Sydney Charles Johnson, from Thornaby, was killed at Dunkirk on 1 June 1940, aged just 19. Just six months before his death, Sydney had become engaged to Nancy and although Nancy later married, she never forgot Sydney and spoke about him often to her daughter, Gillian.

It was Gillian who discovered that Sydney’s name was not on the Thornaby War Memorial and she wanted to remedy this, getting in touch with the Royal British Legion Stockton & Yarm Branch.

On 1 June a service of dedication was held at Thornaby Cenotaph to remember Driver Sydney Charles Johnson, Royal Army Service Corps, with Gillian unveiling his name 85 years after his death.

Photograph and details courtesy of Gillian Brookes.