A memorial bench has been installed in memory of Newfield resident George “Sonny” Demand (1921-1945).
The bench was made possible thanks to Sonny’s family, and the support from local residents Dorothy Rand and David Elgy, Pelton Parish Council and Karbon Homes.
George William Hedworth Demand (always known as Sonny to friends and family) was born at Lumley View, Newfield, Chester-le-Street in July 1921 to Annie (nee Young) and Rene Demand, a Belgian.
Rene was one of the ‘Birtley Belgians’, who manned the armaments factory in Birtley during the First World War. The family later lived at Osborne House, Newfield and Sonny attended Roseberry School from 1926 -1931.
The family relocated to Brussels and Sonny quickly became fluent in French. After the outbreak of the Second World War, Sonny joined the Belgian Army. However, after the German occupation of Belgium, he made the decision to leave Belgium and join the British Army.
He was smuggled over the Pyrenees into neutral Spain, where he was interned. In 1941, he was released and continued his journey to Britain. On arrival, he convinced the authorities of his identity and that he wasn’t an enemy spy by singing ‘The Blaydon Races’!
Sonny joined The Border Regiment, based in Carlisle and met and later married a local girl, Freda Ashworth. He was then recruited into the Special Operations Executive (SOE) because of his abilities and his fluency in French and English. He was selected for ‘Operation Scullion’ under the command of Captain Hugh Dormer. He parachuted into France in April 1943, but the target of sabotage, a shale oil refinery near Dijon proved to be too heavily guarded. They made their way back to England by a secret underground network, via Paris and Spain. A second successful attempt was made in August 1943.
Sonny made his way back to a safe house in Paris which was raided by the Gestapo. He was imprisoned, interrogated and later sent to Flossenberg Concentration Camp in Bavaria, where he was kept in grim conditions. As the U.S, army was approaching Flossenberg in March 1945, the commandant conducted tribunals and the remaining SOE agents were sentenced to death and were executed by hanging.
Sonny was 23 years old. In 1946, Lieutenant George Demand was given a posthumous mention in despatches, the citation stating ‘his coolness and courage were outstanding.’ His name is mentioned on Special Operations Executive memorials in England and France, and most recently at Lumley View, Newfield where he was born.
What the bench means to the community
Pelton Parish Council signed the Licence to Occupy the land, supporting the installation of the bench, committing to it’s maintenance and insurance of the bench in Memory of the bravery of Lieutenant George Demand.
The bench was unveiled in March, with local MP Kevan Jones and pupils from Roseberry Primary School. It is situated between the two places in Newfield where Sonny lived.
The bench itself is made from 1,459 recycled two-pint milk bottles and will be a lasting tribute to his memory.
A memorial bench has been installed in memory of Newfield resident George “Sonny” Demand (1921-1945).
The bench was made possible thanks to Sonny’s family, and the support from local residents Dorothy Rand and David Elgy, Pelton Parish Council and Karbon Homes.
George William Hedworth Demand (always known as Sonny to friends and family) was born at Lumley View, Newfield, Chester-le-Street in July 1921 to Annie (nee Young) and Rene Demand, a Belgian.
Rene was one of the ‘Birtley Belgians’, who manned the armaments factory in Birtley during the First World War. The family later lived at Osborne House, Newfield and Sonny attended Roseberry School from 1926 -1931.
The family relocated to Brussels and Sonny quickly became fluent in French. After the outbreak of the Second World War, Sonny joined the Belgian Army. However, after the German occupation of Belgium, he made the decision to leave Belgium and join the British Army.
He was smuggled over the Pyrenees into neutral Spain, where he was interned. In 1941, he was released and continued his journey to Britain. On arrival, he convinced the authorities of his identity and that he wasn’t an enemy spy by singing ‘The Blaydon Races’!
Sonny joined The Border Regiment, based in Carlisle and met and later married a local girl, Freda Ashworth. He was then recruited into the Special Operations Executive (SOE) because of his abilities and his fluency in French and English. He was selected for ‘Operation Scullion’ under the command of Captain Hugh Dormer. He parachuted into France in April 1943, but the target of sabotage, a shale oil refinery near Dijon proved to be too heavily guarded. They made their way back to England by a secret underground network, via Paris and Spain. A second successful attempt was made in August 1943.
Sonny made his way back to a safe house in Paris which was raided by the Gestapo. He was imprisoned, interrogated and later sent to Flossenberg Concentration Camp in Bavaria, where he was kept in grim conditions. As the U.S, army was approaching Flossenberg in March 1945, the commandant conducted tribunals and the remaining SOE agents were sentenced to death and were executed by hanging.
Sonny was 23 years old. In 1946, Lieutenant George Demand was given a posthumous mention in despatches, the citation stating ‘his coolness and courage were outstanding.’ His name is mentioned on Special Operations Executive memorials in England and France, and most recently at Lumley View, Newfield where he was born.
What the bench means to the community
Pelton Parish Council signed the Licence to Occupy the land, supporting the installation of the bench, committing to it’s maintenance and insurance of the bench in Memory of the bravery of Lieutenant George Demand.
The bench was unveiled in March, with local MP Kevan Jones and pupils from Roseberry Primary School. It is situated between the two places in Newfield where Sonny lived.
The bench itself is made from 1,459 recycled two-pint milk bottles and will be a lasting tribute to his memory.
More news
First phase of affordable homes at Seaham Garden Village gets underway
At Home with Karbon summer edition has landed
Hello! A very warm welcome to the summer edition of At home with Karbon, where you’ll find engaging stories and helpful information.