A celebration has taken place to commemorate what would have been the 100th birthday of the youngest Second World War soldier to receive the Victoria Cross.

Fusilier Dennis Donnini VC, from Easington Colliery, was just 19 years old when his courageous actions inspired his unit to overcome an enemy force twice their size, resulting in the capture of 30 German soldiers and two machine guns.

Tragically, Dennis lost his life in the attack, but the legacy of his bravery lives on.

On Monday 17 November, members of the Donnini family gathered at The Story, Durham County Council’s culture and registration venue, to mark the centenary of his birth.

Dennis’ nephew Tony Putsman gave a presentation on the importance of his legacy to County Durham.

The Story team is also in the process of digitising the Donnini family archive, and the visit was a chance for people to see the progress made so far.

Jerome Donnini, another of Dennis’ nephews, said: “It’s been wonderful and quite emotional to pay tribute to Dennis’ memory alongside so many family members. It’s a source of great pride to us all and we’re delighted The Story is helping to keep his memory alive by preserving the family archive.

“It’s so important that we remember people like Dennis who gave their lives for our freedom. If we’d lost, it would have been the end of everything. Dennis was one of 64 men involved in the attack that day and there were 32 left standing at the end. It’s important we remember them too. They are all heroes.”

Cllr Andrew Harrison, Durham County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “The Story is all about celebrating ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things and Dennis Donnini VC was just that; a young man from Easington Colliery who demonstrated remarkable bravery and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

“It’s been such an honour to meet members of Dennis’ family and hear some of the fascinating stories that have been passed down through the generations.

“And, by digitising the Donnini family archive, we can help to ensure Dennis’ heroic actions are never forgotten, while also documenting an important part of County Durham’s history.”

Dennis was born on 17 November 1925 in Easington Colliery to Alfred Donnini, an Italian immigrant and ice cream parlour owner, and his English wife, Catherine (née Brown). He attended Corby Grammar School in Sunderland, now known as St. Aidan’s School.

Dennis enlisted in June 1944 following in the footsteps of two of his brothers. He completed his military training in northern England and Scotland before joining the 4/5th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 13 November 1944.

On 18 January 1945, during Operation Blackcock, Fusilier Donnini’s platoon was ordered to attack the village of Stein in Selfkant, Germany, near the Dutch border. As they left their trench, they came under intense fire from a nearby house, and Dennis was struck in the head. Remarkably, he regained consciousness and charged 30 yards down an exposed road, throwing a grenade through a window and forcing the enemy to flee. He and the remaining members of his platoon pursued them.

Accompanied by two comrades, Dennis pressed forward under relentless enemy fire, eventually reaching the shelter of a wooden barn. Though already wounded, he spotted a fellow fusilier who had been shot in both legs. Without hesitation, Dennis braved the gunfire to rescue him, carrying him back to safety.

Despite sustaining a second injury, Dennis continued to fight, but he was killed instantly when a grenade he was carrying detonated under fire.

At just 19 years old, Dennis became the youngest soldier of the Second World War to be awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest decoration for valour in the British Armed Forces.

Located on the outskirts of Durham City, The Story contains five historic collections, including six miles of archives covering 900 years of history and the entire DLI Collection and Archive.

It is also the home of the County Registration Service, a permanent exhibition about the history of County Durham and its people, a search and discover research space, including 16 computer terminals for accessing digital content, and a café.

The Story is open every day and entry is free. To find out more, visit www.thestorydurham.org.