THE fascinating story of a First World War hero has been told at a special event in County Durham.

Durham County Council’s Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) service, Community Cohesion and Safer Communities teams hosted an event on Wednesday (May 18) with the authority’s Durham County Record Office to celebrate the significant contribution of John ‘Jack’ Cunningham - the first Romany Gypsy to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Enlisting in September 1914 with the 3rd Hull Battalion, later known as the 12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, he was deployed overseas and served in Egypt before being sent to the Western Front in March 1916.

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He was part of a bombing section which had captured an enemy front trench, but was met with strong opposition.

As the only man not killed or injured, Mr Cunningham collected the bombs from his fallen comrades and went on alone, defeating a troop of ten German soldiers and clearing the trench up to the new British line.

For his gallant action, Mr Cunningham was awarded the Victoria Cross from King George V at a ceremony in Hyde Park, and on his return home to Hull was greeted at the station by crowds and a band, which had heard of his heroics and carried him in a parade to his parents’ home which had been decorated by flowers.

Mr Cunningham continued to serve until 1918, where he was wounded and retired from active service.

The Northern Echo: John 'Jack' Cunningham. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.John 'Jack' Cunningham. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

During the event, people got the chance to view the Porrajmos Exhibition (the ‘Gypsy Holocaust’), which gave an insight into the largely unknown story of the persecution and deaths of Roma and Sinti Gypsies at the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War.

Between 1934 and 1945, it is estimated that between 200,000 and two million Gypsies were killed.

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Cllr Alan Shield, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: “John Cunningham’s story is a fascinating tale of heroism, and we were delighted to be able to host this event and share with people the courage and determination he showed throughout his service.

“The event looked to raise awareness of the positive contributions that Gypsies and Travellers made in respect of historic war efforts.

"It is also important to highlight how the GRT community was affected by the war as all communities were, with the tragic stories of persecution during the Second World War.”

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