THE funeral of one of the country's first widows in the Second World War took place yesterday.

Doris Sinclair died at Haughton Village Nursing Home, Darlington, after suffering from pneumonia.

Mrs Sinclair's first husband, Sergeant William "Bill" Brown, died in the first few days of the conflict when his aircraft was shot down over Hanover, Germany.

The couple had only married the week before the death of Sgt Brown, of Shildon, County Durham.

Mrs Sinclair's funeral took place at St Matthew and St Luke's Church, in Brinkburn Road, Darlington.