Our Band of Brothers hero

Class of Brothers

by Ruth Jolley

CHILDREN are creating an 80th birthday card for one of the Second World War heroes who inspired the TV series Band of Brothers -- after one pupil contacted him through the internet.

Ten-year-old Luke Smith, a pupil at Markland Hill Primary School, and his mother Pam have struck up a friendship with William 'Wild Bill' Guarnere after posting a message on his website.

William is the real-life hero behind the character in the epic series Band of Brothers -- produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

The show was screened around the world and starred David Schwimmer of Friends fame and British actor Damian Lewis. Frank John Hughes played the role of 'Wild Bill.'

Now Luke's classmates are making a birthday card to send to the war veteran to celebrate his 80th birthday next week.

Luke's mother Pam, of Kingwood Avenue, Heaton, said: "I have always had an interest in the Second World War. My father's brother was in the RAF and was shot down and killed. Luke has also become interested in the war and has started asking questions.

"After we watched Band of Brothers we started looking on the internet and found Bill Guarnere's website. We left a message on his message board and a few weeks later we got a reply."

Since then they have exchanged a few letters and Mr Guarnere has sent Pam's children Luke, Chloe, aged seven, and Callum aged four, a signed photograph of himself taken in 1942.

Mr Guarnere was a member of the 101st Airborne, 506th PIR, Easy Company. He lost a leg at the age of 21 at The Battle of the Bulge.

Luke said: "It was really strange talking to him at first, I didn't know what to say. Band of Brothers is one my favourite TV programmes. My mum has got it on video."

Luke took the letters into school and gave a talk to his classmates about the history of the Easy Company and its involvement in the Second World War.

Pam said: "Mr Guarnere was quite pleased that my son is taking an interest. He doesn't think children learn enough about what the war was really like.

Markland Hill teacher Paula Ash said that hearing from such a distinguished veteran had really captured the childrens' imaginations.

Easy Company captured and defeated a German battery of four 105mm cannons guarding a D-Day beach.

The company then led the way into Carentan, fought in Holland, held the perimeter at Bastogne, led the counter offensive in the Battle of the Bulge, fought in the Rhineland campaign and took Hitler's Eagle Nest at Berchtesgaden.

HERO: Bill Guarnere0

HAUNTED BY THE IMAGES OF WAR: PAGE 11