A heroic defence in the desert

27th June 1942: An extraordinary act of courage and determination by former Durham miner lets fellow soldiers escape the German onslaught

An artists impression of Adam Wakenshaw’s stand on 27th June 1942.

The last time Adam Wakenshaw saw home, in Duke Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, was in February 1941 - when he was given compassionate leave because his seven year old son had been killed in a traffic accident. He was serving with the Durham Light Infantry - DLI - which he had joined at the b…