A return to Normandy: Walking the battlefields with Tony Colgan of the Durham Light Infantry.

In 2014, I was lucky enough to spend time in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of the landings. In the course of my day job as a cameraman, I was able to film with the wonderful Tony Colgan of the 9th DLI. This is a much longer version of the film that ran on the News. I felt Tony's story deserved more time than a standard 3-minute news film allowed.
I'm sad to say that Tony passed away in 2018.

[@simonmassey3747]

A very special Gentleman of the Greatest Generation. What an honour it would of been to of met him and spent time in his company probably with a beer or two.
Thank you for sharing this video Christian and remembering the 2WW Generation during the 77th anniversary of the Normandy Campaign. We will remember them.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Simon, yes he was a lovely man - we only managed one brief beer sadly over lunch but I would have loved a few more!

[@68katydid]

My dad was commanding officer of the United States ship LCI 500 (landing craft infantry) that brought some of the Durham Light Infantry to Gold Beach on D Day. He lived a long and happy life.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Great respect for those who save the future for us , thank you.

[@geoffwheadon2897]

Hello vall, my father was also a Bren gun carrier driver at Normandy in the DLI, the 9th too, they probably shared a pint together, I'm now in the association to have the DLI museum reopened since DCC, Durham County Council , closed it, due to their labour/marxist ideology. All the men from my family joined the Durhams, I have their cap badge tattooed to my right arm above my old cap badge the Light Infantry. Here in County Durham at the last local elections many men and women have had enough of such acts as this by DCC, and many stood forward or where asked to stand as an independent candidate and many did, I my town the independents took 7 of the 12 seats from labour, and th I has happened across the northeast. The independents have now formed an alliance, with the few tories and lib-dems to oust labour for good, there is to be a meeting of all concerned this Wednesday the 16th of June at the DCC HQ , Durham City and 3rd on the agenda is the reopening of the museum, that's how much it runs deep. The land around the museum has men's ashes scattered there, where families go to pay their respects, but the DCC needed that land to built on, namely student accommodation, for Durham city is a university town. Best regards from Independent Councillor Wheadon. Swift and Bold sons of The Faithful Durhams.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Councillor, thanks for sharing that story. I wasn't aware of any of that. As a child I used to love visiting the museum of my home town regiment - The Royal Leicestershire Regt - and then one day it was shut down also - it is such a shame that so much of our history is being undermined like this. I hope that you are able to reopen the DLI museum - if you do please keep me posted. Chris.

[@geoffwheadon2897]

@@redcoathistory I certainly will mukka, and thank you for your kind words, they picked the wrong lads to mess with this time.Durham lad.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Well done

[@pablolowenstein1371]

And here we are.....betrayed.

[@camrenwick]

The generation that deserve our gratitude.

[@thehistoadian]

Nice to hear stories from these heroes, excellent video

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks.

[@michaelwhite8031]

RIP Tony !

[@fernandomiguelsoares2481]

Respect... o7

[@markmclean6766]

Respect