featured exhibits include a look at life inside a Darlington munitions factory and the story of the brave pilots that flew from Redcar’s Royal Navy Air Station in the second half of the Great War.

The free exhibit will be running until Sunday, November 2 at Kirkleatham Museum with more information available on www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/kirkleathammuseum