A MUSEUM is planning a day of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the battle which earned a soldier the Victoria Cross.

The Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum has invited members of Private Adam Wakenshaw's family to help commemorate the action on June 27, 1942, which earned him the rare honour.

Pte Wakenshaw, from Newcastle, was 28 when he went into battle with the 9th Battalion DLI about 17 miles south of Mersa Matruh, on the Egyptian coast.

His two-pounder gun stopped a German vehicle before the enemy retaliated, leaving Pte Wakenshaw and others seriously wounded.

Although part of his left arm was blown off, he dragged himself back to his gun twice, managing to stave off the German attack before he was fatally wounded.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his "conspicuous gallantry, self-sacrifice, and courageous devotion to duty".

His anti-tank gun, still bearing the scars of the battle, now rests in the DLI Museum.

The commemorative event, on June 27, will include a short talk about the battle by Colonel Harry Sell, and a presentation of framed replica Victoria Crosses to members of Pte Wakenshaw's family.

There will also be a concert at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Newcastle.

To complete the day, the museum's trustees are hoping to track down the families of the other 19 DLI soldiers who were killed in the action on June 27, 1942.

They were; Sergeant H S W Jones, Sgt C Lockett, Corporal L Howard, and Privates J H Blakesley, H Boardman, T Brady, W Buckham, J Byrne, P Crane, M Duffy, F E Harrison, G Lawton, A D MacGregor, E Mohn, P M Murray, A S Nellist, S L Onions, R Simm, and J T Tubmen.

Families are asked to contact Major Randal Cross on 0191-386 5496.