Jarrow street holds Remembrance tribute for 90-year-old war survivor and D-Day hero husband

A special tribute was organised this Remembrance Sunday for an elderly Jarrow resident who survived the Blitz and whose husband was involved in the D-Day landings.
90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son Gary (left) and James Burgoyne (right)90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son Gary (left) and James Burgoyne (right)
90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son Gary (left) and James Burgoyne (right)

A street-wide Remembrance act was held at 11am for 90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne (known as ‘Bel’ to her friends) this Sunday.

The ceremony was organised by neighbours, amid low-key ceremonies across South Tyneside due to coronavirus restrictions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Jarrow residents and family members joined together to set up the special commemorative event, since Mrs Burgoyne could not attend in-person Remembrance services or ceremonies owing to the limitations brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne
90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne

The adapted ceremony began with ‘The Last Post’ bugle call and the Reveille. Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was also played at the end of the tribute.

One neighbour, Sue Topping, said Mrs Burgoyne was ‘quite overwhelmed’ with emotion at the show of community spirit, as the street paid its respects.

"The whole street was out and Bel was singing along at the very end. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight,” Mrs Topping said following on from the tribute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Burgoyne told The Gazette how she witnessed German planes attacking Jarrow during the Blitz from the very same house where she was speaking this weekend.

90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son, Gary (left)90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son, Gary (left)
90-year-old Ishbelle Burgoyne and her son, Gary (left)

"This means an awful lot to me because I survived [the Second World War],” she said.

"I was in the house that I’m sitting in now when the German planes flew overhead and began to bomb this area. I’ve lived here for 90 years.”

Mrs Burgoyne was joined by her proud son, Gary, as the street commemorated all those who were involved in and lost their lives to the World Wars.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her late husband, who was just 19 when the broke out and was involved in the D-Day landings, also survived the conflict – but died a number of years ago.

Ishbelle's late husband, James BurgoyneIshbelle's late husband, James Burgoyne
Ishbelle's late husband, James Burgoyne

Their son, Gary, joined his mother for the occasion as the street cheered the 90-year-old.

Mrs Burgoyne added that she was delighted with the impromptu event.

The alternative Remembrance Sunday this year saw authorities urging people to commemorate the event on their doorsteps nationwide.

A message from the editor

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Shields Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.shieldsgazette.com/subscriptions to sign up.

You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here: https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/.

Thank you.

Related topics: